The Hopper--all green, with lighter green swirls across its fur--dashed a bit away, then turned back, lingering. It sniffed, listening to Chaos-Two speak.

They were still a wild animal: their first instinct was to bolt, run, never look back. But the scent of food was captivating, so they simply... stayed: a safe distance away, but with rapid movements of head-bobbing and hopping and the working of their nose and whiskers that indicated they were sniffing that food.

The way to the heart, and all of that...

@V-Chaos-Two

Khavur listened, took it all in. "It seems to me that you succeeded at your own trial in your own way, as you tend to do." Khavur was yet again amazed at how Maximus always managed to survive in worlds that set the rules against them. They bent laws of this world like light around themself, so that they could pass through... all while still remaining themself. Being exposed to this method of survival, which worked despite hardship... it served as nutrition for the ideas incubating in Khavur's mind.

"I can carry you back, but your friend in progress is unlikely to stay... they will fear me if I appear. Alternatively, I could deliver the news to Master Vargas myself and fly back here to retrieve you."

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two drooped and tossed a piece of banana towards the small critter, sighing softly, "Mm... I wish there was a way I could find it later. Maybe I could come back?"

They wanted a way to find this specific rabbit though... hm.

’Don't go,’ they thought suddenly, their spell fizzling out as their attention wavered, making them grunt softly in disdain, ’I don't... I don't want to be left alone. I'll cast a spell and see if it has a stone. If it does then I'll just remember what the magic it has looks like, and I can come back for it. Hopefully it doesn't leave the cave.’

@Khavur gm tagging

The lobbed banana sent the Wind Hopper dashing away in a blinding blur of green. And then it was back, a fraction of a second later, its incredible speed unharmed by its now-cured illness.

It set to work on the banana, but with that twitchy manner that wild rabbits have: ears working, eyes staring all around it, ready to bolt again should something go wrong. Right now, though, it seemed relatively accepting of Chaos-Two's presence--provided they didn't draw too close.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two watched this tiny little rabbit, absolutely in love with it. They didn't move, barely even blinked, enraptured as it nibbled so daintily. A grazing animal, like they were. Well, they were now. No way they'd be able to hunt small creatures like this small rabbit every again.

"... I'm going to name you Nibbles," they said softly, "I hope some day we can be friends. I'll give you as many bananas as you want, and I'll make sure you're safe."

They reached out with their magic, hoping to touch the magic of this tiny little rabbit. Maybe... just maybe, they could find it again.

This particular Wind Hopper, as it turned out, was gemless: no gemstone to sense with Gem Sense, no trickle of magic with Detect Magic--nothing. It remained at a safe distance, contentedly nibbling banana.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two stared at the rabbit for a moment and put their hand over their mouth. No gem, no way to track it. That left one option.

’... I'm going to herd it home,’ they said, ’Can you go to Vargas and tell him that I succeeded and that I will um... be a while? Uh... t-tell him I became too weakened and that I will simply walk back when I am able to.’
This was going to take a while...

’A pen!! Khavur, can you make a pen for it? Like a small place to keep it until I can somehow bond with it. I can forge a bond with it like we have done!’, they thought excitedly, ’Make sure to put some sort of cover on top, perhaps made of furs? I have plenty in my nest you can use!’
This could work!!

@Khavur

The option Maximus went with was not any option Khavur had offered, but... the beast could feel the infatuation, the compassion, welling in Maximus's heart. It smiled to itself; Khavur wouldn't argue with that. 'This seems like a second trial for yourself Maximus.' Khavur knew next to nothing about herding wild Lessers, but it figured that, since they were fearsome predators and all that... it might prove difficult. 'I will tell Vargas, and I will try to make a pen... although I am not great with architecture.' There were multiple reasons for why Khavur had not chosen to help Maximus out with their garden and the refurbishing of the caves. Grace -- or rather the lack of it -- was one. 'Good luck. Rest well when you can.'

Quietly as it could, the beast stalked off, readied its wings, and... off to the races.

- exit -

@V-Chaos-Two

The lanky green rabbit rocked back on its haunches, and looked up, tongue lapping at the banana smeared in its whiskers. It regarded Chaos-Two steadily for a moment, ears flicking about--then began to wash its face, tiny paws passing over a twitching nose.

@V-Chaos-Two

Chaos-Two sighed for a moment and stared at the rabbit, setting their head down. This was going to be a long... long endeavor. But they could do it, of course they could.

"Well, Nibbles," they said softly, hoping not to spool the rabbit, "I'm certain we'll grow to be friends. I doubt Master Vargas will be very pleased about your... well, your smallness, weakness, or your cuteness, but... well, what does he know? You will be my friend and that's all that matters, right?"

They smiled gently and sighed again. Now... if only they could summon another banana.

Exit