xxxxxx It had been a few days spent in the city. Diana had plenty of time to visit her family and spend some of her time with them. Her brother had gotten a lot taller since she last saw him and her sister looked older than she had when she last saw her. It was due time she visited her aunt for some training since she felt that she needed to learn something new to help her out in future conflicts. Diana was getting stronger by each encounter and she didn't want to slack in her training. Her aunt, Minerva, was the best teacher she had and thankfully she was in the area. Minerva usually traveled around doing shows and supplying strong beasts for hunting or other tasks. Diana decided to pay her a visit that day to see if she had anything new to teach her.
xxxxxx She finally arrived at a small encampment just outside of the city where Minerva was supposed to be. It was a gathering spot for hunters who were preparing to go out and hunt. It wasn't surprising that she'd be in a place like this at this time of year. There was a slight breeze today that alleviated some of the heat beaming down on her. Diana made her way through the encampment and looked to see if Minerva was anywhere to be found. Eventually, she found the tent that she had been occupying by spotting her travel companion. It was a female lunar canine that was absolutely massive and beautifully majestic in every way. Diana always found herself in awe every time she saw the beast.
xxxxxx As Diana began to approach the tent to see if her aunt was inside the flaps swung open and she was greeted by Minerva herself. Diana was startled by the surprise and her heart fluttered a bit. She took a deep breath and stepped back a few steps. "Hey!" Minerva took her hands and smiled at her, pulling her into a quick tight embrace. Diana reluctantly hugged her back; still a bit awkward about the situation. "I've been meaning to write to you actually," she started, placing her hand on her chin, "Domitia just had a few pups and I'll give you one if you'd have it."
xxxxxx Diana was flattered by the offer but was expecting that this wouldn't be just a gift, she'd have to work for it somehow. "Come," continued Minerva, motioning for Diana to follow her into the tent. There were a few pups inside, big enough to be full grown dogs. "They need to be trained," she said abruptly, "I will tell you now that this is not an easy task." Diana nodded and watched them play with each other. One out of the four came to her and started sniffing her before licking her hand. She knelt down and began to pet it. The dog gently licked her face and then laid down, resting it's head on her lap.
xxxxxx "Seems that one has already imprinted on you. He's a lot like you," she chuckled, "Though on the bad side he's extremely stubborn." Minerva put her hand on her hip and pushed some of her hair out of her face. Diana stared at the dog for a while, petting him and wondering how hard it could possibly be knowing that with her aunt nothing was the least bit easy. "I'll do it," said Diana, looking back up at Minerva. "Good answer," she replied, smirking at her, "Just know that these dogs can't use something as simple as whistles like your bird. They require vocalization but lucky for you I've got some simple commands to start out with."
xxxxxx It wasn't very appealing to Diana to have to yell out commands but if these pups could turn out to be anything like Domitia it would be worth it. "Follow me. We'll start training now," said Minerva, grabbing a few things before heading out the tent. Diana scrambled up and jogged after her with her new dog in tow. "Do you know what you want to name him?" she asked, looking back at her. Diana looked at the pup briefly and tried to think of a fitting name for him. She shook her head, "No." Minerva chuckled and after a few moments of walking stopped. They were in a wide dirt field, perfect for training. There were various large prey animals in the distance but they surprisingly didn't seem to mind that they were there.
xxxxxx "We won't get this down in just one day seeing how stubborn he is but do be careful, Diana. As you know they can and will spit at you and it will burn you." Minerva was a bit concerned about her safety and it showed on her face. Diana remembered what Domitia could do with her bite and was a bit fearful if she didn't keep her guard up. "Just because he's young doesn't mean his spit is any more potent," she added, clapping twice. "Now time to start. You'll be teaching him how to howl on command by only using the vocal command for howling; Emugio." The dog began to wander off and Domitia picked him from the nape of his neck. The pup wiggled around, snarling at his mother to put him down.
xxxxxx Diana wasn't sure how she was going to make him do that only using the command but it sure wouldn't be easy. "It is possible. Domitia herself was quite stubborn as well," as Minerva said that, Domitia huffed, "You don't want to do it when they're older, though. The sound is loud enough to break glass and will cause enemies who are unprepared a great deal of pain just like our own voices." Minerva hopped onto Domitia's back and short whistled. Domitia jumped over Diana only to turn back and look at her and bark. Diana turned her head and looked at them. "Good luck. I'll check in with you in a week to see how you're doing. Remember, the key word is Emugio."
xxxxxx She rode off back towards the camp, waving lovingly back at Diana. The pup walked over to the pack that she had left them and sniffed at it, trying to get to the treats that were enclosed. Diana noticed this and swiftly grabbed the pack. The dog tried to jump on her but she jumped back out of his reach. He was clearly displeased but she was curious to what else her aunt had left her in the pack. Rummaging through the pack she found a few bits of dried meat and some food and water for herself and the pup. Perhaps her aunt wasn't the best teacher but she had good intentions. "Come," she commanded, patting her lap. The dog had no interest in following her order so he simply laid down in the dirt, staring at her. She sighed and walked over to him, sitting in front of him.
xxxxxx "Let's try," she beckoned, picking up his head and touching her nose to his. She was certain he didn't want to harm her by the look in his eyes. She reached into the pack and broke off a small piece of dried meat, holding it in front of his nose. "Emugio," she commanded, not sure if he knew the command already but simply refused to do so. The dog made a weak attempt at it; it was more of a long whine than a howl and wagged his tail. Diana knew this was going to be a rough start but she was confident that they could get it right sooner or later.
xxxxxx After the first week of staying out there with him, she found herself at a loss. He would get closer and closer every time but he wouldn't put his heart into it. Diana noted in her books that this breed grew surprisingly fast. Even on a scarce diet they thrived and were able to grow. Minerva checked in on them and was pleased with her progress but simply just came to leave more food and water for the following week. Diana had one more week before she failed but she was determined. A day came when she finally realized what she wanted to call him. She would spend her nights sharing her thoughts with him and watching his behaviors, getting to know him better. But it was one of those nights when a name just came to her; Pluto. The pup didn't seem opposed to the name but she could probably call him anything and he wouldn't be against the fact.
xxxxxx Another week passed and they had finally gotten it down with confidence. Pluto had seemingly found more respect for Diana as each day passed but he was still quite stubborn and disobedient at times. When Minerva arrived on the last day they were to demonstrate it with ease. "Emugio," commanded Diana, anticipating his reaction to her command. Without delay he howled as loud as he could with no hesitation. She was enthusiastic and knelt down to him, petting him lovingly. "Good job," she cooed, giving him a big piece of meat as a reward. He devoured it with excitement, wagging his tail. "We aren't done just yet, Diana. I have about four more things for you to learn." Minerva poked her in the forehead and smiled slyly.
xxxxxx She finally arrived at a small encampment just outside of the city where Minerva was supposed to be. It was a gathering spot for hunters who were preparing to go out and hunt. It wasn't surprising that she'd be in a place like this at this time of year. There was a slight breeze today that alleviated some of the heat beaming down on her. Diana made her way through the encampment and looked to see if Minerva was anywhere to be found. Eventually, she found the tent that she had been occupying by spotting her travel companion. It was a female lunar canine that was absolutely massive and beautifully majestic in every way. Diana always found herself in awe every time she saw the beast.
xxxxxx As Diana began to approach the tent to see if her aunt was inside the flaps swung open and she was greeted by Minerva herself. Diana was startled by the surprise and her heart fluttered a bit. She took a deep breath and stepped back a few steps. "Hey!" Minerva took her hands and smiled at her, pulling her into a quick tight embrace. Diana reluctantly hugged her back; still a bit awkward about the situation. "I've been meaning to write to you actually," she started, placing her hand on her chin, "Domitia just had a few pups and I'll give you one if you'd have it."
xxxxxx Diana was flattered by the offer but was expecting that this wouldn't be just a gift, she'd have to work for it somehow. "Come," continued Minerva, motioning for Diana to follow her into the tent. There were a few pups inside, big enough to be full grown dogs. "They need to be trained," she said abruptly, "I will tell you now that this is not an easy task." Diana nodded and watched them play with each other. One out of the four came to her and started sniffing her before licking her hand. She knelt down and began to pet it. The dog gently licked her face and then laid down, resting it's head on her lap.
xxxxxx "Seems that one has already imprinted on you. He's a lot like you," she chuckled, "Though on the bad side he's extremely stubborn." Minerva put her hand on her hip and pushed some of her hair out of her face. Diana stared at the dog for a while, petting him and wondering how hard it could possibly be knowing that with her aunt nothing was the least bit easy. "I'll do it," said Diana, looking back up at Minerva. "Good answer," she replied, smirking at her, "Just know that these dogs can't use something as simple as whistles like your bird. They require vocalization but lucky for you I've got some simple commands to start out with."
xxxxxx It wasn't very appealing to Diana to have to yell out commands but if these pups could turn out to be anything like Domitia it would be worth it. "Follow me. We'll start training now," said Minerva, grabbing a few things before heading out the tent. Diana scrambled up and jogged after her with her new dog in tow. "Do you know what you want to name him?" she asked, looking back at her. Diana looked at the pup briefly and tried to think of a fitting name for him. She shook her head, "No." Minerva chuckled and after a few moments of walking stopped. They were in a wide dirt field, perfect for training. There were various large prey animals in the distance but they surprisingly didn't seem to mind that they were there.
xxxxxx "We won't get this down in just one day seeing how stubborn he is but do be careful, Diana. As you know they can and will spit at you and it will burn you." Minerva was a bit concerned about her safety and it showed on her face. Diana remembered what Domitia could do with her bite and was a bit fearful if she didn't keep her guard up. "Just because he's young doesn't mean his spit is any more potent," she added, clapping twice. "Now time to start. You'll be teaching him how to howl on command by only using the vocal command for howling; Emugio." The dog began to wander off and Domitia picked him from the nape of his neck. The pup wiggled around, snarling at his mother to put him down.
xxxxxx Diana wasn't sure how she was going to make him do that only using the command but it sure wouldn't be easy. "It is possible. Domitia herself was quite stubborn as well," as Minerva said that, Domitia huffed, "You don't want to do it when they're older, though. The sound is loud enough to break glass and will cause enemies who are unprepared a great deal of pain just like our own voices." Minerva hopped onto Domitia's back and short whistled. Domitia jumped over Diana only to turn back and look at her and bark. Diana turned her head and looked at them. "Good luck. I'll check in with you in a week to see how you're doing. Remember, the key word is Emugio."
xxxxxx She rode off back towards the camp, waving lovingly back at Diana. The pup walked over to the pack that she had left them and sniffed at it, trying to get to the treats that were enclosed. Diana noticed this and swiftly grabbed the pack. The dog tried to jump on her but she jumped back out of his reach. He was clearly displeased but she was curious to what else her aunt had left her in the pack. Rummaging through the pack she found a few bits of dried meat and some food and water for herself and the pup. Perhaps her aunt wasn't the best teacher but she had good intentions. "Come," she commanded, patting her lap. The dog had no interest in following her order so he simply laid down in the dirt, staring at her. She sighed and walked over to him, sitting in front of him.
xxxxxx "Let's try," she beckoned, picking up his head and touching her nose to his. She was certain he didn't want to harm her by the look in his eyes. She reached into the pack and broke off a small piece of dried meat, holding it in front of his nose. "Emugio," she commanded, not sure if he knew the command already but simply refused to do so. The dog made a weak attempt at it; it was more of a long whine than a howl and wagged his tail. Diana knew this was going to be a rough start but she was confident that they could get it right sooner or later.
xxxxxx After the first week of staying out there with him, she found herself at a loss. He would get closer and closer every time but he wouldn't put his heart into it. Diana noted in her books that this breed grew surprisingly fast. Even on a scarce diet they thrived and were able to grow. Minerva checked in on them and was pleased with her progress but simply just came to leave more food and water for the following week. Diana had one more week before she failed but she was determined. A day came when she finally realized what she wanted to call him. She would spend her nights sharing her thoughts with him and watching his behaviors, getting to know him better. But it was one of those nights when a name just came to her; Pluto. The pup didn't seem opposed to the name but she could probably call him anything and he wouldn't be against the fact.
xxxxxx Another week passed and they had finally gotten it down with confidence. Pluto had seemingly found more respect for Diana as each day passed but he was still quite stubborn and disobedient at times. When Minerva arrived on the last day they were to demonstrate it with ease. "Emugio," commanded Diana, anticipating his reaction to her command. Without delay he howled as loud as he could with no hesitation. She was enthusiastic and knelt down to him, petting him lovingly. "Good job," she cooed, giving him a big piece of meat as a reward. He devoured it with excitement, wagging his tail. "We aren't done just yet, Diana. I have about four more things for you to learn." Minerva poked her in the forehead and smiled slyly.
Word Count ( 1558 / 500 )
- Ability Trained:
- Command: Emugio
Tier: C
Class: Beast Tamer
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short ( 3m )
Requirements/Drawbacks: Pluto must tilt his head up and take a deep breath. He also must be able to hear Diana.
Scaling: AoE ( 3m )
Sustain: 0
Cool Down: 2
Cost: 20 Stamina
Description: Pluto tilts his head up, opens his mouth, and lets out a loud howl. The enemy does not suffer any actual paralysis, however, the noise is loud enough to cause pain and will stagger foes using basic actions or lower ranked abilities.