Client MS-TSF32

[Magdalena Lethe]

Onderon - Halcyon Citadel
Blackthorne Beastiary Headquarters
[member="Michael Steelfang"]

"Coordinates have been sent to your client, Sir, he should be arriving within the next sun cycle."

Volden watched out through the open window of Halcyon Citadel as sheets of rain poured down in continuous droves. Arm stretched out into the deluge, he grimace before withdrawing, sloughing off a thick layer of rain water from his hand.

"Perfect." But not really.

Trained Beast Riders, those had been born into the life of working alongside the creatures and spent decades learning their skill, forming bonds with their mounts, and training in all sorts of weather and scenarios were the only ones who would...rather, should be out there today in the height of Onderon's rain season.

But when a client came to call, especially a client good for their money, you did what you could. They had three trained female skreevs lined up for the man to meet and choose from, only after which the fitting of gear and training could begin. Set for the next four weeks to pan out in this inclimate weather, Volden made a point to have his attendants apply a fresh coat of oil to his own riding gear.

He wasn't planning to be dry and comfortable for another month, he could only hope his client was of the same frame of mind.

 

[Michael Steelfang]

[member="Volden"]

It was pouring down on Onderon, Michael could hear the dull thump of rain on the hull of his ship as it flew closer to the training grounds the hissing from water evaporating off the burn of his engines cutt through the sound of the jungles surronding him "Status report Lucky" Lucky called back "We are 15 minutes out from our location captain " Michael leaned back into his seat he hoped this training would be worth the effort he had a fleet to coordinate and various other duties being the comodore of a fleet was hardly an easy task.

 

[Magdalena Lethe]

"We have received entry codes from your client, Sir, he should arrive shortly at the south hangar."

Looking up from his ledger, Volden pulled a pair of spectacles from the bridge of his nose and gave a nod. His client was right on time, and that was good - it meant everything would be ready the moment it was needed. Rising from his desk, the Chief once again donned his traveling cloak and made haste to the fairway where he picked up a transport to take him to the south hangar.

There he awaited the arrival of [member="Michael Steelfang"], hood pulled against the gusting winds and stinging rains, frown settled deeply across his expression.

 

[Michael Steelfang]

The Executioner gracefully landed in the south hangar the gangway slammed on the hangar floor below, Michael marched down the gangway his carde of droids and personal guard in tow training or not as the head of a massive fleet he had to have his security with him at all times more so when the empire that controls said fleet is filled with dark jedi. "Greetings [member="Volden"] is it?" He outstreched his arm and clasped the man by the wrist "shall we get started"

 

[Magdalena Lethe]

"Indeed it is. Mr. Steelfang," Volden replied, returning the proffered greeting with a short glance at the man's entourage. They hadn't planned to put up more than one or two, but it wasn't as though they were hard pressed for space.

"Let's, this way please." Leading the group in from the rain, Volden pushed the hood of his cloak back revealing short, shorn platinum blond hair, pale skin and vibrant golden-hued eyes. Not quite human, that one, but hardly anyone was anymore. Inviting them onto the transport, they traveled through the vast, expansive halls of the Citadel, into a massive transport lift and up several levels. They disembarked in a covered colloseum where several dozen beasts and their tamers worked. At the center were three bright-orange hued skreev beasts waiting with tamers.

"These three females have been prepared to carry and fly with the added weight of armor. You may choose your single female from this group, as with all the training every skreev receives, we must also account for a proper personality match as well. The first is the largest of the three - her name is Rih. While she's not the fastest, she is more than capable of carrying a larger rider, weaponry, armor, and even a bit extra. She can climb to greater heights with her broader wingspan, and stay aloft longer. Her personality is quite mellow and we've found most trained riders are capable of handling her, but she takes a back seat to most things and needs a rider who is willing to command her purposefully and clearly as she gets confused by complicated orders. She will require more food than the others due to her size, and a larger containment facility. Also the armor for her will cost extra being that she will require more material to craft it."

"The second is the youngest of the three. Not as big as Rih, but stout and strong. She's a good example of a prime choice for any warrior - she is quite brave and often leads the flocks during flight exercises. Her name is Wyra. In her youth she's a bit opinionated and has an attitude, but we've found this makes her an excellent mount for hairy situations. She's never yet turned from a challenge and already bares several scars from her brazen accounts. Wyra has something to prove and can be a bit fool-hardy. She's stubborn and it takes a special sort of rider to work with her, one as bold as she is, but one that can help her through her less-educated youth. Rest assured, she is ready to do her job, but as all young adults she will need a firm-handed leader to show her the way. One that's not afraid of her."

"The third is the oldest of the group by five seasons and the most experienced in battle. This is Skarna - one we have dubbed the Flame Mother. She has laid and raised many nests of strong warrior beasts and has lead the flock in many skirmishes on Onderon. She has a strong mind for tactical flying and is one of the best hunters of her harem. Recently she suffered the loss of her rider to illness and has been seeking a strong warrior replacement ever since. She is quite choosey to who she will fly for, but I suspect she may take to you. Skarna's partnership is hard won, but well worth the effort. She takes very good care of her rider and has a strong maternal instinct."

"Now, before you approach, I must direct you in the proper methods. There is a way you must interact with these creatures, for while they understand commands they are first and foremost beasts of physical communication. They are predators and they can sense fear and weakness among many other things very, very well. When a new handler, rider, or tamer approaches a tamed beast for the first time they face what we call The Judgement. It is the initial assessment of a beast to size up the person, to take in their scent, their stature, and their aura - if you will. You must present yourself honestly, because lying will only earn their ire. They will often test you and your mettle with displays of intimidation. You must remain on your guard, as physical contact can and does happen. Maintain yourself safely. You may move, you may block, but you may not strike. Keep your eyes on theirs, if you turn your back on them then you have forfeited any chance of forming a bond. If a skreev comes to accept you, they will lower their bodies to the ground and look away - you must then immediately mount the saddle and hold on for your first flight. They don't go far, but if you fall the chances of their returning to you are very slim."

Volden cleared his throat, "In a natural setting, if a skreev chose to deny you - they would kill you. My tamers are expertly trained on the signs of this rising aggression and while it is difficult for us to train their own instincts out of them, we have trained them instead to fly away."

"Do you have any questions before you begin?"

[member="Michael Steelfang"]

 

[Michael Steelfang]

Michael turned his head removing his helmet in the process "No , no questions thank you for the advice but this is not my first time I have trained many wild beasts from Tuk'atas to Vronskr and beyond the method is always the same be firm be strong but be calm you must be the order to their chaos in a manner of speaking" he stepped forward the second female Wyra to anyone that knew Michael they would say they were two of a kind, he moved with a predator's grace he was an apex predator in his own right he had been a warrior his whole life and the unquestionable king of his domain he was a predator unlike any other he did not stalk his prey he would charge his and tear his prey asunder he had no fear of these creatures nor any other he has seen the worst of this rotten galaxy before he was even 18 he held his head up high his bronze eyes were locked with that of Wyra the beast stepped forward their gazes locked and unflinching it drove forward in a test of Michael's strength trying to push him down but Michael did not budge he braced himself against the blow she took a few steps back seemingly surprised that Michael did not flinch she tried to jab him with her head he responded by side stepping the headbut he did all he could to keep Wyra's gaze through out the beast was impressed but her own stuborness would not let her submit eaisly she took a swipe at him with her claws Michael blocked the half hearted swing without a great deal of effort this seemed enough for Wyra she bowed down Michael quickly climbed up onto the skreev's back before taking to the skys it was a brief but crazy flight it was yet another test by the willful Wyra challenging him to see if he can hold on during this flight, to most flying like this would be an alien experience but Michael had spent most of his life with a jetpack strapped to his back he was used to flying fast and often on that knife edge between life and death "You won't get rid of me that easy girl"

[member="Volden"]

 

[Magdalena Lethe]

Volden watched with a bemused expression, maintaining a quiet poise that spoke of a willpower stronger than Mandolorian iron. Be that as it may, chin pinched lightly in his right hand, he regarded the scene with mild curiosity. Much as he guessed,[member="Michael Steelfang"] was just as stubborn and bull-headed as Wyra. The two would get along swimmingly, eventually. For now, if this beast was his choice, he would deal with several years of teenaged attitude from the skreev. Likely their's would be a strong bond in the end.

A round of sharp, slow applause met the pair as they twisted and spiraled through the air. Volden chuckled, "That's it, Mr. Steelfang, introduce her to some of your order."

 

[Michael Steelfang]

Michael grabbed hold of the reigns "Just like riding the wild karazondish of Malogar" he gave a fairly gentle tug back on the reigns to see what the creature would do he needed to establish what the controls did before he could take control so to speak with the slight tug, Wyra pulled slightly he repeated the action with the left and right each having Wyra respond with a turn to the left and a turn to the right respectively "Now I know what does what let's see what you can do girl" Wyra seemed to take the remark as a challenge as she flew faster and faster but Michael was not phased he remained calm he gave a sharp tug on the reigns causing Wyra to hang a fairly sharp left coming back in line with the platform they started out from before with a slight squeeze of his legs and a few pulls of his reigns he got her to land dismounting the beast he stroked her head and gave her chin a little scratch "good girl" Wyra responded by giving him a rather firm prod with her claw "So [member="Volden"] how was that for a first flight"

 

[Magdalena Lethe]

"Dramatic," Volden responded in kind, mirth lighting his eyes, "as much as I expected."

A nearby tamer tossed a large slab of raw meat to Wyra who eagerly gulped it down.

"Skreevs are not generally ridden nor trained with reins," Volden began as he moved to unlatch the reins attached at either side of the beast's muzzle, "they need their heads free for balance and for freedom of movement, especially when carrying added weight or wearing armor. Reins are more of a liability than anything, an stand far more chance of getting in the way or getting caught on something than any other purpose they might serve. We use them for the inital flight to give the rider something more to hang on to. The saddle, as you can see, has side rail handles for security, foot holds and attached here is a neck strap. Over the next few weeks we will take you through courses on flight, husbandry, psychology, maintenance, and finally a finishing class with you and your chosen mount."

Volden quietly approached Rih, a beast with whom he had much history, and placed a hand upon her spiked snout, "Is Wyra your final choice?"

[member="Michael Steelfang"]