☾ ❂ Jax

[Heras Box]

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Solo
Prentice - 3pts (907 WC)




He was used to playing or goofing off all the time that when something serious, like the Dretch, had come along he wasn't sure what to think. The fact that people were disappearing due to the weird creatures was something to be concerned about for sure, but he didn't know what it was he was meant to do. It wasn't like he was old enough to really do any sort of fighting. Not yet anyways. Jax was hoping to fix that, and soon.

He'd been talking to the mercenaries around the camp to figure out which weapon would be best suited to him. The boy knew his father used a lance. And the weapon did look appealing, though he wasn't so sure he'd be able to use it properly. The reach was a long one and to be honest he didn't think he had the longer arms of his dad. If he were truthful, he took after his mother a lot more than he cared to admit. It wasn't a bad thing it just meant that he knew his limits. So with a lance out of the question for him to wield that also meant a spear was out. Possibly even the trident since it was just as long.

Jax kinda liked the trident though. It reminded him of a wicked looking fork to poke enemies with.

During one of his talks with the men around camp, however, he did get a more close up encounter with a bow and arrow. It seemed interesting enough to make him want to try it out. When he had it was like he'd been born with the weapon in his hand. Instinctively he knew what to do with it. Of course his aim needed a little work but his form was pretty spot on.

It left him with a lot to think about. Jax had always assumed he would take after his father and do what he did. Lance included. But the reality of it was that that just wasn't so. Not that he thought his dad would mind, given how spoiled he and his brother were. He didn't see Ouen getting mad at him for not following after him and he already knew his mother wouldn't complain either.

That just meant that he needed to figure out if the bow was really what he wanted to pursue. It had just felt right in his hand compared to the other weapons he'd held and looked at. Swords were awkward for him to hold. Not that they didn't fit his hands, he just didn't think he could do the repetitive wrist movements needed to wield such a thing. Never mind trying two. Jax had never understood the whole shield thing either. How was one supposed to attack and really win? Bashing someone repeatedly with a piece of wood didn't seem like a great idea. Especially not when the other person would have a sharp weapon.

He had the same kind of outlook on the hammer. It was blunt and meant to smash someone with. It didn't seem all that practical to him. Certainly not something he would want to go into battle with. And with things like the Dretch to go against he really didn't want to get that close and personal. Hammer's had short handles after all.

The silver haired boy sighed and looked at his hands. There was just nothing like the feel of the bow in his hands. No matter what he thought of as far as weapons his mind always came back to the bow. Jax took that to mean that his mind was made up. So he closed his hands and his eyes and leaned his head back. Jax knew once he committed himself to learning everything he could about the bow there would be no going back. His time would be filled with training and not playing.

Opening his eyes he looked around. The camp was going on as usual. People doing their chores or making time to take care of personal things. When he saw the man that had let him handle the bow he instantly got to his feet. Jax gave a last look to the large tent he shared with his parents and brother, knowing that he would be moving past the childish things, then started to walk to where the man was.

“Safgir, do you have a minute?” Jax called out to the man before he got too immersed in something.

The shifter paused long enough to look at him then smiled and put his small knife down so that he could dust his hands off. “Sure kid, what you need?”

“I'd like you to teach me how to use the bow. I'd like to become a ranger like you.” Jax felt his entire body tremble with anticipation. This choice he was making was a life changing one.

There was a long pause then a laugh. “Sure thing Jax. I don't see why not. Your dad would be proud to see that you've decided to stop playing around all the time.” Safgir shook his head and grinned. “I know your mother will be pleased too.” After another laugh he motioned for Jax to follow him. They had training to get to. The shifter picked up his bow and quiver of arrows so that he could lead Jax to the training yard where the targets were set up and waiting.

 

[Heras Box]

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Solo
Prentice - 2pts (656 WC)




It had been weeks since the meeting about the Dretch and still there was nothing. Jax felt almost anxious at the possibility of someone from his camp being taken. However, he had to remind himself that those with Alkidike blood were the ones that were mostly targeted. So he and his family should be safe. Even those in the camp should be off limits to the bug mages since none of them were alks or even hybrids.

Still, that didn't seem to really put him at ease any. What if the Dretch decided that they wanted to start taking earthlings? Maybe they wanted to sacrfice them to their weird bug god. If they had one anyways. Or what if they were being taken for reproduction purposes? His mother would be a good candidate for that since she had wide hips and looked so pretty. Jax actually considered telling his mother to stay home inside the tent and put a cloak on. One couldn't be too careful after all. But he had to trust that his father wouldn't let any harm come to his mom.

They might not be a normal family, by any means, but he knew his parents cared about one another. And he cared for his brother. Even if they were polar opposites. Thinking that something could possibly happen to Djego didn't sit well with Jax. It actually made him worry that much more. His brother was sort of like their mother. Gentle and vulnerable. Though where their mother was friendly and outgoing it seemed like his brother wanted to stay to himself. Jax had heard his mother describe Djego as shy but he didn't think his twin brother was shy at all. Withdrawn maybe but not shy.

He looked around at the others in the camp and wondered if they shared his worries. Did they have plans in place in case the bug mages showed up? Or was there nothing but instinct to go on? Not that he didn't think everyone in the camp was capable of defending it in their own way. Jax just worried. Faamy was in the camp now too. He didn't like the idea of some Dretch thinking they could kidnap the beautiful woman. It would be a total shame if her beauty was never seen again.

Instantly his eyes went toward the tent that the woman shared with Brin. For a long moment his eyes lingered there but eventually returned to roaming about at the others. Jax busied himself with watching the people in the camp and trying to think of what could be done to better protect them all. It might not be enough that they had put their camp in the middle of a thick gathering of trees. While it did provide a good hideout in the event someone was running from the law it might not be so great against a bug mage. And that is what worried him. How did one defend against a mage? Jax was not magical and he knew nothing about magic.

The only person he could think of that knew anything about magic was the healer. The boy didn't think that they would know much about offensive magic though. Defensive magic might be a better bet but even then he wasn't so sure. Healing was different than shielding.

“Why can't these things just go away?” He mumbled. If they wanted the Alkidikes then why not take a few and then go about their business? There were enough of those female warriors to go around and they had a tree that gave birth to them all the time. It wasn't like their numbers would really suffer.

After heaving a sigh he knew that it would be wrong to just let the Dretch take the alks. Even the mean and nasty ones. So that meant that they needed to find a way to defend against them or completely take them out.

 

[Heras Box]

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Solo
Prentice - 5pts (1645 WC)




Thinking that he would go out and enjoy the day at the market Jax had left early that morning to make it in time for opening. It was always fun to watch as the vendors got things ready. It was also when there were very little people to get in the way and jam up against one another. It made walking easy and the air smelled of the dishes being offered by food vendors rather than the smell of sweat and too much perfume. While the other experiences were a part of the culture in the large border town he sometimes preferred the more relaxed and open times.

With his hands clasped behind his back he walked along turning his head from one side to the other so that he could get a first look at what was being offered for the day. Jewelry makers were putting out their newest creations or acquisitions. Blacksmiths were laying out the weapons they had made the night before. Or at least finished the night before. There was something to be said about a weapon that took longer than a day to make. Even he knew that. Flames were ignited so that those who were cooking meals to order could get prepared. This was the best time, in his opinion, to be out in the market.

As he continued to walk along the aisle he spotted the beast trader and the pens he used to hold the smaller beasts he brought to sell. Normally the larger beasts were kept outside of town and were available to be viewed upon request. Jax often would go out to see the animals and give them attention but he never thought to get one. Mainly because he hadn't had an interest in any. Having a familiar was a lot of work. A lesson he'd learned simply by watching his mother and father care for their animals. Admittedly the smaller creature, Lissa, was easier to care for but still somewhat tiresome. The keldari was often picky and almost always clingy. Jax was really surprised that his mother even kept the thing since she was afraid of the slithery beast and it's snake cousins. Then again he didn't pretend to understand the complex relationship one had with the creature that was chosen as a familiar. Jax was pretty sure he'd have no interest in getting one either.

However, as he walked toward the pens he spotted a beast that seemed to completely steal his attention. It was a Perzi, those desert crystal cats from Oba, and it seemed to be sitting in the middle of the pen in a regal way. Head held high, back straight, and tail wrapped around it's feet. If he wasn't so positive that he was at the beast trader's stall then he might have thought that he was looking at a statue of an animal. But it wasn't just they way the perzi was sitting that got him. It was the look in it's eyes. It was more or less like it held utter disdain for everyone and everything around it. As if nothing was good enough. No one would measure up.

Unable to help the curiosity he felt about the feline he moved in closer to the stall and the owner. “Excuse me sir.” He paused long enough to make sure that he had the man's attention before continuing. “What can you tell me about that Perzi?” He pointed at the one still sitting and looking forward.

The man looked at the creature in question then back at Jax. “She was abandoned by her previous owner. Some noble lord that grew tired of her. Thought I might be able to sell her for a good price but she's not sociable.” His shoulders lifted up slightly and then fell back down. It was as though he was more or less giving up on the beast.

Jax thought for a moment then moved closer to the pen so that he could squat down and be at eye level with the cat. The moment he was in front of her she seemed to acknowledge that he was there but only by looking at him. She made no move to get closer and no other indication that she cared he was there.

“Hey girl, they say your owner left you.” The boy spoke to the Perzi in a soft voice hoping that he could get a little more of a reaction out of her. Nothing. “It must be hard huh. I bet you're confused.” Jax couldn't explain why but he felt drawn to the beast. Something that he'd never felt toward any other creature his entire life. His family had pets but he'd never been overly attached to any of them. None of them were his and his alone. This feline in front of him though, he oddly wanted her approval.

Stretching out his hand he reached between the bars and offered the cat a sniff before trying to pet her. Jax watched as her eyes followed his hand but she did little else beyond that. When he started to pet her the only thing he got was a flicker of her ear when he touched it.

“Come on girl, you need to cheer up. It's not the end of the world.” He was doing his best to hopefully make the creature feel better. He would never understand the pain and confusion of being left behind but he could see that the cat felt it. She hid it in the way she presented herself but she was clearly expecting her previous owner to come and get her at any moment. That hope was there and it pained him to think that her hope would be lost when she realized she was on her own.

Bringing his hand back to himself he stayed still for a long moment and stared at her as she stared at him. It was odd that he felt such emotions when it came to an animal since he had never felt them before. It was like something about her was pulling him in. Tugging at his heartstrings. After a long silence he stood up and went back to the owner of the stall.

“You said she's not sociable but how much are you asking for her?” Jax figured it wouldn't hurt to know how much the regal girl was going for.

“Kid, if you think you can handle her she's yours for two coppers.” While he didn't think the perzi was worth much he also had to make a profit. Since she had been more or less handed to him and that was that, he could deal with making a small amount.

Jax dug into his pocket and pulled out the two coins he needed then handed them over. After the exchange and a nod of understanding he moved back toward the pen but this time he didn't squat down. Instead he leaned over and picked the feline up with both hands. Something that she didn't seem too pleased with if the look on her face was any indication.

“Calm down girl, I've got you. I think you'll like living with me.” When he pulled her close to his chest he heard an indignant meow but she gave no other protests.

“Oh, hey kid. Her name is Lynix.” The vendor called out to him.

It was enough to make him pause and look at the cat he held in his arms. “Lynix. A pretty name.” Wanting to sooth her and make her feel wanted again he stroked her head and scratched by her ears. “Lets get you home. You'll have your own pillow and everything.” He smiled at her hoping that she would understand she was still going to be spoiled rotten.

When they got back to the camp Jax wasted no time in going straight to his family's tent. Once inside he made his way over to his side and set Lynix down on the soft decorative pillow on his bed. The perzi sniffed at the pillow and surrounding blankets finding that they smelled like the person who had carried her. It wasn't an unpleasant smell so she seemed content to stay where she was. After sniffing for a long time she finally decided that she liked the pillow and sat down at it's center. Lynix took up that same regal pose she had before and stared at Jax.

“See, it's not so bad.” He reached out and pat her on the head gently. “You can still be a princess and the center of attention.” Jax smiled at her.

When she was sure that she was not going to be mistreated she leaned into the hand that pet her, enjoying the attention that she missed so much. Jax was pleased to see that little bit of give and continued to love on her. If he could manage it then he wanted to make sure that his Lynix got everything she had before and more. He even had an idea for a collar, though he'd have to ask his mother before taking it. The “it” in question being one of her necklaces. Jax figured he could modify it to fit around Lynix's neck and the gems would give her that royal look to go with her regal stance.

“I will never leave you behind Lynix. I promise.” He nodded his head and positioned himself so that he could lay next to the pillow. He didn't stop petting the feline, worried that she would get upset with him if he did. Even though he knew she was just a beast he didn't want her to become angry or dissatisfied with him. She was about to become his whole world and it would hurt him if she were to reject him so harshly.


(( A relatively small growth for Jax but still very important for his future stages. Not only has he found his familiar after having never connected with the family pets or any of the beasts in the camp but he is trying his best to ensure that he has the companionship and trust of the beast. It shows his willingness to go the extra lengths for someone other than himself or his family where he has never done so in the past. He is usually a selfish kid since both parents spoil him and now he is expanding to give to others, even if that other is an animal. ))