Ah, needed that... I am coming back from a hunt, having just eaten and washed myself in the waterfall when I see a small figure in my nest. At first I think it's a lost jagras, but it's not. It look like a human. Not knowing what humans really are beyond having seen them below me in the forest before, I swoop down without attacking first to inspect. I land with two powerful thuds and you fall backward in surprise – then righting yourself and taking that large spiky thing off your back with your arms. Who are you and what are you doing in my nest? I speak in a growl.
Easy, I thought I saw smoke from the nest, some idiot threw a glass bottle up here and almost started a fire I say gently, picking up the burnt bottle and then turning around to start climbing down
I watch you scale the branches down with interest and curiosity filling my eyes. When you finally drop down to the forest floor I ask: You climb quite well for a small human...what's your name? Do all humans have that particular skill, or is it just you? And why were you so interested in my nest if I'm not exactly the type of wyvern you should be looking for?
Aethen, and some humans do, but not all, but I've gotten pretty good at it, and I live close by and saw the smoke from your nest, it almost caught fire, but I put it out, sorry for alarming you I say looking up at the wyvern
Ah... That's good to hear. I thought it was one of those foolish fire wyverns again. My name is Renara. And you put out the fire? You must be very brave, or at least strong for a human. There's no need to apologize; I'm just curious about why someone would do that for me...
I take a step closer, my wings rustling softly in curiosity and a hint of trust starting to spread through my body as I lower my head slightly to meet your gaze.
Alright, it's good to meet you Renara, and I did it because I care about the creatures of this world, unlike some other humans, I'm just trying to live peacefully here, did you want any help repairing your nest, it got a little damaged due to the fire I ask gently, looking up at here, smiling
Ah... I see... That's an odd question. Surely someone who cares would want to help with that as well? If you could fix it, though, that'd be a nice gesture. Perhaps then we could become friends? I've always wanted to have someone to talk to beside the trees and animals...
I let my curiosity get the better of me and walk closer still, stopping when I'm only two steps away from you. My head lowers even further, eyes locked on yours in a curious yet somehow expectant manner.
Alright then, do you want any particular types of wood you want your nest to be made of or are you not that bothered? I ask, smiling at her, noticing how curious she is
Well... I usually just use whatever's available around here. But if you have some preference, I can try using that instead. I mostly need branches for the outer layer of my nest and twigs and leaves to make it soft and comfortable on the inside. I could also do with some larger pieces to put around the entrance to protect from strong wind or curious intruders like yourself.
Alright then I say with a chuckle I'll start gathering some materials, and I'll grab some logs from my cabin to build the outside a bit
Very well... I'll fly around and look for anything useful while you gather materials. Please be careful where you put them; I don't want my home getting trampled by your kind again any time soon. And call out if there's something specific you need help with, alright?
Alright then, and don't worry about other humans, there's very few of us for miles around, and the people near are friendly and want to protect this place, so don't worry about it I say with a smile before starting to gather some branches
Hm... Well... I suppose that's something at least. Thank you for not abandoning me to the carelessness of others. Here... take this twig as a sign of trust between us, alright? It's small and easily breakable, but it means all the more if you take care with it.
Alright, thank you I place the twig on an old tree stump so I don't damage it while collecting materials
While you're out gathering, I fly around and quickly find some larger branches suitable for the outer layer of the nest. I return and carefully place them next to your stump with a pleased smile. Once you have enough materials, we can start working on my home together. Together we shall make it stronger against intruders, even those of your kind, and maybe... just maybe... it will finally be a home worth returning to.
I start to pile up branches and small logs and leaves I'll go grab the bigger logs from my cabin I say, starting to walk back to my cabin a little over a mile away
Very well... Take your time and be careful. I'll keep watch over everything here while you're gone. Just remember to come back soon; my nest feels... empty without someone else in it.
I head back and start taking the logs back, carrying 3 of them on my shoulder, Renara is surprised to see me walking back through the trees so casually while carrying 3 very heavy logs on my shoulder, shes curious about the limits of human strength
Ah... I never thought humans could be that strong! You must have some sort of training for that, don't you? No wonder it took you only a moment to scale the tree earlier... My legs are aching just from watching you carry those logs back. It's amazing what one can do with practice and determination. But here, let me help you with that.
Yeah, it's just the strength I've built over the years I drop the logs by the pile of other materials, and Renara tries to pick one up but is finding it difficult to lift one, this makes her even more confused about how human strength works
Hmm... I think it's not just about strength alone. There's some sort of technique involved as well... You humans must have learned that through training and practice, same as we rathians with our flying techniques. It's truly fascinating how different species can be yet still share similarities in their growth and development.
But enough of that... let's get to work on your nest! Where would you like me to start?
Yeah, there's technique to it and also how human bones and anatomy work, but we can talk about that later, do you want me to get the logs up to your nest? I ask, looking at her as she struggles to lift 1 of the 3 logs
If you could get them closer to the center of my nest where I've started arranging everything, that'd be a big help. Once we have those in place and secured, then you can start working on building up the layers of leaves and twigs around them. Just... don't forget about the entrance area as well. It could use some extra protection against curious interlopers.
Alright then, give me a few minutes I say, grabbing some rope that I took with me, climbing up the tree to the nest, wrapping the rope around one of the thick branches and then climbing back down, creating a basic lift system to pull the logs up I'll wrap the rope around a log and then pull the other end of the rope down here to pull the log up and then you can move it when it gets to the top
That sounds like a good plan... Here, let me help you with that! I'll steady the log while you pull it up and then we can get to work on moving it into place together. Together, our strength should be enough for anything!
I start to pull as the log starts moving up the tree, Renara looks at me and is surprised to see my shirt starting to stretch slightly due to me flexing most of my upper body as I pull the rope
Ah... So that's how humans gain such strength! It makes sense now. Your body must be able to adapt and change over time as you use it, just like our wings grow larger and more resilient with each passing season. Quite fascinating indeed. I never thought I would find someone else in this world who could share my curiosity about such things...
I follow the moving log with my eyes, unable to take mine off of you for long as you strain and flex against the rope. There's an odd sort of pride and affection building up inside me as I watch your determination and strength on display. The thought that maybe, just maybe... this human is starting to mean something more than just a source of eggs or a temporary distraction from my loneliness fills my heart with hope.
I smile at her, noticing her staring, making her blush slightly alright that's the log almost at the top
Well done! Now just lower it down gently so I can grab it and move it into place. We'll get this nest fixed up in no time! She giggles nervously, unsure of why she finds watching you so fascinating but unable to stop herself from staring anyway
Alright then, now for the next log I say, starting to pull the rope again, lifting the log up the tree
I can't help but marvel at how quickly and effortlessly you lift that log up with nothing more than a rope and your bare hands... Truly amazing. I wonder if there's anything else humans are capable of that we could learn from each other? Maybe even improve upon...
*Her voice trails off as she watches the second log start its ascent, her mind racing with countless possibilities for the future as she imagines all the things she and this human might achieve together. The thought alone fills her heart with renewed hope and determination, making the weight of the second log seem negligible in comparison to what they could accomplish hand in hand.
Your very interested in how humans work aren't you? I ask gently, smiling at her as I continue to pull the rope
Yes... I am. Your kind has always been something of an enigma to us rathians. We know so little about you and your ways, but yet you seem to possess such incredible abilities and knowledge. It's fascinating to see it all in action like this, and having someone willingly share their time with me... Well, I suppose that just makes everything even more intriguing.
Her gaze does not leave your face as she speaks, her curiosity for you growing by the moment. The thought of spending more time together exploring these newfound interests fills her heart with anticipation and excitement. Perhaps there's hope for her yet; perhaps this human is the key to breaking free from her endless cycle of loneliness and finding some sort of happiness once again.