Author's notes:
Here is the chapter enjoy!
Its shorter than the last few, but more chapters will come.
Sleeping.
Currently that is what this boy is doing.
Laying peacefully on his bed, with a fur bedding and blanket covering him. Keeping him warm and relax as he continues to slumber and enjoy the rest he has after yesterday's work.
Sadly for the boy, his sleep would have to end abruptly due to an establish alarm system he may or may not have a hand into making. Regardless, it was a pretty effective alarm for the boy since if he doesn't get up then his alarm would get up and drag his butt off his bed and begin drowning him in affectionate licks and slightly acidic slobbers. Plus, his alarm would go on a tantrum and cause a mess he would eventually have to clean up.
Worst, the mess just keeps getting bigger and bigger each day the boy doesn't get up by himself. He learned his lesson before and knows to be more diligent in listening to his alarm whenever it goes off.
*grumble*
'And there it is' thought 9S, shifting a bit and slowly waking up from hearing the telltale sign that a new day has risen. He slowly blinks his eyes to wake up and rise from his covers, stretching his arms while sitting up before looking around his humble abode.
It's been more than 2 weeks since 9S and Pod 153 have been staying with the felynes and they have adjusted well to their new accommodations and more. With 9S' current lodging a good example.
His room is technically the cave Rogue dug them out to, behind the waterfall of the valley he and the others found and where they got out of, after they discovered the chamber of Lunar Tears and found its location perfect for Whistill's tribe new settlement. It's been decided that the cave will be 9S' place to stay and home away from YoRHa, and has been remodeled and transformed by Whistill and his felynes with a few pitch ins by 9S and Pod as well.
9S's bed, where he is currently, is placed at the right side of the cave with a wooden work desk and a wooden chair that accompanied it across him. And a large shelf beside the desk containing a few of his items of books, combo recipes and tools for whatever he is doing. 9S glanced at the edge of the bed, where his feet was facing and bends to look over it to see if Pod was still asleep on her own miniature bed, which was more of an oval like shape and with a fur bedding and a small blanket.
9S sees that it was neatly cleaned up, with even the blanket folded, and figures Pod must be with Whistill right now and is starting the day early. He also spots across him, some papers and schematics on top of the work desk, leftover from when he was doing some work last night but remembers he neatly stacked and organized them before he went to bed.
9S took a glance at it before he got off the bed and stood up and heads toward it. As he walks toward the work desk, 9S could feel under his feet the small rug or carpet made by monster fur between his bed and the work desk. It completed the look of a cozy sleeping space and keeping at least this part of the cave floor warm for him to walk bare foot.
He takes a quick look and run through of the papers and schematics on the desk. 9S hums a bit to himself while he ponders at his plans to improve and upgrade his living quarters, which the papers and schematics are for, and considers it an important subquest for himself besides his main task of aiding Whistill.
Technically, Whistill also helps 9S and Pod in improving their room by sending some of his builders to construct or craft furniture for them, like the beds and the work desk. It's part of their agreement with each other, from him and Pod helping Whistill with his own plans of improving his own living space for his settlement.
Currently, some of 9S's plans for the room have been implemented. The most noticeable is that around the cave, lamps are fixed and stuck on the walls and just near the ceilings, providing light to their room. They were either oil based, to be lit later at the night or filled with flash bugs they've spared from their gathering session.
The next thing that was obvious was the door or whatever large wooden construct they would call it, closing the entrance to their current home.
There is a sizable distance between the entrance to 9S' bedding area and the door was made with a pully system that would open it by raising the wooden door upward, with its edges just scratching the waterfall in front of the cave by a few inches, by pulling the ropes on the right side downward or by simply pushing the door from within with enough force to open it.
From outside, the door couldn't be open by pushing it in and only by another set of ropes hidden outside to open it. This was done to avoid even the slight chance of a random monster from ever trying to get inside, by pushing it from the other side. And when 9S wants to close the door he would simply pull the ropes in reverse or pull the door back to its original position.
Locking the door would just involve attaching the clamps installed at the bottom edge of the door to the ones on the ground, keeping the door in place and unable to be raise or pushed to open.
9S admits that making the door and its elaborate system was a bit difficult but Whistill and his tribe have proven their exceptional capability at crafting and building. With their skills continue to be impressive and much improved on from what 9S could last remember from their previous craftmanship.
It's because of this that both 9S and Whistill have made plans and a few ideas together on how to improve both of their living areas. Some of them where in 9S's schematics, with others already being started on by 9S in his room. Some showing signs and beginning foundations present in the room.
Between the main door and the bed, walls from both sides shows signs of being carved and dug to make more space. 9S plans to make a fireplace on one side of the room to keep them warm and have an area for Pod and him to cook, and on the other side across it is where they plan to put a lavatory or bathroom.
Complete with plumbing as Whistill confidently told them, so 9S could enjoy a nice warm bath once in a while.
Though, how the felynes will proceed to do it and create indoor plumbing is still unknown to 9S and Pod but Whistill assured them that his tribe before have been learning and taking notes from other felynes who are employed as builders and construction crews in other parts of the world, meeting them from their trades with other tribes and other villages.
He even hinted that he knew some of the felyne workers in YoRHa and even placed materials he knew the village would need for repairs, in the goods 9S and Pod would deliver time to time for the lynian workers to use.
And it has produced some results as 9S thought about it. He recalls the village is in a better shape the last time he visited.
So, he shouldn't doubt Whistill's word much since the felyne chief's tribe is pretty resourceful and their settlement is one of the more developed Lynian villages. The only thing that 9S should be worried about when it comes to building or improving their living quarters is preventing the largest member of their group from interrupting or breaking any progress they have.
He then finally turns his attention to the largest corner of the room, at the back with the most space, where it shows signs of being carved and dug out for more room. A pile of furs are found on top of another at this corner making a large mound, with it continuously rising and falling from its position.
*grumble*
The grumbling sound is heard again, and it seems to have emanated from the large pile of furs. The sound continues, while 9S just shakes his head knowingly before he approaches the pile and leaves the work desk to begin the day as he should be doing, before his alarm would throw a tantrum again.
"Okay Rogue, its morning. Time to get up."
The pile of furs didn't move.
"Rogue… I know you like your fur pile and how comfortable you feel in it, but you know how you are if you don't get breakfast early."
The pile seems to shake a bit before a low growl is heard from within.
"grrrrr…."
9S pats the fur pile in response before speaking to his monstie again.
"The longer you sleep, the more time your hunger sets in and the more you get cranky because of it. C'mon Rogue…. We don't want Pod to get mad at us again with your hunger tantrums and force us to eat maiden's tears now do we?"
The pile visibly stiffens from hearing this and shuffles in place for a bit, before a growl of agreement is heard and another rumble of Rogue's stomach comes after.
"Good. Now c'mon, get your scaly butt out here. Your stomach is asking for breakfast and I still need to get mine from Pod before we look for yours." 9S said as he backs a bit to give Rogue some space. Rogue gives a small tired groan before rising from his sleeping position.
The large pile of furs slowly collapse from the Deviljho rising to his feet, with some falling to the floor or shaken off from Rogue's back. With the furs being scattered about, 9S begins to gather them for their use later when Rogue sleeps again and to fix/clean his monstie's bed space/nest.
A bunch of soft hays are revealed underneath all the furs, placed on Rogue's spot of the room. The hays form Rogue's nest and covers a large space, its size currently twice of 9S's bed.
9S continues to gather the furs Rogue was using, until he pauses when Rogue gives a large yawn opening his jaws wide, showing his rows of matured teeth in his mouth and chin. Rogue then closes his jaws before he shifts his head to 9S and begins to nuzzle him as a good morning gesture.
9S pets him affectionately and strokes his snout and scratches his chin while avoiding the teeth, and for a few moments 9S takes in on how Rogue has matured from the past few days.
Standing at his full height, Rogue is now easily taller and bigger than a normal raptorial wyvern and could rival the alpha kind of their species when he stands up right, raising his upper torso and head from the ground. 9S's own height could only reach Rogue's upper leg and there is still some space between his head and the green spikes adorn on the top of it.
Rogue is also much bulkier, showing the signs of muscles that his species is famous for. His green scales have gotten bit darker, with the yellow spines from his neck to his tail becoming more prominent than they were when he was a hatchling. Plus, as 9S noticed earlier, Rogue's teeth and jaws have matured and with it, his entire head has grown to resemble an adult Deviljho's. Rogue's whole head, currently being stroked by 9S hands, is at least as big as the boys whole torso and 9S could barely wrap his arms around the brute wyvern's head if he can.
With all of those traits said, 9S can confidently say that Rogue is now looking like a miniature Deviljho and safe to say that he is finally at that first stage of growth for monsties. Where they stop growing and stay the same size for a while, signaling 9S that it is time to begin the next step in being a Rider and learn to ...well ride his monstie, obviously.
While further developing their kinship.
9S senses Rogue staring at him and realizes that he was lost on thought for a bit and forgot he was hugging the Deviljho's head for quite some time.
"Hehehe, Sorry… let's get you out here and I'll meet you outside at the field once I'm done prepping up, and after I meet up with Pod." 9S said and gives a short chuckle of embarrassment before he lets Rogue go and leads him to the entrance.
Despite Rogue maturing and 9S's assessment of him being a miniature Deviljho now, the boy is still at ease with his monstie and one could say, even more bonded with Rogue from the past few days spending most of his waking time with him.
And it isn't just to 9S and by extension to Pod 153, but Rogue's presence and its growing approval to the felynes, has improved from the past few days as well. It could be because Rogue's growth was beneficial for 9S, Pod and Whistill for the past few days and to the felyne settlment as well.
His size and the maturity that came with it is most noteworthy, for Rogue is able to help defend and protect the felynes more in their gathering sessions and even hunt larger game of prey monsters for him to feed on. Then for the leftovers or the remaining monster materials to be gathered by the felynes, like bones or scales.
Plus, the Deviljho monstie is able to help find and gather other materials that 9S and Whistill could work with, like the wood for their furniture and Bullfango furs for their bedding.
Rogue's digging skills came in handy with making the dugout spots of the cave they're in. An obvious work of Rogue's own doing. For a time too, Rogue helped in forming and shaping the cave of the tribe's settlement before he got too big to fit inside the opening he made when he was smaller.
But despite the tameness and docile moments that his monstie displayed, 9S is still aware of Rogue's wild nature and he has seen it during the feeding/hunting sessions they do together. But it doesn't bother him at all and instead levels it to his growing understanding and respect of Rogue as an apex monster.
Yet with all the changes and signs saying otherwise of their Kinship, 9S and Rogue still consider each other as partners, always. And the growing trust between the two is seen in how at ease or relax they are with one another.
Plus, the two display a level of protectviness with one another. Proof from the days before, it wasn't surprising to see 9S jump in first when trouble arrives and goes to fight and defend Rogue during the times when their gathering session got a bit dangerous. Then to the quick reversal of this role, as Rogue got bigger and became fiercer in fighting to protect 9S on those times as well.
As both of them reach the door and 9S bends lower to fiddle with clamps, Rogue shifts his position a bit and moves his head above 9S before he begins to use his teeth to brush 9S' hair, getting a surprise yelp from him.
"Rogue stop that! How many times do I have to tell you that I don't need you to fix my hair?" The boys flails his arms to get the Deviljho's teeth off of his locks and growing mess of a hair.
Not bother by how dangerous the scenario is of a brute wyvern so close to biting his head off or the fact that Rogue, his own Deviljho, was displaying a grooming manner his species is not known for or even believe to have. But both act natural to one another and don't see anything wrong with what they're doing, as if it was a daily occurrence to them.
Rogue gives his own version of chuckle, with vibrating growls as signs of amusement from his rider's complaint of him messing up his hair. The monstie knows that 9S could fix it himself but he can't resist the expressions 9S shows that he finds amusing, like whenever the boy gets surprise, and how his hair tickles his chin, teeth and all.
"You're lucky we live behind a waterfall. Lucky too that I can wash off your drool." 9S muttered to himself as he fixes his hair after undoing the clamps and gives a short side eye glare to Rogue.
It was not a sincere one, which the Deviljho knows but still gives a small bump of his head to 9S as a sign of an apology.
9S just shakes his head again and knows Rogue doesn't mean any harm. He waves it off and chuckles, as he pat his monstie on the head accepting the apology before pulling the ropes near the entrance to open the door.
The way both boy and monster acted nonchalantly with one another and the healthy bond of trust they displayed together, shows how strong their Kinship has grown since the day 9S performed the rite and hatched Rogue.
The two then greet the new day, facing the rising sun and inhale a fresh breathe of air of the morning, as the valley before them comes to life.
Now, at a spot in 9S' room there is a door that opens to a new furnished path made from Rogue's previous digging, now much larger for an adult human to enter and leads to the felynes new home.
While 9S and Rogue began their day outside, either washing themselves at the falls or prepping up the gear and items they need for the day, at Whistill's new settlement the same could be said of the felynes being hard on work early in the morning and preparing for the tasks of the today. Some of which is the continued construction and improvement of their home.
Once making it to the end of path, one would be greeted to a sight of small village in the making. Whistill's tribe have been busy for the past 2 weeks and their work has shown fruition, with only a few tweaks and plans to implemented in the future.
Though, currently their home is well made.
As many felynes went around the settlement and beginning their tasks for today and the other daily things they do, passing various felyne shaped houses built and arranged at the base of the cavern surrounding the bed of Lunar tears at the center of the cave, which now has a small fence that surrounds the flowers.
At the walls of the caves, lanterns decorate the area to illuminate some of the darker areas where the Lunar tears couldn't reach.
Other felynes live in rooms dug by Rogue at the base and some high above the ground of the settlement at different levels. Platforms are constructed and placed by the felynes to help in getting to their homes and other rooms for other purposes.
Many felynes pass by each other on the different floors, using the ladders and wooden steps that connects to the ground to go through and from. With some paths a bit too crowded and hard to move around when in a hurry or when moving something big and moving numerous items. But a planned wooden lift is being constructed by Whistill to alleviate this and for much convenience and easier access.
Especially, since the different storage rooms for specific types of items were made and arranged to be kept in the different levels by Whistill. To be avoid mixing some materials or rare items and being organized entirely.
Other areas where made and designated by Whistill in their settlement. With one area or room carved by Rogue to be the most prominent, the crafting hub. Many items are made there by the felynes, and occasionally by 9S as well, either to be sold to hunters or to be used by the settlement.
It is also the place where some of their ideas and plans are being kept in and with currently, a small forge like spot is being worked on by the felynes for future metallurgy type of projects and basic forging.
For a time, 9S and Pod were skeptical of Whistill on building a forge inside the cavern, but the felyne chief already made drafts for it and the specifications for safety, like to avoid fires etc. And a ventilation system to avoid asphyxiation from smoke coming from the forge.
Carving and digging a chimney type of structure was difficult and took a while for Rogue, and it remains to be seen if making the forge would be successful. But Whistill is confident that it would work and if it does, then they could make stronger and more suitable parts and structures for other projects.
Like the indoor plumbing the felyne chief plans and other necessities for comfort
…like a hot tub.
No arguments where made by 9S and the rest of the felynes after that suggestion and they all, including Rogue, quickly caught on to the idea. Only Pod 153 thought it was unnecessary
...and stupid.
Sadly at the moment, other projects would have to wait due to the tribe prioritizing on finishing the interior model of their new settlement, with most of their focus entirely on it.
Today's task was decided to be specific and targeted to be done by the day, which is finishing the work for the front wall of the cave.
The front wall is where the entrance is, the small hole for the felynes to enter and exit from but above that and near the ceiling of the wall, large holes are being made by felynes with pickaxes. As windows with the frames and other essentials being constructed by others to cover them.
All of these were being made for the sole purpose to allow more natural sunlight to enter the settlement and they where also making more platforms and attaching them to the wall to help in the construction. Plus they would be used as future posts for the felynes to use and see the outside area while safe inside the settlement.
Most of the felynes where there building and constructing the layout, including Whistill who was supervising it and handling a few reports from the felynes approaching him.
He was about to send one felyne to call Pod 153, only to see the black and red colored palico approach him.
"Morning Whistill, I've began to sort the items we will be bringing to YoRHa today, but I have decided to go to you and ask if you'll be adding anything else to the list?" The palico said as both her and the felyne chief where in front of the wall of the entrance.
"Oh, no need to ask me Pod Nya. There's none to be added nor any item to be requested by the felyne workers in the village. You should ask 9S if he has made anymore delivery requests. I'm sure you packed the quickfoot seeds for his friend in the cart by now, Nya?" The two felynes began to walked together, heading away from the platform and felynes working on the front wall and to another group of felynes sorting through a variety of items to be brought to YoRHa.
"He hasn't said anything else to me of other item request, though I should meet him just in case. He must be awake right now, since around this time, Rogue would begin to get hungry."
"Yes Nya, the brute wyvern's hunger grows as he matures. Nyain-es may need to check on that tonic, for I believe we may be needing it, now that Rogue has grown bigger Nya." Whistill said as he puts a paw on his chin pondering on it.
"True, he's been eating a lot more lately. Hopefully the manual was right, and it would curb his hunger. I should head out and check on Meowster. Can you handle the rest here?" Pod asked.
"Nya no problem, you go do that. Also please check our farm too, Nya. Just make sure my felynes are shaping our spot for planting." Whistill replied, while Pod nods in agreement before leaving the felyne chief to finish sorting the items and heads out through the entrance. But before she leaves, she remembers to get a pouch of food she left for 9S and makes her way to the canteen like area of the settlement to claim it.
9S has been eating his breakfast with Rogue whenever they go out together to hunt for his. They've been doing it every morning and has become a daily routine since Rogue got bigger each day. Like now, Pod would make a meal for 9S to bring with him as they go.
She then makes her way out of the settlement and places a paw above her eyes to cover from the sunlight. Marking officially the morning for her with the sun high up.
"Morning Pod!"
Pod 153 hears 9S voice and sees him by the river, waving at her. He must have washed his face a bit and looks to have cleaned his carving knife a bit, as 9S proceeds to sheath it behind him to its holster.
"Meowster, morning to you too. Here's your breakfasts." She hands the pouch to 9S, who proceeds to gingerly takes a piece of bread out of it with one hand holding the pouch and proceeds to eat it.
"Where's Rogue? Normally he would be pacing around waiting for you or something." Pod went to look around the valley a bit and couldn't see the Deviljho.
She did spot the felynes tending to the garden spot, which was just some distance at their right near the entrance of the settlement, with a fence marking the entrance of the farm and probably surrounding the border of their planting space as well.
"Oh, he's just in the water." 9S answered as he wipes his mouth of some leftover crumbs and before he puts two of his fingers together and proceeds to whistle for Rogue.
Immediately, a burst of water rises from the river with guttural growl coming from it.
"Grrrrrrr"
Rogue jumps out of the water and proceeds to shake excess drops of water off of him. 9S and Pod had to shield themselves and avoid the splash of water from Rogue. The Deviljho heard the whistle and immediately bounded to them and gives a few happy croons and reveals that he had caught a large Tuna in his mouth, before he crunches the fish and then swallows it whole.
"Glad to know he had a snack." Pod said, while 9S chuckles.
"Yeah, I had to clean my knife a bit. Good thing Rogue saw that there was a bunch of gastronome tuna in the water and tried to catch them."
"To apparently one out of ten attempts?" Pod joked, as Rogue lowers his head to let her scratch his chin.
"Close, two out of ten. When he failed to get another after his first success he jumped in the water. I say he should just stick to hunting on land than learn how to fish. But it was funny to watch." Rogue gave a snort to his partner's comment and proceeds to shove him to the direction of the forest, telling him to get a move on.
"Okay, okay. Hey! one push is enough Rogue." 9S said as he places his hand on Rogue's snout to stop him as the brute wyvern grumbles.
"Well, we got to go Pod."
"No problem Meowster, but don't forget. We need to be in the village by noon when we deliver another set of goods for the village because you have a training session with Anemone later on the day. And you said you wanted to meet with 801S and 32S before that. SO, don't go lollygagging or take too much time." Pod reminded 9S strictly about their schedule today.
"Don't worry Pod, if we can find two Aptonoths or something as much, then me and Rogue will be done and we can comeback early. Then the two of us can head to the village before noon today. Besides, I need to go today anyway to learn what 801S discovered of the tonic, and Zinnia did tell us to come home today for something… Did you get anymore details about that?" 9S asks as he inclined his head to Pod, who shakes her head.
"None. Pod 42 said its important though."
"Well, we'll find out later." 9S said as both he and Rogue begin to head out to the forest.
"Meowster? Your not bringing your practice glaive?" Pod asked as she saw 9S not equip with it nor see the kinsect that would normally be on his right arm.
"It almost broke the last time I used it on a monster. I rather not risk incurring Masamune's wrath and receive a lecture of how it is only a practice weapon and not a real one. We're not heading to any predatory game trails anyway, but take care of the Kinsect though, it's in the room and I gave it's nectar for the day, just watch over it!" 9S called out to Pod in response, not pausing in his steps.
"You sure you don't need it?"
"We'll be fine! Besides I got Rogue with me! See yah Pod!" 9S said as he and Rogue continue to jog further away and head inside the forest.
"Stay safe, Meowster!" Pod shouted despite not knowing if 9S or Rogue heard her.
Regardless, Pod 153 trusts 9S and he is right that with Rogue with him he'll be safe. She remembers that most of the monster would avoid Rogue once he began to look like a mini Deviljho.
"Plus, he's grown again today. My claws couldn't compare to the size of his teeth now and he's big enough to tackle a Velocidrome." Pod said to herself as she makes her way to the garden area to check it a bit like Whistill asked her to.
"Nyahaha… I bet Meowster would say he's big enough to ride… on… now..." Pod stopped in her steps, after getting the sudden realization.
"Oh, I bet he's going to try riding Rogue isn't he, no wonder he was quick to leave. Rogue grew again today and he's curious of trying it out. Plus, Meowster must be taking the oppurtunity now since he doens't have much time today." Pod 153 muttered to herself.
"I hope he isn't rushing this and nothing goes wrong. Though, Meowster knows what he is doing, and he has been training so he should be fine." Pod concluded as she knows 9S can take care of himself.
Even if he's going to do the next step of being a rider and attempt to ride his monstie, a Deviljho nonetheless, and probably get a bruise or two in trying.
...If Rogue isn't cooperative about it.
'It was a good thing I packed those herbs as a precaution.' Thought Pod 153 before she went and greeted the farmer felynes.
Author's notes:
Thanks for reading.
See you guys in the next chapter!