[Metallic Dragon]

Canis Concolor, otherwise known as Zvers, are an alien species that were discovered aboard a crashed space ship. Initially believed to be too vicious to tame, humans have begun to form bonds with these strange beasts, despite warnings from government agents who want them rounded up and exterminated. Despite several attempts, the government has thus far been unable to recapture them and Zvers have begun to breed. Many average joes have set off in search of a Zver to call their very own after hearing rumors that the intelligent creatures could be tamed with a bit of bribery and gentle coaxing. Will you join the hunt?

The timer isn't really correct, between the screaming baby and scrapping a couple of designs this guy took much longer than originally planned.

Anyway, on to the contest. This zver was captured by a bounty hunter and was deemed extremely vicious and dangerous, having clearly been born here on Earth due to their young age. They have been equipped with a muzzle so they can no longer bite, but they escaped the hunter once more and are at large. Since the muzzle will likely prevent the zver from being able to hunt, they could easily starve to death without human help.
Write a short story using journal entries about how you found and managed to befriend this zver. Remember, after their first human encounter, they would be very wary of humans and skittish with their only real means of protection stoppered by the muzzle.

Code: Select all

Username:
Name:
Biological Sex:
Gender:
Journal Entries:

This contest will end on the 25th

[Lyncher]

Username: Lyncher
Name: Xain
Biological Sex: Male
Gender: Male
Journal Entries: WIP

[Wileyfangs]

((The journal entries are done via tape recorder!))

Username:
Violet & Ivy

Day 0-
"This is recorder 857670, formally known as Violet & Ivy. Recording for educational purposes and personal recording. Today's a rather special day out here in the dunes we're drivin' in. Makin' my way down to the center. Got news about an escaped Zver with a muzzle on it. Poor thing's been held in by a bounty hunter apparently before escaping so I'm going to see about tracking the little guy. Hopefully this ends well."

Name:
Harl. E. Quin,

Day 0-
"I'm not quite sure about naming the baby quite yet. Perhaps I'll know once I see em. Heard they're very bright red in color. I'll nickname em later."

Biological Sex:
Male

Day 0-
"Again I'm guessing here. I haven't met the little scamp yet. There's been a debate back home but I doubt it. I'll know once I get a look at em."

Gender:
Non-binary, they/ them pronouns

Day 0-
"It's always been so interesting to me just how their gender is a spectrum as well. I can only wonder how they perceive, themselves and us as human be--Oh My God! What was that?!" The sound of a car screeching and then you hear something hit the ground as gravelly, crackling fills in.

Journal Entries:

Day 1-
"Okay whoo this thing is working again! Wonderful! Alright well it seems like I've got a flat tire here so I'll be on foot. It's currently one in the morning so I'll go see if I can make camp somewhere safe. " There a moment of rustling and then muttering before they speak again. "Alright well I've got a pack that'll last me, and this mystery Zver a few days. Center isn't too far away but I'll have to get walking if I want to get anywhere." There's a moment of silence before the voice continued. "Life is different since these Zvers came along but here is lovely...."

Day 1- Noon

"Whoo it's hot out there! Like put your foot out there and watch your shoes melt hot! Still no sign of our mystery Zver either but, I called the Center and they've gotten word that it's actually near me around these plains somewhere. Must be too hot to come and try to eat just yet." There's a crackling noise and the person speaking huffs. "Sorry, reception is hard to manage in this cave. Barely got a hold of Center."

Night 1-

"Okay so I've just had a sighting myself of just what kind of Zver I'm dealing with. I've got to say they're a beauty. I spotted em just as it got dark around 7 P.M. To think someone put a muzzle on em! That poor little scamp.....Gonna stay up and see if I spot 'em anymore tonight."

Morning 2-
"Good Morning everyone! It's currently 5 A.M. and yours truly is feeling better. It's a chilly morning but nothing I've never dealt with before. Speaking of before, last night I sat up trying to put a name on the mysterious Zver we're looking after. The white masking reminds me of a special villain character who's actually not too bad. Well I got to get to know em first before I can start naming anything but it's a start!"

Day 2-
"Alright! So here we are searching for the Zver in the daytime because they not, as far I know I could always be wrong, particularly nocturnal. I caught a glimpse of him by this bluff but I can't seem to find any tracks around. Hmm maybe it'd be smarter to wait for dark....." gasp "I have an idea! The little guy's hungry and probably very thirsty. We're in a desert....so perhaps I could lead him back to the cave with water and food. It's worth a shot."

Night 2-

"Well my plan of course didn't exactly work. I, of course, forgot to take into account the other animals in the vicinity. Which of course is why I'm now sitting in my new cave and sharing a bowl of water with a rattlesnake! It doesn't seem threatened by me however but I swear to god this was not what I expected to happen." A muffled squeak is heard along with ominous hissing. "O-Oh well I think it's my friend now for some reason. This is going to be a very long night....."

Morning 3-
Yaaawn~ "Good morning. It's 2 A.M. and I'm still awake. Good news is, the rattlesnake has finally left to go hunting I suppose. Bad news is I'm too tired to get up at the moment. Didn't want to offend the snake somehow if I.....fell...asleep....hmm" There's crackling and soft snoring is heard. However there's a quiet sound of muffled growls. The sound gets closer and curious sniffing can be heard before the lapping of water fills the silence. Once done, the growls start up and move closer to the soft snores of the tracker....

Day 3-
"Okay so um, first of all...sorry about falling asleep earlier. I honestly can't hold myself up anywhere before 4:00 A.M. " She huffed softly and the shifting of clothing could be heard.. "Secondly I was apparently paid a visit by the mysterious Harl.E.Quin," There's a moment of shifting and the voice sounds happy "I've been wanting to call them that for a while now but that's besides the point. The point is, how I know Quin visited me is due to both the disappearance of my dog bowl and Zver tracks that lead outside the cave. Which leads me here, outside, following them. I've got to say I'm quite excited. This my first actual lead!" The voice grows quiet as a happy humming tune fills up the quiet instead and the journey seems to go one awhile longer. And then just as it starts there's a growling sound and a single shout of surprise and then the sound of running. Then crackling static....

Night 3-
Panting is heard instead of our usual cheery voice followed by a soft snuffling sound. The gentle snuffles disappear and the sounds of claws clattering against stone is heard. Then a very familiar voice returns though she sounds out of breath. "Ha aah, so I see you've started to meet Quin. Unfortunately I have not. They keep avoiding me as expected." There's an unzipping sound as they explain. "See before when we last talked I was following the tracks right? Well what I never expected was for it to be a trap! This Zver lured me out of my cave and pounced on me! I guess they were trying to get the food in my pack and if you had a muzzle on your mouth a probably hadn't eaten anything for days well you can guess how hungry you'd be!" She pauses and then makes a calling sound, clicking her tongue. There's a vague skittering sound against the stones floor but a deep growling can be heard, anxious and distrustful. "Easy baby. It's ok...you gotta remember when dealing with Zvers to treat them with respect. Like any other creature." The growling gets slowly closer. "Right now I'm holding a piece of dried jerky small enough to get through the muzzle if they'll let me close so Quin here is just sizing me up...." The growling sounds grow louder then suddenly stops and the skittering of claws against stone is heard as the growling starts again though farther away. The tracker lets out a shaky sigh. "They're scared out here and I guess it was too close. Poor little baby almost had it, but it's not meant to be easy. This Zver has been through so much already." There's a brief silence as the tracker tries again. "C'mere baby, it's okay...."

Morning 4-
"Well good morning.....I'm not quite certain what to do in this case." There's a brief growling but the sounds of the tracker hushing them gently can be heard. "Shhhh, it's okay. Good baby, it's okay." The growling ceases and an anxious whine takes its place. "Okay so last night I managed to feed Quin here. Now the good news is they aren't so bad off despite their situation....bad news is the muzzle is on too tight to just take off....so after some coaxing and a lot of jerky bits I now have a lair of scissors and am trying very carefully to cut the darn thing off." Another anxious filled whine but the tracker hushes them again and sighs. "It's okay....we'll try again in a moment. So yeah here's your vicious Zver alright. Quite vicious when they're curled up to me." Quiet snuffling can be heard and the tracker laughs softly. "I really think they're just scared of everything ya' know? Like suddenly they were captured, in captivity and forced to wear this terrible thing and now they're back in the wild but nothing's making much sense....poor Quin." A rough grumbling starts but it's so steady you find its a purr. "Well I'm going to try again in a bit once Quin is calm...I'll tell you how it goes."

Night-Morning 7
There's a brief snuffling that takes up the sound before a gentle murmur is heard. The snuffling disappears." ~Yawn~ Okay, I'm back everyone and boy three days passed by! For a moment at least....it's rather late. I managed to cut off that nasty muzzle without hurting Quin so they've been eating a lot to get back their strength....poor baby has some scars though but I think those will heal with some time. To be quite honest I expected em to leave me by now being feral and all, but they have been following me everywhere." Soft rumbling can be heard and the tracker chuckles. "I think I'm stuck with em for a while, who knows? After this crazy adventure anything can happen.....we'll head to the Center still but only for medical treatment for Quin....but yeah this one might be staying with me for a while. It'll be a change that's for sure but nothing I can't handle....nothing we can't deal with.Hey the sun's coming up. Look Quin." The silence is expected but then there's a quiet sigh of what can only be described as contentment "There's a lot I don't know about but hey me and Quin'll figure it out.

[Metallic Dragon]

Bump

[worshipthesquid]

~sorry 'bout the length!~

Username: worshipthesquid
Name: Väinä
Biological Sex: male
Gender: genderfluid
Journal Entries:

20th June (Day 5). Great Steppe.

It's been a while since I broke open this dusty old thing, let alone managed to finish an entry, but. I've been five days on this interminable plain and, yes, the sunsets are very beautiful, but they're also the only flipping movement I've seen since I left the town, other than the rippling of the grasses and the occasional bird in the distance (funnily enough, the lack of cover on the plains means I can see them but they can also see me. And they're definitely not inclined to let me come closer to take a look at their markings).

Long story short, at this point I think I might actually keel over from boredom. Some inspiration trip this has turned out to be. I got bored of the landscape on the first day, and since that it's been pretty much basic stubbornness that's kept me going this long. Probably should've turned back a while ago, but… The town'd been buzzing (as much as a sleepy nothing-place like that ever could, anyway) over a local bounty hunter muzzling and then losing a wild Zver in the wastes. I caught a glimpse of the bounty hunter in the inn, adding to the row of empty glasses beside them, pint by pint, looking sour and, well, not like someone I'd want to trust an endangered species to, is all. The town was up in arms - shutters locked, doors barred, the works. They were a couple notches down from forming a full-out pitchfork-wielding mob to hunt down the, ah, 'abomination' in their midst. Weren't too fond of strangers, either. I left when I saw froth forming at the mouth of one of the worst instigators.

Well, at least I'm not there. There's such a thing as too interesting.

I'm going to pitch the tent. Another of those lovely sunsets is coming up. Or… down, I guess. Whatever.

Night.

21st June (Day 6. ugh.). Great Steppe.

Another day dawns on the glorious steppe. Suppose I'll just carry on walking in a random direction. Not like I know which direction is which any more, given the absolute lack of landmarks. I feel like I should be worried?

Nah. I have a phone and, if all else fails, a radio. Also maps, but considering aforementioned lack of distinctive features I don't have high hopes for them. Heh, it would almost make me feel excited and adventurous if it wasn't so. Damned. Boring.

Welp, guess it's time to head off. Let's head South today. No sense in having the sun in my eyes all day.

Gods, please let something interesting happen. Anything.

Still Day 6.

Very funny, powers-that-be! VERY FUNNY. Also, I take it back. Trying to hide behind a knee-height clump of grass as a very angry-looking Zver claws up my tent is not the kind of interesting I was looking for. I wouldn't be writing this, but I figure if it decides to go for me next then at least there'll be a record of what happened to me. Weary traveller do not share my fate, here be monsters, that sort of thing.

Oh man, I don't want to die and be some travel guide cautionary tale! I still have the other hundred square miles of steppe to cover!

STILL Day 6.

So the Zver's been stalking around my campsite for a few hours now, and I never thought I'd say this with quite so many sharp claws in fairly close proximity to my defenseless organs, but this is getting pretty old. Also pretty cold. I'm honestly more irritated than scared at this point (I swear it smirked beneath the muzzle when it clawed up my backpack, that mutt). Well, no, I'm still terrified. But in a numb kind of way, you know?

I really, really hope I'm not going into shock.

But yeah. Bored again. I guess I'll... draw it? It is just sitting there, looking grumpy - kind of like me, come to think of it. ...Sure, I'll draw it. I mean, it's not like I've got anything to show for this ill-advised outing yet except a couple of half-hearted landscapes, blisters and recently inflicted emotional scars. What could possibly go (more) wrong?

You guessed it, Day 6. Or, uh. Night 6?

I regretted writing that as soon as I finished the sentence, but, miraculously, nothing's changed since then except the position of the sun. I got a few nice sketches of the Zver sitting and looking wary, which are its two default states, apparently - though I wish I had some charcoal or acrylic to mess around with to try and get the colours down. No way it can catch birds out here with that kind of coat. Amazing!

It must know I'm here by now, even with the muzzle. Maybe it just doesn't want to come near me? Eh, it's not like I pose a threat. It retreated inside the remains of my tent a while ago, though, so I can't see it to sketch more (I can hear ominous ripping and tearing sounds, however. Dammit, Zver, I liked those clothes.)

I guess there's no avoiding it now. I'm going to have to sleep out here. UGH. At least the grass is soft? And it's not raining. Small mercies.

June 22nd (Day 7). Great Steppe.

Wow. Okay. It (they? I'm more and more convinced there's an intelligence there) is currently sprawled over my legs, so I'm going to take the opportunity to write down everything that's happened in the past couple of hours in case it was all the product of some fevered delirium and I wake up in a few minutes between white hospital sheets. Not sure if that's preferable or not, to be honest.

So I managed to fall asleep in the grass after a few minutes' tossing and turning, and woke up with a crick in my neck, grass-print on my face and that Zver curled up on my chest. I... may have shrieked, a tiny bit. Not very much. Barely a squeak, really, but the Zver heard it anyway and suddenly, ow ow ow, claws on my shoulders, muzzle in my face, a muffled growl coming from behind the muzzle. I don't think I so much as breathed until it settled back again, freeing my arms (not that I'd move them).

Okay, this bit is pretty indefensible. I was still groggy from having had approximately four hours of sleep, okay? Usually my self-preservation instincts are at least slightly sharper than they were this morning. Clearly my judgement was impaired, which is the only possible explanation for me taking it into my head to reach up - yes, I know it was dumb, hear me out - and unbuckle the muzzle. It looked hungry, all right? Which, in retrospect, should probably have been a reason not to leave its mouth free to pick and choose which areas of me looked the most filling, but, hey, bleeding heart over here. Sue me.

Obviously, it hasn't eaten me (yet, anyway, though I think - hopefully - the chances of that are pretty low). It took its newfound freedom as a cue to stare at me some more, lick my face and bound off to eat my supplies. There's gratitude for you. Then it fell asleep on my legs, and that's where I am now, trapped under approximately a billion tons of fur. I can no longer feel my toes. It's heavy for such an emaciated creature.

I'd radio for a lift out of here, but I don't want to entrust this guy's life or freedom to... well, anyone, to be honest. Guess I'm stuck with them for a while; we're taking the long way out of here. Guess I'll be putting the journal away for another who-knows-how-long - I've got a feeling the Zver's going to keep things interesting.

[Queen Vivane]

Username:
Queen Chrysalis

Name:
Araast

Biological Sex:
Male

Gender:
Male

Journal Entries:

Day 1:
(Everything is recorded just to give you a little bit of insight)
My name is Isabela Akantius and I literally have no idea what I'm doing. I've been sent out to find subject 5.19 Apparently this one is vicious, after being caught wild I can't really say I'm surprised that he didn't respond well to captivity. According to the notes I received he's currently muzzled which could lead to starvation due to a lack of being able to hunt and eat. Well that's not urgent at all.

So here I am outside in the great outdoors, hunting for a Zver. I have myself a little camp and everything, good thing I don't have bring any tent pegs or anything with me. I simply open up the bag put my tent on the ground and bam! One tent perfect for me, god I love pop up tents. I've dissolved into rambling. So onto what I've supposed to have been doing. There's been no sign of 5.19 today. No sign whatsoever. I guess I could go search again there's still some time before the sun goes down. Alright, if I'm going this recorder thing can come with. *Sigh* Here we go, now there are lot of places a Zver could hide in this forest, it's huge and ancient. This could take a while.

There's something watching me as night draws nearer. I feel the gaze of eyes upon me but when I look around, I can't see anything. Something is in these woods but I'm not sure if it's the Zver or something else. It's getting dark and there's still no sign so I'm just going back to my camp and sorting out food. Perhaps I'll hit up my lantern and read a book for a while. Signing off
End day 1

Day 2
It's the second day and during the night it seems I've had a visitor or two at my camp. There are tracks around my tent and where I have my cooking equipment. Just a little gas powered stove and a few pots and pans. No fire no fuss right? Anyway, the tracks are quite canine so I think 5.19 may have been snooping around while I slept.

Wait what was that?

*A sharp short scream echoes and you hear a thud as the device recording the young woman's voice, hits the ground. Shortly afterward you hear giggles and the occasional noise of disgust.*

Haha okay okay you found me somehow, now get off.

*Something large pads toward the recorder and you hear the clack of teeth against metal. The pad of paws resumes and you hear the laughter of the young woman ring out once more*

Well it seems that one of my own Zver's has tracked me down. I'll never be able to send him home now, he'll just sit and ignore every go home command I give him, trust me on this. Well perhaps with the help of Jess, it'll make my job a little easier. I suppose it's time to start today's search. Maybe it will prove fruitful, after all having a willing Zver companion with functioning sensors. Perhaps he'll be able to convince sir mystery himself to come out and say hello.

(This is Jess <3 )

We've been out searching for about an hour so far and all we've been able to find is a few stray hairs, 5.19 is proving tricky to locate. I'm kind of dreading how bad it's going to be to actually catch him and get rid of the damned muzzle. *she sighs and you hear a faint splash accompanied by a happy bark* Oh dear. Jess found the stream. I should be glad it wasn't a pool of mud or something.

It's mid afternoon now and I think Jess is onto something. He keeps going in the same direction so surely this must be a sign that he's caught the scent. Oh he's really onto something! Crap he's running, once he get's a good pace going I'll not catch him until he slows down haha.

*You hear the abrupt change in pace as she throws herself into a run*

The chase continued well into the day. I had to stop as by about noon it was quite warm. Jess kept going though but eventually he returned alone, with nothing to show from his chase except a pretty fat rabbit. He ate that. I know nothing about preparing something on that level. Give me an already sorted joint or what not and I can roast it but not do all the preparing a new catch like that would need. Good thing I brought plenty of food.

It's about four-thirty in the afternoon and I've been hiding in the shadows of the trees since lunch while trying in vain to pickup the trail again. I think were just going to head back to camp now. I managed to doze off in the afternoon sunlight and he's here. 5:19 is just across the clearing from me. My heart feels like it's breaking as I watch him. The struggle of not being able to eat is showing, he's so skinny and I'm almost in tears. I move slowly ever so aware of his red eyes focusing on me. I'm reaching out to him and he's about ready to run from me, I can see it plain as day. Easy boy it's alright, I murmur softly to him ever so slowly edging closer. In one swift move he bolts and vanishes into the trees. I spit out a curse and pound my fist against the ground. So close and yet so far. I think, I'm just going to go to bed.

Signing off
End day 2

Day 3
It's 3am and I find myself unable to get back to sleep. Is it because I napped last night? Or is because of the crippling worry for the Zver I'm now desperate to find that's taken up residence in my mind. The thing is, I feel so driven to help him and I don't know why. No idea why they even called me out to help, I don't understand their reasoning but I suppose when I accept a job from my fellow higher ups I have to do it. Hey even as big boss of, various things, I still contribute to keep my family safe.

I think I'm just going to get up and start the search early. Cmon Jess, let's go find 5:19. We're doing pretty well, Jess has another lead and once again I'm running after him.

CRAP! I literally almost ran straight into a tree! Thought I had better than that in me. I'll have to ask mr tall and handsome to come with next time. Things might be a little more entertaining, that way.

*A moment later you hear an eep of surprise and painful sounding thud*

Ow. That was my face meeting the floor, tree root's are evil. Nnngh ouch. I'm fine. It's cool don't worry about it! Ohhhh I think I really hurt something. I'm just gonna sit here for a moment and rest.

It's been over an hour since Jess caught the scent and he's not come back yet. I'm a bit worried actually, I'm going to have limp after him as I um, twisted my ankle in the fall. *The last few words sound slightly sheepish as if she's feeling a little silly about tripping and hurting herself* Well, nngh ow. Okay. I'm standing up. PROGRESS. I'm moving pretty slowly but I'm getting after Jess at least. There are subtle signs he managed to leave for me, though at that speed I can't understand how. With the weather as dry and hot as it's been recently, the ground is hard, no tracks to be seen whatsoever.

Progress is slow but at least there is some, as I think I'm getting close. I swear I'm hearing barks in the distance but I can't be sure until I get a little closer. It was definitely barking I heard! It's clearer now and I think somethings wrong. Jess never barks this hard and this loud. I have to hurry. Jess is standing at the edge of a simple gully and he's staring down into it. The barking quieted once he heard my footsteps.

What is it boy? What's- *the sentence cutting off mid way for a reason you're not sure of* It's 5.19 he's lying unconscious at the bottom of a gully. I have to find a way to get down without causing myself further harm. Now I'm rhyming, again. Urgh. This may take a while. Going to need all my concentration for this rescue effort.

Signing off

End day 3

Day 4

It's midnight and I still haven't managed to get down to 5.19. Jess is with him so that's some small comfort for me at least. How I wish at least someone in my family were here. Surely one of them would be able to get down without the use of a path. Gotta admit I'm panicking slightly now. I going to have to slide down regardless of my ankle. Scuse me for a moment I'm going to shove the recorder in my bra so I don't drop it on the way down.

HANG ON! *Her voice is muffled and your hear the faint noise of clothes against earth before the noise stops*

Jess is currently keeping 5.19 company. He's such a gentle soul and the fact he's trying so hard to help both me and our red friend. Shhh, it's alright. I'm not going to hurt you. Let's get that horrid muzzle off, alright? He's not afraid pf me but he's wary. Can't say I blame him really. I'm gonna attempt to try and get the muzzle off of him. Hope I don't end up getting bitten. Damn these buckles are tough but ngh. Got it! The muzzle is off so I'm going to throw it somewhere away from me just to try and get him to trust me a little more.

Going to back off now give him some space and let him feel the air on his face. Hopefully he wont try and attack me. I don't think he will but I'm going to give him some space anyway just to be on the safe side.

I've got a box in my bag full of chicken bits. Jess has backed off and has come to lie by my side while we watch 5.19 scarf down the bits of food I've thrown for him. I'm going to fill the box with water and place it on the floor before moving away. Jess is following a little more slowly.

The two of us have curled up together on the dry earth. Today has been long already and I'm exhausted.

Singing off.
End of day 4

Day 5
Oddly enough, he's still here. He's right where we left him just watching us, I think he's been here all night, simply watching us. I'm not sure why really. He hasn't scampered off yet even though I'm awake. Think I'm going to fill up the box again and then go and fill my water bottle up again. My ankle is worse this morning, all swollen and sore. Still. I'm going to just get up and try and get on with my day. If 5.19 wants to follow me, he can.

It was tough to get out of the gully but I managed. Now currently limping toward the stream, think when I get there I'll shove my ankle in for a while. The water will do some good and I can fill up my bottle at the same time! *you hear the sound of water and the sound of Isabela's limping pace quickens* Finally at the stream, gonna settle down her for a while and then head back to camp. *You hear her sigh in relief, the cold water must be helping her injury*

Right. I've filled up my bottle and put some iodine in. Gotta leave that for a while now, the iodine will kill of anything bad in the water. Gonna limp back to camp now, Jess is somewhere around. He doesn't stray too far after all. *The rustle of clothes indicates her getting up slowly and then starting walking once more, the limp still obvious in the sound of her movement*

Hey! It's around 5pm and we're back at camp. It seems a certain someone has followed us back. He's not coming too far out the treeline but he's out far enough that I can see him. I'll toss him a bit more food and I have an extra couple bowls here. I can fill one with water and leave it out for him. Should make him feel better at the very least.

Jess is snoozing and 5.19 is watching me again. I think he's a little bit curious about why I saved his life and why I keep tossing food his way. It's nothing great just a few strips of dried beef but he seems to be enjoying them all the same.

11pm has arrived and I'm pretty tired. I've left a blanket, some water and food out for him while Jess and I will go and sleep in my tent again.

Signing off
End day 5

Day 6
It's 7am and today is the day I have to go back. If Araast, that's what I've decided to call him by the way. Wont come with me willingly then there's going to be a problem.

Well well it seems he's moved closer overnight. Even brought the blanket with him.

I'm going to sit on the ground for a while with my hand out and see if he'll come over.

8am
Barely wanting to breath right now! *She speaks in a frantic hushed whisper* He's right in front of me. I dare not look at him in case he runs from me. Until he decides what to do, I'm going to sit here and not move, not one inch.

9am
Oh my gosh! Araast is literally only centimeters away from me at this very moment. The urge to reach out and touch him is almost overwhelming, I can barely stop myself.

9.30am
Holy mother fudge muffins. He touched me, willingly. Just a light barely there touch with his nose. My bums gone numb and one of my ankles is asleep and I don't even care! This feeling is amazing. I'll never get tired of it. OH. He's pushed his head under my hand. I can hardly believe how well this is going. I think we may just be getting to be good friends.

This is Isabela Akantius signing off

End day 6

[Nyxeva]

Username: Transkitty
Name: Brigade
Biological Sex: Male
Gender: Male
Journal Entries:

I'm not sure how I managed to get away from the cruel human, but I did. I didn't think this through entirely, however. Yes, I am well out of his reach. That doesn't solve the problem of this thing he put on my face. I can't eat with it on. I can't drink. It even obstructs me scent sensors. I need to figure out what I'm doing to do about this....contraption! I'm getting really hungry and I can feel myself getting weaker. All I know is I am not going back to that hunter guy. I'll die first.

I've lost track of how long it's been since I've eaten last. Since I've had something to drink. I know I've gone miles since I got out. The landscape has changed drastically, I'm surrounded by trees now instead of sand. I can barely pick my paws up anymore to keep moving, and the ache of hunger in my gut has faded into an emptiness. I don't know how much longer I can last. I can hear the sounds of human cubs up ahead and I can smell food. I've started to consider letting myself be seen by them. Maybe let one get close again. We will have to see.

The smallest of the cubs spotted me this afternoon. She was playing off by herself with one of her parent's light boxes. None of the other humans were paying attention, so I snuck forward a little to get a closer look. I wasn't paying attention to where my paws were going, and so I stepped on a tree branch. At the snap, her head came up and her eyes met mine. She didn't react the way they normally do, with the screams and trying to hurt me. This young human simply stared at me for a few moments. My courage failed when she reached for me and I fled, but I think I may go back. I sense....something different about her.

She's been watching for me the last few nights. I haven't worked up the courage to let her see me again, but I've made sure to leave fur and prints where she can find them. Luckily, none of her pride seem too interested in the spot where she sits, so she's the only one who has any idea that I'm around. Anyway, every night when the rest of the humans go in their dens to sleep, she sits. And she watches. She's been leaving bowls of food and water out every night, but I still can't eat anything. She did show me a trick for drinking though! If I hold my muzzle in the water with my mouth open, it eventually will seep in and I can drink! If only it worked that way with food...

I waited too long. That has to be the only explanation. I haven't allowed the cub to see me again since the first time and now she's gone. The entire pride was gone when I got there today. Even their dens were gone. There was no sign they'd been there at all and I don't know what I'm going to do. I was going to let her see me, maybe even touch me today. But now it's too late. I'm doomed to starve.

I am a fool. Once again, I am on the move. But this time, there's a purpose to it. Once I got over my hysterics, I noticed that there was in fact signs of my human's presence. The big water bowl was still there, and underneath it there was a piece of fabric. It had her scent all over it, and that it what I'm following. It seems her pride left on foot, since the scent is still here to be followed. It's been at least seven nights since I've seen her, but the scent is still fresh. And it's getting fresher. The trees have thinned out though, so I have to be careful not to be seen. There are more humans here, and their big dens are starting to show up here and there. There are also fields of prey, but they're all behind fences so I haven't bothered. Not to mention that this thing is still on my mouth, so even if I could catch one I wouldn't be able to eat it. Either way, I can feel that I'm getting closer to her. It's only a matter of time now.

I found her! Or, more like, she found me! I was resting in this big box that the humans had outside of one of their dining dens when I smelled her. When I lifted my head to see, she was walking towards me with a big bag in her hand. The box was full of bags just like the one she carried, so I knew she was coming my way. I feel bad for frightening her with my growl, but I couldn't help it when she got really close. Her happiness eclipsed her fear though, and she didn't try to get any closer. This may be the human meant for me after all!

I almost bit her today. She had the best intentions at heart, but I still feel some resentment towards her for it. She's been coming to see me for weeks now, just sitting with me and bringing me more of her water. I think there are supplements or something in it, because even though I'm very thin now, I'm still alive. Anyway, today started off as normal, except she had a large cut of meat in her other hand as well as the water bowl. I thought nothing of it until she suddenly lunged at me! She slammed me to the ground and produced a blade and she ignored my pleading for her to let me go. She didn't use the blade to kill me like I thought she was going to, instead she cut the contraption off! Out of frustration and fear, I turned to bite her but she shoved that meat into my mouth and backed off. It was the first meal I've had in ages and it was amazing! She didn't stay around once I was eating, but I know she'll be back. She always comes back.

She came back as usual. Brought me food and water as usual. Even petted behind my ears when I asked her to. It is I who did the unusual. I leaned against her and asked that she bring me home with her. I do not speak her language, but I think following her out of the alley I've been living in these past few months spoke for me. So now, I am in her room, on her bed. Her parents knew of me all along, and they are ok with me living with her. Protecting her. I have a home once more, but I think I will be much happier here than I ever was with that hunter.

[average.]

Bump :)

[Metallic Dragon]

Reminder that this ends tomorrow, make sure your applications are complete.

[Metallic Dragon]

*Cries* You guys don't know how much these long forms mean to me, if i could give this baby to all of you i would.
I'd also like to apologize for the delay in judging, i was sick last night and went to bed early.
Anyway, this was not an easy contest to judge. You all did so well and your journals were all fantastic. Regardless, in the end i had to choose just one. I really enjoyed the layout and manner the journals were executed in this form as well as how the applicant portrayed the zver's intelligence in a subtle way. So congratulations violet and ivy!

And to everyone else, thanks again for making my week with your applications. I've hoped for so long to make an adoptable that would get well thought out applications, zvers were the closest I've ever gotten, even as far back as 2011 and now I'm really hopeful that they'll only continue to get applications that show true dedication to winning them. So thank you all for giving me the hope i so desperately sought.

((The journal entries are done via tape recorder!))

Username:
Violet & Ivy

Day 0-
"This is recorder 857670, formally known as Violet & Ivy. Recording for educational purposes and personal recording. Today's a rather special day out here in the dunes we're drivin' in. Makin' my way down to the center. Got news about an escaped Zver with a muzzle on it. Poor thing's been held in by a bounty hunter apparently before escaping so I'm going to see about tracking the little guy. Hopefully this ends well."

Name:
Harl. E. Quin,

Day 0-
"I'm not quite sure about naming the baby quite yet. Perhaps I'll know once I see em. Heard they're very bright red in color. I'll nickname em later."

Biological Sex:
Male

Day 0-
"Again I'm guessing here. I haven't met the little scamp yet. There's been a debate back home but I doubt it. I'll know once I get a look at em."

Gender:
Non-binary, they/ them pronouns

Day 0-
"It's always been so interesting to me just how their gender is a spectrum as well. I can only wonder how they perceive, themselves and us as human be--Oh My God! What was that?!" The sound of a car screeching and then you hear something hit the ground as gravelly, crackling fills in.

Journal Entries:

Day 1-
"Okay whoo this thing is working again! Wonderful! Alright well it seems like I've got a flat tire here so I'll be on foot. It's currently one in the morning so I'll go see if I can make camp somewhere safe. " There a moment of rustling and then muttering before they speak again. "Alright well I've got a pack that'll last me, and this mystery Zver a few days. Center isn't too far away but I'll have to get walking if I want to get anywhere." There's a moment of silence before the voice continued. "Life is different since these Zvers came along but here is lovely...."

Day 1- Noon

"Whoo it's hot out there! Like put your foot out there and watch your shoes melt hot! Still no sign of our mystery Zver either but, I called the Center and they've gotten word that it's actually near me around these plains somewhere. Must be too hot to come and try to eat just yet." There's a crackling noise and the person speaking huffs. "Sorry, reception is hard to manage in this cave. Barely got a hold of Center."

Night 1-

"Okay so I've just had a sighting myself of just what kind of Zver I'm dealing with. I've got to say they're a beauty. I spotted em just as it got dark around 7 P.M. To think someone put a muzzle on em! That poor little scamp.....Gonna stay up and see if I spot 'em anymore tonight."

Morning 2-
"Good Morning everyone! It's currently 5 A.M. and yours truly is feeling better. It's a chilly morning but nothing I've never dealt with before. Speaking of before, last night I sat up trying to put a name on the mysterious Zver we're looking after. The white masking reminds me of a special villain character who's actually not too bad. Well I got to get to know em first before I can start naming anything but it's a start!"

Day 2-
"Alright! So here we are searching for the Zver in the daytime because they not, as far I know I could always be wrong, particularly nocturnal. I caught a glimpse of him by this bluff but I can't seem to find any tracks around. Hmm maybe it'd be smarter to wait for dark....." gasp "I have an idea! The little guy's hungry and probably very thirsty. We're in a desert....so perhaps I could lead him back to the cave with water and food. It's worth a shot."

Night 2-

"Well my plan of course didn't exactly work. I, of course, forgot to take into account the other animals in the vicinity. Which of course is why I'm now sitting in my new cave and sharing a bowl of water with a rattlesnake! It doesn't seem threatened by me however but I swear to god this was not what I expected to happen." A muffled squeak is heard along with ominous hissing. "O-Oh well I think it's my friend now for some reason. This is going to be a very long night....."

Morning 3-
Yaaawn~ "Good morning. It's 2 A.M. and I'm still awake. Good news is, the rattlesnake has finally left to go hunting I suppose. Bad news is I'm too tired to get up at the moment. Didn't want to offend the snake somehow if I.....fell...asleep....hmm" There's crackling and soft snoring is heard. However there's a quiet sound of muffled growls. The sound gets closer and curious sniffing can be heard before the lapping of water fills the silence. Once done, the growls start up and move closer to the soft snores of the tracker....

Day 3-
"Okay so um, first of all...sorry about falling asleep earlier. I honestly can't hold myself up anywhere before 4:00 A.M. " She huffed softly and the shifting of clothing could be heard.. "Secondly I was apparently paid a visit by the mysterious Harl.E.Quin," There's a moment of shifting and the voice sounds happy "I've been wanting to call them that for a while now but that's besides the point. The point is, how I know Quin visited me is due to both the disappearance of my dog bowl and Zver tracks that lead outside the cave. Which leads me here, outside, following them. I've got to say I'm quite excited. This my first actual lead!" The voice grows quiet as a happy humming tune fills up the quiet instead and the journey seems to go one awhile longer. And then just as it starts there's a growling sound and a single shout of surprise and then the sound of running. Then crackling static....

Night 3-
Panting is heard instead of our usual cheery voice followed by a soft snuffling sound. The gentle snuffles disappear and the sounds of claws clattering against stone is heard. Then a very familiar voice returns though she sounds out of breath. "Ha aah, so I see you've started to meet Quin. Unfortunately I have not. They keep avoiding me as expected." There's an unzipping sound as they explain. "See before when we last talked I was following the tracks right? Well what I never expected was for it to be a trap! This Zver lured me out of my cave and pounced on me! I guess they were trying to get the food in my pack and if you had a muzzle on your mouth a probably hadn't eaten anything for days well you can guess how hungry you'd be!" She pauses and then makes a calling sound, clicking her tongue. There's a vague skittering sound against the stones floor but a deep growling can be heard, anxious and distrustful. "Easy baby. It's ok...you gotta remember when dealing with Zvers to treat them with respect. Like any other creature." The growling gets slowly closer. "Right now I'm holding a piece of dried jerky small enough to get through the muzzle if they'll let me close so Quin here is just sizing me up...." The growling sounds grow louder then suddenly stops and the skittering of claws against stone is heard as the growling starts again though farther away. The tracker lets out a shaky sigh. "They're scared out here and I guess it was too close. Poor little baby almost had it, but it's not meant to be easy. This Zver has been through so much already." There's a brief silence as the tracker tries again. "C'mere baby, it's okay...."

Morning 4-
"Well good morning.....I'm not quite certain what to do in this case." There's a brief growling but the sounds of the tracker hushing them gently can be heard. "Shhhh, it's okay. Good baby, it's okay." The growling ceases and an anxious whine takes its place. "Okay so last night I managed to feed Quin here. Now the good news is they aren't so bad off despite their situation....bad news is the muzzle is on too tight to just take off....so after some coaxing and a lot of jerky bits I now have a lair of scissors and am trying very carefully to cut the darn thing off." Another anxious filled whine but the tracker hushes them again and sighs. "It's okay....we'll try again in a moment. So yeah here's your vicious Zver alright. Quite vicious when they're curled up to me." Quiet snuffling can be heard and the tracker laughs softly. "I really think they're just scared of everything ya' know? Like suddenly they were captured, in captivity and forced to wear this terrible thing and now they're back in the wild but nothing's making much sense....poor Quin." A rough grumbling starts but it's so steady you find its a purr. "Well I'm going to try again in a bit once Quin is calm...I'll tell you how it goes."

Night-Morning 7
There's a brief snuffling that takes up the sound before a gentle murmur is heard. The snuffling disappears." ~Yawn~ Okay, I'm back everyone and boy three days passed by! For a moment at least....it's rather late. I managed to cut off that nasty muzzle without hurting Quin so they've been eating a lot to get back their strength....poor baby has some scars though but I think those will heal with some time. To be quite honest I expected em to leave me by now being feral and all, but they have been following me everywhere." Soft rumbling can be heard and the tracker chuckles. "I think I'm stuck with em for a while, who knows? After this crazy adventure anything can happen.....we'll head to the Center still but only for medical treatment for Quin....but yeah this one might be staying with me for a while. It'll be a change that's for sure but nothing I can't handle....nothing we can't deal with.Hey the sun's coming up. Look Quin." The silence is expected but then there's a quiet sigh of what can only be described as contentment "There's a lot I don't know about but hey me and Quin'll figure it out.