#rachnoid

Taking my time this go around, and I'm really enjoying trying to get good/cute pictures of the monsters and endemic life!

The rare endemic life is also just. Chef's kiss.

Oleander Report No. 3

Grumpitus Leave-at-Dawnitus is missing again around feeding time, leaving me to work my way round the sanctuary at half the speed I usually would.

I wouldn’t mind so much if he warned me the evening beforehand, but he doesn’t say a word - hardly see him before dark these days. Bastard better think again if he thinks I’m giving him a glowing review to the Guild as my assistant.

The monsters are okay - had a little spat between Gretchen and Huggies because Kushala are not fans of the cold and Huggies is nothing but cold.

The Pukei is growing up fine and will soon be ready for release - though I still think him too friendly with people. The Rachnoids are growing well, Shed their shells the other day. I’ve left the discarded chitin in Oleanders’ bed.

Isn’t much to add other than I wish I had a hand around the sanctuary that would help out a little more regularly than my current Drunk-off-his-assitus Alone-icus, perhaps I should appeal for a new research partner.

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A picture of Leo and one of the juvenile Rakna-Kadaki before release.

It’s weird, how much Leo loves those things, with their too-long legs and wads of silk. I could never understand it. 

I watched him release them that day, watched him nuzzle against their mandibles and pedipalps like they were felyne companions. I remember the feeling like my skin was crawling, but seeing him so happy to watch them leave to live their adult lives made me happy, despite how much I hated staring into those beady, purple eyes.

The rachnoids were a successful rehabilitation effort on our part; in the end we could release them back into the wild, where they’ll thrive without human intervention. I don’t doubt that Leo will visit them again soon enough, though, just to check on them.

I just hope he won’t drag me along for the ride. I’ve dealt with the little terrors for this long already. Good riddance to them.

So this image is sure to result in me getting yelled at later should Oleander find it.

My personal interactions with Rachnoids and Rakna-Kadaki have found that they will be fine with you for the most part as long as you make no sudden movements nor threaten them in any manner, and it’s how I ended up with these three coming home with me after they situated themselves in my old Banbaro mantle. They’re fine with me being around and are very happy to observe me as I work and groom me whilst I prepare their meals.

They’ve always avoided Oleander, so I found it interesting that a creature known to avoid conflict would actively cuddle with someone who could be hostile should he wake.

Oleander HATES Temnocerans, especially Rakna-Kadaki. So I’m very sure he would be horrified to know that my three Rachnoids were very keen to cuddle up with him after he passed out on my couch.

They were very gentle, moving around him and grooming his hair as he slept. Like three somewhat spikey hot water bottles, I dare not say Oleander did cuddle one in his slumber for fear he would faint on the spot.

It was fascinating watching their interactions with the old guard, and I wonder if it’s to do with the amount of body heat that he gives off that makes them keener to huddle with him rather than in the eaves of the house or around the fireplace - perhaps because it’s just that much milder? Rachnoids do struggle to maintain their own body heat without the aid of Rakna-Kadaki, so perhaps they thought Oleander the best source outside of open flames and newly smothered firepits.

They crawled away before sunrise, as if knowing their presence would cause him distress.

How cute. <3

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Leo Briarworth

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They WHAT.

I did WHAT?

LEO! WHEN DID YOU EVEN GET THESE?!

… At the very least, they didn’t bite me. Ugh.

My Rachnoids. I adored them but even I knew I couldn't keep them. They grew far too quickly in my opinion. I do however still visit their grounds at the Lava caverns - they're doing well as full grown Rakna Kadaki.

Oleander was pleased for their release.