Zane wasn't sure if he could survive these constant surprises. A naga… had eaten chief warrior Alexei. Yet the man was walking around, getting poked and prodded. Now he was just swatting away the attention of a dozen healers. Now, supposedly the naga was hiding under Young Song's nest, with two feathers.
Ah, let's not forget, it was already on the path to ascend, and was a hybrid that could control the earth. The Inago had somehow confirmed it was the beast that had snuck into the capital to attack the emperor.
Rommel was just staring blankly as the imperials were getting agitated as if they had any say in the matter. Could they not just be grateful the naga hadn't attacked them again? Or be content the emperor was safe?
Jantje took a deep breath as she put on a wide smile, though her twitching eyelid betrayed her. "I for one, would like to stay away from the naga who's venom melted chief warrior Alexei. Especially after seeing him kick two men to death who were in full plate armor. Perhaps some tea?"
Lucera gave an equally brilliant smile, "I think some tea would be lovely. Princess Noelle, would you care to join us?" Everyone was sneaking glances at the nest, especially after Lord Ashton returned. Snacking on pastries like nothing had happened.
Noelle shared a glance with her cousins, then nodded slowly, "We would love to join you, we even heard some interesting gossip from the mercenaries." Ha, how had the empire mistaken guardian, perhaps even legendary grade beast? Not once, but repeatedly as it traversed half the nation to reach the capital? Only in Smyrna.
Caius ignored the chatter sullenly, Aiya! How could he have forgotten to bring back something for his Little Snack?! Not only had that human female caught the best prey… he was entirely empty handed… unless.
Ashton watched the large fox swing between moods; happy, sullen, certain, distraught, sly, hopeful, discouraged… just watching was entertainment enough for days. Ashton continued to watch the varied emotions as he yawned, then settled into the tail fur for another nap. Let the fox think up his plans, so much had already happened.
Caius quickly tucked his Little Snack in, then shifted him so he could get the maximum sunlight available. Then Caius went back to eyeing the chosen female, her mate, and her male child… I mean, technically… I should win. Aiya! I should have just stayed back!
Zane rubbed his face, Rommel convinced him to wait until after Young Song announced who would hold his heart before they started reporting back. This way they could continue to watch and listen to the imperials, not that they were making any new statements, but who knew. The sun was going to set soon… Zane shivered as a cool breeze swept through the clearing.
Neolani watched as Caius sat up eagerly, tails swaying in anticipation. There wasn't another beast caught today so whatever the fox was up to had to be some trick. Neolani glanced over Alexei who had sworn at least a thousand times he was fine… but he was clearly sun burnt. His new skin had not faced the weather yet so he was now a noticeable pink.
Alexei's lips twitched as Azarius refused to look directly at him, his childish face trying so hard to look serious. "Just laugh already, you look like you're going to pee." Seriously, everyone was acting like they'd never seen someone get a sun burn before. When Azarius finally burst out into uncontrollable giggles Alexei's hand itched to smack someone upside the head.
Neolani smiled, of course she knew Ashton could heal Alexei… but that image was still hauntingly fresh. Even after three baths, Neolani wasn't sure if the smell was lingering… or just part of her imagination. The sun was cresting the horizon as everyone gathered around. Neolani noticed the naga slithering out from underneath the nest, it no longer had open wounds.
Kaveri gingerly arrived beside the small male, Azarius. Healing had been very fast, but slow… yess ssslow was good. Sssslow, ssssteady, Kaveri glanced at the bird in the nest. Yes, there was time. Slow. Kaveri coiled up as the last rays of the sun started to disappear.
Caius watched the little snake, new scales had grown in and were slightly lighter in color, its mana was also more stable. Aiya, that snake wasn't interested in his Little Snack… best for everyone if it stayed that way. Caius cuddled his Little Snack in his tails as the humans finished gathering around. There were a few eyes trying to hide their delight as they watched the snake… do not eat them. Aiya, do not eat them… yet.
Ashton stretched as he moved the platter of fruits so he could rest his arms on the edge of the nest. Thanks to Ru's little gift the biting chill was more akin to a slight breeze. Ashton glanced around, deliberately teasing the large fox as he looked toward his ember, "Since I don't see any other captured beasts, I do believe My Ember is the winner." The large fox was eagerly waiting for an opening, so Ashton played along.
Caius leaned over his Little Snack, rubbing his chin on his Little Snack's head. Caius then cuddled his Little Snack in his arms with a brilliant smile, "Ayia, Little Snack, so hasty today!" Caius whined looking down at Neolani and the rest of her all too smug tribe. "Surely an actual sin beast is better than an aspiring one." Caius teased showing the tribe a toothy smile.
Ashton tilted his head with a knowing smile, "Oh? Was such a beast captured?" The smile of the Inago had all but vanished as they watched the large fox. Before the fox could respond Ashton continued, "If such a beast was captured, that would mean it was conquered, then you'd be willing to offer it up."
Caius narrowed his eyes but continued to smile, "Aiya, is willing submission not preferable Little Snack? Surely it would be better than a resentful one."
Ashton sat up, the fox adjusting to keep leaning over, the fox's chin remained on his head. "Kaveri," Ashton called out in barely a whisper. With a burst of silver flame the small snake was laid out, belly up, on the edge of the nest. The naga didn't fight, though it did appear mildly confused. "If a sin beast were to be conquered, then offered up, it would find itself at my mercy." Ashton continued as he raised his right pointer finger. A talon of silver fire drew everyone's attention.
Neolani's expression hardened as the talon easily sliced through the naga's belly, blood trickling as the opening continued down half the snake's length. It took a moment for her to realize… Ashton wasn't cutting a straight line either, he sliced following the scales. This seemed… to be a deliberate showing for Lord Caius…
Ashton watched as Kaveri did his best to remain still, core and organs completely exposed, "I am biased, my mercy is limited. To be under my control is absolute." Ashton let a smile tease his lips as he let the tip of his talon touch the exposed indigo, nearly violet core. Ashton tapped on the core just enough for the sound to echo in the silence.
Caius stilled as he watched the small snake tremble, he wasn't sure if the snake was enduring… or couldn't move. The difference in power would be much more than what his Little Snack should be capable of. The gentle taps continued to ring out in a jovial cadence. If this were any other time… Caius would think this was an empty threat, damaging a core of a living being was near impossible. Caius was strong enough to damage cores of low-level beasts, but… he'd have to practically empty all his mana in a single attack.
Ashton glanced over his shoulder, "Is there sin beast being offered up to my mercy fox?" Kaveri was enduring rather well, Ashton glanced back down at the small naga taking slow, shallow breaths. When the fox still didn't answer Ashton let the talon dissipate, then he pulled out a small feather placing it over the core.
"Your endurance pleases me Kaveri." Ashton stated with a placid smile. What not even the fox could see the crystalized teer on the feather. Partly for dramatic effect, but mostly to distract the watching eyes, Ashton covered the wound in silver flames. As his teer settled on the core and the wound closed, Ashton let the flames die out, now there was a line of silver scales along where the wound had been.
Kaveri went limp, all thoughts had escaped halfway through having his stomach cut open. He wasn't sure why he hadn't fought or fled. There had just been this thought… to trust the bird… there had been no malice, no pleasure in his pain. Only the blinding agony and the thought that he couldn't resist, that he shouldn't resist.
Caius watched the limp little snake, yes, his Little Snack had momentarily grasped his core when they first met, but… Aiya, to be wholly at the mercy of another. Caius clenched his fist, took a deep breath, then leaned back. "Aiya, it would seem the beast is not caught yet."
Ashton tapped Kaveri's stomach where the core could be felt beneath the scales. "My Ember, come collect my heart for the day." Ashton pulled out his core, the golden layer caught the light. It was strange in a way, the golden layer from Ru kept his heart isolated. Ashton wasn't sure if it was the isolation, or another boon that more memories, well memories wasn't exactly the right word. Perhaps, past information was being remembered would be a better way to describe it. He'd known of Ru, even of past events, but now he could remember the context, but it still felt… distant. As if someone had told Ashton he had been enraged to the point of madness, but he couldn't yet recall the feeling.
Neolani placed her hand over her heart then stepped up, both hands cupped to accept the newly healed core. It was no longer a sliver smaller than a child's finger, it was the size of her clenched fist, covered in gold, radiating a dim light. Ashton placed the core in her hands, unlike before the core also radiated a gentle warmth. The size difference would take some getting used to, it would no longer go unnoticed as she wore it.
Alexei had been prepared for the size difference, so he handed Neolani a small pouch. The snack sized pouch was newly enchanted to alert the owner if anything attempted to take or damage it. There was also a second enchantment along the opening to be nearly impossible to open without the owner's consent.
Neolani smiled, then fought back a laugh at Alexei's both pale, yet also red complexion. As she looked back into Ashton's eyes, his smile was just as gentle as before but… she couldn't help but feel an estrangement.
Caius watched as his Little Snack's heart was hidden away. Today had been full of mistakes. Truly losses all around. The existence of this "Ru" watching over his Little Snack, cutting his meeting with Grelck short, the addition of a hybrid snake, the loss of his Little Snack's heart to a neglectful human.
"Aiya, one day I will earn the right to bear your heart Little Snack," Caius complained as he gathered his Little Snack up in his arms.
Ashton kept his smile as he raised a brow, "If that is the outcome you desire. For now, my Ember continues." Ashton glanced over the groups, then rested his gaze on Zane specifically. This should be just enough for someone to do more than just worry.
"Aiya, it's been a long day Little Snack! No snakes in the nest after dusk~" Caius reminded using a tail to brush the snake off the edge of the nest. Caius then adjusted his tails to hide his Little Snack away. Let the woman take his heart, she only had a few short decades to live anyway.