It is not yet midday. [ —Asura purposely drawls his response, instinctually aware that the eyes of the new Wilder recruits are upon him, boring into his back, silently beseeching the King to please, p l e a s e call a break because the morning activities have been by far more akin to a Trial by Fire than anything else. Buuuuut, perhaps worthy of commendation, none among their number let slip a word, all unwilling to verbally articulate their discomfort in Asura's presence. In fact, when the King glances back, over his shoulder...! Oh, look there, the recruits are expediently working through their training once more. If they had at all been wearing pleading expressions (touched by hunger and fatigue in turns), the nonvocal communication had been perceived by Persephone's eyes alone. ] Nor have my students fully grasped their current exercise.
[ The exercise in question? A basic drill, where all recruits move together as a single, cohesive unit, reacting to (and defending against) the appearance of 'threats' (stationary illusions of Asura's own conjuring, each mimicking a creature common to Aefenglom's Wilde). ]
And so... [ Taking his time, Asura's certain that he can hear the collective hitch of bated breath from those under his instruction as they eagerly await his decision—and in this, he is proud that they're at least acting in unison like a true squadron of merit. So there is hope for them. They will make fine Wilders, someday. But first, a verdict!: ] ...perhaps I will substitute their lesson with another of higher importance: never turn away resources from a friendly party, lest one risk offending an ally.
[ And then, that moment of shared tension breaks with the realization that yes, the friendly party is none other than the woman with petaled wings and a sizable picnic basket upon her arm coupled together with the naga boasting the offering of a thermos. Among Asura's students, there is a building crescendo of whoops and hollers ("we did it! we survived! we get a break!"), borne of both fulfillment and simple excitement from the promise of a meal. Doubtless, that recruits will soon come to swarm both the Queen of Spring and her naga companion (has Asura met the girl somewhere before...?), but in the precious seconds before the famished trainees have the chance to surge forth, Asura bids both Persephone and guest warm welcome to the training grounds— ]
That is to say, you have our sincere gratitude for the meal. Let us enjoy this late morning together, as allies. [ Then, voice gentling, he shifts to address the naga alone: ] What's more... any friend of Persephone's is a friend of mine. She is precious to me, as I hope she will be to you as well.
no subject
[ The exercise in question? A basic drill, where all recruits move together as a single, cohesive unit, reacting to (and defending against) the appearance of 'threats' (stationary illusions of Asura's own conjuring, each mimicking a creature common to Aefenglom's Wilde). ]
And so... [ Taking his time, Asura's certain that he can hear the collective hitch of bated breath from those under his instruction as they eagerly await his decision—and in this, he is proud that they're at least acting in unison like a true squadron of merit. So there is hope for them. They will make fine Wilders, someday. But first, a verdict!: ] ...perhaps I will substitute their lesson with another of higher importance: never turn away resources from a friendly party, lest one risk offending an ally.
[ And then, that moment of shared tension breaks with the realization that yes, the friendly party is none other than the woman with petaled wings and a sizable picnic basket upon her arm coupled together with the naga boasting the offering of a thermos. Among Asura's students, there is a building crescendo of whoops and hollers ("we did it! we survived! we get a break!"), borne of both fulfillment and simple excitement from the promise of a meal. Doubtless, that recruits will soon come to swarm both the Queen of Spring and her naga companion (has Asura met the girl somewhere before...?), but in the precious seconds before the famished trainees have the chance to surge forth, Asura bids both Persephone and guest warm welcome to the training grounds— ]
That is to say, you have our sincere gratitude for the meal. Let us enjoy this late morning together, as allies. [ Then, voice gentling, he shifts to address the naga alone: ] What's more... any friend of Persephone's is a friend of mine. She is precious to me, as I hope she will be to you as well.