Ashton trotted around the snake's head, the only movement oozing blood, and its eyes following his every movement. "Hmm, how interesting." Ashton murmured as he turned to circle to the other side. The crest wasn't whole black with tan lines… there was a purple so dark it looked black on the edges of the crest scales.
Caius frowned, "Aiya, what is it? Just a snake, snake soup is very nutritious." He added teasingly as he eyed his Little Snack deliberately. Aiya, its core would also be helpful for his Little Snack, and he could save the meat for… later. Though with all the holes in its hide snake leather was probably not an option.
Ashton only gave a light smile as he stopped directly in front of the naga's nose. Laying flat, the body was only to his mid chest, "Hmm, it would be a waste to kill you… another 600 years and you could become a beast of sin or virtue." Ashton narrowed his eyes as the naga's pupils shrank.
Caius paused… beasts ascending were studier than their humans counterparts ascending. The process was much longer, but a beast turned sin could typically challenge three humans ascended into beasts of equal rank. There was also no painful recycling of the human body, nor would they lose their minds after a successful ascension, they would gain the ability to turn human along with intelligence to match. Aiya, no wonder it had hidden even from his sight.
Ashton glanced back at the pondering fox, then locked eyes with the naga as he patted the bloody nose. "Such a small snake, it will hardly even be noticed."
Neolani glanced up staring at Ashton… was he… joking? She looked off from the tip of its tail at least a hundred feet away, to its head that had literally swallowed Alexei whole. The sudden silence was broken as dozens of people came out of the tree line, swords, shields, spells at the ready.
Ashton remained still, took a deep, deliberate breath as he tilted his head to look back at the naga. "Such a small snake, it will hardly even be noticed." He reiterated, the pupils widened, showing off the orange irises, and dark, almost black purple pupils. As Lucian and the imperials continued to pour into the clearing the naga started to shrink. Within a few moments, the naga was now able to wrap its body around Ashton's wrist. Blood still oozing as Ashton held it's head firmly, while the venom wouldn't affect him, no need to show that to the imperials.
Neolani watched the snake smear its blood around Ashton's arm, wiggling into a secure, living bracelet. While she had misgivings about letting it live, she wouldn't question Ashton so publicly. Neolani jolted when she saw Alexei pushing himself up out of her peripheral vision, "Alexei, take it easy!" She admonished but helped him up, making sure the slimy, dirty cloth protected his modesty, kind of. Alexei's member was perfectly outlined by the damp cloth.
Sebastian noticed Alexei's disheveled appearance… but the giant, shrinking snake had monopolized his attention. Especially as Ashton raised it to his face for a curious inspection. Beast Gods above… was there another sin beast, or god? Weren't birds and snakes natural enemies?
Ashton used his pointer finger to rhythmically tap and pet the naga's head, "Hmm, my Ember, pick one of your children." Ashton called lightly without looking away from the wide eyed little naga. "A barter little snake, you will bind to one of the children. Protect them until they pass away. In return, I will halve the time needed for your ascension." The naga's body tightened around his wrist for a split second before it narrowed his eyes.
Caius loomed over his Little Snack to glare down at the wretched snake, "Snake soup is always an option Little Snack, not to mention its core would be very pretty." Despite the threat in his eyes, Caius kept his tone teasingly hopeful. Aiya, that core would have about as much mana stored as a full feather from his Little Snack. Its flesh would also be a good supplement, full of mana, very nourishing.
Ashton kept eye contact with the naga, slowly its body started to stretch as the crest turned to hair, scales receded, arms separated. Ashton released the naga's head, it raised up its now human torso, but still had scales over its arms, up the shoulders, around its neck. The black hair with tan horizontal highlights, slightly pointed ears kept almost flush with its head, and the eyes remained serpentine. "What do you call yourself little naga?"
Caius glared down, of course it was another breed that could take human form before ascending. His Little Snack was being targeted by everyone and their cousin apparently. "Aiya, another cold-blooded scaly reptile, Little Snack, I promise snake soup broth will be warm and yummy!"
Ashton raised his brow as the Naga's gaze flickered to the fox, then to the children, to the humans in the clearing, and finally back to himself. Ashton just waited, either the naga would make the barter, or attempt to flee. And, it would be just an attempt.
"Kaveri." Kaveri kept as still as possible as he continued to gauge the birds intentions. Had the female fox not been standing beside the nest, his attack and escape could have all been carried out in a heartbeat. No, not the female fox, the mana flowing through the nest was not something he could penetrate… but that delay had given the humans enough time to react.
Ashton used his thumb to pet the small half snake in his palm, "Kaveri, a fitting name." A sacred river, this also confirmed the little snake was descendant of a stronger linage than your average Naga. Ashton brought Kaveri up so he could inspect the numerous injuries, the blood was already clotting as scales continued to fall off.
Kaveri gripped the thumb along his chest, the bird did not seem… angry. The sin fox on the other hand was ready to rip him into pieces. Kaveri fully intended to escape if his first attempt was unsuccessful, alas, the temptation had been too great. He should not have attempted the second attack after the small female human had drawn him out. Now, Kaveri would be at the bird's mercy, or, possibly the fox's if the sin fox had a say.
Ashton glanced to his Ember, "Have you chosen which will bond to Kaveri?" The sooner the better. While the Inago were efficient hunters, in the last twenty years their equestrian skills had deviated, they were also less nomadic in decades past. A water snake would be a good addition to their forces. Letting the naga live would… hopefully open a few doors in the coming days.
Neolani looked into Ashton's eyes, he was asking which… not if. That seemed… unusually forceful. "Azarius agreed," She added with her hand on his shoulder. Azarius was glaring at the half human half snake in Ashton's hand. Neolani squeezed Azarius's shoulder slightly, "We are honored to share the bond."
Ashton quirked his lips in a faint smile, "Yes, now Kaveri, a life bond will be enough." Ashton opened his palm so the injured naga could complete the ritual of his own free will.
Kaveri let his bloody, injured body slip off the bird's human hand, to the ground. Kaveri faced the small human male, then looked over his shoulder to the bird who was playing with one of his fallen scales. He looked at the ground… the bird wasn't threatening him, if anything the bird was on the losing end of this bargain.
Azarius stepped forward to stand in front of the arm long half snake. Even as it drew itself up to its full height it didn't even reach his waist. Still… a few seconds in its mouth had melted nearly a third of dad's body. The half snake moved closer, keeping its human half upright, then circled him twice. Azarius didn't miss the trail of blood, or how the snake was still inspecting him.
Kaveri increased his size just enough to encircle the small male, then placed both hands on either side of his face. "Your name." Kaveri looked into the small male's eyes, their breaths mingling.
"Ah-Azarius." Azarius refused to blink as those purple black eyes weren't even an inch from his own. He'd half expected a formal ritual, like burning candles and blood oaths but… his heart only jolted then the snake released him.
"Kaveri ssswearsss to protect your life," Kaveri announced as he released the small male. Azarius, his life would ensure safety and protection from the bird, at least for the small male's lifetime. Not to mention, halving the effort needed to gain his own title. Kaveri shrank back down to a smaller size not bothering with the life bond.
Ashton scooped up Kaveri in his right hand, "Now, let's take care of those wounds." A tiny silver flame in his left palm above two baby feathers. Ashton didn't stop the smile from escaping as the small snake reached out both hands to his left hand. Hmm, like this… snakes weren't so hard to look at.
Kaveri snatched a feather in each hand, then held them to his chest as he coiled his body around to hide his new treasures. He would need some time to absorb the pulsing mana, luckily, the fire element had been drawn out of the feathers so they were full of raw mana anyone could take.
Ashton turned to his nest, deliberately walking around the big fox. Hmm, inviting the naga into his nest… they were not so close. Ashton lifted his nest up with his left hand, then kicked at the ground so there was a small gouge, just large enough for a small coiled naga. Kaveri needed no encouragement as he leapt off Ashton's hand to coil up. Ashton gently placed the nest back down as he tallied how far the scales were tilting. Birds, foxes, flowers, a snake, and of course all the different humans.
Caius watched his Little Snack hide the snake away, "You are so gracious Little Snack… it intended to eat you…" Now it was bonded to one of his Little Snack's chosen humans. Though not a direct bond, if Caius killed it, it would damage the human child. Damaging the human child would upset the older female, thus insuring his Little Snack's displeasure.
Ashton glanced up narrowing his eyes on the upset fox. "I recall a similar greeting from you fox." While soothing the fox would be simple, Ashton didn't care for the hypocrisy. Ashton wanted the warmth the fox offered, the fox wanted revenge. Ashton wanted new doors open in future negotiations, the naga wanted to ascend. Stone casters needed to check their own houses first.
Caius flinched as his ears and tails stiffened, then fell. He had never truly intended to hurt his Little Snack, at least… not after their first meeting. A courtship was the best option; their union would be stronger than any barter… "It's not the same…I didn't sneak attack you or injure your humans."
Ashton burned away the blood and scales as he relaxed his expression, "The young are often fearless, it will be a good lesson for both the tribe, and the little naga. Now, that's enough excitement for me today. I intend to eat lunch, then nap in the sun." Ashton glanced over Alexei then to his Ember, "It would seem the tribe should spend more time opening their hearts." With the passing statement Ashton started walking toward the tree line.
Caius quickly followed with a satisfied smirk to the bonded female. "Aiya, Little Snack, my kin are bringing food already!" It would be nice if this caused a rift between his Little Snack and the humans. Aiya, perhaps they might just take the snake as their new patron and leave!
Ashton didn't bother looking over the imperials, there was something to do before the Adarians reported the addition of the naga. Not to mention… Ashton glanced to the southeast, as if he could see the Adarian capital. Just because he'd never bothered with the petty grievances, didn't mean he never would.
Caius watched the chill leave his Little Snack's gaze as he turned away from the east to further south… the warm smile, expectation, anticipation… Caius didn't let his apprehension show… had this been a futile endeavor? No, the little one remained unclaimed. There was no way he had bonded to another yet. Caius resolved himself, he would not give up without a fight.