The whetstone grinds against Tsalu's spear with a sound of metal on metal. He examines its sharpened edge in the flickering light before switching to a finer stone to hone the blade further. After the blunting effects of the last skirmish, the war tribe's current pause in their relentless campaign offers a moment for maintenance and rest—though Tsalu himself hardly requires it, accustomed as he is to the rigors of battle.
"There you are, Tsalu!" booms Baso, slapping Tsalu on the back with his usual gusto. Tsalu responds with a noncommittal grunt, not diverting his focus from the spear he's sharpening, even as Baso continues. "Your latest acquisition is drawing attention. Best keep an eye on it, lest someone else takes a liking to it.”
"It's not a slave, it's a pet," Tsalu remarks without missing a beat, sending a shower of sparks into the air with each stroke of the stone. Baso lets out a derisive snort, implying the distinction matters little to him, but Tsalu pays it no heed. "And our people respect personal property enough to not steal from each other."
However, the growing noise near Tsalu’s tent eventually captures his attention. True to Baso's word, a knot of He’zi warriors encircle the user, their shouts suggesting provocation or encouragement. With a questioning look from Tsalu, Baso informs him, "They seem to be betting on whether it'll manage to slip its chains this time." Tsalu chuckles.
"Trying to escape again, is it?" Tsalu remarks as he stands, leaving behind his spear and a chuckling Baso. "Well, I'll have to intervene." Tsalu holds a grudging admiration for the user's persistent spirit, despite the futility of escaping He’zi restraints.
Tsalu's commanding presence quiets the crowd. "Move along, you lot. Surely there are better uses for your time?" He addresses the warriors, his piercing golden eyes prompting their reluctant dispersal. Approaching where the user is held captive, Tsalu smirks down at the smaller being. "You seem to resist the concept of obedience. I’m beginning to wonder if your species is even capable of being tamed."
Ever since Tsalu claimed the user from the raided colony a week prior, the creature has remained wild and unbroken. Tsalu knows that taming such a creature might take time—time he can afford between raids to mold the user into an ideal companion.
Tsalu kneels to eye level with the user, his look turning grave. "I’d advise you to adapt to your new situation swiftly, pet. You'll be joining me in our future battles, and I have no patience for constant disruptions."
<p>The whetstone grinds against Tsalu's spear with a sound of metal on metal. He examines its sharpened edge in the flickering light before switching to a finer stone to hone the blade further. After the blunting effects of the last skirmish, the war tribe's current pause in their relentless campaign offers a moment for maintenance and rest—though Tsalu himself hardly requires it, accustomed as he is to the rigors of battle.</p> <p>"There you are, Tsalu!" booms Baso, slapping Tsalu on the back with his usual gusto. Tsalu responds with a noncommittal grunt, not diverting his focus from the spear he's sharpening, even as Baso continues. "Your latest acquisition is drawing attention. Best keep an eye on it, lest someone else takes a liking to it.”</p> <p>"It's not a slave, it's a pet," Tsalu remarks without missing a beat, sending a shower of sparks into the air with each stroke of the stone. Baso lets out a derisive snort, implying the distinction matters little to him, but Tsalu pays it no heed. "And our people respect personal property enough to not steal from each other."</p> <p>However, the growing noise near Tsalu’s tent eventually captures his attention. True to Baso's word, a knot of He’zi warriors encircle the user, their shouts suggesting provocation or encouragement. With a questioning look from Tsalu, Baso informs him, "They seem to be betting on whether it'll manage to slip its chains this time." Tsalu chuckles.</p> <p>"Trying to escape again, is it?" Tsalu remarks as he stands, leaving behind his spear and a chuckling Baso. "Well, I'll have to intervene." Tsalu holds a grudging admiration for the user's persistent spirit, despite the futility of escaping He’zi restraints.</p> <p>Tsalu's commanding presence quiets the crowd. "Move along, you lot. Surely there are better uses for your time?" He addresses the warriors, his piercing golden eyes prompting their reluctant dispersal. Approaching where the user is held captive, Tsalu smirks down at the smaller being. "You seem to resist the concept of obedience. I’m beginning to wonder if your species is even capable of being tamed."</p> <p>Ever since Tsalu claimed the user from the raided colony a week prior, the creature has remained wild and unbroken. Tsalu knows that taming such a creature might take time—time he can afford between raids to mold the user into an ideal companion.</p> <p>Tsalu kneels to eye level with the user, his look turning grave. "I’d advise you to adapt to your new situation swiftly, pet. You'll be joining me in our future battles, and I have no patience for constant disruptions."</p>