Randal grimaced as he was once again reprimanded by Kokono. Dancing was not exactly his forte, at least his daughter had cracked a smile. He'd insisted on her release, even if that meant guards followed them around.
Kokono hopped around exasperatedly. Dancing for the sun god's blessing wasn't hard… but you would think her favored human didn't have a left foot. She heaved a great sigh as Mitt's human prayed with great concentration. Even the mage and healer were better dancers… though the dance was the least important piece of the prayer.
"I be trying lil lady. Dancen was never part of me lessons. Even after I became ah noble." Randal defended himself halfheartedly. Dancing… for a sun god? Who was by his own kin named a warmonger? "Does ye God Ru even dance? I be thinken he'd prefer ah head or heart instead."
The mountain man almost screamed when something landed on his head. Grabbing his chest in exaggerated surprise, "Ye birds should come with ah warning! Or announce yeselves!"
The mage stepped back, "Ye tell em mountain man, I'll be sure ta engrave ye tombstone." He wasn't going to tell a beast god of pride, or monarch what to do. Nope. Living was actually kind of nice.
The mountain man froze, then slowly he counted out the small black birds. When he saw all ten he froze… slowly drawing himself to his full height. "I donna ken who said birds need warning, point em out! I'll smack some sense inta em!"
Nix chortled as he hopped to sit on the mountain man's shoulder, "You're entertaining, I'll give you that, but what pray tell… why can dancers not also be good at combat?"
Randal raised a brow, "Ye donna seem to enjoy combat."
Nix blinked. After a moment of silence, he tilted his head. "Eh? Who lied to you? Told you such an untruth?"
Randal pursed his lips, "Ye… enjoy combat?"
Nix let his legs sway, "Of course, for I am the greatest support. It's hard to be the best unless it's a task you adore."
The mountain man was as still as a rock. The strongest being in the area was using his shoulder as a perch. If none of the wee beasties would adopt him, maybe the big one would. He blinked at his companions smugly.
The Ranger bared his teeth, the beast probably used the mountain man just because he was the biggest. Didn't mean they couldn't cut em down to size.
The mountain man squinted threateningly at the Ranger. Dare ye ta try it lil man. He mouthed baring his own teeth.
Randal ignored the interplay. "Still, is the Sun God, the warmonger… I canna imagine em dancing. Or enjoying dances unless there be blood. He… jus donna look the type."
Nix grinned, "Ru is the greatest of dancers, few better than he, so much more to dancing than you seem to perceive."
Alexei barely had time to blink and Nix was gone. He'd just started mumbling to the sun, then disappeared before they could continue talking. Even Caius looked bewildered. Only to see Nix ignoring them to tease the empire's men.
Randal raised a brow, "Oh? What do I be missen?" If the wee one's didn't look so excited he may have been more reserved, as it was… clearly this was an invitation of sorts.
Nix clapped his hands together, bursts of flame decorated the clearing. "You are praying, to a god of war. The blessings you seek, to defeat, to liv, to soar, but before reaching for the sky, perhaps learn where your feet belong on the floor?" Silver flames engulfed him for a brief moment as he was hopping down.
Nix now had to look up at the humans surrounding him. "You are praying, and the dance is… okay, but more than the movements, the sincerity is what will sway." Nix started to stretch.
Randal didn't miss that each of the wee ones had picked one of his men. They all looked prepared for… war. "Aye, well, I donna ken if me clumsy movements convey me sincerity. I look more ta be mocken the Sun God."
Nix rolled his neck, "You are not mocking, its confidence you're lacking, rather than dance like a bird, why not dance like a dragon?"
Randal stilled at the seemingly innocent advice. "I kenna say I've ever seen… ah dragon dance."
Nix grinned, turning in a circle arms raised. "Dragons or birds, talons or claws, when dancing, it should come from the heart. Now, you prefer battle, as many warriors do, then a battle of dance may be more your groove."
Randal grinned, "Aye, sounds more me speed, will this be ah game then?"
Nix shrugged, "Think of this more a lesson, to learn how to pray, since you prefer combat, I'll show you the way."
Randal realized Nix's clothes had changed. No longer the loose, comfortable skirt and sandals… the silver flames had created armor. Decorative as it may seem. The silver feathers only covered him chest to mid-thigh, the boots were little more than sandals with wraps up to his knees. His bracers… looked thinner than paper, he wore no helmet, his hair was still loose. Randal didn't even see a weapon or shield.
"Ye… be entering combat without ah weapon then?" Randal asked uncertainly.
Nix blinked, patting his waist. Then he looked around pursing his lips. "That would be silly, I'm sure I have one, just a moment, will armor you dawn?" Nix reached into a rift, glancing over the short swords. Ru seemed to prefer sturdy, if a bit short weapons.
"Aye, be just ah moment." Randal agreed glancing down at himself. His courtier dress wasn't exactly fit for any rigorous movement. He'd been dressing up for the prayer times to add more sincerity, though that didn't seem to matter to the beasts so much.
Alexei wandered closer as the men started putting their armor on. Neolani wasn't taking the news well at all. If anything her self blame had become a vicious cycle.
The mountain man sighed as the wee beasties appeared to be deciding who had to accept him for this little dance. "Aye be a fine warrior, an I be dancing jus fine. I jus donna look so pretty." He tried to reason. Three of the birds gave him the side eye. It was true! He'd perfected the entire dance! He was just so much bigger and broader he felt like… a butcher practicing ballet.
Hito, Futa and Yatt all pretended to not hear the mountain man's wheedling. If he didn't constantly try to steal their snacks, or trick them into unfair barters they might be more willing… but he just wasn't compatible with them. The mountain man didn't use outside sources of mana. Most of his abilities were all physical. Enhanced strength, mana resistance, inhuman endurance. At best… they could heal him. But if he wasn't injured they would only drag him down.
Itsu had claimed ownership of the healer.
Tou had taken the mage.
Mitt claimed the Ranger.
Kokono claimed Randal.
Yott, Mutt, and Nana were watching the daughter. Sometimes offering her snacks, other times bartering with her.
The mountain man was on his knees, begging one of them to accept him. "I be ah good listener, an me shoulders be wide an strong. I have plenty of treats… I be crazy warm on cold winter nights. Come now, one of ye must ah taken a liken ta me!"
Randal turned away to hide his smirk. That would teach the mountain man to cause strife among the wee beasties. Now look, none wanted to help him dance. Kokono huffed as she grew into her human female guise.
"Nix is faster, stronger, more mana than all, this is a dance, don't think it's a brawl." Kokono reminded as she pulled two short daggers out.
Randal cracked his neck as he swung his hammer. "This be ah lesson, first lesson is ah good gauge for all ah us." To his surprise, Nix let out a long whistle.
Nix turned to the pouting fox. "Dancing alone can be fun at times, but with a partner, well, how else to entice?"
Caius leapt out of the nest. Preening as he trotted over. "Oh, pick me! Pick me! Aiya, I like to dance!" Without missing a beat Caius's body shifted to a female form.
The black shirt shrank, leaving her belly exposed while emphasizing her full breasts. Her long hair blended with her seven tails. Her face was now heart shaped, her pants only held up by her fur belt.
Caius giggled as she fell into Nix's arms. Even though she was still taller than the small bird, she made it look effortless. Clinging to his neck in exaggerated gratitude. "Aiya, pick me Pretty Birdie." Caius gave a half teasing, have seductive smile as her Pretty Birdie's hand held her waist.