My eyes narrow at the feisty queen of Asteraia. Her words seemed to have abruptly turned almost too flattering. First threatening imprisonment, then congratulating me on my skill and prowess. I almost questioned my translations before I remembered; she was a trickster who entered an agreement with a trickster. I had proven myself more clever and I was not about to let someone less than try to trick me in a different way. With an exaggerated toothy smirk, I played along. It is more challenging. I affirm in my pleasant accent that I am actively trying to cultivate. Less to hide behind. Your guards must have been….busy. Or inept, but I would give them the benefit of the doubt. We were, after all, trying to maintain friendly relationships with various packs. Perhaps we could trade for seasons. Your warriors and guards learn to fight in shadows of tree, ours learn what it takes to have every movement be seen. It was a willing enough offer. Who knew, maybe Zelda would be pleasantly pleased, not to mention stunned, that my foolery might have led to something productive. See. I can do more than collapse sinkholes and cause mudslides. She just didn’t know about that last one yet.

I sat lazily while Aster scampered away to fetch me my prize. When she dropped the, rather sorry excuse, for a prairie dog at my feet I raised my brow once more. Goodness, Aster. If this is how you treat a fair friend, I would hate to see what you would do if you actually disliked me. The kill was far from fresh and a little on the pathetic side. I poke at it with my paw and wrinkle my nose. My face turns to her, incredibly concerned, possibly sarcastically so. You know, Aster, if Asteraia is struggling to much we could set up a trade. I would hate for such friends to go wanting. If your hunters are so… fruitless… we could bring you an occasional deer or something. She seems so proud of herself I could not help but wonder. Though I was no hunter myself, even I occasionally was able to catch something better than this for myself, and a Taviorian never went hungry when prey was plentiful. Disinterested, I slid the prairie dog to the side. Never worry, I would bring it home, probably let it dry out and give the tanned hide to one of the many pups romping around the forests. See world! I could give back!

Oh no, Aster! You misunderstand my purpose here! I grin. This is not boredom, this is honing and continued training. All good fun to most, a friendly reminder to some. There is enough to do in Taviora to keep from getting too bored. I glance at her, head tilted. You visited many of the packs before you came here. You never stayed in Tavi. You may have learned something if you had. There was a very real chance most of what I had said could be horrendously offensive, only the light and teasing tone gave hints that I did not mean the insults that could have been found in my words. After all, I was genuinely concerned about our allies. First I am able to sneak in unhindered, second the prairie dog offered was pathetic… obviously Asteraia needed help.