((Same here!))
Amusement twisted the corner of Xanth's lips ever so slightly, warring with her anger. This Skotados was clearly unaccustomed to bowing — literally or metaphorically — to anyone, and it seemed to cost her dearly to do so even to one she knew was more powerful.
As her long-standing relationship with Dazadi would prove, Xanth had a fondness for people like this. She knew their weaknesses (had she not suffered Dazadi's impetuousness and recklessness for centuries?), but she also appreciated their strength. Perhaps it reminded her of Aurora, her sister; or perhaps it was simply a trait she had envied for herself as a child. In either case, while she did not envy the stupidity that sometimes came hand in hand with such strength, Ionia's reluctance to stand down dimmed her wrath somewhat.
“I care for all creatures, Ionia.” What Ionia had thought, about her essentially playing favourites, had not escaped Xanth's notice, and nor did she deny it. There were far too many creatures running about her realms for her to interfere every time one of them came into danger, and it was true that Faroah was her favourite. Still, she did not expect Elysians to know this, or to recognise him merely by sight. He had a terrible reputation in some parts, but not everyone had heard the stories, and not everyone had the patience to deal with him.
Even knowing all that, Xanth could never quite help the rage with which she teleported to his aid. She only wished Faroah would learn his lesson.
“I apologise for his...” Xanth wafted a hand at the damage he had wrought, unable to find a suitable word. “... fecklessness.” And, because words meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, Xanth waved that same hand and, before her eyes, the tent and Ionia's equipment all mended itself.
The amusement was back, twitching at Xanth's lips, as she suggested, “Next time you encounter an imp dragon, might I suggest you simply walk away? They have a tendency to see games and play in things where others see only chores.”
Amusement twisted the corner of Xanth's lips ever so slightly, warring with her anger. This Skotados was clearly unaccustomed to bowing — literally or metaphorically — to anyone, and it seemed to cost her dearly to do so even to one she knew was more powerful.
As her long-standing relationship with Dazadi would prove, Xanth had a fondness for people like this. She knew their weaknesses (had she not suffered Dazadi's impetuousness and recklessness for centuries?), but she also appreciated their strength. Perhaps it reminded her of Aurora, her sister; or perhaps it was simply a trait she had envied for herself as a child. In either case, while she did not envy the stupidity that sometimes came hand in hand with such strength, Ionia's reluctance to stand down dimmed her wrath somewhat.
“I care for all creatures, Ionia.” What Ionia had thought, about her essentially playing favourites, had not escaped Xanth's notice, and nor did she deny it. There were far too many creatures running about her realms for her to interfere every time one of them came into danger, and it was true that Faroah was her favourite. Still, she did not expect Elysians to know this, or to recognise him merely by sight. He had a terrible reputation in some parts, but not everyone had heard the stories, and not everyone had the patience to deal with him.
Even knowing all that, Xanth could never quite help the rage with which she teleported to his aid. She only wished Faroah would learn his lesson.
“I apologise for his...” Xanth wafted a hand at the damage he had wrought, unable to find a suitable word. “... fecklessness.” And, because words meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, Xanth waved that same hand and, before her eyes, the tent and Ionia's equipment all mended itself.
The amusement was back, twitching at Xanth's lips, as she suggested, “Next time you encounter an imp dragon, might I suggest you simply walk away? They have a tendency to see games and play in things where others see only chores.”