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[ Crocus 1 ]

Crocus was wandering. It wasn't often that he wandered, but when he did, it tended to be far. They had enough food for awhile, and his training was a bit of a lull until he proved himself for more, and so he wandered. He used it as an excuse to understand the land, to protect their little borders, but secretly it was curiosity.

He would explore areas around earthling tribes to observe their ways, understand who they were and why even at this day and age Aishans were hesitant. He would wander toward the Aishan settlements, not across the waters to the isles but close enough to observe the sisters. There were hybrids there, more open to their intent to pursue Aishan culture, and then there where the Alkidikes. Strong, powerful, driven. Everything his mother was, everything he wanted to be.

Today he was close to a training ground, watching from the shadows as some trained and observing any practices he himself hadn't yet begun. Specifically he was eyeing a hybrid, her skin tanned and her hair dark. She seemed frustrated, yet not by failure but a desire to be stronger. He sensed in her swings an anger, an effort to push herself to the brink. He saw a little of himself...of all the Aishan hybrids he met.

He saw someone seeking to prove her worth.

[ Crocus 2 ]

Crocus wasn't well known to many of the younger Alks, but some knew his mother. It was hard not to whisper about the latest Alkidike that fled with an Earthling, even if it was normal. The fact it was a Yaeli was really interesting, since most still saw them as fearful and everything an Aishan was not. So when the trainer called out to him, he mentally cursed himself for lingering so long. That being said, he was prideful, and so he moved away from his vantage point and out into the open, his dark coloring and markings causing him to stand out compared to most of the Alkidikes in the area.

Except for Ika that is. She was taller than him, though he did get some height from his mother, and had more muscle and experience. He could tell she was older, more well trained, and looking at Sena, he had a feeling that this was a master and pupil situation.

"Merely observing." He replied slowly, "My mother has spoken of these training grounds and I wanted to take them in for myself."

He wasn't ashamed of lurking, instead showing respect for the elder before him.

[ Crocus 3 ]

"You probably would not know her, she was very young when my grandmother decided to journey with the extremists." His voice was straightforward, as he often was, and he shrugged at the thought, "Her name is Dianthus." He added after a long moment, before walking further out from the shadows and keeping his back straight. He was proud, he was worthy, but he knew that this was a place where he play his cards right and not push his weight. The sisterhood was about respect, and he still had a sense to show it.

He turned to glance at Ika before turning back toward Sena with focus at her words. He wasn't sure he was interested in becoming a mounted warrior, though his Yaeli mother might enjoy him finding a mount based on her recommendations. That being said, it wasn't out of the question, though right now Crocus was still training to determine the weapon he'd want to use.

"My mother has been training me, but I have yet to attend formal training." He replied simply, glancing once more at Ika and wondering if she was training under Sena.

[ Crocus 4 ]

The boy didn't really react to people trying to rile him up, at least not when they insulted his family. If they insulted his strength, his power, that was something that called for action, but poking his heritage. Well, he quickly showed them that he wasn't weak because of who he was, no sir.

He was about to speak back, but watched as Sena seemed to demand Ika to back down. Was she her master? Her mother? Maybe both. It was an interesting dynamic, and one he found himself drinking in, surprisingly enough. He enjoyed the power dynamic, and respected the elder that much more.

When he was addressed, he simply shrugged.

"No insult here. I have never met my grandmother and doubt I'll see her in my lifetime. My mother ensures I know the ways and I am strong enough to prove I belong. What's the opinion of someone a sea away."

He didn't end with a question, and as his voice trailed off he tilted his head and considered for a long moment.

He hadn't seen them spar too much, but he saw power in Ika's actions, and in Sena's words. If he wanted to be strong, he'd need stronger sisters to show him the way. With that, he nodded once and voiced his thoughts, "It would be an honor to spar with skilled warriors such as you and your pupil."

Though he respected her strength, Crocus already saw opportunity to poke her emotions and see if he could take advantage of such weakness. Such was his way, and his smile was a bit devious as he flashed it at the younger sister.

[ Crocus 5 ]

((Sorry I missed this tag!))

That was fair enough. He had no doubt that his own abilities would speak for themselves, but his mother would probably appreciate being part of the conversation...and getting him out of her hair. She seemed so keen to coddle his Yaeli mother, and every time he walked in on them being romantic made him want to go out and train for another four hours. He didn't get it, but he didn't question it. He just wanted to get stronger.

"I will let her know.' He replied without hesitation, before turning to Ika and smirking at her response, "If you are able to scare me, I'll wear them with pride."

The undertone there was the if. If someone were to get past his defense, he saw them as worthy and therefore saw no shame in such scarring.

[ Crocus 6 ]

Her response was interesting, and immediately Crocus went into battle mode. He evaluated her reaction, the fact that her pupils dilated as she considered him in turn. She was like a predator, which meant she would be very dangerous. Though if he could find the right way to provoke her, she would be sloppy as well. They always were.

His evaluation of her was cut off as Sena broke them apart, and he scoffed lightly under his breath. But the reality was, he would love to have her at full capacity, it meant he would really know if she was his equal, or better.

It also seemed that Sena wasn't interested in any training today, not until his mother was involved. He'd make sure his mother came with him the next day so they could 'work things out' while he worked things out with Ika.

Walking over, he hesitantly sat down, looking a bit awkward with how straight his back was and almost as if he were ready to jump up and strike. But he always was on the edge of his seat, ensuring he never be surprised.

"Crocus." He replied with a nod, before his dark hands moved to grab a single nut. After a second, he popped it into his mouth and sucked on it for a few seconds before chewing. Not bad.

[ Crocus 7 ]

She didn't give her name back, and Crocus didn't really care. He'd figure it out eventually, and he knew what this was. An interrogation. A way for her to figure him out without fighting. If he cared more than anything, he'd join the verbal spar, but for now he was alright with simply sitting in the group and earning his place. He had no doubt they'd be slinging insults at each other soon enough. Getting under each other's skin.

Already, he felt excitement at the thought...a sparring partner.

"Yeah...." was his next reply, drawn out, "Though if you ask my mother, she has dozens of children. Each one raised with love and care into great strong beasts...myself included." He slowly turned it into a jest.

"I'd ask if there were more than you, but you seem like an only child.", no judgement, just an observation. His tone was light, and his shoulders were beginning to relax.