My bad! Since it had said "different threads" and not "different top levels" I had figured these would be fine, since they are also in response to entirely different prompts. If I can make a suggestion, it might clear up future confusion to specify top levels and not threads, since that's a little ambiguous in interpretation of terminology and easily misunderstood what is being asked.
Victory Road Sample:
It's not unusual for trolls to take care of beasts, or likewise for beasts to take care of trolls. In fact, that's a huge part of their society, of their formative years, and familial structure. That is to say, they were pretty lacking in the latter when it came to families of a human sense. Rather, their assigned pure-white beast that they earned themselves after completing their trials was the closest thing they'd ever have to family.
For Lanque's part, his situation was unique compared to most others in that he didn't get to leave the brooding caverns. Or, what escape he did get was relatively short lived. Unlike the others, the symbiotic relationship between a lusus and their troll was replaced with his duty to the Mothergrub and the troll spawn that hatched from her eggs. Sure, he was protected by the caverns, not needing to fear other trolls or the drones should he find himself on the wrong side of their authority, but it cost him his freedom—like it did the other jades in his cloister. As it does for all jades chosen for this sanctimonious hoofbeastshit.
So, when he looks at the dark grey scalemate-like creature peering up at him, freshly released from its ball, he wouldn't name the feeling exactly familiar. Nor nostalgic. Perhaps especially when his charge was the Mothergrub herself, and this salandit is the furthest thing from a giant, skull-headed moth. Yet, he can't exactly be upset with the situation, either. Not when this already affords him so much more freedom to do what he wants, than his cavern duties ever did.
Perhaps that's why he finds himself a touch compelled to bend down (he does not kneel, he's not about to get his pants dirty) and pet the small beast with a meticulously manicured hand. Which earns him a happy saaah saaah! In reply, and a press of its head to his palm, tail wiggling with joy. Really, he's never cared for things like Fiduspawn, and so while he's not entirely sure how into the whole battle aspect of this world he'll be, he can't say he's too bothered by having this little companion to cause trouble with.
Honestly, this almost feels like he's being given the life he was denied by being chosen for the cloister in the first place. Decidedly less violent and a whole lot less death from what he can tell, but that's fine. It's not like he's a fan of getting his hands dirty unless he has to, and he knows a thing or two about being sneaky. As far as he's concerned, this will be a walk in the park comparatively speaking. Stealing some of these weird little monsters, turning them in, and reaping the benefits?
Pff! He's done riskier shit just trying to go to a hiveparty without being detected by Bronya or any of the narks that could have outted him!
Team Rocket—what a stupid name—just got themselves one hell of a fucking asset, and they don't even realize it. Not that he'll let them reap more benefits than what he takes from them, of course. But as far as being forced into an organization goes, this is pretty damn lenient.
Best of all, none of the other backstabbing bitchy jades are here, and that alone makes this place infinitely better—but he could do without the constant music playing.
no subject
Victory Road Sample:
It's not unusual for trolls to take care of beasts, or likewise for beasts to take care of trolls. In fact, that's a huge part of their society, of their formative years, and familial structure. That is to say, they were pretty lacking in the latter when it came to families of a human sense. Rather, their assigned pure-white beast that they earned themselves after completing their trials was the closest thing they'd ever have to family.
For Lanque's part, his situation was unique compared to most others in that he didn't get to leave the brooding caverns. Or, what escape he did get was relatively short lived. Unlike the others, the symbiotic relationship between a lusus and their troll was replaced with his duty to the Mothergrub and the troll spawn that hatched from her eggs. Sure, he was protected by the caverns, not needing to fear other trolls or the drones should he find himself on the wrong side of their authority, but it cost him his freedom—like it did the other jades in his cloister. As it does for all jades chosen for this sanctimonious hoofbeastshit.
So, when he looks at the dark grey scalemate-like creature peering up at him, freshly released from its ball, he wouldn't name the feeling exactly familiar. Nor nostalgic. Perhaps especially when his charge was the Mothergrub herself, and this salandit is the furthest thing from a giant, skull-headed moth. Yet, he can't exactly be upset with the situation, either. Not when this already affords him so much more freedom to do what he wants, than his cavern duties ever did.
Perhaps that's why he finds himself a touch compelled to bend down (he does not kneel, he's not about to get his pants dirty) and pet the small beast with a meticulously manicured hand. Which earns him a happy saaah saaah! In reply, and a press of its head to his palm, tail wiggling with joy. Really, he's never cared for things like Fiduspawn, and so while he's not entirely sure how into the whole battle aspect of this world he'll be, he can't say he's too bothered by having this little companion to cause trouble with.
Honestly, this almost feels like he's being given the life he was denied by being chosen for the cloister in the first place. Decidedly less violent and a whole lot less death from what he can tell, but that's fine. It's not like he's a fan of getting his hands dirty unless he has to, and he knows a thing or two about being sneaky. As far as he's concerned, this will be a walk in the park comparatively speaking. Stealing some of these weird little monsters, turning them in, and reaping the benefits?
Pff! He's done riskier shit just trying to go to a hiveparty without being detected by Bronya or any of the narks that could have outted him!
Team Rocket—what a stupid name—just got themselves one hell of a fucking asset, and they don't even realize it. Not that he'll let them reap more benefits than what he takes from them, of course. But as far as being forced into an organization goes, this is pretty damn lenient.
Best of all, none of the other backstabbing bitchy jades are here, and that alone makes this place infinitely better—but he could do without the constant music playing.