Rex could feel all the slight tension disappear from the men, his identity as Bruce Lui seemed to put them at complete ease. "
Hello, Bruce Lui, I am Luna" the lady introduced herself as she came closer to Rex.
As she approached him, Rex was better able to better observe her, she looked quite young, he was no expert at deciphering a lady's age, but she was either a little bit younger than he or a bit older.
"I had shot at the wolf, with the assumption you were in danger. Sorry for any inconvinence I may had caused you" she explained. Her voice bearing a soothing calm about it.
"Please accommodate her lack of etiquette Prime, she has barely had any external contact, Apart from what happens in our village." the older guy spoke in a pleading tone, "She is the daughter of our Village Chief and is a very respectful lady" .
"No need to be so formal" Rex replied waving his hand. The relaxed tone of the men, made him realize that their interaction could be more informal and he was hoping to achieve that.
"What are you guys doing in this forest?" Rex asked concerned.
"We are scouting a Chaos Bear, that had been attacking the outskirt of our village often." The older guy replied, "We were about to have our lunch, before we spotted your battle. Please do join us Prime" he said as he gestures toward his company.
The younger guy, was already bringing large stones together, to serve as seats for the meal. As he prepared the seating. The lady took down her backpack, from where she brought out a large leaf-made package.
10:17:11
His timer popped into view the moment he thought about it. He still had ample time. Before the meteorites clash, and he was already burning with curiosity to find out, how food mechanics were in Cosmic Ascendance. "I will be pleased, to honour your invitation", Rex replied, hoping that he was still in act.
As Luna unwrapped the leaf package that had glyphic etchings all across it. Rex's nostrils were hit with a satisfying spicy and sweet smell. He was ogling internally but outwardly, he was doing his best not to break his act.
The older guy took a glance at him and could instantly tell that the aroma of the food had an effect on the popular prime, of course why wouldn't it.
"The meal is our village's local delicacy, Eirom Balls. It is made from aether-rich rice, boiled in concentrated meat stock until it absorbs all the stock. After which the mushy rice is rolled into balls and baked".
Rex did not get much from the explanation, but from the passion with which the older guy described the food. Every fiber of his being was tingling with enthusiasm for the Eirom Balls.
- - - - -
"Criich. . ."
A soft crunch sounded as Rex bit into the ball, his taste buds were assaulted with several flavors, the texture was just right and the taste. . . .
It was like bitting into crispy meat, except for the lack of the difficult chewing. The rice balls were literally dissolving into an explosion of flavours with each crunch.
Everyone enjoyed their meal in silence for some time. The balls were rapidly disappearing as Rex greedily dug into them. His prior exhaustion and wounds were at the back of his mind. When he checked the wolf bite last, the wound had already formed ugly scabs, the self healing reminded him that it was still a game after all.
"Care for some wine Prime? it would better accompany your meal" The older guy pulled out a green wine bottle, an exact replica of it's real life counterpart, except the lack of tag or label. The younger guy nodded with approval as the older guy pulled out the wine bottle.
Rex raised his brows, things were getting more and more interesting. "I don't mind", he spoke in the most reserved tone he could foster. But the two men only looked at each other with evident approval in their eyes as the older guy poured wine for Rex in a wooden bowl that the younger guy had provided.
The lady studied the men with confused eyes, the wine they were happily serving the Prime, was a specially procured wine by her father. It had cost him a bit, and was meant to be used to lure the Chaos Bear into a trap, as it was very rich in aether.
"Gulp-gulp-gulp"
Rex choked down the wine, it tasted like coconut nectar but left this lasting soothing sensation on the throat. He emptied his cup in one fill. As he laid down his cup, the older guy enthusiastically refilled it. Rex downed the drink once again. The drink left him with a very satisfied feeling.
"RAGEBORNE MASTERY INCREASED"
The feminine voice announced, reminding him of the ability that he had used to defeat the Alpha wolf, Rex saw the drink in a new light. He was not in the mood for anything battle oriented in the moment, but there was no harm in increasing his mastery of RAGEBORNE, he did not fully understand its implication, but it was definitely something good.
As he dropped his cup once again, the older guy enthusiastically refilled it again. Rex with his new found appreciation for the wine, enthusiastically drank it.
Luna glanced at the men with questioning eyes, "Don't we. . .". Her words were immediately caught off by the older guy that silenced her, by placing his hands over her mouth.
He whispered to her:
"Bruce Lui is a skilled prime and he loves wine, if we can get him to assist us, dealing with the Chaos Bear will be a piece of cake". Her eyes bore a hint of understanding as he took back his hand"
Rex barely noticed the altercation, as he happily downed his miracle wine. Feeling extremely giddy and optimistic, he asked a question that had been at the back of his mind.
"Luna, what Arma did you awaken?"
Luna looked at the two men for confirmation, they barely reacted. She closed her eyes and chanted, Rex could see tiny-ink like markings spreading across her body and a greenish glow radiating from her body and flowing to her hands. A silver engraved bow appeared in her hand with an arrow nestled within the bow.
"My Arma is of the Herborim path" Luna declared her tone carrying a hint of pride.
"That's good, That's good" Rex said with the demeanor of a pleased elder. He was falling too much into his act with his almost unclad body.
"Our lady's mother is also of the Herborim Path and has recently ascended to a Prime Sorcerer.
Rex analyzed the recent info with difficulty, he was referred to as a Prime warrior and the lady's mum was referred to as a Prime Sorcerer. It seemed this terms referred to classes. And the Prime title seemed to be a kind of higher grade in a class. His train of thought felt woobly, in that moment he realized with amusement, that he had just drank alcohol for the first time.
He wondered if it counted, as it was in a game. But the giddiness and sluggishness of his thoughts, told him it very much counted. Feeling extremely relaxed, he decided to rest his back a bit, and before he could fully comprehend what was going on with him. He fell asleep.