Redsand Canyon welcome to the darkside

It appeared her statement had not been false… Ruenna appeared, voicing her presence as she turned. The woman’s presence made her relax, some of the tension fading out of her muscles. It was not that she did not trust the Imperator, that was not the case. She’d trust him with her life… simply the nature of her relationship with the Matrona felt closer. There was a very clear structure within the soldiers and with his role as the Imperator whereas the relationships amongst civilians simply felt closer and friendlier.
 
But it was her name that he stated, a frown on her features. Her eyes widened in both alarm and concern at the mention of Kallik and Glaukos fighting. Damn it, Kal. The thought rang in her mind… had she not teasingly called out after him to not get into trouble? Perhaps she should have stated it instead. It had been him to encourage her to talk to Ruenna and Germanicus to begin with, but then he had taken matters into his own paws… she frowned in that moment, and she nodded to confirm his words.
 
“I… I don’t think it was intentional… I just…”It didn’t change the fact that it had made her uncomfortable in a way that spars with Arsenio, the Imperator, Kallik, and Towhee had not. “He did what?” She had never seen him get violent. “Are they okay?” Did they need treatment? Her mind felt pulled two different directions, between storytelling and her duties to ensure the health of everyone in Mereo, regardless of the kinds of interactions she’d had with them.
 
“I… yes. I asked him for a spar… he is most comparable in size to a man… one from my past... one I fear. I thought a spar, learning how to fight someone that size might soothe worries and fears that have been creeping up lately.” She confirmed, growing quieter as the tale went on. She did not expect the Imperator to be surprised after her pointed questions about facing larger opponents during the last session. “He won… I went limp, just as I do in any spar when I accept defeat but he didn’t move away. He moved closer; his limbs closed around me and he straddled me… I panicked and yes, I was afraid. I didn’t know what was going on; I kicked him there and when he was doubled over in pain I ran… Kallik found me in a panic. I told him what happened but I didn’t think he was going to go attack him. He told me I should find both of you, report it to you… I explained all of this to the Matrona earlier in the day.” The way she stuttered through the explanation of the spar after confirmed her discomfort with the entire situation. She turned her attention to Ruenna, an almost pleading look in her eyes. She was always so much better with words, always knew what to say and in that moment, Aquene found her mind muddled and so she looked to the woman for some kind of help.