It was quiet as the group moved, each one of them seemed to focus on their own plans and preparations, or taking the time to breathe and be mentally ready.
While she expected that mounting the Karraps wouldn't be particularly comfortable, Lhian soon realized that it wasn't as bad as she expected. Yes, it was a little tight, but being pressured by Clest on her back wasn't so bad, and more importantly, she was quite enjoying looking at Mares' back.
It was broad and strong and gave her a sense of security much needed right now. She couldn't help but think of all his demonstrations of strength until now, all of which left a deep impression on her. What happened to him before he was here? How did he get so strong so young? The silver-blue haired knew she might never get those answers, but she wandered about them the same.
"What you're doing?"
Suddenly Clest put her chin on Lhian's right shoulder and asked through an Astral Energy transmission.
Of course, the sudden act and question took Lhian by surprise, taking her out of her thoughts in a 'yep' while her cheeks were a bit red.
Clest looked at Lhian and then at Mares, and once back looking at her fellow student, there was now a smug grin on the triclops.
"Liking what you see?"
Lhian rolled her eyes and refused to answer, looking to the other side.
"Come on, no need to be shy. I think it is a very nice view."
It was a bit hard to say if Clest was serious or just having fun, though the silver-blue-haired inclined to think she wasn't only kidding.
"What are you two talking about?"
As they were talking through Astral Energy projections, Mares couldn't hear them but he knew they were talking about something, so he just asked in a bit of curiosity.
Lhian got even more flustered and hesitated in answering.
"About how big and strong you are."
Clest on the other hand didn't seem to know the concept of shame.
There was a brief moment of silence after what the triclops said, then Mares finally replied.
"Thanks. You two are also good-looking."
His manner to speak was a bit artificial as if he was reading a script given to him. Still, for the two it translated into one thing.
'Oh, he is shy?'
Lhian asked herself embarrassed.
'Oh, he is shy!'
Clest on the other hand was much more amused.
They just didn't know he was having another conversation inside his head. If they knew, they would either be speechless by the type of existence Esen was or think that Mares was batshit insane.
"Sorry, I am horrible at this."
Even if his social abilities were not the sharpest, to say the least, Mares had enough self-awareness, or maybe someone had whispered something in his mind, to notice his phrase sounded too stiff.
Lhian blinked once and smiled in a friendly manner. And Clest looked surprised and also happy with his upfront manner.
"It's fine, just look at Lhian, she obviously isn't too good at this either."
The triclops said in a teasing manner.
"Hey… I am not so bad."
Lhian replied with a pout that both Mares and Clest found cute.
"So, you are saying I am that bad?"
The question came from the silver-eyed and both students could not figure out if he was joking or asking a sincere question.
Sooner than they realized the three were engaged in a quiet conversation, no longer moving forward in silence.