[as far as aster is concerned, woodcutting is a break from monster-slaying. the actual processes involved are essentially similar. with logging, you look at a tree, size it up, figure out the quickest way to bring it down, and then you swing your hatchet. monster-slaying, in aster's book, is basically the same thing — you look at a beast, size it up, figure out the quickest way to bring it down, and then you swing your axe. the main differences are that your battle axe is a lot bigger, and with botany, the trees aren't trying to kill you.
well, most of the time they aren't trying to kill you, anyway.
so it's better.
in any case, aster doesn't respond right away. the weather in kholusia isn't nearly as hot or as dry as the arid deserts of thanalan, but hard labor is hard labor, and he has to mop sweat off his brow and neck with his sleeve before he feels decent enough to respond.]
All right with what?
[there's any number of things ardbert could be asking about, he thinks. being the warrior of darkness, maybe; the exarch's impassioned plea; anything alphinaud and alisaie have said. the last thing on aster's mind is the impressive pile of white oak beside him.]
no subject
well, most of the time they aren't trying to kill you, anyway.
so it's better.
in any case, aster doesn't respond right away. the weather in kholusia isn't nearly as hot or as dry as the arid deserts of thanalan, but hard labor is hard labor, and he has to mop sweat off his brow and neck with his sleeve before he feels decent enough to respond.]
All right with what?
[there's any number of things ardbert could be asking about, he thinks. being the warrior of darkness, maybe; the exarch's impassioned plea; anything alphinaud and alisaie have said. the last thing on aster's mind is the impressive pile of white oak beside him.]