The atmosphere inside the hall was far too heavy.
Gray Gray crouched beside Si Chen's feet, ears pricked as it listened for a while. Something about the Other Race, Filth, vessels, seals...
As it listened, its eyelids began to droop. It yawned. None of it made any sense.
Anyway, Master was back. The sky wasn't going to fall.
It stood, shook out its coat, and clip-clopped out of the hall on all four hooves, but no one noticed it at all.
Gray Gray was a little pleased, and a little displeased. A donkey as big as me, and none of you even saw me?
Hmph.
It picked up the soft cushion it had crouched on for decades in its teeth, found a quiet spot beneath the veranda, laid it out, and nestled comfortably into it.
The weather was nice, the breeze was nice, and the cushion was nice too.
Gray Gray narrowed its eyes, just about to take a nap...
Boom!!
A wave of heat surged from behind without warning, followed by a golden figure streaking over its head.
Gray Gray didn't even have a chance to react. Donkey and cushion alike were sent flying, tumbling several times through the air.
"Hee-haw-!!!"
It flailed its four hooves, finally managing to steady itself, its donkey face already twisted with fury.
Who!?
Who ambushed this donkey!?
Who doesn't know I'm Master's most favored, most thoughtful, most favored-!
Gray Gray had just widened its eyes, not yet finding time to bray, when another figure, this one red, streaked past.
It was sent flying again, farther this time, rolling seven or eight times through the air, its tail whipping around like a propeller.
"Hee-haw-!"
Enough!!
This donkey is getting angry!!!
Just then, a hand reached out from beside it and firmly supported its belly.