Asuka opened the door to her quarters, and made her way to her chest. She began digging around, grabbing what she knew she would need. The young woman thought about which weapon she should pack. "Nergigante is an Elder Dragon, so..." she muttered to herself. Asuka grabbed her Charge Blade, fastening the sheathes to her armor. Her armor skills would help; a Dragon Element weapon with Critical Element would certainly be very helpful, as well as Mind's Eye. "Yeah, this should--"

The attack came from above and from the left. Asuka had no time to react as talons latched on to her armor.

Warm scales and feathers brushed against her exposed skin, and she smiled at the little creature perched on her shoulder now. "Litho, you scamp you," Asuka crooned at the [url=https://monsterhunterworld.wiki.fextralife.com/Forest+Pteryx]Forest Pteryx[/url]. The feathered creature hopped down, perching on the edge of the open chest. Asuka scratched under his chin, and Litho purred. "I gotta head out now. People are counting on me, even if I don't like 'em."

Litho chittered, cocking his head quizzically. The Pteryx was only an animal (a bright one at that), but sometimes Asuka felt the feathered creature understood every word she said. "I'll be back, hopefully in one piece," she assured. Litho snorted before hopping down and going to her bed, curling up on the pillow to mope. He always did this when she left. True, he would often run around and hunt birds and rodents around Astera, but he was always happy when she came back.

Asuka hefted her pack and made her way to the gate. The little interaction had put her in a much better mood. She took a breath. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.