[center][h2][color=F0E68C]Asteria[/color][/h2][/center][hr][hr]
[color=F0E68C]“You interacted with the system directly,”[/color] Asteria noted as Ed explained messing something up. Most likely a berserker-esque skill that traded mental faculties for brute strength and a cruel forcefulness. Thankfully, it seemed both temporary and at least partially under the Ratman’s control. The direct interaction with the system was rather intriguing, and something Asteria kept in mind for later. Soon after moving on from the ant colony, black smoke began billowing up to them, an indication of a fire if she ever saw one. [color=F0E68C]“Agreed,”[/color] she gritted through her teeth as she geared up all her muscles for a prolonged full-on run, urging Mother Rat to follow swiftly as well. 

At one point in their travels, Mother Rat squeaked a warning, and Asteria followed her lead in ducking under as she gazed up to the large white bird of prey. She reflexively used Monster Analysis on it now that she had some mana with which to do so again. It was curious that the bird seemed to have a set destination in mind, and didn’t make any detours even for what was sure to be a tasty snack for it. [color=F0E68C]“Mm-hm. It was weirdly intent. Could have been related to the two humans whose tracks we’ve passed,”[/color] she suggested, though she wasn’t sure how likely that was.

Breezing through the plains meant they eventually outran the fire, at least for now. Asteria gazed forwards, trying to distinguish the shapes, which she was sure was the darker green something she’d seen up from the tree-top at the beginning of their journey. She gasped at the realization that it was a settlement almost at the same time that Ed narrated his discovery to her. [color=F0E68C]“I see it, yes. I dearly hope they have a means to contain a fire that’s apparently spreading through the whole damn grasslands. If there was ever a time to discover how to use magic, and learn some water spell, now would [i]really[/i] be the time,”[/color] she grumbled, though based on how difficult it had been for her so far to get anything like the spell she’d seen others use so far, she doubted she could magic a trick such as that simply because it would be very helpful and convenient to do so just then. Not that she wouldn’t try, but as Ed had said, they had to establish safe lodgings first. 

Asteria joined Ed as he observed the surroundings carefully. Regardless of what they saw, she would also put her head to the ground afterwards, just like Mother Rat had done while she listened for the ants. If her enhanced hearing and the alertness she possessed didn’t point out any evident dangers, she would begin digging into the earth as swiftly as she could, making a hole, then a tunnel. If nothing else, being deep underground could protect them from a fire…right? Well, she certainly hoped that was the case, because it was unlikely they’d find anything better around here.

[hider=Action summary]
Runs from the fire with Ed and MR, pushing her muscles to keep up with the impromptu marathon.
Uses Monster Analysis II on the white eagle.
Uses Beast Senses II to focus her sight on the surroundings, helping Ed to look for a safe place to stay.
Uses Beast Senses II to focus her hearing, trying to listen to any dangers that might be under the grounds.
If she hears nothing, she takes the risk to begin digging a hole with the intent of making a tunnel underground.
[/hider]