An Evening with the family

The moon hung high in the sky as Rudhra made his way towards the inner palace, the heart of the Asura Clan's royal residence. The palace was alight with the soft glow of lanterns, casting warm hues across its grand architecture. Tonight was an informal gathering—an opportunity for the royal family to come together with close relatives and cherished guests. As Rudhra approached, he could hear the muted chatter of the gathering from the hallways.

He entered the room to find a lively scene: his mother, Queen Ananya, was conversing with her sisters, Talia and Rhea, while his father, King Varunas, sat at the head of the table. The great elder was present, along with a handful of other important figures. Among the guests were some familiar faces, including Rajan, the great elder's grandson, and several other young relatives who had returned from their respective sects for the month.

The room was filled with luxury and opulence, though the atmosphere was more relaxed compared to the formality of state functions. As Rudhra walked in, his faithful companion, Miko, perched on his shoulders, clutching a feeding bottle filled with a peculiar concoction of alcohol. The monkey's beady eyes darted around the room with curiosity.

King Varunas, seeing his youngest son, couldn't help but smile. There was something undeniably endearing about Rudhra, who had always seemed to defy expectations. Varunas, with his vast experience and demi-god status, had felt a unique connection to Rudhra from the moment he had been in the womb—ten long years during which the child had never cried. His presence exuded an aura of calm strength, even if it came with a touch of mischief.

Rudhra sauntered into the room with an easy grace, his demeanor relaxed. He approached his father, Miko still perched on his shoulders, and greeted him in a manner far from formal.

"Hey, old man. How's it going?" Rudhra said, his tone casual as he plopped down in an empty seat next to his father.

King Varunas chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Well, if it isn't my troublemaker. I see you're still managing to surprise us."

The room erupted in soft laughter. The great elder, known for his wisdom and sternness, could only shake his head with a bemused expression. "You're always full of surprises, Rudhra. I wonder if anyone else could pull off such casualness in the presence of so many elders."

Rajan, standing nearby, shot Rudhra an envious glance. "You really have a knack for making an entrance, don't you?"

"Only when it matters," Rudhra replied with a smirk, grabbing a plate of luxurious delicacies from the table and beginning to sample them with gusto.

The two sisters of the queen, Talia and Rhea, exchanged puzzled looks. Their stern expressions softened into bemused smiles as they watched Rudhra's antics. To them, his behavior seemed almost irreverent. In many major clans, such casualness would be considered impudence.

Miko, sensing the tension and sensing the unease from the new environment, glanced nervously at the gathered guests. Rudhra noticed the little monkey's discomfort and gently patted his head. "Don't worry, Miko. They're harmless."

As Rudhra continued to feast, Miko, now calmer, began to explore his surroundings. He rummaged through the pockets of Rudhra's outfit and pulled out a handful of blue peaches, a favorite spiritual fruit known for its sweetness and typically enjoyed with a splash of alcohol. With a small, proud grin, Miko presented the peaches to the elders, holding them out with a gesture of utmost sincerity.

Queen Ananya's eyes twinkled with amusement as she observed Miko's antics. "Well, isn't that just adorable?"

The elders and guests reacted with a range of emotions. Some chuckled at the sight, finding Miko's behavior endearing. Others couldn't help but mock the unusual display, while a few simply marveled at how Rudhra had managed to train such a peculiar pet.

One of the elders, a wizened old man with a dry sense of humor, remarked, "It seems that even Rudhra's monkey has a flair for the dramatic."

Rudhra, with a grin, responded, "He's got good taste. The peaches are a delicacy, after all."

The mood lightened considerably as conversations continued. Rudhra's presence, though unconventional, added a refreshing touch to the evening's proceedings. The great elder, who had been initially at a loss for words, finally found his voice. "It's good to see you back, Rudhra. You've brought a certain... liveliness to the place."

As the night wore on, the informal gathering turned into a lively celebration. The family and their guests enjoyed the feast, shared stories, and laughed over the eccentricities of Rudhra and Miko. Rudhra himself reveled in the warmth of being home, surrounded by familiar faces and indulging in the comforts he had missed