shinnammon

"What would you do for your loved ones?" —The border collie asked, his eyes glued to the chess board.

The possum looks around the room rapidly, trying to see if there were anyone else, before turning to the collie: "You're asking me?" "Who else am I asking?" "Oh. I assumed you were talking to yourself again. You always—" "The question. Please?" "Right."

He thinks for a while. The definition of a "loved one" was broad, that's for sure. He would do things for his family that he wouldn't do for his best friends. Perhaps he would also do things for his lover (if he had one) that he wouldn't do for his family. However, would romantic love overpower familial love? He decides it's a question for another day, so he focuses on figuring out the most important person—or people for him. The faint image of his large, 6-siblings household shows up in his mind. As the oldest brother, he can't help but feel like he has a responsibility over his younger siblings... That's it! He'll use his siblings as the subject for this question. What would he do for this younger siblings? He soon has the answer: "I'd do anything for them, really." "Right? I'd do the same too." "So why'd you ask, anyway?"

Theta says nothing. While Tyr was thinking, he fixed the strings he has tied to the chess pieces to his fingers. A smirk grows on his face without him noticing. "You do really weird shit, man." "It helps my mind visualize things better. Anyway, were you saying something?" "I asked you why you asked me something like that out of the blue." "Oh, right. I'm forming a new plan to our diplomatic relations, and the Cleaners will play an important part." "What've you got this time, Theta?" "That, my dear Tyr, is reserved for the next formal meeting with everyone."