Soft Velvet

"It’s bewildering sometimes. Well, for me, anyway. Chrom’s a natural at being a father. I’d be lying if I said I had never felt inadequate or afraid. Being responsible for a new life — especially one so tiny and fragile, it can be daunting at times. I often wonder if Lucina will be able to think of me as a good mother… all I know for certain is that I will always love her dearly."

Her fingers curl and relax. "We will say...it is difficult, being the last of your kind. Matters of parenthood are always looming."

                    “You never—uh, that’s why my hair’s so messy…” Nervously, he runs both hands through his messy mane before bowing his head to the elder taguel. “Go ahead.”

Her tent is nearby. She takes Yarne by the hand and leads him, where they can sit together on her bed while she brushes. She wants to ask so many things about his future, but doesn't know where to start or what to avoid. As she starts brushing, she hums thoughtfully. "When is your birthday?" Yes, that seems like an appropriate starting point.

                    “Please stop sneaking up on me like that…”

"I was not sneaking, but I am sorry for startling you. I was looking for you... I wondered if I'd never taught you to groom yourself in the future? I will brush you, if you would like."

                    “Of course. May I ask for your name?”

"Panne."

                   ”N-no! Gods, no. I was only curious myself —— I had no intentions in betraying your, er, trust in me.” The word trust was used hesitantly. He knew the taguel favored his tactician for her actions over Chrom, and frankly, he wasn’t really sure as to how Panne felt about him alone. “I apologize. That was rather nosy of me —— I suppose this whole father business has softened me in the sense that I’ve been a bit too much in other’s private matters, especially with members of the Shepherds.”

"My accusation was...less than fair," she admitted, picking her words carefully. "For a human, you've proven an impressive leader. This is why I came to you for information. If anything, the problem is with me... There is no precedent for taguel taking humans for mates. My uncertainty may have slipped into our conversation."

"Well.. I won’t disagree with you there. You see even more bitter than usual, Whiskers, not get anything sweet today?"

"Aside from talk of rabbit-shaped chocolate, nothing today has been any different from other days. Perhaps you are just an unpleasant personality."

                    “You… you have nothing… to apologize for. I understand.” Then he took a step forward once more. He was going to get used to these strange Taguel customs, no matter how hard it might be! So daringly, his own tongue came out to swipe over the tip of her nose.

"It's funny to me." She speaks quietly, words just for him. "I dislike the scent of humans, but yours now does not bother me."

               "You… actually licked someone? A human?" By gods, was the world ending, or did he just hear right? Panne had shown direct interest in a human? He leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful hum. “Well, it’s not everyday humans catch a taguel’s interest,” Chrom smiled, “Much less get licked by one. I’m sure this individual understood once you explained it was naught but taguel traditions, right?”                       Still, even if he was taught to not stick his nose into business that did not concern him, his curiosity overpowered the exalt’s etiquette. “Say, is this someone I know?”

"...He will be fine, yes," she says stiffly. "Of course it is someone you know. Are you looking for something to gossip about?"

                    “I didn’t know you did that,” he mumbles behind his hand, looking away in embarrassment.

                    “Panne,” he mumbles, pressing ever closer, feeling much braver than before. Though his heart still pounds against his ribcage, he nestles his face against the soft fur of her neck. Whatever he had been going to say, he doesn’t say it.

"I wouldn’t know, Whiskers, but aren’t gingerbread cookies supposed to be shaped like men? I don’t feel any sort of ‘kinship’ of the sort."

"Man-spawn like yourself still exist in overabundance."

"I don’t see why not.. they’re just chocolate, not actual rabbits. It’s not as if eating a bird shaped one means I’m eating a bird."

"...How far one must fall, to find kinship with rabbit-shaped foods..."

                    Lon’qu shrinks away in embarrassment. The hand that held Panne’s is growing sweaty, and she can probably feel it. “M-my apologies.”

"You may try again, but I can hear your heartbeat. You're giving it quite a workout. There is no need to rush." His hand is sweaty. She squeezes it anyway. "Long and fruitful lives."

                    “I suppose so,” he mumbled quietly, reaching out to brush the backs of his fingers over her side. His eyes moved along the curve of her hip, then tore away out of embarrassment to look her in the eye.

He's come a long way in one meeting, from having to throw her the bag to kissing her hand. She wonders how long it will take to think seriously about repopulation.