______________________________________________________________________⚔ The Little Knight ⚔
______________________________________________________________________Location: Forgotten Ruins________________________________________________ .
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."Hey there," a feminine voice said from behind Branwen in a calm and kindly tone.
"Do you need an adventure companion?"The little weremouse turned to see who it was that had spoken. Though normally incredibly alert, she had been so focused on making her heroic stride into the ruins that she hadn't noticed the woman walking beside her. Branwen came to a quick halt to inspect her properly.
The first thing Branwen noticed was that, well, the voice's owner was mostly legs. More specifically, the owner was mostly
bare and
muscular legs. But looking up a little more, the weremouse saw a foreign-looking woman in loose, simple clothing with a lean figure and a welcoming face. The woman smelled of wild flowers and wore warm-colored clothes. There was a sort of bridled excitement in her expression, and something about the way she spoke made her seem very earnest.
Branwen was immediately put at ease, and she smiled on back up at the stranger.
"I surely shan't deny your aid, traveler!" the little mouse answered, her eyes half-closing as she spoke.
"A sister-in-arms and a friendly face would be most welcome. My name is Branwen Burrows of Brelania, pleased to make your acquaintance!" The weremouse curtsied politely, lifting up her skirt with her pinkie fingers raised.
'Be still my heart....' Mae pathetically begged inside her mind in thought.
Mae remained calm as best she could, at least upon the surface of her expression. Her soft, kind smile ever persistent, then returned the gesture in her own manner. Crossing her right forearm horizontally across her stomach and her left forearm across her back, Mae proceeded to dip her head in a courteous bow.
"My name is Mae Li Fong. But you can simply call me Mae. The pleasure is entirely mine, Branwen Burrows." Which, in truth, was entirely true. Adventuring with a cute creature had always been a dream of young Mae.
"May I ask your class? I was too far away to here much of your conversation from earlier." She mostly lied. If she had not been stunned by the sight of the cute creature she could have probably listened in full.
"I am a Martial Artist. But I believe your land calls them 'brawlers', if I am not mistaken." She chimed in her soft accent, her soft brown gaze seeming to trail off in thought, trying to remember if that was what she heard it called previously.
"Verily, Miss Fong!" the diminutive warrior said. She seemed quite happy to have someone to talk to, and demonstrably hopped backward a few feet and drew forth her short sword in a clean motion! The chubby critter held it aloft, the blade pointed skywards, light glinting off its edge.
"I am a Knight!" Branwen declared with heroic enthusiasm, her whiskers dancing with pride.
"In training," she added much more hastily, skipping past those words.
"Specifically, I trained to be a Captain of Brelania, though mayhaps you might call those of my calling 'Tacticians.' 'Tis our duty to lead by example, and ne'er to retreat for want of courage! You and I shall be fighting side by side!"Mae's eyes grew much larger as she watched in sheer bliss at the small creature's display. She could feel the sledge hammer crashing against her walls of faked maturity. She didn't know how much more of this she could take before resorting to her carnal, snuggle-wuggling desires.
Mae's smile grew slightly, strain and agony hidden just beneath it's surface.
"I must confess. I had some concerns about venturing into this... well, ominous place. But your companionship gives me much ease." She spoke truthfully. How could Mae possibly be worried when all of her focus was directed now at not committing a violation of Branwen's personal space. Let alone what'd happen once that personal bubble was breached.
But Mae kept up her persona. She would remain steadfast and firm. She would not break. No matter how heart-wrenchingly adorable this little weremouse was.
Branwen sheathed her sword with a happy nod, looking absolutely pleased with those words.
"I must declare likewise!" said the little knight-in-training, smiling toothily up at the much taller adventurer.
"And I shall endeavor to prove myself worthy of the trust you place in me, Miss Fong. Or shall I call you Mae?" Branwen quirked an eyebrow on high.
"My friends call me Mae. So you should call me Mae." She spoke sweetly, with a smile to match.
The weremouse's peridot eyes practically sparkled. She felt quite honored with the seemingly calm, collected, and respectable martial artist's declaration. Her chest swelled with pride, a bit of fur puffing over the top of her gambeson. She'd made a friend!
"I quite appreciate the sentiment, Mae!" said the captain, her speech lilting and rising in pitch.
"My friends call me Branwen... or Bran!""Branwen it is!"The little knight marched toward into ruins with a cheery grin, though perhaps it would be better described as
hopping. Perhaps it was a little of both? Mae beamed as she followed towards the ruins at Branwen's side, easily keeping stride with her short companion.
"I believe, my friend," Branwen mused,
"that I shall thoroughly enjoy your company!"Thus did the adventurous pair make their way into the quiet, ominous ruins, paying little heed to the speeding spearwoman racing ahead. The two had a lot to talk about on the way, and paid as much attention to their conversation as they did to their surroundings.
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