"We told her to meet us here in an hour, where is she?!" Soren had become impatient, while Ike just sighed in response. He's so cute...
"We need to get going, or we won't make it home by night all. Soren, we'll have to leave without her." Mounting their horses, the two left, passing a laguz as they went through the gate.
Changing back into his human form, Ranulf began to wipe the mud from his body; putting his shoes back on before entering the mercenaries home. His sky blue hair was tipped with mud, his sparkling one blue eye and one green eye, accenting his pale skin. Opening the door, Ranulf was greeted by the smells of cookies and the sound of laughter. Out of the kitchen came a laguz, her white hair shone in the light, and her sparkling black eyes showed surprise when she spotted Ranulf. She smiled his way, and Ranulf noticed her ears. ...I've never seen ears like that... white as snow... Gasping, she ran to shut the door.
"Sir, are you alright? You look frozen. Here come sit with us in the kitchen, you'll be able to warm up there." Wiping the snow from Ranulf's shoulders, she pulled him towards the kitchen. Her hands are so soft... and she smells... like chocolate... Leaning closer, the male savoured her smell before entering the bustle of the kitchen.
"Ranulf! So glad you could come! Oh! And this is the newbie, Tatsuki!" Oscar introduced the two, who nodded to each other.
"Is Ike in?" Ranulf's warm voice rang through the kitchen, grabbing the attention of the rest of the group.
"You passed him on your way in." Titania spoke, raising her eyes from the turkey. "How have you been, Ranulf, and how has the Gallian king been?" The last question surprised Tatsuki the most.
The Gallian king? How would... Ranulf know him? Noticing her expression, Ranulf put his hand on her head, answering both questions.
"We're both fine, and how about the Greil Mercenaries? Is all going well?" Nods went through the crowd as Ranulf leaned down, whispering in Tatsuki's ear. "How about you? They treating you well?" Nodding, she looked back at Ranulf, who had just taken his hand off of her head. Smiling, his eyes swept the crowd once more before scampering off to talk to Mordecai and Lethe. Tatsuki just smiled, and went back to cutting cookies.
"POOF!" Ranulf's surprised face was accented by the powdered sugar.
"Tatsuki! I told you not to get that-" Titania was cut off mid-sentence by the laguz.
"Eep!" Tatsuki took off at full speed, with Ranulf following close behind her. She was supposed to powder the cake, but Ranulf looked so serious, that Tatsuki couldn't resist. Reaching the end of the hall, Tatsuki ran into her room, slamming the door in Ranulf's face. Sighing, she slid down the door, dropping the bag of powdered sugar beside her. After a few minutes, she pressed her rear to the door. Hearing nothing, Tatsuki got up off the floor, and went back to studying.
"If there are few enemies, there is a possibility that they will jump you..." Tatsuki continued, allowing Ranulf to silently slip into her room, picking up the powdered sugar on his way by it. Concentrating, he stopped all movement in his tail, and padded towards the girl.
She's not moving, god. That means I'm still alright... Stopping behind her, Ranulf raised the bag slightly, the rustling of his clothing causing Tatsuki's ears to twitch. She raised her hand, grabbing the bag from Ranulf, covering his face once again, with sugar. Smiling, she turned to face him with a rag in her hand, and began to wipe his face off.
"How did you hear me?" Ranulf had good ears, but even he couldn't pick up the rustling of fabrics, no matter how close to them he was. Removing the last of the sugar, she smiled, and pointed to her ears. He noticed the odd shape before she left to wash out the rag. Her ears are... so... round... Reaching his hand up past his headband, Ranulf examined his own set of ears. Mine are so... so... skinny, and... not as fluffy. Leaning to his right, Ranulf could see Tatsuki's reflection in the bathroom mirror. How are her ears so fuzzy. I mean, Mordecai's aren't that fuzzy, so she... hast to be a different kind of laguz. Ranulf's eyes drifted from her head to her ankles. But then, where's her tail?! He studied the girl's figure. Mordecai was right, she is average... but... there's not even a hint that she has, or ever did have, a tail. He got up, making his way to where she was. Reaching his hands up, he wrapped one around her waits, taking Tatsuki by surprise. Ranulf's other hand began to play with her hair, moving it so he could examine her ears closer. She only comes to my chest? I thought she was taller? Is Lethe really that short? Turning so Ranulf could see better, Tatsuki rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart.
It's... so... calming, and even... She smiled, pulling closer, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.
And she doesn't even know what she is... There would be a possibility, if only she had a- Ranulf was interrupted by something brushing against his shin. So you do have a tail... He smiled Fluffy and white, just like your ears.
"I... missed your name, sorry. What was it?" Tatsuki's soft voice was just soft enough for Ranulf to hear. She pulled away, now looking at his face. Smiling, Ranulf pulled her back to his chest and re-wrapped his arms around her.
"Ranulf, and you?" She smiled. Opening her mouth, she was interrupted.
"Tatsuki! Ike and Soren are home, and they want to talk to you!" Sighing, she took Ranulf's hand, pulling him out of her room and towards the room where she met Titania. Smiling at Ranulf once more, Tatsuki left him outside the room as she slipped into the room, closing the door behind her.
"Yes Commander?"
"Did you forget to meet us? We just went to the market without you, so you'll have to work with what we have here. "Without pausing to let Tatsuki answer, Ike continued. "Please follow me to the training grounds. You'll meet Soren, Oscar, Titania and Shinon there.
"...Yes Commander..." Tatsuki hung her head, and followed Ike out, and was then followed by Ranulf as the three of them left for the training grounds.