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Etlan scrounged through the trashcans of Tun Tun's Toasted Tarts and Treats. Ever since he found this place on his nightly scavenging runs, he's been addicted to the half eaten pastries the customers oh-so cruelly abandoned.
Over the course of several weeks, he had studied the shop and learned exactly when rush hour for the pastry shop began and ended… and since the trash cans were so very conveniently to the side of the building, tucked between a small alleyway, it meant he was practically invisible.
Several ghostly claws emanated through Etlan's fur, helping him dig and sift through the contents of the trashcan as the only thing visible was his furred rump sticking out through the lid.
He was practically half digging, half eating his way through the contents of the container, almost uncaring of whatever state the food was in as he channeled his inner rodent, eager to feast, no matter the quality of food.
"Oh heck yes~! At least three quarters of a cinnamon bun~! Come to papa~"
It was inside the building where Naruga lingered, his Appletun father having left on a small trip to the main square to grab some wares... leaving him to lounge around with little purpose, and keep watch of the bakery's wares.
The heavy scent of bread, pastries, cake, and other baked treats permeated through the fresh-lit interior, idle sunlight filtering through open windows. The poncho-clad Noivern currently sat idle at one of the few tables strewn throughout. Left to his own devices, all he could really do was sit and think. Or rather, that was what he would have been doing normally, anywhere else. With guild-work on the rise, it was rare for him to ever be present at the bakery without his father being present. It was almost disorienting, oddly enough.
That gave all the more reason, however, to the odd noise he could hear. A distant noise, at that – from outside. A continuous prodding at the back of his mind, something he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried to tune it out, given his immaculate hearing. What the hell was it?
With a tired groan, Naruga rose to his feet, tail dragging along the ground, large bat ears perked high up as he drew toward the source of the sound; stepping just out the back entrance of the bakery, lightening his steps, till he stood at the edge from where he could finally discern the noise; someone was rummaging through their garbage.
Etlan was too preoccupied with his salvaging to notice Naruga's approach. He had been careless this time around. He had seen the owner of the shop, a nice smelling Appletun leave the bakery, and assumed they had locked it after rush hour ended, leaving the trashcans prime for the picking. He never even considered the fact that someone else would be manning the store, or else he would have had a spare claw acting as sentry outside the trash can.
"This bun is delicious~" Etlan said as he made unsavory noises as he scarfed down practically everything he could find, the echo of the trashcan making him sound less like a rodent and more like a starved hyena.
"What in the... Oh are you fucking kidding me?"
Naruga deadpanned, folding his wings as he stepped out to observe the commotion, his jaw agape in what could perhaps best be likened to a half mix of disgust and... intrigue. Of all the things he'd expected to find, it was what appeared to be some bizarre-looking... Cinccino-type creature, digging through their trash? For scraps?
Actually, maybe a 'gremlin' was a better term.
Still, he had made his presence known, crossing his claws beneath his poncho, already preparing an attack if need-be, depending on this would-be trash-eating gremlin's response.
Etlan froze, unsure as to what to do. Slowly he lifted his head from the trash can, the lid on top of him clattering to the floor as a claw rose up alongside him, its single unblinking eye staring at the Noivern.
Etlan licked a crumb of pastry dough on the corner of his mouth.
"Now I know what this looks like... but... I think if you find kindness in your heart, and focus on the delicate beautiful nature of my coat. You'll forgive me..." Etlan said, half covered in trash.
"Yeah, forgiveness? You're digging through our fucking trash. Ever heard of a door? That leads inside." He points in the direction of the bakery's entrance, still scowling. "That's how you get actual food. My Pa's more than happy enough to give someone free food if they're hungry."
Naruga impatiently tapped his foot against the pavement, driving a glare into this odd Cino's eyes. Or, eye – it looked to be using the eye on its hand to see.
"Well... I don't know, you'd be surprised how well this thrown out stuff ages. Besides, I'm not looking for handouts. I'm looking for diamonds in the rough, if you get what I mean."
Etlan hopped off from the trash can, noticing how dirty and covered in garbage he appeared. Another arm emanated off his back. Curling around his body like a bind, the arm squeezed, before shifting upwards, and magically, the garbage covering him practically slid right off along as his arm brushed against his body.
Within seconds, Etlan was spotless, not even carrying the stench of garbage around him.
"...Right, sure." Naruga sighed, figuring to lower his concealed claws, not even batting an eye at what just occurred.
Shuffling his feet, the Noivern frowned, narrowing his eyes at the Cinccino to take in his appearance in full. Milky white eyes and a jack-o-lantern like mouth, coupled with the giant double pair of claws made for quite an exotic appearance. He'd never seen anything like it… but nothing he wasn't quite unused to…
"So, uh..." He fidgeted awkwardly, unsure how to continue this already awkward exchange. "Got a name?"
"You've been looking at me in a certain way you know. Like you've never seen anything so beautiful right? Don't worry, you're not the first to feel that way~ Now you're asking for my name too huh? In such an awkward way~ No need to fear, I'm Etlan, local tailor at your service~!"
Etlan answered, brushing his lovely coat as he gave an overdramatic flip of his scarf, mouth wide in a smile oozed with an obnoxiously smug energy.
"Uh, sure." Naruga murmured, sparing a quick self-conscious glance to his white mane of fur. "I guess. It looks pretty soft." His tail flicked out from behind him, and he quickly let his eyes rise back up. "Etlan, huh? Not a bad name." He hesitantly outstretched a wing, spreading his claws. "Naruga."
The 'Cino gingerly stretched a claw out to the Noivern, politely shaking his claw with a firm grasp. "Feel free to memorize the feel of my claw, it's a very important moment shaking my hand for the first time."
"Right... real firm grip you got there." The Noivern commented idly, tightening his own grasp. "Not something I'd want to be on the other end of." He sighed, large bat ears twitching as he let his gaze drift to the side.
"Not sure why your first thought pertains to violence but alright!" Etlan commented as he retracted his arm, then glanced around. "So... are we gonna... stay in this alleyway...? I mean if you want to eat some trash with me, feel free to just stay so but I'd rather not loiter around during daylight hours... or twilight at the very least."
Naruga let his wing fall back to his side, folding his arms again. "Not interested. Why don't you actually come inside? Since you're already here, may as well." He motioned with his snout to the entrance of the bakery, then gazing off to the side. "Makes no difference to me if you'd rather move on, though. I'm just holding the fort down, anyway."
Etlan's ears shot up in excitement.
"I will gladly enter your humble shop! ...Did you mention that there were free samples...?"
Etlan eagerly approached Naruga, and followed behind him, the tiny gremlin looking up expectantly at the Noivern.
"Uh, yeah." The bat nodded, leading the way inside; holding the door open and gesturing Etlan inside.
The scent of baked sweets flooded the ghostly Cino's senses, a simple, home-lit interior greeting his eyes. Naruga sauntered in after, gently letting the door close behind them, entrapping the sweet scent. Pies, cakes, pastries, donuts, tarts, they lined the shelves.
"Well, this is it. Welcome to the actual bakery. My Pa's bakery."
Etlan began to sniff the air, brushing his mouth as he realized he was quickly beginning to salivate. His paws anxiously clenched and unclenched as the desire to consume was filling his mind.
"Uhm... where... where are the samples...? I'm very hungry right about now. Nice place by the way! Your father is super talented, do you bake at all...? If you happen to bake, I wouldn’t mind trying some samples..."
"Uh, I do, yeah. Not often though." Naruga replied, strutting forth with folded wings. He shifted his gaze over to the tables, motioning toward them with a nod. "Feel free to take a seat."
Slipping behind the counter, the Noivern eyed the various condiments in stock, crouching low to examine the various other materials and ingredients his father currently seemed to have in stock.
Biting his lip with a fang, the bat lifted his head and an ear back to Etlan.
"So, uh, anything you're in the mood for? I'm feeling… cinnamon apple pie."
"Apple pie! Apple pie! Yes please yes!"
Etlan clapped excitedly, so excited he even brought out two more claws to clap alongside him.
The 'Cino was practically salivating with excitement as he immediately raised his height by standing on two claws, just so he could get a better look at the cooking process he was about to witness.
"Alright, alright, cram it. I kinda need to focus here." The bat grumbled, nabbing some flour, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and a bunch of other ingredients. Spinning around, he placed them all atop the back counter, reaching up to grab a large bowl.
Naruga craned his neck, glancing over his shoulders. "This might take a bit... so get comfy."
“Oh I'm the master of getting comfy. Watch this.”
Manifesting several hands, Etlan lifted his paws behind his head, smirking as his large arms lifted him straight up into the air, effectively forming a rudimentary chair made of fur that the 'Cino ever so smugly reclined on.
Another claw formed, smaller this time, acting as Etlan's eye as it intently watched Naruga begin the mythical pie baking process.
The Noivern lifted a brow, saying nothing as he promptly glanced back to his work; mixing the gathered flour, salt, and sugar into the bowl, then adding butter and shortening, working his claws through the mixture till it became coarse.
Rinsing and drying his claws, the bat reached up to grasp a smaller bowl, pouring in three tablespoons of ice water and vinegar to blend, before pouring it over the flour mixture – stirring it gently with a fork until moist clumps began to form.
"So, uh..." He glanced back, gathering the dough into a ball with his claws. "Where you from? Born here?"
"Only moved to Lightpoint recently. I was actually adopted by my family, they're merchants so I've traveled around a bit as a kid. Was actually born in the forest, Mismatch Woods, if you couldn't tell my ethereal otherworldly beauty~" Etlan said with a flourish of his fur.
The 'Cino was very much already eyeing Naruga's dough, a part of him deep down tempted to just snatch it and eat it up as is, but he restrained, the higher thinking section of his brain just barely capable of realizing there would be more rewards later.
"Huh, guess that makes sense." Naruga commented, setting the dough flat and beginning to roll it out, then transferring it over to a glass pie dish, trimming the hanging edges with his claws in a clearly experienced, but modest fashion.
"That makes two of us then. Well, the recently moved here part."
Placing the crust into a cooling area, a sigh slipped out his maw as he retrieved another bowl, adding in more flour, alongside sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, butter, and cubes of ice cream, quickly mixing the ingredients with a quiet hum.
"My Pa and I... we're from Firebend. That shithole in the desert. Funny enough, he was actually a merchant before we came here."
Etlan gave a yawn as he idly scratched his fur.
"Ah nice, looks like we have a lot in common then! Did your Pa come from a specific group? Mine was less an organization and more just a mishmash of loosely related folks, so no name or brand attached to ‘em. They actually traveled between here and Firebend a lot, so maybe your pa might even know a couple of em." Etlan observed, casually examining a piece of lint between his fingers as he spoke.
"How's the baking going anyways."
"I dunno... maybe? He wasn't part of any group, so maybe he did mingle with 'em from time to time. You do tend to make a lot of friends in that business." He answered, idly grasping a helping of apples from the shelf, peeling and slicing them entirely in one swift motion with his claws, before tossing them into the bowl. "It's going. Almost done filling it up, soon it'll be really baking."
Finishing with the filling, he poured the ingredients of the topping into a processor; mixing and cutting it till it resembled wet sand. Retrieving the crust from the cooling area, he promptly poured the filling inside, mounding it in the center; packing the topping over and around the apples with an oddly focused expression.
Stepping back, carrying the pie with both claws, Naruga turned to place it onto a baking sheet, sliding it into an oven.
"...Alright. Should take... about an hour and a half."
Etlan licked his lips in anticipation, already sniffing his nose in desire as he smelled the scent of fresh apples.
"Well, I got nothing but time~" Etlan said, stretching out his limbs in relaxation.
"It's cool that our families might know each other. Though in all honesty, never really paid much attention to the other folks my family talked business with, other than stuff like family gatherings, funerals and the like."
"Me neither, honestly. Way too hyperactive as a kid, kept sneaking out into the forest for a thrill." Naruga replied with a nonchalant shrug, walking out from behind the counter after setting a timer to plop himself onto one of the dining area's cushioned seats. He rested his jaw atop one of his claws, looking over to the Cino with a twitching ear.
"...Hm. Now that you mention it, funerals. I remember going to a few of those. It was honestly more of a goddamn tourist attraction than anything else. Pretty sure one of them had a buncha fancy lights and little candy skulls, and face-paint too. That one might've been for the old town bartender, think he was a Chandelure." He sighed, scratching his mane. "Sure made for a lot of noise. My pa liked baking stuff for them, though."
"Ohh yeah... folks from where you're from do that. Never really did that myself. I think I've only gone to a funeral like, once or twice? Definitely once, kinda hard to forget visiting the Soul Circle. That place is really beautiful! I'd recommend making a trip to it one of these days, few places like it." Etlan said, a bit of wistful admiration in his voice and he seemed to go off into space for a moment, but then he shook his head. "Real beautiful sight of the moon there too."
"...Yeah. Not something you can forget. I should give it a visit... sometime."
Naruga's voice sunk to a whisper, expression tinged with melancholy; one he blinked away in the next moment as he sat back up with a breath.
"Well... now I'm curious. You remember who the funeral was for? Or, anything specific, I guess." His voice heightened with apprehension, one ear twitching as he studied the ghostly Cino.
Etlan scratched his chin in thought.
"Ehhh, I don't really– Oh, no, wait I do! It was some Staraptor merchant. Never knew him but I think they were an associate of my family so we kinda had to go out of respect. It was a pretty nice funeral overall. More jolly than I thought it would be, though considering all the adults were just talking business stuff. I was a Minccino at the time, you see."
The bat's eyes narrowed, chewing at his lip as he pondered Etlan's recollection.
Staraptor merchant. Minccino present. Festive party in remembrance, for the children at least. Adults talking about deals.
Would that –
– could that seriously mean…?
"Okay..." Naruga exhaled, pausing to choose his next words carefully. "Do you... remember this one kid there, kept tryna climb up a tree so he could pull off a flip in mid-air? Ended up falling face-flat on the ground into the dirt, then ran off like a crybaby?"
Etlan's eyes went blank for a second before lighting up.
"Ohh, yeah! I do! I remember that, it was hilarious! I think me and a bunch of other kids watched him do it. It was so odd. I actually thought he was going to do it when he managed to climb up, but then he fell, looked at all of us as if we just murdered his parents in front of him, then scampered off. I wasn't even sure whether to feel bad or feel awkward for them. Wonder what happened to him." Etlan pondered aloud.
"Yeah... talk about a real dumbass, right? Probably went to cry by the river up north 'till someone came looking for him... You went after him, didn't you? Secondhand embarrassment was just that bad."
It was... a bold question, sure – maybe even a bit obvious. And also a very embarrassing memory.
But he could feel the itch. This odd familiarity. Even the way Etlan carried himself... it was too damning to be anyone else.
"Oh yeaaah... That did happen. All the other kids wanted to ignore what happened and listen to some Kricketune play on some tunes. So yeah, I followed the kid, was a bit scared, won't lie! The forest at night can be a bit spooky after all – but I found him sobbing himself silly. I tried to comfort him but I didn't really know any words. So I just cuddled up against him and let him feel my soft fur. He sobbed a bit until he finally calmed down. Ahhh, good times, y’know that moment cemented to me how amazing my fur is y'know? Like, it made a kid stop crying. I mean I've heard more than my fair share of moms complain about how their kids won't ever quiet down – heck, one of them said it'd be a miracle if they did! They quite literally used the word miracle! Like, my fur is just that amazing! Anyways, enough about my beautiful fur, yeah, I helped the kid feel better, and I think eventually me and him went to get some Chesto cakes back at the funeral. Good times."
Etlan ranted, going in several tangents as he recounted the tale in which only contained an impressively short amount of self-aggrandizing considering his usual amount… all the while seemingly oblivious to the rather obvious connection between Naruga's knowledge of the events that transpired and the Noibat he met so long ago.
Naruga raised his head, wistfully staring at Etlan as the words poured out of his mouth. It was all so vivid now. So clear. The sheer mortification – then, the calm respite of having someone who actually... well, cared. The way their fur had rubbed together, in the quiet of the forest.
"Etlan, if… if I told you that was me, would you believe me?"
Etlan paused, as the wires in his brain finally made the connection.
"Oh! That... that was you! Ohhh! That makes sense now! Yeah, I have no idea how I didn't realize it sooner. Wow! You've really changed! You're like.... five, six, seven, times the size you were last time! It's been a while huh?"
Etlan was visibly excited, his arms bouncing up and down as two claws went up to examine Naruga's face more closely, sucking up all the details about his appearance.
"Y-Yeah, it has." A small smirk crossed his maw, sliding off his seat to walk over to the 'Cino. The Noivern's golden gaze glimmered, lingering on Etlan's fur, outstretching a claw, holding it out hesitantly.
"Though, guess we both have, huh? Don't remember you looking so ghostly back then... or having so many... well, hands."
…Ah, screw it.
Naruga lunged forth, pulling Etlan into a hug, wrapping him tight in his wings to feel his fur rub up against his chest and mane. He didn't know how long he held it--tail flicking out behind him, before he eventually released with an awkward laugh, though still kept him close, keeping one wing draped over his head as he rubbed an ear with one claw.
"So... uh, how've you been? Never thought I'd see you again, honestly."
Etlan gave a small squeak as he was suddenly hugged. At first it felt like he was about to get mauled, but when he felt those wings begin to hug him tightly, he felt a confused blush stir up on his face.
With a content sigh, Etlan would hug the Noivern back, stretching out a claw to gently wrap over his shoulder, giving Naruga a gentle pat on the back. In a rare moment, the eye on Etlan's back closed, its constant flowing of ethereal tears that would disperse into mist ceasing.
Etlan felt a tinge of disappointment when the hug ended, but couldn't complain as Naruga gave his ear some gentle physical affection.
"Oh I've been great! Well, had a couple rough patches but I'm good. Evolving is always nice, got some cool new powers and all that! I'm... especially happy to see you're doing nice and well. Even if we didn't know each other for that long it's... nice to see an old friend." Etlan recounted, reaching up to grab Naruga's claw, moving it to rest directly on his head, being mindful of his horns.
"It is, y-yeah... ah, c'mere." The Noivern nodded, unable to refrain as he brought Etlan up against his chest, sitting down as he brought his other wing up to wrap him in another hug, nuzzling and nibbling at the top of the Cino's head in affection – almost an unbridled excitement that betrayed his formerly stand-offish, aloofness.
A warmth, deep within. Something he hadn't felt in so long. He could already feel himself crack.
"I'm glad... you're okay. We've… both been through a lot since then."
He took to laying the bottom of his jaw between Etlan's ears, still keeping him wrapped tight, rumbling, content breaths escaping his maw. Hugging tighter, tail lightly thumping behind him.
"Ah – oop – okay, more cuddles I see!" Etlan breathed out as he was promptly hugged back into Naruga's floof.
He most certainly didn't mind, but this affectionate side of Naruga was jarring to see considering how he acted at first. Etlan supposed that his charm was simply that good, and it'd be best to make use of that charm and give this very affectionate dragon some love they oh so very much need.
"Yeah, we certainly have been. Seems like you especially have really been needing some hugs huh?"
Etlan hugged Naruga back, bringing out several claws to slither out under Naruga's wings to hug him tightly. It was hard not to giggle as he felt the very audible thumps of Naruga's tail behind him. Very dog-like this one it seems. Etlan couldn't lie and say it didn't add to the dragon-bat’s charm though.
"We should keep in touch Naruga, and you should come by my shop sometime, spiff you out in something real fancy. Maybe one of these days we could go visit the Soul Circle too! See if that tree you hung off from is still there."
"Heh... y-yeah? Might just topple it with my weight." He smirked, flashing his fangs coyly, a joy that didn't quite seem to reach his eyes.
He splayed his talons out, idly flexing the digits as he leaned inward, hugging the wing-wrapped 'Cino ever closer, content himself; feeling those warm claws curl up around his body, an extra layer of comfort to a fuzziness he couldn't describe or placate.
"Still... You're a tailor now, huh? Oughta get a new poncho from ya. The ones I've got are getting a bit old and ragged from all the battles I've been putting 'em through." The bat lowered his voice. "Also getting harder to clean the stains off..."
"Well that's a bit ominous..." Etlan muttered, lowering his voice, but quickly shook his head. "Regardless, for an old friend like you, I would gladly whip you something. Just try and take good care of it, don't lose it in a forest or something either! Arceus knows it'll be taken by scavengers within the hour of being lost there." Etlan shuddered at the thought of his precious crafts being torn and used in some wild forest nest.
He dismissed those thoughts to sink his head into Naruga's mane. The sensation of warmth and protection thanks to the dragon-bat’s powerful wings made Etlan feel ever so secure. It was like nothing could harm him in this small bubble of companionship. He could easily find himself falling asleep in here, completely at peace. There was nothing quite as comforting as feeling the loving protection of a dragon wrapping around you, ensuring nothing bad would ever come to harm you. It was nice.
"Hey now, I'm not some lunatic who leaves them torn. I try to take care of them, even stitch them back myself." He gave another nibble to Etlan's ear in a teasing manner, lowering one of his claws to idly trace circles along the Cino's belly.
"Hell, maybe that's saying something about me. Lotta of 'em are stitched to hell and back despite going through the wringer.." One of his ears twitched, gaining a soft tone in his voice. "You can... probably see it, honestly. Considering you've been digging through our trash... You've only ever really seen me and pa, yeah?"
Etlan gave a mrrp at Naruga's gentle nibbling and the feeling of his claw making circles around his belly.
"Fair enough~ And yeah, I did notice a couple torn articles of clothing in your trash, didn't realize they were ponchos though, was too focused on the food. Oh and uh.... I will say I've fought my fair share of Zigzagoons over your trash...maybe want to keep that in mind for the future."
Naruga raised a brow at that last comment. "...Huh, really? Didn't know you could have turf wars over garbage."
The ghostly Cinccino casually adjusted his position, turning inside Naruga's wings to lay against his big belly, giving him better access to his own floofy stomach. Naruga quickly resumed rubbing, another rumble slipping from his throat and reverberating through his body as he brought his knees in, feet flat atop the floor as his tail waved idly behind.
"...Hey." His voice seemed to gain a curious tone, still trailing his claws along Etlan's fur. "I'm honestly curious... How did you end up like, well, this? You... looked like an ordinary Minccino when we were kids. And that timeframe’s not really adding up for me."
"Mhmm... well when ya live with a bunch of ghost types for a big chunk of your childhood and uh, have things transpire during a full moon – your body is gonna be liable to change. I'd... rather not talk about that though! This whole new look, lush and elegant as it is, is pretty new for me too, only happened a year ago... so it's still kind've fresh in my head."
"Huh, fair enough." Naruga patted Etlan's belly with as best of a reassuring smile he could muster. "Guess... I can kinda relate. This..." Stretching one of his wings, Naruga idly flexed the claws at the end, a somber glint in his eyes, "also about a year ago. Big change for me. Real big change."
"Ah, well, seems like we have even more in common than I thought. Next you'll tell me you spent the first years of your childhood in a forest!" Etlan joked, idly reaching up to scratch at Naruga's mane.
"Actually, uh, well..." The Noivern stammered with an oddly sheepish tone, one of his ears twitching. "I... kinda used to play in the forest a lot when I was a kid. It was sort of a second home. Not welcoming, exactly, but I'd sneak out of town just about every other week to play. Wasn't like the desert. Had fruit, and it was fun to try to fly off from the trees."
"Huh...well I eat my own words then! Thank the stars that you didn't get lost in there. Forests are no place for kids."
"Heh, try telling that to kid me. He'd cry and scream, but never learn his lesson. Found it fun, going on his little adventures wanting to be like his Ma." The soft edge returned, claws tickling Etlan's side as he draped his wing back over his body. "Plus... Every time things went sour, when he was alone, in the darkness and trapped... Someone would come and save him. Think that just spurred him on."
"Wow, a guardian spirit huh? Good thing whoever that was kept savin' ya. They probably would've been quite frustrated having to take care of the mischievous kid you were!"
Etlan teased, patting Naruga's fluff as he sunk his claws between Naruga's thick heavy fur.
He nodded, maw parting with a wistful smile. "I was told it was just a bad dream… y’know? It was a nightmare, and then… she appeared."
Leaning into the pats, he rumbled in content, still kneading his own claws along the Cino's collar. "Well... I think it was a she. Kinda thought it was my Ma at first, but over time, knew it couldn't have been her. She’d be worried sick every time I got back home. Wasn't sure whether she was some guardian of the woods, a witch, a spirit... all I knew was that I owe my life to her... still do."
"Huh... she sounds like a really nice person. Must've been kind and gentle if they had to deal with a crybaby like you too. Maybe you should go back to that forest sometime, see if she's still there? Worth a try."
He nodded, then gently sat his head atop Etlan's. "Yeah... I might. Maybe sooner than later. It's weird though. Everything from that time feels so... blurry. But I mean, when you kinda lose yourself for five years straight... childhood sorta goes out the window with it."
"Time in general flies, I mean, it feels like I've had this form for ages..."
There was a long pause, Etlan didn't really have much to say, all he did want to do was cuddle up against Naruga, and feel his warmth seep into his body.
Then he caught a sniff of something. Something scrumptious.
"Oh wow... uhm, how much longer until the pie is done? Not to interrupt the moment but uh, getting kind've hungry here..." Etlan licks his lips.
The bat's head rose with perked ears, sniffing the air. "Huh, it sure does."
Gingerly, the Noivern rose to his feet, still holding Etlan to himself with one wing as he padded over to the back of the counter, peering inside the oven with bated breath. Lightly slipping his other claw into a mitt, he reached inside to drag the pie-tray out, setting it atop the stove; discarding the mitt to raise his claws over the pie, a shadowy energy engulfing the digits and elongating them to the size of knives.
In the next moment before Etlan's eyes, the pie was sliced clean into four pieces, letting the already thick, fresh scent of cinnamon mixed with apple and sugar waft through the air as he parted the pieces along a plate.
"...Hm. Ought to cool it off a bit." Naruga muttered, lightly flapping his wing over the plate.
Etlan smacked his lips as several claws came out to eye the pie. His breath increased as he watched the pie slices, as if trying to will them to cool down with his mind alone.
A few more light flaps, Naruga ceased with a nod, grasping the plate with a tense grip as he turned to trod over to the dining area of the bakery, setting the plate atop a table as he seated himself, still carrying Etlan, now placed atop his lap, partially draped in one wing.
"Alright... dig in?" He glanced down, the apprehension across his face clear as his pupils darted between the slices and the Cinccino, whose shoulder he took to scritching with a claw.
Etlan immediately went to work, stretching out towards the table with a claw to grab a slice of pie, devouring it as both crust and apple filling went into his maw, sloppy munching sounds being produced by his mouth as he chewed.
He made no effort or indication to show that he wanted to leave Naruga's side, electing to sit atop him as he got pie jelly and crumbles all over his body within seconds.
"Wow... mm… this tastes even better than... mhm… the garbage pie!" Etlan said, his mouth full.
"See? What'd I tell ya. Tastes better fresh from the oven instead of being days old." Naruga flashed a fanged, smug grin--relieved the pie was being enjoyed. He took to rubbing along the base of the Cino's ears as he ate. "Sure wish my Pa was here right now, though. Maybe you'll get to see him work another time."
"Mhm... maybe... for now though, just the two of us is enough for me..." Etlan murmured, pushing into Naruga's rubs.
After finishing his first slice of pie, he quickly grabbed a second, making even more eating sounds as he was clearly enjoying the pie and its succulent taste, the tart apples reminding him of his days in the forest.
"Heh... that so? Fair enough." Naruga leaned back, tail flicking as he crossed his swinging legs, lighting tapping his claws against the floor. "...Actually, yeah. Wouldn't want my Pa to start rambling on about a buncha embarrassing crap from my childhood. He'd also probably uh... want to take you spinning."
"Spinning? Huh, I mean that sounds fun? No idea what that is though." Etlan said as he stretched his limbs, having just finished his second slice.
Giving a yawn, he smacked his lips as his eyelids began to droop. It wasn't anywhere near night time, but the power of post meal naps were nothing to scoff at as the 'Cino began to settle into Naruga's fluff, his paws stretching out to idly feel the fur and solid muscle Naruga had.
"Oh boy... do I got my own stories to tell..." The Noivern nuzzled against Etlan's head, sinking into the chair with him as he gently rubbed and patted the Cino's filled belly with a warm smile--maybe even a slight blush. "Let's just say... it's about as literal of a term as you can get. Noibat kid me, about the perfect size to hop on his back. Then he'd just... spin, like a top, and off you'd go."
"Mhm... sounds fun~ What if I... hung onto him with a claw and had him use his spin to fling me into the sky...? Would be amazing I bet…~"
Etlan's eyes were getting even more droopy now, as he gave another yawn.
"Nice musculature by the way, very... very... attractive." Etlan said before going half unconscious, the delicious pie's powers slowly dragged him into the realm of sleep.
"Oh, stop it, you're gonna make me blush..." Naruga grunted, his protest coming out far more weak than he expected; though the compliment certainly amplified the redness as he kept rubbing Etlan, gently wrapping the Cino up in both wings as he reclined in the chair.
"No...you stop it...you big attractive lug, I'm tryna sleep...here." Etlan murmured. With his stomach full of pie and sleeping on top of a cozy Noivern, it was the perfect combination to finally cause him to drift away.
A paw would unconsciously reach out to tug on Naruga's fur, holding it almost out of a need of security as the ghostly Cinccino fell asleep.
"Heh... wow, y-you're a cute one yourself, y'know..."
A small smile tugged at his maw, and Naruga pulled the slumbering Etlan closer; wrapped tightly, protectively, in his wings, snuggled up to his mane, where he proceeded to rest his head between Etlan's ears, closing his eyes in the gentle afterglow and silence.
"I'm glad... we got to see each other again."
Whispering amidst his embrace, Naruga let his watery eyes fall shut to join his reunited friend in gentle sleep, lulled by the immaculately soft fur and gentle pulse he held tight.