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“Come on hun! This is the place.” Palutena urged his fiance Petri. Before them was a large cliffside house overlooking the sea. It was rounded to prevent the sea winds from buffeting it and the roof was shingled. The exterior was painted in a faded slate grey which was flaking off slightly. There was a small fenced off garden out front growing all manner of vegetables and fruit. Palutena grasped his lover’s small paw and led vir to the front door. A small placard over the door exclaimed ‘Home is where the sea is’ She knocked hard on the door and waited for a moment. “JUST A MINUTE!” a voice from the other side of the door. Petri could hear shuffling as whoever called out to them came up to the door. There was a click and then the door swung inwards to reveal a wizened Gallian dragon. They were huge, taller than Palutena by a full 2 heads and with broader shoulders to boot. Her scales were a dull rusty red and they had a pair of glasses affixed to her nose. They were clad in a simple blue and white fish print dress. A stained brown apron covered her front. “Oh my stars! If it isn't my Lut and his fiance. I’ve heard so many things about you. Why don't you give your old ma a hug?” The dragon babbled, sweeping her arms out in a hug. Palutena stepped forward and returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around the red dragon's middle. “Good things I hope?” Petri pipped up feeling a little left out of the hug. The large dragon broke the embrace with Palutena and swept Petri in a tight bear hug. Ve was surprised at the suddenness, and saw where vir lover got his propensity for hugs from. “Of course! She’s been gushing about you for years to me. I’m finally glad I get to meet ya. My name is Franchesca Bereth but most people just call me Fran. Come on inside to the sitting room and I’ll get you both something to munch on.” Fran scuttled into the room and the two lovers followed close behind. The sitting room was large and cozy with two couches, one red quilted and the other blue and purple floral patterned. There was a large brown armchair that faced out at a window overlooking the great cliff. Palutena sat on the red couch and Petri followed suit. Ve took a moment to stare out into the sea.
It was calm and deep blue today, with small waves crashing on the distant cliffs. Sea birds squealed and cawed as they dove into the overcast sky hunting for food. Fran set down 3 cups of tea onto a large pink marble table and sat across from them on the large floral patterned couch.
“Thank you for the hospitality Ms. Bereth. I hope that it wasn't too much trouble.” Petri hemmed taking a sip of vir tea. It was sharp and pungent not what ve was used to but ve drank it anyway. Fran let out a chuckle and gulped down her tea. Setting the black cup and saucer down she stared right at the mouse morph. “It's no problem at all dearie. So tell me a bit about yourself?” Fran asked
“Well I was born to a family of 18. My mother was a nurse and my father a stone mason. I found my calling as a priestess of Marea and have never looked back.”
“Good good. It's nice to have a profession like that. I've heard lots of good things about the church but I'm not religious myself. How did you and my Lut meet?”
“Well she came into my church for the sermons and it just happened.”
“Aww how sweet. That reminds me of how I met my Harthepan. I came to the meetings he held as the cleric of Larlun. We grew close after that and well its all old history.”
“Oh I didn't know you were married. Will your spouse be joining us today?”
“I should hope not! Harth died over 500 years ago. It would be a bit hard for him to visit us now.”
“Oh I had no idea! Please forgive me for my rudeness!”
“Oh shush I found it funny. Besides, time dulls the pain. Ain't that right Lut?”
“Yes I remember what you told me mom.”
“Good that's my girl! Could you be a dear and go get the snacks on the counter? In the kitchen are the small biscuits.” Fran ordered gently. Palutena got up from the couch and scurried to the kitchen. Petri felt Frans gaze upon vir, calculating and uncertain. Ve shifted uncomfortably on the couch.
“Um… is something wrong Ms. Bereth?” Ve stuttered out
“Not at all dearie. Just getting a good idea for ya. I know you both are engaged but I'm just curious about what your intentions are with him.” Fran admitted leaning back in her seat.
“Well… I love Palutena dearly… and I want to make him happy. I know how hard his life has been and…. I just want to give him a safe loving place to come home to.”
“Are you aware of his past? Minerva I'm sure you know about but what about Vedilard? Or his time in the Lich Yard?”
“She has told me all about that. She carries so much pain… I want to help him be happy.”
“Happy how? Lut's a very driven person, ever since she was little she wanted to be the strongest warrior alive. I think she's happiest chasing that dream.”
“Yes, Palutena has told me that wish. I merely wish for him to have a stable place to come to. I love him dearly and I just want to soothe that hurt”
“Are you attracted to his suffering? Do you think you can fix him?” They accused. Petri stammered and sputtered at her bluntness. The thought had crossed vir mind in the past…. Did ve think that vir lover was a lost puppy and that love would save him? Ve spent long nights laying awake thinking about it.
“No! I don't think she needs fixing. I love the person she is; the strong confident warrior who leaves me feeling breathless and makes my heart soar. I want him every single part of him I love ” ve assured, trying to placate Fran's questions. Fran placed a clawed finger on her chin and hummed considering the words.
“You seem to care for him a great deal. Forgive me for the questions, but I'm protective of him. She's my only child and I love her deeply.”
“I understand that… she's told me how you raised him on your own.”
“Aye that I did. One hellion of a child he was. Did you know she once dove off the cliffs out back! Damn near gave me a heart attack.” Fran groaned.
Palutena came back and set a pile of biscuits on the table. She took a seat next to Petri, leaning his head on vir shoulder. Ve wrapped an arm around him and planted a kiss on the crown of his head, being careful to avoid his spiraling horns.
“Why don't you tell me that story? It sounds fun.” Pretri inquired
“It was! I remember jumping off that cliff like it was yesterday.” Palutena sighed wistfully.
“It was not fun for me! I was cooking dinner and I saw you playing with your toy sword. Next thing I know I cant find you so im searching the whole house for ya!”
“I got bored of sword practice. Wanted to do something better.”
“I found you overlooking the cliffside staring out at the sea. I ran over to you but you grinned at me and hopped off.”
“Yeah… I honestly wanted you to see my dive.”
“Oh I saw it alright! I tried to grab you but it was too late. Ran down the cliffside tunnel worrying about if you were gonna live.”
“Well you clearly underestimated my strength.”
“Those cliffs are 40 feet high! I was worried you fucking died! So I rush down there and I don't see ya. I jump into the water, dress getting soaked, hollering your name the entire time.”
“Yeah I was uh… practicing my deadmans float.”
“You were unconscious! I was worried you were dead the way you were lying in the water. So I haul you up back through the tunnels, the entire time thinking ‘please dont be dead. Please dont be dead’”
“And I wasn't! I was playing dead the entire time.”
“......... Palutena I love ya but one of these days you are going to give me an aneurysm.”
“Ill try not to jump off any more cliffs again.” Palutena quipped, taking his 4th biscuit and munching it. It was crumbly,and tasted faintly of lavender and rosemary. Fran sighed and grabbed a handful of biscuits herself. Petri chuckled. Palutena had not changed one bit, still as head strong and reckless as ever. It was funny just how much she had gotten up to in the past. Not that she still didn't get into trouble now and then.
Petri stared at the portrait on the wall behind . It was of Palutena when she was younger, being held by Fran. She was dressed in an oversized suit of ringmail that made her look adorable.
“Oh Palu you look so cute! When was that taken?” Petri fawned.
“When I was about 20. Cute huh?”
“You're even cuter now. I do like your little bow even on top of the armor.”
“Awww ain't you two cute. Tell me Lut, what's your favorite thing about Petri?” Fran coaxed
“Well ve has a habit of squeaking when surprised. And ves suuuuper soft and squeezable.”
“I do not squeak! I take offense to that.”
“Do you want me to prove it to you little mousie?”
“Be my guest, you overgrown lizard.” Petri taunted. Ve stuck vir tongue out at the dragon beside vir. Palutena grinned wolfishly and snatched up the small mouse morph from the couch and wrapped his arms around vir. She gave a hearty squeeze and she hugged his fiance tight.
“Squeeeeeeeeea!” Petri let out a long protracted whine at the sudden touch. Vir cheeks turned a deep crimson as ve realized the sound that had come out of vir mouth. Fran gave a throaty cackle at the utterance, slapping her knee. This brought up laughter from the other two in the room and soon the group was howling at the sudden occurrence. Petri was having a good time despite the conversation with Fran earlier. Ve poured another cup of tea from the large blueish iron pot and drank it. The flavor had changed now that it had cooled slightly and it was more pleasing to vir palet.
“Mhmmm. Fran what type of tea is this? It's quite lovely after letting it cool a bit.” Petri pried.
“Oh, it's Teradol orange. I forgot you weren't a dragon so I made a tea that tastes a bit better to dragons. Sorry dear.”
“Well it tastes much better now that it's had a chance to bloom. Thank you for making it” Petri complimented. Ve settled onto Palutena's lap. The smaller women hardly came up to his breasts. Ve nestled up against them sighing contentedly. A chime sounded from the kitchen and Fran jumped up from the couch
“Ope! I gotta check on dinner. Be good you two.” Fran called out as they shuffled into the kitchen. Palutena ran his fingers through Petri’s hair. Ve shuddered feeling the claws scritch and scratch at vir scalp.
She kissed the crown of vir head and smiled. It was so nice to hold vir like this. She could smell vir perfume, floral and berries and took a deep inhale. She thought about how lucky she was to have Petri. Vir guidance had been crucial in getting over his grief, and vir love had opened up his eyes to the joys of life. She nibbled vir neck playfully, bringing out a groan from Petri.
“No more ok? I would rather not get too intimate at your mothers house. We are guests after all.” Petri stated. Palutena aquaised and lifted his head up. Ve gave him an affectionate pat on the head that seemed to settle him. She let out a throaty mweerrr of delight and the pair sat for a bit and enjoyed each other's company. The sounds of chopping and humming echoed from the kitchen behind them. Fran was busy at work it seems. Petri idly played with the hem of Palutena's top. Ve was thinking back to the proposal, she had proposed right after the Cascade of Dreams. It was vir favorite holiday with the setting intentions of the new year. Ve looked down to vir ring. The Silver ring supported a modest black gemstone. Palutena had picked out Fervinite because of what it symbolized; eternal love and devotion.
“So what do you think? Enjoying your time here?”
“Yes. She's very kind, although I'm worried she doesn't like me.”
“What makes you say that?”
“They asked me some pretty tough questions about you. Like if I was attracted to your pain and things like that. That and the tea…”
“I think they’re just protective of me. I am her only daughter after all. Especially given the shit that happened with Izzak and his wife. If they do something like that again I will say something ok sweetie?”
“It’s fine really, I expected these questions at some point I just didn’t expect it to be so soon. I guess she did almost lose you forever of course they’d be protective.”
“Shhhhh… Petri Petal you’re worrying again. It’ll be fine ok I promise. Just relax into my head scritches”
“Mmhmmm ok… I’ll trust you” Petri mumbled dreamily, feeling the claws work vir scalp again. Palutena’s touch always released whatever tension lay in vir body. Soon enough ve was melting into a puddle in his lap. No thoughts pierced vir brain, only warmth and the scratching of claws. There was nothing to worry about vir Fiance was here and she was watching over vir. Minutes or hours passed but ve could not tell on account of vir mind being a soup of warm fuzzy thoughts. A coughing sound brought Petri back to reality. Fran was standing to the side of them arms clasped in front of her.
“Dinner is ready lovebirds! Come on, I'm starving.” They hollered. Petri got up from the lap ve was laying on and walked into the kitchen. Palutena followed close behind, sheepishly wagging his tail.
The dining room was small a quaint with a square wooden table with 4 red felt chairs on each side. A large stock pot sat in the center of the table. Palutena pulled out a chair for Petri and gestured for vir to sit. The mouse morph complied taking a seat at the table. Palutena sat to vir left and Fran across from vir. The smell from the soup was divine and Petri was drooling a bit.
“I made your favorite Lut, Merry weather stew with lots of fish just how you like it.” Fran announced pouring each of them a glass of clear amber colored liquid. It smelled like liquor and ve recoiled at the strong smell. Ve wrinkled vir nose and took a dainty draught of the liquid. It was indeed a strong drink and ve coughed and gagged as it burnt its way down vir throat. Fran adopted a puzzled expression at the outburst raising a brow.
“Oh I’m so sorry! I forgot a woman of the cloth like you must not be permitted to drink. Here let me get you some Oran and Laerberry cordial.” Fran quickly swapped out the offending drink with a light red fruity one instead.
“Thank you. I am able to drink but I really don't like strong stuff, burns my throat.” Ve divulged. Palutena made to ladle the soup into his bowl but was stopped by a stern look from his mother.
“Why don't we let Petri bless our food dear. I'd like to hear one of vir sermons? Go on then.” Fran coaxed.
“Oh um sure. Please follow me.” Petri clasped vir hands together and looked skyward. The others followed suite.
“Lary Marae , alabaster Lady of reflections. Please bless our food and the company we keep here. Let us grow closer together today and become family. In your name we pray, damedora” ve finished the short prayer and started to grab virself some of the hot soup. It was a cream soup with lots of cut fish and vegetables. Ve took a spoonful of the steaming broth and supped it. The soup was amazing, warm and creamy and herby and it coated the inside of vir mouth in delicious goodness.
“Ahhhh just like how I remember it mom. You gotta give this recipe to Petri so ve can make it.” Palutena declared.
“I can share it, yes but I’d also prefer if you visited your dear old mom from time to time. Its been very nice to see you both.”
“Yeah we can do that! I can show Petri the cliff I jumped off of. Or that cave I used to pretend to be a bat in!”
“Just be safe Lut. I’ve made my peace with your escapades and fighting but soon you’ll have a wife to come home to. When is the wedding by the by?”
“About a year from now. We were thinking of getting married in the fall time.”
“That’s a pretty long planning time, Lots of guests coming?”
“Not really… We want Occara to be able to attend. Right now Xe’s on taking it very easy.”
“Xe was one of your friends that was hurt during the big battle right? Is Xe doing ok?”
“Yes.” Palutena mumbled. A chilly silence descended over the dinner table. She did not like talking about the Grand battle of Belhala. Palutena finished his bowl and got up without a word. Setting his bowl into the sink with a clack she walked out of the side door of the kitchen and onto the grounds overlooking the cliff. Petri debated whether or not to follow him. On one hand Palu was home and any feelings she was having were most likely tempered by that fact. On the other ve was nervous for him. Petri set down vir half finished soup and sprang up from vir chair.
“I should go after him. I’m sorry I can’t help with dishes Fran.” Petri called out as ve sprinted through the door. It only took vir a small distance to catch up with Palutena who was staring out at the sea. Ve came up from behind them and hugged his hips feeling him jolt in surprise. Ve made to back away at vir mistake but she held vir hands tight.
“Just stay here ok.” Palutena clarified. His lover did as asked, holding him tightly and humming a soft tune. Ve felt him relax at this tension melting away from him like butter in a hot pan.
“Watcha thinking about?”
“The wedding. Can you really be happy with someone like me? A warrior who's been through so much.”
“Honey, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. I am grateful every day to walk by your side. I love you, every part of you. You being a warrior is part of yourself, I cannot change that. Please…. Believe me when I say I want no one else.”
“Ok ok. I understand… Petri Petal you're so kind to me. Is there any way I can repay you?
“Marry me you idiot! Spend the rest of your life cherishing me and loving me.”
“Oh I can do that!” Palutena blurted out. She swept up Petri in a deep hug, picking vir up and holding vir close to him. She peppered the smaller woman’s neck with kisses feeling Petri moan and squirm in his grasp. She brought his face low to vir neck so ve could feel every breath upon vir. Petri wanted to yell out in passion, but ve knew that ve had told palu no more than this. Ve whimpered as she started to whisper.
“I can cherish my precious little mousie every day. Hold vir close, squeeze vir tight until ve squeaks, even share tender moments like this. Watching the sunset, listening to your heartbeat in my ears. So cute… so precious. Shall we stare out into the sea?” Palutena asked. Petri nodded and stared out at the sunset. Ve knew that Palutena loved vir so dearly. It shone in this moment and through every moment they spent together. Ve had never met someone that completed vir until Palu… it was natural to be together. Looking upon the calm sea waves ve thought of what lay next. Marriage, buying a home together, maybe even a child of their own. Petri wondered how that would work. Vir mind wandered to all the possibilities before focusing on the waves again. It was so peaceful this moment, it set vir heart at ease. The waves rolled on, drifing towards the shore as Petri’s mind drifted to vir bountiful future with vir Fiance.