#centaur etiquette 101: never pet a centaur without permission

[redolentgrove]

(askpokemoncrossover)Akira@Loki: The mewtwo examined Loki closely with eagerness "My stars... I've witnessed many beautiful creatures before, but this... this is on a whole new level. Never in my wildest dreams I would see a pokemon-taur like yourself, Loki." He said before bowing politely. "My name is Akira and I overheard your conversation... tell me, did this dogwood tree used to be someone you cared about?" He asked as he calmly stroke the fur on Loki's lower back.

"Well... you certainly do know how to charm with your words, don't you?" Loki blushed softly at the compliments, fiddling with an ear thoughtfully. She looked into the Mewtwo's eyes, her head tilting as she led the psychic feline closer to the dogwood, bringing them both back near the tree trunk. "It's a pleasure, Akira." She bowed back at him with a soft wag of her tail, humming warmly. Just as she was about to begin explaining about the significance of the dogwood, he had begun stroking her taurback. Loki's ears bristled and she let out a low hiss at Akira.

"No, nono... see, I don't know you. Don't put your hands on me and start petting me without asking. Especially not my taurback."

Loki's right hindleg kicked back against the tree bark. One of the larger tree branches right above the Mewtwo began to sway with an extra breeze, snapping as if by some unknown force. The branch fell toward the Mewtwo's head... certainly not enough to cause any sort of major bodily harm, but enough to be a definitive annoyance. A large leaf broke off from the branch on impact, and without warning....

THWIP.

A wooden arrow flung through the air, striking straight through the centre of the leaf and sending it to the ground, a sizeable hole visible through the middle. A second arrow flew over the pair's heads several seconds later, as if to serve as a warning shot. Loki flinched uneasily at the second arrow, ears flattening.

"What the-" she began, before the assailant made itself known.

"Leave her alone!" cried an unseen feminine voice, a tone of uneasy youth behind it.

"I've got this under control, Bijoux!" Loki called back. "I've told you; while I appreciate your protection, I don't need a bodyguard for every interaction!"

"I swear, if he touches you again, the next shot is gonna-"

"Enough!" Loki's eyes narrowed, and she padded over to pick up the two shot arrows, stowing them in her saddlebag. "We'll talk later, daughter," she yipped toward the archer. "Let me care for this, and let me do so on my terms."

"...yes, Mom." Bijoux's voice sounded somewhat meek, though Loki felt the response seemed sufficient. Sounds of rustling leaves emanated from where the unseen creature's voice originated, signaling that she had left. Loki turned back toward the Mewtwo, with a repentant frown on her muzzle.

"...Akira, I'm sorry, but I'm going to need you to leave. Please come back when your actions are as well-mannered as your words... if such happens."

@askpokemoncrossover