#ic: taguel pride

[taguelbunnyboy]

Tear in my Heart.

Yarne had... well, still some struggles with reading Fodlani. Thankfully, Yarne had scrounged up some funding for some Ylissean books, trying to read them.

Sitting in his room, Yarne flips open the first book, absentmindedly reading. The book was... mostly uninteresting, just some texts on Ylissean manspawn history, but... it was something he could read. Until... there was that word. That six letter word of betrayal and broken trust. That word of promises left unfulfilled. Yarne breathes in deeply, attempting to ground himself in the flow coming in and out, but it isn't working, the walls are closing in, he's choking on nothing, and...

"Y... you'll be back, right? You always come back to me and mama..."

A sniffle escaped him, a hand to his head and steady words all that followed, Yarne having long forgotten (or repressed) those exact words used, but... he always remembered that last part.

"I'll come back. I promise."

Days passed. Weeks. Nothing. Yarne was...

ALL YOUR FAULT, HE LEFT BECAUSE YOU'RE A DOOMED SPECIES AND WHY WOULD HE STAY FOR YOU, THIS IS YOUR DOING, YOU DESERVE TO GO EXTI-

He... tried to excuse, tried to explain. Oh, he got sidetracked! Oh, he was elsewhere on the continent, fighting the Risen to come home! It was only in a late night with his allies around camp that he learned what likely happened.

Something went extinct in the taguel that night.

Yarne repressed, hid away, every memory of his father wiped like blood from a blade, dirt from his fur, until, when they finally made it from that hellshole, and to the past, while his friends, jaded, wounded, scarred as they were, most of them had both to return to.

He just had Panne.

"...Haaaah... haahh..."

In a moment, he's back to the present. His face pressed into the pillow, his body quivering and curled up tight. He... he missed Father. He wanted to... but no. Even if he knew his father in the past, it would be the liar. The man who promised something he knew would not hold.

".."

Yarne curled up, the book long forgotten. He cried himself to sleep that night.

[taguelbunnyboy]

Ok, not so bad so far... oh, up, he's going up, he's going up, he's airborne.

Yarne was... well, for all his timidity, on the larger side of his comrades. He could jump pretty high when shifted, sure, but... verticality on two legs was new. But... hey, Yarne didn't mind.

Especially at the words - Yarne practically melted, but, no, he stood strong. He couldn't lose himself in the... soft feeling in his chest at the praise.

"Uhm... sure? I can stay in my two-legged form if you need..."

Yarne was a rescuer when all fours - race to the frontline, pick up the injured, get them back to safety before the Risen swarmed in. He was built for speed, he needed to be fast enough to save them. And, as much as winning would be nice... c'mon, after that, you're gonna be rude?

"Oh, and... uhm, if I go too fast, or too slow, whatever, tell me - I don't wanna leave you in the dust, or myself in the dust... I should've worded that better, anyways...!"

Yarne smiles as his hair is ruffled, before walking over to the field, paws hitting the familiar-feeling texture of soil with a small smirk.

"Let's do this! Hope I'm not too much, or I'm not too little energy..."

Naga, Yarne was feeling better, but still.

Father is... a rough word for the taguel. He left. Promised him he would come back. Yarne was waiting until he went back in time. Even there... it's too unclear who it is. And if he remembered... gods, he didn't think he wanted to. He left him to suffer. He left Panne a widow. Yarne blocked it all out.

And yet...

Watching on the beach, the blonde older man surrounded by younger students, and that sign...

Yarne felt lonely, all of a sudden. He didn't... really have any good way to breach the topic - but, he would have to try.

"Uhm... sir?"

Yarne looks down. Damnit, this would never work. He was too old compared to the other students, everyone else seemed younger, he was coming up on 19, he couldn't afford to look weak in a place like this, the other students would mock him to extinction! No. Focus.

"I... uhm, saw the sign. And... I don't really... remember what a father is supposed to do for a kid? I... sorry, I should explain this better..."

Yarne inwardly curses himself. You're better than this. More postured than this. Why do you fall apart at this topic?

"Anyways... I know I'm probably outside of the intended age of students by a year or two... but... if it isn't too much, could you... I don't know, do whatever fathers do?"

This was either going to help unlock memories he had long shut away, or laugh the taguel out of Garreg Mach forever...

By now he was well aware that there were all sorts of people in Garreg Mach and the Abyss, some of which with unique and amazing abilities that allowed them to transform into all sorts of different creatures, but each time Lambert met a new one he couldn’t help but smile in surprise- which slowly shifted into a smile of sympathy as he patiently listened to the student’s words, taking in every stammer and pause.

An orphan, it seemed. Or at least, someone who sadly was deprived of their parent at a young age for whatever reason. Lambert wouldn’t ask, he wasn’t here for that.

“First of all…there is no such thing as an appropriate age for this. You are doing just fine, fear not.” Though he hesitated a bit at first, not wanting to startle or scare away the student, Lambert eventually placed a hand on his shoulder. “Second of all…”

He paused, humming. “...actually, it is best if I show you, rather than tell you.” Lambert smiled, then proceeded to give Yarne a bear hug, getting him off the ground by a couple centimeters. “ ‘Atta boy, you did great in your approach! I know there is some extra confidence somewhere in there, but do not feel forced to go for it. Take things at your pace and do your best, that is more than enough in my eyes. And if anyone teases you about it, I will take care of them myself, and remain by your side for as long as you need me to.”

He added with a light laugh, before placing Yarne back on the ground and ruffling his fluffy hair. Of course, all with fond gentleness.

“Say, wanna play catch or run around in the field? I cannot transform into a large rabbit, but I trust those legs of mine can do the job!”

[taguelbunnyboy]

a kiss on the forehead as the other sleeps

It's unclear whether Forde himself is awake, and if so whether he'll remember doing this. Regardless, he wraps his arms around the taguel and gently kisses his forehead.

"Iloguraz-" He mumbles. Insightful

Nightfall. Curled up tight, bestial form long taken, the floor hard wood, yet the blanket atop the curled rabbit provides enough comfort.

...

But any comfort would be given for the company of this friend.

Sleep comes hard, but Yarne's used to that - he can barely sleep in his own dorm, anyhow.

When sleep does come, Yarne softly breathes in, out, in, out. He was glad that he had a friend nearby.

"Mmhpmh?"

Yarne's eyes shoot open, a brief moment, as he feels a feeling atop him, but... sleep comes back. It's fine. Nothing's wrong - nothing could be wrong when he's safe with a friend.

"...Night, Forde..."

Sighing, Yarne's breathing continues in subconscious rhythms.

Extinction felt further away than it had been in almost 2 decades now.

[taguelbunnyboy]

Time was… weird. All the fear and death around Yarne the past month turned out little more than an illusion. Which would’ve been fine… if it didn’t turn out the past year had been skipped. Which… horrified the taguel. On the one hand, he had successfully survived a year he didn’t even know happened, but on the other…

As Yarne walked into the monastery letter areas, he gulped. A lot of people had excess mail, obviously, but… his was filled to the brim with letters. And that scratchy signature couldn’t be mistaken for anyone else’s but the only other taguel left…

“To my hare-brained son,

Why haven’t you been responding? I explicitly told you to write back while you were out in the new continent. Your lack of a response puts our race to shame. I expect a response, and soon.

-With agitated love, Panne.”

Yarne bolted to the nearest sheet of paper. Ylissean was easy enough to write, so he could at least get out a… moderately easy note back.

“To a clearly very angry mother,

I am sososorry for a lack of a response. All sorts of magic have been in effect, it seems. I would explain more, but that’s never been my field of expertise. I will be writing much more, now. Don’t worry.

-Very belated love, Yarne.”

That… was easy enough. Yarne reached into his satchel for a few gold coins, and handed the letter and the required money to the person he was supposed to (Yarne prayed it was the right person), and went to his room. That was a panic the taguel did not need…

[taguelbunnyboy]

[ 𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑 ] ― sender strokes receiver’s hair fur

Mrrrp?

Yarne woke with a start - it had been a stormy, stormy night, and Yarne was not good with those.

Still, the sensation of a hand running through his fur shoots his eyes open with a crash of thunder as loud the one outside their window.

"Gah!"

His eyes readily rake over everything - the hazy flames and the sheer lightning painting a contrasting lighting - before, finally, settling on Forde, looking onto him, and Yarne just… breathes in, and attempts to calm down.

"Sorry… storms scare me."

He shakes his head, curling back up. He was sleepy, scared, but beyond all that?

He was content And more than content to let Forde's hand guide him back to slumber.

Naga, Yarne was lucky to have a friend like him…

[taguelbunnyboy]

"I'm... glad you're here, Lucina. We'll find our place."

Yarne shook his head, ears primed up and alert. He was home, or the closest thing to it now. He had his Shepherds. Wherever they were was home. He wished some of the others were here as well, though... Morgan, Gerome, Laurent, Kjelle... so many he hadn't heard from in a long time.

"We've been through the same baggage, Lucina. I... I don't think you could weigh me any further than that timeline already did to me."

He adjusted his uniform - the black cloth still felt off on his fur. He wished he could just wear his armor, but something about 'public decency' disallowed it...

"Still... I have so much to tell you about! I've... actually been able to attend classes... I've learned some weaponry... I'm actually able to help... unlike what I was like back in Ylisse..."

He shakes his head, running a paw over the red streaks of metal that were his Killer Knuckles - practice made perfect with them. He could fight. He could actually protect the people he cared about now, instead of leaving them to extinction.

Understanding weighs heavy in her heart. They are products of the same tragedy, after all. They knew grief before they had gotten a chance to know themselves. Lucina offers a weak nod.

"It's hard, I know." More than anything. It had driven her near mad back there, in the Ylisse that she saved but could never claim. It is how she ended up here in the first place. "All of these years that we fought so hard to get to live, and yet now that we have them..."

Around them, Spring has given way to Summer. The world is alight with life, there is a promise of tomorrow.

Lucina shakes her head. "Forgive me. I needn't give you my baggage when yours is heavy enough." Her smile has changed, shifted into something leaden with emotions she has yet to find words for. "We will find a place for ourselves yet, friend. I am sure of it."

[taguelbunnyboy]

[ 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 ] : sender has gotten injured protecting the receiver.

Yarne knew the academy was full of untold dangers - it was part of why he had the survival club made in the first place! So much risk, so much danger, it was a wonder he even came out of class at times.

Maybe because a certain blond helped him feel safe enough to, now that Yarne thought about it.

Weapon classes were still scary, but Yarne put his all into each one: he had friends to learn to protect, after all. He struggled with lances, though - they weren't being used like how he was used to, not being used with heavy armor or from pegasusback, no, grounded, fast, intimidating. Damn it, Yarne hated it. But he tried.

…

Didn't stop the taguel from zoning out mid javelin practice. The only reason he wasn't hit was… someone had jumped in, taken the blow… no. Forde didn't deserve this, nononono…. nonononononono….!

"Medic! Medic!"

Yarne shifted, taguel streaking through the monastery halls, injured friend on his back. Flashbacks glared behind his eyes, friends he failed to protect, friends who died on his back because he wasn't there fast enough - this would not be one of those times. No more mass graves. NO MORE.

The taguel burst through the door to the clinic, laying Forde in the cot. He didn't know the procedure the doctors used - he didn't care. He wasn't losing his friend.

As the doctors did… whatever they did, Yarne curled up against the foot of the bed, a furball the size of a horse, merely… listening. The faint breaths of his friend, the hushed voice of the doctors. He would be ok. Yarne breathed out a quiet huff, shifting back to humanoid form, and, promptly, passing out himself. He did what he needed to.

[taguelbunnyboy]

"Happy birthday Yarne!" Forde approaches the bunny between classes. "Congrats on making it through another year." He smiles, and hands Yarne a piece of paper. "I was looking through some old sketches the other day and found this. It's is the one I was drawing the night we first met." A nighttime view of the fishing pond, and a figure by the waterside. "That handsome fella is you."

Yarne was used to his birthday being just another day - if you're likely to die from making loud noises, a party, gifts, everything of that nature, was just a beacon for a Risen strike that takes out an entire group of friends - Yarne had seen that firsthand. There was a reason he hadn't found most of his allies celebrating their birthdays. So... this? This... meant a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

"Oh, so it... so it is!" Yarne looks at the drawing - Forde had a nice artstyle - Yarne wasn't used to seeing many drawings, not exactly something people had time for, but... Yarne could get used to it. He looks away at that last comment, cheeks a little redder than usual - handsome? Really? He was... able to survive. But he had found that meant little in terms of handsome to his eyes, and... well, there wasn't any taguel anymore who'd be able to distinguish his desirability in taguel terms but his mother, and... well, that felt weird.

"And... I don't know exactly if 'handsome' is the word? I mean, I've had no luck in terms of getting anything to continuing the taguel... I think that's part of why Mom sent me here..."

Yarne blinks, before he realizes he's blushing, looking even further away, but still partially wanting to keep eye contact - maybe it's selfish to try and feel close to a friend, but, well, Forde was a friend. In a place that, while more homely by the day, still felt foreign, meant a lot.

"But... thanks? I.. sorry, words are kind of mixing up for me right now..."

He bites the inside of his cheek, shaming himself for not giving a better thank you. Someone you care about gives you something? Return it better!

"No, wait, seriously; means a lot. Thanks."

That was... better. Oh Naga, Yarne's just embarrassing himself more and more.

[taguelbunnyboy]

His focus was on the fight, he was trying his best to stay focused.

But the feeling of a soft, cooling touch on his fur told him he did it.

He bought enough time.

"We don't have the time to waste here!"

He'd... probably feel bad about this later, but go time.

Darting his head through Mikoto's dress, Yarne pulls her onto his back, charging through the flames, red eyes glancing behind at every crevasse, every large rock, waiting for more cultists to pounce.

Thankfully, with the exception of the fire spells he dodges, most of the attackers seem to fail to keep up.

...

...He recognizes that dripping onto his back leg, falling from on high.

"Crud."

Yarne rapidly untransforms, pulling Mikoto into a jagged nook, taking account of it all. A gash. A bad one, too. Easily could be infected.

"You're hurt. Badly."

...He wished Brady was here. He would be able to fix this up in an instant. Or Lissa. Or Maribelle. Or any of the other healers.

"Let me..."

The uniform never really fit him, anyhow, so he didn't mind what he did next.

Ripping off his uniform jacket's sleeve, he tries to wrap it tight around her leg, grimacing at the sight.

"...This'll last until we get back to normal land. I hope. Now let's keep going - I think I hear more of those... people..."

A Goddess's Wrath

showcase | faith +1

[taguelbunnyboy]

"I'm pretty sure... mom put a ton into the tuition!"

Yarne sighs, his voice warbled in this transformed state. Sitting down on all four paws does make the table struggle slightly under the weight, but... hey, it's holding, and it's fine if they stare - Mother told him that no one here would've ever seen a taguel, so it's understandable.

"As for being an herbivor... I mean, I can eat most of what most manspawns can. Not the biggest fan of meats, and I can not handle chocolate, but... apart from this, the ears and tail untransformed, and the beaststone, I'm just like another of you!"

He shakes his head, nose quivering slightly, all the smells a slightly overwhelming feeling, but he could overpower it.

"And yes, I am a little afraid of my shadow... b-but I'm working on that! That's why I'm here. To get over fears of extinction, and power through to get to full maturity."

Even though that wasn't far. Yarne still wanted to be sure he was safe, though.

"Because there's gonna need to be more taguels someday, and I'd rather live long enough to manage that! I mean, I've lived through a lot already..."

Yarne's eyes go down, focusing back on his meal.

"I think I belong here about as much as any other student here? Unless I'm missing a breach of something in a contract or other..."

don't starve (together)

[taguelbunnyboy]

Loud. It’s so loud. He shouldn’t be in here, there’s a clear battle brewing, and he has no need to take part in it.

That’s what the rational part of his mind thinks.

But Yarne isn’t a rational person. Not fully.

“HA!”

Beaststone presses against his palm in less than an instant, and the patter of feet becomes the patter of paws, barreling down the pathway, down, down, down.

Stairs fall away beneath his paws as he reaches the ground, red eyes glaring as he looks from manspawn to manspawn, face to face.

One carries a shattered bottle - could prove a deadly risk, needs to go down fast.

Others with brass knuckles - those would bruise, but unless he takes it hard, those won’t do much.

Go for the primary threat, taguel. Your species depends on it.

“You never should’ve come here!”

A transformed kick, and the bottle-wielding danger crashes into the wine rack - and the sound of the other bottles tells Yarne he’ll be taking a while to get up again.

“Everyone - get out safely!”

Of course, the warbled voice carries across, and those few left not in combat begin to flee.

Good - they’ll be safe.

like some demon woken // yarne + chad

[taguelbunnyboy]

"Stay safe!"

Yarne isn't… honestly sure what to talk about with Forde. He takes a moment to think on topics.

Forde's art pieces? Maybe. But he doesn't want to place him on too high a pedestal.

Classes? Not much to talk about there, though.

Girls?

…Yarne didn't have anyone, and… well, it'd feel weird to press Forde on it.

"Oh, you were fast! Hang on, there's enough blanket for us both."

Yarne spreads the blanket out to cover the both of them. Hmm… still too bright. It was still mid-afternoon, and the sun was blaring through the window.

"…Let me handle the light - it... might be a bit tight in here, but…"

It was a little trick Yarne had learned - provide the safety of night in midday, to protect sleeping allies after a nighttime Risen attack.

Yarne presses down onto his Beaststone, taking his quadrupedal form, but… doesn't release it. The stone holds - a small cocoon of stone. He had done this countless times for his allies - it mentally cemented Forde as one of them, now.

"Here. Rest up if you need to."

He… hadn't spoken transformed around Forde yet, had he? Oh Naga…

His warbled voice hums low as he curls around the exhausted Forde, keeping him safe in layer upon layer of comfort.

"We're going to be in this room for quite a few nights… we can talk then."

Be Our Guest

[taguelbunnyboy]

"I-I can try! It's a little harder to transform under stress, but..."

Put a dagger to his neck, Yarne had no idea if it did or not, but, hey, putting a dagger to his neck was a good way to find out!!! (Or make him go extinct.)

Yarne tries to breathe in. Calm down. In. Out. In. Out. It's... kinda working? It's enough, and that's all that matters.

Yarne clicks down on the center of his beaststone.

The stone instantly piles around Yarne, a cocoon of mineral, as he takes the form he feels strong in. The form that can save his friends. The form which means he might not die here.

"Hah!"

The stone shatters outwards, Yarne praying internally that no shards hit his savior, but praying they put in just enough force to make this next part easier, and...

"Not going extinct today!"

Yarne shouts, his voice warbled in his beastly form, as he leaps forwards, moving to bring his back legs forward, and...

*BAM*

The bars in front of Yarne break from the ceiling and floor... and embed themselves into the opposite wall. Goodness, that went fast and... OH.

"OH NAGA, are you ok!?"

Yarne immediately shifts back, which, of course, proves to be a mistake, his eyes are stronger, but he needs to be able to move the rubble.

"Please don't say I killed my only savior this way..."

Of course, with all the dust everywhere... Yarne can't see much anything. Please, please please...

...Wait. He was... around the door bars. Not the ones on the other side...

"Oh, wait, sorry."

In the middle of being rescued, and he still manages to mess it up.

What if You Were a Very Big Rodent? And You Got Kidnapped by Very Small Rodents?

Showcase | Sword +1

[taguelbunnyboy]

Why did he choose this why did he choose this why why why whywhywhy-

"I… I know that."

Yarne knew he was somewhat cowardly, even now. Even after facing down the apocalypse. Twice.

He, thankfully, still knew extinction could be a risk, but he hated being alone whenever his friends or allies did things.

He wanted to be like his classmates.

And they did this. So he could do this. It was another step to avoid being left alone and doomed.

But that did not mean he was ready.

What looked like a simple step forward in bravery turned out to be a leap of faith, the fitted cloth used for the jump seemed downright tiny on his frame.

But he could do this. It wouldn't even be the third hardest thing he'd faced down.

Just… give him a moment.

He won't spiral more.

"I… I can do this. This won't make me go extinct. I faced down the fell dragon and those… those horsemen before. I can do this."

The fall seems taller and taller with each look down, the rocks below looked like jagged fangs, like the maw of hell itself.

Flying Rabbit

Flying +1 || skydiving @taguelbunnyboy

[taguelbunnyboy]

"I was trying to make... some kind of platforms for myself."

Yarne accepts the hand, pulling himself up until he stands at his full height of 6'something, he doesn't exactly know how manspawn measure them. He gestures down to the small bits of shed fur, tied together into a small rope. They fit neatly into the grooves of the wood, and over his boots, maybe a little too snug, but otherwise fine.

"I've found that whenever I'm attacked, I'm usually the firs to find out, because I can see them coming. So, I figured, why not take that further? To optimally protect myself and others from any attackers..."

Yarne closes his eyes, breathing in.

"That... sounds really stupid now that I say it out loud, doesn't it."

He shakes his head, untying his feet from the wood.

"I still see promise in the idea... but I can't exactly think of how to fix it. Maybe more uniform shape? These logs are much too unsteady with their slight tilts..."

standing on the shoulders of a giant (block of wood)

[taguelbunnyboy]

"Can't... slow down... can't go extinct now... not after all of this..."

Yarne shakily breathed as he trekked on, blood staining his tattered uniform.

"I... lost you... can't... lose you again..."

He stumbled, looking into Naesala's eyes. He wanted to stop. Naesala knew better than he did on safety. But... they were so close to the academy. No way in hells he's stopping when he's almost extinct, and survival is so close.

"I... lost you... lost Panne... failed to protect the Exalt..."

Breaths keep coming in faster and faster. His mind was foggy, his balance poor. He leaned even harder onto Naesala. He was hurt too... everyone was.

"I... failed to keep my promises..."

He... he really was no better than his father, whoever he was, wasn't he? And that brought back as many painful memories as the hell he had just been through.

𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘪'𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

[POST AO] - reunion with Yarne