Part 314: Vaike B

Hey, Panne.

What now? Are you here to give me more unwanted battle orders? Don't worry man-spawn. I'm staying as close to you as a mother to its kit.

Yeah, I know. And I appreciate it. Buuut... Maybe it'd be better if ya moved a little closer to the front lines. Fightin' at the rear ain't your style.

First you order me to stay behind, and now you order me to advance? It's obvious your real desire is: you want us fighting shoulder to shoulder. I refuse. I don't trust you man-spawn one bit. This taguel fights alone.

All right, I admit it. Ya got me. But I think we make a good team, and I wanted to keep ya close.

You humans are beyond trust.

Look. I ain't the smartest guy in the room, and I don't know much about taguel folk. But I know about YOU. You're brave and straightforward and honest, and I like that. I reckon ya got more honor than most humans I've known put together. But in the slum where I grew up, trust earned ya a blade in the back. So you're smart not to trust our lot. ...Leastwise that's how I see it.

Then why would I trust YOU?

'Cause there's a difference between trustin' a human and trustin' a friend. We Shepherds all look after each other. ...Or ain't ya noticed?

I had sensed a... fellowship. Almost like a pack.

Anyway, just think it over, Panne. I've done enough preachin' for one day. (leaves)

Such a strange man...