Jade: Why, Rielle-san, would you look at that? It’s a dog. ☺️
Also Jade: *is pointing to a cat*
Up where they walk, up where they run.
In the distance, the creature in question plods along the grassy lawn. A few paces in, and it stops to lazily stretch. Long limbs, tail curling, a satisfied mrrrrrrow drawn out.
"Eh, is that a... dog?" Rielle's brows furrow, doubt creeping into his voice. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am certain," Jade replies without missing a beat. Confidence exudes from every pore in his body. “I implore you to take a closer examination. Furry, four-legged, paws, a twitching nose... It is most assuredly a dog."
“That’s true, but… I thought the ear shape was a little different? More… floppy, less pointy. And did dogs have whiskers? Or make that kind of sound?”
“Are you familiar with different breeds? Dogs come in a variety of shapes, sized, colors, fur textures, and more. For example, a wolf is quite large, with broader skulls and longer muzzles, yet it is still considered a canine.”
Jade inclines his head, then gives a dramatic gasp, clapping both hands over his mouth. His teeth may not be in plain view, but they’re poised like knives about to carve up a fresh turkey. “Oh my, Rielle-san… Could it be that you believe all dogs look the same?”
Rielle startles. “Wh-What?”
“Shame on you. I expected better of a prince from the Coral Sea,” Jade chides him. “After all, you serve as an ambassador for the royal family and merfolk everywhere.”
Rielle’s visible panic sends a thrill through Jade. Grin growing, the eel continues.
“This close-mindedness reflects poorly on yourself as an individual and those groups. What would your father, the king, think? He entrusts his youngest to leave home and prove himself a diligent, independent man, only for that son to bring dishonor to—”
“W-Wait, that’s not…! I-I’m not like that, I swear!!” Rielle protests, his face striken with abject horror. “C-Come to think of it—aaaah, maybe I had something stuck in my eyes?!”
He makes a big show of vigorously rubbing at them, blinking several times. When Rielle directs his gaze at the stretching creature again, he cries out.
“Yup, I see it now with the gunk cleared out!! Furry, four-legged, paws, and a twitching nose. That’s definitely a DOG!! I’d know it anywhere.”
“… Is that so?” Jade says slowly, his brows upturned. He places a hand over his heart. “My, I’m so very glad that we could finally come to an understanding.
“Perhaps I had misjudged you, Rielle-san. If you were able to so rapidly recognize the error of your ways and correctly identify a dog, then surely you are fit to serve as an esteemed dignitary for the Coral Sea. At such a stunning young age as well!! Fufufu… I am proud to call myself your loyal subject.”
The shadow of a smiling moray falls over Rielle. An ominous invite, extended. Rielle’s sweat freezes into beads of ice.
“What say we enjoy a relaxing stroll around campus?” Jade croons, his voice dripping with poisoned honey. “I would love to show you some of my favorite spots where wild dogs of various breeds like to gather.”
“Y-Yeah, that sounds like a plan! Can’t wait to see all those dogs!”
