Another chapter edited 🙌🏽 I love this passage with precious Bǐng so much :3
(Tagging @meatgrinderminefield)
“Awww!” Askaly clutched her hands to her chest. “Is that a… how do you humans call it… a panda bear?”
The bear turned to her, black snout twitching. “I am, indeed, a panda bear.”
Her jaw hit the floor. “It—he—the bear speaks!”
Johnny laughed without losing his balance. “And recites poetry as well if you ask him nicely. There’s the risk that he won’t stop, though.”
“A well-crafted poem nourishes the soul as much as bamboo nourishes the stomach.”
Unbothered by the rays of sun poking at her widened eyes, Askaly took careful steps towards the most fascinating being she had ever seen. “Sir Bear, would you… would you mind very much if I hugged you?”
The panda, wisdom shining in his black eyes, looked her up and down. “I do not know you, and I catch a scent of blood about you. Even then, you seem fluffy enough for a furless mortal. Very well, I accept your hug.”
Letting out a happy squeak, Askaly threw her arms around the animal. Warmth embraced her, blanketed her aching heart, and she melted against the fur with a long and calming sigh. “It’s sooooo soft…”
After a moment, the bear cleared his throat. “I believe that is enough.”
“Right, sorry.” Reluctantly, Askaly backed away, but not before patting the panda’s head. “Thank you, be… uh, what’s your name?”
As was customary around those parts, she bowed to the being before her. “My friend Bǐng, I am Askaly, and I’ll never forget you!”
Part of Eternal Flame, Book 1 in Chronicles of the Realms.