Sometime before the events of Awakening. Chrom

"How come Chrom keeps getting things and I don't!" My little sister whined, poking me in the ribs.

"He is an adult, Milady. The things he is gaining are not presents." Frederick huffed in response.

Adult. That concept still sounds weird when put in the same sentence as my name. I sighed, continuing my journey through the corridors.

Lissa wouldn't let up. "Still! First the barracks, now another dog! It's not fair!"

Ah, yes. The whirlwind of things life has been throwing me. I was still getting used to having the barracks to house the Shepherds and adjust to our new routine, so why not throw in me training another puppy in the mix? I didn't need sleep, no. Not sleeping builds character.

Barin trotted happily by my side, walking slightly ahead of me. He must know we were headed to the kennels. The type of dog I was looking for was another hunting breed, obviously. However, I would never get another dog the same breed as Barin. In the three years I've had him, he's grown up to be a well-trained and reliable dog, but training him was an absolute nightmare. Maybe I should settle on a spaniel this time around?

Another thing I was worried about was Barin getting along with his new companion. He gets along fine with other dogs, but he was very attached to me. If another dog was in the picture to take up my time and take some attention away from him, I had a feeling he wouldn't be too happy.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lissa: I'm not getting another dog for the sake of having a pet. I'm adopting another hunting dog." I rolled my eyes at my sister, shoving her away.

Lissa stuck out her lip. "Emm still won't let me get a pet! It's so not fair!" she complained. "And I heard that dogs and cats are very beneficial to your health! Maybe I can get one to train!"

"You need to finish your own training before you even consider training an animal, my lady," Frederick said.

"BUT I'M ALMOST DOOOOOONE!"

Barin winced as Lissa raised her voice. I patted his head, reassuring him. "Quiet down, Lissa. Dogs have sensitive ears."

"Right! Sorry!"

Is this even a good idea? I mean, I don't even do that much hunting. Barin and I do go out every once and a while, but not enough for there to be a reason for me to have two dogs. Still, Emm keeps insisting that I have pets to keep me company. Why do I get the feeling that it's not just for hunting?

...

During this trip to the kennels, the selection of puppies to choose from was much smaller, with there being only two twelve-week-old litters. One litter was a group of mixed breed pups, the other was of pure-bred spaniel pups. 

Just by looking at the mutts, I couldn't tell what their parentage was. It could have been a mix between a spaniel and a retriever. As adorable as they were, I already told myself that I wouldn't get another retriever. I guess I was stuck with the spaniels.

The particular breed was eye-catching, to begin with. All the pups were brown and white with curly ears. All of them ran around - more like rolling, playing with one another. However, I spotted one pup off to the side, away from its siblings.

I walked into the pen, bending down to pet the puppies that were jumping up on my legs to greet me. Once they were satisfied, they ran off to continue whatever game they were playing. I stalked over to the solitary pup, heart melting as it looked up at me.

It certainly wasn't sick or hurt, since it had no problems standing up and waddling over to me. She wagged her short little tail, placing her front paws on my knee. This puppy is too freaking cute. I pulled her into my lap, stroking her silky soft fur. "Hey there...you seem pretty calm. I like that."

"Milord, have you selected one?" Frederick asked from the other side of the pen. I looked over to see him, restraining Barin with a leash and keeping his eyes on Lissa so she wouldn't run off. I couldn't really tell who he was watching over more.

I looked back at the puppy, her curious brown eyes meeting mine. I don't think I could say no to getting this dog even if I wanted to. I stood, taking the pup with me and holding her secure in my arms. "I think so." I scratched one of her tiny ears, quietly whispering: "Hopefully Barin likes you..."

Exiting the pen, I focused back on Barin. His tail was wagging as he stared up at the little lump of fur in my arms. Is this a good sign?

"Oh, my gods. That's such a cute dog." Lissa squealed, reaching to pet the puppy. She seemed to have no qualms with my sister's attention.

"Yeah, and hopefully she gets along well with Barin," I sighed, lowering the pup to the ground. "Say hi to your new sister, Barin..."

I was about to have a gods' dammed heart attack. My friends sometimes teased for being a doting "dog dad" whatever that meant. I didn't think I was too doting with Barin. However, this little puppy has already stolen my heart and if they didn't get along, I would be crushed.

Barin's tail wagged even faster, pulling hard on the rope leash. The pup flattened her head as the larger dog sniffed her all over. Barin's breed was known to be large, but this small puppy compared to him must be terrifying. She was practically only the size of his head!

After some time, she sniffed him back, small tail wagging with him. Barin even went as far as to lower himself to the floor with his rear in the air: he wanted to play. I scooped her back up, beaming.

"I take it they like each other," Frederick said, trying his best to keep Barin on the leash.

"And thank the gods! This pup is just too cute to let go!" Lissa squealed.

I scratched the puppy on the head. "Good. Great. I'm so glad." She scrambled up to lick and nip my face. I scrunched my nose in response. Yep. There's the puppy.

Lissa poked her way through to pet her as well. "Well, what are you going to name her?" she asked.

I stared the puppy in her brown eyes. "...Aasira."

Frederick raised an eyebrow. "Aasira? That's quite the foreign name," he scoffed. "May I ask why you choose it?"

Aasira yawned - one of the cutest things I've ever seen in my life - and snuggled close to me. "Emm recommended it," I replied, silently telling Lissa to stand away to give the pup some breathing room. "She said something about it meaning 'warrior princess' or something."

"So you're naming your dogs after storybook heroes?" Lissa crossed her arms.

"What?"

"I'm still shocked you were too daft to know!" My little sister giggled. "I know Emm recommended Barin's name as well, and Barin is the name of the main character of one of Emm's favorite books! At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but with Aasira - who is the heroine of another story - I can clearly see a pattern."

Maybe I should have paid more attention when Emm read to me as a kid. Or maybe I should read more. Ugh, I don't have the time. "...Huh, I see..." I trailed off. "Well, they are good names."

"I think so as well, Milord," Frederick said, handing Barin off to me. "But these are your dogs and your responsibility. I trust you to handle things from here?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Yes, Frederick. I'll take care of him." He's such a parent sometimes.

Aasira made some noises, huffing as if to say she was fed up with our talking. I couldn't help but smile at her. She's already the sweetest thing ever... And she seems so calm, too! When I first got Barin, he didn't know what sleep meant! We're going to have some crazy adventures together, Aasira. I just know it. Barin is already so taken with you! He really loves his new sister! I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us!

*****
And that's how Chrom got his second doggo. For those of you who don't know, Barin is based on a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, and Aasira is based on an English springer spaniel. Both good doggos. XD Except, the only experience I've had with a springer spaniel is one my grandparents' neighbor has who chases me whenever I'm not my bike. Maybe not such a good doggo. BUT I'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH TOLLERS AND THEY ARE FANTASTIC. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Next Prompt: March 10th - "Birds"