My tail wagged high above me, gravity causing it to curl forward over my back as I slapped the ground with my paws. A smile pulled at the corners of my maw and my tongue slid out the front of my mouth as I panted with excitement. Ramiel flipped onto his belly and crawled towards me until suddenly he seemed to change his mind about something His posture rises to match my own and I snake my head forward and nip the empty air between us in a teasing fashion. When he launched at me, I could have easily just stood there and let him bounce off of me. But what fun would that be? Instead, I collapse to the side and lift my upper paw to bat at his shoulder as he poses in his act of triumph. His howls are met by laughing yips from me.

When he launched away from me, I rolled onto my belly once more and jumped to my paws, taking off in hot pursuit. Even though my long legs would allow me to overtake him – in, what, three strides? – I hang back and allow him a decent lead in our race to nowhere. After a minute or so of my pursuit that never gains on him, I spot a gathering of large rocks just ahead of our path. When we reach them, I leap up to the flattest of the rocks. Immediately I push off with my hind legs so that, once more, I am soaring over him to take the lead. Landing with ease, I take off in a sprint to put just a short amount of distance between us, and then carefully slow my gait so that Ramiel would be able to catch me again.

Throwing a look over my shoulder I grin at him. “Come and get me, oh great Ramiel!” I call, teasing him. I looked forward again and continued my steady, even pace that I knew Ramiel could overtake if he really put the speed on. This kid was pretty fast; maybe someday he would be my champion thief or hunter. Who knows?