Tithe

“This is not like you. I have never known you to give up hope, Taika. You have always loved everyone and everything that crossed your path with your whole heart. To watch your heart break over the happiness of someone who held something special for you…” He looked over at his lifelong friend. “It goes against everything that I thought you stood for.”

Under the intensity of his gaze, she suddenly felt ashamed. The moment she had met Edrick she had wanted the connection, to have him play with her throughout her life. When the winter had come and he had vanished all she had wanted was to feel his warmth against her in the dead of the cold. The smell of his breath excited her, filled her with the magic they had both dreamed of. If there was anything that was magical, it was the innocence of Neverland. Tithe had spoken of his soul deep connection to Pandora, his desire to take care of the beautiful red-hued wolf. He did not speak of blindness to others, nor of a greed that consumed him. She looked back at her faithful friend and her tail twitched just so, hope returning to her.

“I would not stop him from what he wants to do. That is not fair to him. Or to Neverland. I don’t even think it is fair to me.” A sigh came from her, posture drooping once more. “It just hurts.”

“Little pixie,” one large paw moved and affectionately sent the gypsy tumbling over, “if your prince was wants to give his love to you, chase fairies and dreams with you, bring new life into this magical world with you; he will. He will choose you. An honor over the stars aligning and choosing for him. If he does not, then one day I hope a male does.” He nuzzled her comfortingly, assuring her of his words. “Someday someone will fight for you because he wants to, not because he feels as though he needs to.”

For the first time in a while, Taika’s face was alight again. Her body wiggled as she jumped forward and tackled her friend, licking his face.

“Thank you, Tithe. You have always been there.” She buried her nose in his ruff a final time before jumping away from him. A final flicking wave of her banner and she padded away, head high once more.

Smiling after her, Tithe’s own tail was set to a slow, contented sway. He inhaled deep, pulling in the marvelous autumn air. The ground was solid under his paws and he went in search of his own soul keeper, Pandora forever on his mind.