There was a painful twisting inside Taika, coupled with a loud buzzing in her mind. Every so often she tried to blink it back, shake it off, or her ears twisted to try to clear the sound. No matter her subtle antics, the feelings continued, doubling with every time Edrick looked over at Neverland. It was almost enough for the fae girl to whimper her frustration. For a moment she even had to fight the desire to bite at Neverland. Her dark eyes clouded over. Was this why Edrick had snarled at Tithe when they first met? Her mind worked furiously to process this, a concept she had never had to think about before. She looked again between her friends, still feeling a tug towards Edrick, the desire to curl up next to him, just once. To live out that dream that had followed her all winter and into the spring.

For the first time in her life she had to force a smile when she turned to Neverland. Of course you are, Neverland. Her voice not quite as full, but still trying to fuel her friend’s excitement. Taika was determined not to hurt either of them, or come between them if fate had so deemed it. The girl followed the fairies of fable, who was she to stand in the way of fate? The fairies have chosen you! Her smile finally became genuine. Princes, princesses, knights! She bounced away just a little. The creatures of world adore you! She knew she loved her friend, the fairies and spirits had to as well!

Edrick’s words made her chuckle, just as they made her insides twist even sharper. It warmed her to know he thought her beautiful though she still feared she could not compete. Suddenly a new urge bloomed in her. She needed her life-friend, one she knew she could turn to for answers. The soul pair jumped away from her to follow fairy-tales while Taika felt a little part of her’s crumble in her paws. She watched them for a moment, her ears still twitching to try to clear and organize her thoughts. Almost everything in her urged her to jump with them, laugh with them, follow them. Almost. Something in her screamed deafeningly. Her eyes turned to the just visible peaks of Spirane. This time a soft whine did whisper from her throat. A shiver shook her spine. She felt cold.

I… She shook her head, forcing herself to breath.This way! Digging her paws into the ground she launched herself passed them, flicking them with her tail. They are having a celebration in the forest! They need us to escort them from the lake and the fields. Loping in front of them she half hoped once they started searching these places she would be able to slip away. She knew she had a lot to think about. She knew she did not want to hurt them. Most of all, she did not know what she wanted.