Chocolate paws padded over the cooling earth, eyes alert to the world around her. The weather was starting to grow colder with every passing day, though this year a different kind of smile played across Taika’s face. Last year the bitter cold had not only taken rule of the world but had also sunk deep into the young woman’s coat. It had gripped all of her in a cold and she had struggled to shake it. Still, in the winter her love for life had shined through and broken through the snow. This year had pulled others together. The cold would not sink into her skin this year. There was a fire and warmth within her ignited by others around her. Gypsies had gathered, banding together to fight the cold of loneliness and to curl together to bring each other physical warmth as well. Creatures of will, the wandering souls had started to find solace and companionship in one another. She had left the warmth of the bodies that had come to surround her in a search to find any others who may be cold in the coming season. Cold but with no desire to find a solid home.

Tongue rolled from the side of her mouth as she trotted along paths. She alternated between walking, trotting, and a lazy skipping lope. Her path followed no logical path, the gypsy following the whispers of the breeze, the scents of fantastical fairies, the twists of fate. Any time a snap of a twig or a shift in the wind would take her in a different direction. She let the joy of living fill her body while she played with everything and nothing as she ran. It was a comfort to remind herself that laughter could be found in nothing.

A splash drew her attention and the chocolate and rust colored girl raced in the direction of the swamps. She watched the wolf leap into the water, as if she was washing something off herself. It seemed like a brilliant idea and Taika launched herself into the water with a bark of joy. It was icy cold, but she was confident that the chill would not linger on her. She jumped in the shallows, leaping to and fro from the strange wolf that had jumped first. She looked at her with her chocolate eyes, the golden cracks gleaming with laughter, she invited the other woman to play.