Tithe

A weird feeling had started to grow in Tithe’s stomach. It was an odd negativity towards his best friend. When she jumped back into their conversation his eyes narrowed just so at her. It was the complete opposite from the companionable comfort he had felt around her moments ago. Dark eyes looked between Pandora and Taika, a slow realization starting to dawn on him. Body language and tone of voice said more than technical words. It continued to confuse him though. He took half a step towards Pandora, fate created need to be nearer to her drawing him slightly closer in his confusion, as if just being around her would answer his questions.

Taika’s eyes narrowed and she looked between the two she had interrupted. Normally incredibly friendly, Pandora’s initial stand-off-ish reaction put her on edge. She was protective of her friends, and this female did not actually state who she was. “A wolf of Spirane?” Taika’s nose flared, taking in the scent of Pandora, noting that the smells of the mountains were far more faint on the female’s coat whereas it was thick as his fur on Tithe’s. Everything she said made the gypsy look even more skeptical. “We do. But what dictates that Tithe is your’s to take care of?” Her voice was as pleasant as ever. She tried to shake the negative feeling she had towards Pandora. Huffing silently and in her mind to herself, made herself play nice, though she was skeptical of the mixed signals she was picking up. “I mean, he seems like he is the kind of guy who can take care of himself.” The chocolate girl padded forward and bumped her head against his strong chest.

Tithe chuckled sheepishly, though his ears twisted in confusion and emotional conflict. He was even further off balance by his inability to hide his weaknesses in front of these women as he normally would have been able to. “Taika, this is Pandora. She is the one I told you about. The one I…” He hesitated, his face going sheepish, gaze shifting away. Talking about his feelings to his best friend was one thing. Telling the woman who had seemed to consume him was very different.

“Ah.” Taika said, a grin spreading across her face and saving him from further explanation. “You are the one he can’t seem to get off his mind. Who has been running through his dreams and making his heart beat a little faster.” She smiled kindly. “I am Taika.”