Her nose was buried deep in the healthy pup body of her daughter. Every day she was thankful Masque and Soma survived, she had survived, she had eventually regained her strength from the ordeal. Liquid Amber’s question had Taika closing her eyes against the memory and breathing in the scent of mud and life. Desperately she tried to cling to the feeling and the good it brought her. The pups had barely had time to draw their first breaths before the pair of jaws tried to rip them from her. I did not have time to name them before he was trying to take them. Her voice was short and harsh. The playfulness that was so trademark to the young mother had left her face. It had been replaced by a harsh edge and a pain that traced the shining cracks in her slow opening eyes. All in the same breath she had experienced the joy of bringing new souls to life and watching them be torn from her side. The heart wrenching terror forever lingered on the outskirts of her mind. Even now, with her child safely at her paws she feared the safety of her other daughter, who she knew was under the intensely watchful eyes of Los. Taika’s heart skipped. Suddenly she felt the need to return to her den, nuzzle her daughter, assure herself they were all still there.

Masque’s chest puffed out proudly. She was the mighty victor! The champion to the fairies and spirits! Princess or not, she was their hero and she forever would be! Defender of the seen and unseen! After all, her mother assured her daily she was special, someone who walked among the stars and sang with the magic that few could even feel, let alone hear and see. Now this stranger confirmed the words (though she never doubted her mother). Her tail swayed through the air, encumbered by layers of heavy mud, but still determined to show how pleased she was with herself. Her grin was sweet, and gentle, but still bordering on the cusp of mischievous. It doesn’t stand a chance against me! She assured the world, placing a paw on the waterlogged wood.

Touching her daughter’s cheek gently, Taika breathed on her and got to her feet. The anxiety was starting to become unbearable, her family was too far divided for her to sit comfortably. Would you like to show Soma your prize, Masque? I am sure she would love to hear about your adventure. The girl seemed to burst with excitement at this idea! She ran a lap and a half around the adults before tumbling and grabbing the stick in her jaws. Unintelligable words babbled from her mouth, muffled by her prize. Taika smiled at her before looking back up at the white wanderer. Is there anything else you need from me? She waited patiently to see if the other woman had any other questions, statements, or requested for her. One thing was for certain, this reunion had prodded many disturbing and worrying thoughts to the forefront of Taika’s mind. Thoughts she dearly wished she could forget and bury in the pace Masque’s stick had cleared in the pond.