Taika’s tail pattered once against the ground at the mention of Dragonfly. She considered seeking out her friend in or out of the context of meeting in Spirane. The other wolf’s energy was one that would have delighted and fueled the spark that was born so bright in Masque’s heart. She was sure the two would delight in meeting each other, their spirits possibly once in the same. In an odd moment of deep thought, the mother got to her paws and nudged her joyously tumbling daughter into the proper direction of the packland. Thank you, Amber. It was nice to see you.

With Masque by her side, she trotted along the trails of the common lands, her mind trotting with her over the choices that were swiftly approaching. To stay within the safety of a packland, or to answer the calls of her paws and continue her adventure of the worlds or the unknown. The songs of the spirits still whispered through her heart, but she looked at her daughter’s scarred face and she was breathless for an entirely different reason.

Blunt claws made holes in the dusty ground when she stopped at bend in her trails. Masque, stick still firmly clamped in her jaws went racing ahead into a thicket of trees while she waited for her mother. Taika’s eyes glanced from the thicket, to an overgrown trail, to the dirt path that was under her feet. Her heart broke and she closed her eyes against the desires warring within her. Come on Masque, I am sure Soma is waiting. The pup leapt out of the thicket with what could have easily been a completely different stick, and cantered down the path that led back towards Taviora, tail high in victory. Smiling, and sending her misgivings away on the wind, Taika picked up her pace and followed her daughter back into the protective forests.