If Tithe could have walked backwards all the way from Taviora to Spirane, he would have. It would have saved him from having to spin around every fourth step in an effort to keep himself balanced and moving forward while Masque chased and tugged at his tail. Taika had purposefully mentioned Dragonfly was going to do something special with the appendage and Masque seemed to have run with the idea. She tugged constantly at Tithe’s, convinced she was going to make it grow longer! While Tithe was starting to be convinced she was going to pull it out. In her heart of hearts, the pup knew she was not going to get the male’s tail to grow. However, she now used it as a method of trying to prove to him he was moving far too slowly, and he needed to pick up the pace to get to the play on time!

Come on! We’re going to be late! Her exclamation was muffled by his bushy brush. When at last she had let go of his tail for a second, he swept it up and carried it high over his body, watching her as she tried to jump to reclaim it.

He watched the pup with amusement. Soon her attention was grabbed by this or that around them and she would go tearing away only to return to his side moments later. Breathing deep as soon as they entered the mountain range, Tithe paused for a second before he ran after her. For the first time since he left Spirane he let himself enjoy the feeling of racing over the paths. Grinning to himself he gently guided the daughter of gypsies to the more interesting, but safe paths. These trails he knew, these trails he loved, and for this moment he refused to remember what had happened in this land. Masque’s happiness was far too infectious. Still, he led her away from the dens of pack members and avoided anywhere that could get them in trouble. At last, he brought her to the play and seated her in the audience. Lowering himself to the ground, he hoped running her around had been enough to tire her and have her sit quietly during the performance. Only time would tell, though he was concerned by how raptly she eyed the tails of the other spectators.