Is this fun? Is this what it means to play? Perhaps I have been missing out in life by leaving such frivolous things to those such as Nari and even my own mother. There is adrenaline without the heat, anticipation without an anxious beating heart - I cannot help but allow a lip to pull back from time to time as Thor and I duck away from one another, teeth gnashing. He is quick, a fast learner too, but there is inexperience nonetheless, an inexperience I find joy in as it begins to grow before me. With each new way he moves, he proves himself suitable. Perhaps there is more than just fighting and protecting in his future with both a mind and body willing to do more.
So I am not so surprised when we begin our flight of speed - he keeps up, each move of my own mirrored. I feel my chest heaving as my legs pump beneath me, my breath a ragged thing as I feel the cool air in my lungs. It has been...some time since I have been able to revel in these feelings without the heat of pain or the burn of anger. Instead, I am able to truly feel the sand and dirt beneath my paws and hear the sounds of Thor nearby.
I am reckless where he is careful; he darts around the bushes and yet I throw myself by them, twigs and thorns making their home in my fur as we pummel towards the ocean. I will admit that it is the sound of waves crashing that distracts me; in a moment, I feel Thor nudge into me, his suddeness enough to make me swing back to face him. In such a position, I am forced to slow down and so, he charges ahead suddenly with his defense up. For a moment, I lurch after him with a gentle snap of my teeth but then, I allow myself to fall into a brisk trot as we begin towards the dunes. He races ahead and I bark for him then, my head swinging low momentarily in a bow of respect before I flash him a snaggled grin.