She danced, she spun, she enticed! Masque did not even know she had captured such a hold on the other masked pup before her. All she knew was as they moved forward in their movements the world around them seemed to sink away into the stone at their paws. Their eyes, their attention, anything that would have judged or harmed them vanished in their met gaze. He was a stranger, but Masque had never met a stranger who was not a friend, and he was a friend who was an instant… something. She could not think of what had happened, and she did not care. Her joy at him stepping forward to join her was overwhelming even to her ability to hold and feel excitement and joy. Grinning and spinning to herself and to the world, she continued to revel in these feelings. If disaster was to strike, she would at least have this moment of naivety.

Masque was a stranger to the concept of dominance and submission. It never would have occurred to her that a would could seize an opportunity to harm her when she rolled onto her back. It was simply a continued invitation to play, and in some cases to snuggle. She revealed her stomach like she revealed her soul, little did she consider she was revealing both to the male who had pranced forward to dance with her. He jumped above her, protectively but also friendly. He smiled down to her and she wiggled happily beneath him. Lightly she pawed at his chest and his face, enjoying the sudden and random closeness. She giggled and licked at his chin from her place below him, occasionally nipping lightly. Lost in her happiness, she wiggled out from under him and rolled back to her feet. Habitually her body morphed into her usual stance in a play bow, her wildly wagging tail making it impossible for her to hold still. A soft call whispered through the air of the mountains, ringing off the stone faces. At first Masque was determined to ignore it. She was having far too much fun! And she had met this interesting and dashing dancer! But the call sounded again and she knew her mother was looking for her in the freelands and outskirts. Her ears fell back and she sighed sadly.

It was a pleasure! I hope to see you again! With a twisting and flurry of a bow she spun to scamper away. Just at the last moment she turned back and yipped. By the way! My name is Masque! Lovely seeing you all! A flick of her tail and she scampered away, hoping to get back to her mother’s side before she received yet another talking to.