Swift’s reaction was interesting, they way her eyes widened with surprise at his comment abut being lazy. Ernesto was far from old, but perhaps he had begun to forget what it was like to be quite so young and filled with boundless energy and excitement.

She leapt forward with a start, and Ernesto let out a snort as he watched her bound ahead, then turn and make that teasing, playful motion towards him. His eyes narrowed slightly, already suspicious that she was about to make him chase her, but the playful grin still lingered at his lips as the sound her laughter reached his ears.

“Well,” he replied, tilting his head a moment as if considering her request before he began to follow alongside her again. “I suppose, since you asked so nicely.”

He increased his pace a little, silvered tail flicking absent-mindedly against his side, so that he could take the lead and guide her towards the Lagoon’s namesake. He was loathe to escort his new, entertaining companion to the edge of the territory so soon, so the lagoon itself was the only other area where the trees thinned out enough to provide wide open space.

The shore there was damp, but perfectly flat enough for running and free from trees at least. The water was shallow enough in most parts to charge through also, as he had done himself several times.

As they wandered through the foliage, he turned his attention to her next words.

“Well of course it was boring,” he joked, shooting her a glance. “You hadn’t met me yet.”

He flashed a grin, then turned just a fraction more serious as he continued. “I hope the last winter is forgotten, then, and the next all the more pleasant for you, my little velocista. Do you have plans for it?”

ernesto
heartbreak is savvy and love is a bitch