"Speech"

Todd hadn’t run like this for many, many cycles. Soon he was panting, his chest aching, and tongue lolling out, but still he let out yelps of laughter and pushed himself on! He wanted to win! Soon though, just halfway around the Spire, Todd slowed to a limping trot, his wounded paw stinging, and tongue hanging out.

Still he kept going, hind legs hopping and springing as though he was still in full flight- but he had slowed almost to a crawl, plodding along the track by the spire. He was determined to finish, and still seemed somehow convinced that he might be able to win.

@kallista

"Speech." It was so nice, running like this. It had been far too long since the last time she had done this. She was enjoying it immensely, but it wasn't long until she realized Todd was lagging behind. She looked at him, and realized he was limping and his hind legs didn't seem to be working quite right.

Kallista smiled slightly and went over toward him. Even if he was going along so slowly...she'd let him win. She nudged him slightly, starting to purr before she'd even become aware of it. She was just so glad she'd finally found Todd, and here they were, racing around the Spire! So much had changed in just a moment. She never wanted to leave Todd again.

@Todd

"Speech"

Todd didn't seem to realize that Kallista was letting him win; it was with renewed vigour that the fox struggled to pick up the pace and, still panting, trotted over the finish line. Soon, he was flopping down onto his belly, licking at his wounded paw, chest heaving. He didn't remember when he'd last been this tired, if ever. He looked up as Kallista came over and gave him a nudge, a foxy grin growing over his pointed muzzle, as he offered her a slobbery lick.

"I did it! I won!" he yelped gleefully.

It was so good to be back; it had been so long since Todd had seen her, or really, seen anyone. And this was a welcome change. After a pause, he closed his eyes, and lay in relative silence for a few pleasant moments. After that, he opened one eye, and watched her for a moment. Just seeing her was enough to broaden his grin, as though she might disappear in a single blink. "I've missed you," he said finally, voice quiet. "We should stay together from now on."

@Kallista

"Speech." Kallista couldn't stop the look of pure joy and admiration as she sat down next to him after he had "won" the race. His slobbery look didn't even get rid of it, and she just laughed joyfully. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so happy. It had been a very, very long time.

"Yup! You sure did," she purred, licking his ear. She lay down next to him, leaning slightly against him. It felt so good to see him, to feel him beside her. When he spoke again, she blinked, before nuzzling his head. "I missed you too," she murmured, smiling. "And I agree. I'm never letting you out of my sight again!"

@Todd

"Speech"

Todd grinned, his black ear twitching as Kallista licked it. He opened his mouth, pink tongue lolling out in a foxy grin that soon turned into a wide yawn. "We should race again soon," he said, stretching his forepaws out ahead of him and then folding them in front of him. He swiped his tongue over his forepaws, which- whilst they weren't exactly a bloodbath- still ached.

He closed his brown eyes in sheer contentment as she nuzzled his head, and pushed his head up into her chin, nuzzling into her neck. It was good to hear someone's voice again, especially after being away for so long. He'd travelled so far, and he was weary. It felt like he'd finally come home for the first time in so many years. His ears twitched back. He rested his chin on his paws. "Good, 'cause I'm never leaving it."

The fox yawned once again- the happiness, and the race, had left him exhausted. He shifted, pressing himself close to Kallista's side and folding his hind legs awkwardly against his belly. He fell silent, content to simply bask in the friendly company, and let himself drift off to sleep.

-exit todd-

@Kallista

"Speech." Kallista chuckled. "Of course. We can race whenever you want to." She began to purr even louder as he nuzzled into her neck. She began to lick the top of his head as he spoke.

She'd been without him for so long. And she was glad he wanted to stick with her. She wasn't sure she could handle being apart from him again. She watched him for a bit as he fell asleep. She leaned up against him and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep with him. And for the first time in cycles, she found herself smiling as she did so.