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Suraksha leans wearily against Roy, drawing strength from his solid warmth. She tightens the blanket a bit about her mostly nude form with one hand, leaving her other arm wrapped about Roy's lovely-feeling waist. The small woman is cold, wet, and starving, so even though she's waiting for Malachai's reaction she's really hoping Alg, Fantine, and/or Buddy turn up soon with more clothes and food. She tilts her head back to whisper tiredly to Roy, "Sweetheart, I really need to sit down, please... before I run out of energy again?"

Rattler bends his knees and slips his arms under 'Chana's shoulders and knees, scooping her up, "They'll find us at the wagon. You know Buddy's gonna bring you some steak."

Suraksha gives a small, startled squeak at that! She laughs softly, relaxing as she realizes she's held safely and securely, then sighs and rests her head against Rattler's chest. "You're right. All right, let's all just move to the campfire so I can eat. After that we can talk as we walk back to town." Malachai is standing, his hands clenched into loose fists at his sides as the small woman's almond-eyed glance shifts to him. She murmurs, "You too, please, Malachai," then adds more firmly, "I expect you both to behave yourselves while around everyone else, please."

Roy nods, "Wouldn't start a fight in the middle of ever'body."

Malachai nods as well, adding, "Do you wish to palaver here? That way you don't have to come back to town if you don't wish." His voice is a little stiff as he says this, but it's obvious he's doing his best to be gracious.

Suraksha's eyes are slowly drooping towards closed as Roy heads towards the caravan circle, but at Malachai's comment she murmurs drowsily, "Gotta go t'town... clothes 'n stuff."

Rattler smiles down at her, eyes warm, "She's like this after shifting. She'll probably eat the better portion of a cow, too." They're met on the way back to the caravan by Fantine, who has indeed brought clothes for 'Chana. Suraksha tiredly apologizes for adding to Fantine's workload by bursting out of her clothing in her last shift -- or at least she does so until Fantine figures out what she's apologizing for, and firmly tells her lady to hush up and not be foolish. After that Fantine runs ahead to warn Buddy that Sura's coming to him.

When they reach the campfire the big minotaur is waiting for them, his bovine tail swishing slowly back and forth and one cloven hoof tapping slowly against the ground as he stands. Suraksha's eyes fly open at the delicious scent of the rare steaks he's holding for her, and she eagerly accepts the utensils he hands her even before Roy's finished sitting her down. Rattler really, really wants to hold 'Chana in his lap while she eats, but he's trying to be polite to Malachai; that would just be rubbing it in his face. Instead the roustabout/king sits by her, letting the old alpha sit on the other side.

After that Malachai witnesses Suraksha tidily devour three huge, rare steaks, one right after the other. This is clearly nothing new to the caravaneers; they grin in quiet affection at the small woman as they either go about their business or work on something by the fire as well. Suraksha sighs deeply once she's done, smiling up at Buddy and hugging him about his massive neck as he removes the plate and utensils. He blushes slightly as she thanks him very sincerely and gives him a light kiss on his furry bovine cheek, causing him to stride away a bit hastily -- which makes Fantine need to cover a giggle! At Roy's knowing grin she too blushes a bit, quickly settling next to the much-more-alert Suraksha to help her dress. The smaller woman whispers something to the nodding loogaroo, and a moment later Fantine is gently depositing the beautiful and carefully rolled-up wolf pelt into Suraksha's arms. She too gets a hug, and then Sura comes fluidly to her feet, smiling a bit tightly at both men. "Well. Shall we?"

In the meantime Rattler has gotten his own clothes back on, while Malachai's have dried somewhat by the fire. The town elder also comes to his feet, doing a remarkably good job of not wincing. Suraksha sighs softly, her golden-green gaze a bit sad as she regards both men -- then she squares her shoulders, tells those near them that they'll be back soon, and marches determinedly off towards the little town. Rattler walks beside 'Chana, but lets her decide if she's going to be touching him during this conversation. He's fairly certain he's going to feel the rough side of her tongue.

Suraksha does not speak aloud her true reason for wanting to talk as they walk -- but she is very glad Rattler is there with her. She's deeply unhappy with Malachai's behavior, and knows having Rattler there will make the town elder behave more formally. Only once they've passed the caravan's territorial boundary does the small woman murmur quietly to the two men flanking her, "So, I really must ask: Malachai, why on earth or below it would you decide to take a woman as your mate... without ever asking her if that was what she wanted too?"

Malachai is starting to see how truly different the caravan folk are from the townies, so he carefully considers this query. Eventually he says, "Because you are one of the most perfect creatures I have ever seen. And because it felt as if you belonged."

Suraksha gives Malachai a distinctly jaundiced glance, her small smile tight, "I see. So not only do you not trust me, but you do not believe my feelings need be considered?"

Malachai's face colors and his shoulders stiffen, "I don't know why you believe I don't trust you -- and when you're in wolf form you seem to understand how things work. You accepted tribute as alpha."

Suraksha stops and faces Malachai, one eyebrow raised, "Really? Then why wouldn't you shift shape and heal yourself while I was there, instead of making Suze unnecessarily waste her time and resources?" She draws a slow breath, then adds sharply, "And why not explain to me what that damn drink did before feeding it to me that first time? For that matter-" she pauses to take another breath and study the older man's chakras, then adds with slow deliberateness, "for that matter... did you intend to sneak me into wolf form again that second time?"

Malachai rests a hand on the sore place where the ribs are cracked, "Because I don't trust myself just now." He takes a deep breath and winces, "I haven't lost a fight in several decades. As for the rest, it didn't occur to me to explain it." He's telling the truth; clearly they have lived alone here in a little box for far too long. "I didn't intend to trick you into anything, but you seemed a little conflicted. I hoped that the drink would help you think more clearly, and we wanted to gift it to you." Again it's the truth, though he's obviously not telling the entire truth.

Suraksha doesn't keep walking; she just stands there in patient calm, the wolf pelt held in her arms and the sunlight shining on her ebony hair. "Do go on, please. I sense that's not the entire truth, after all."

Malachai says, "I had hoped you would understand, when all the surface was washed away, that you deserved a mate who was your equal."

Suraksha's breath draws in sharply, but she contains herself for a heartbeat. Finally she says through her teeth, "So now you think I'm too young and foolish to know what's best for me too?" Rattler, with surprising wisdom and restraint, doesn't laugh -- he doesn't even smirk. He just lets Malachai dig his hole and thinks not-so-fondly of his own first encounters with 'Chana.

Malachai's face is by now a brickish red, "I thought you were younger than you apparently are, but not foolish. Love makes us blind."

Suraksha's voice is icy, her diction a bitten-off perfection: "Malachai Seiber, I am 84 years old. I have fought for and protected the lives of my extended family for almost four decades. I have been courted and offered marriage by kings and deities -- and turned them all down for love of my freedom. Don't you dare try to tell me what's best for me!" She stares at him, eyes aflame, for several heartbeats... then takes a slow breath and says more calmly, "I believe you owe me an apology."

Malachai looks a little stunned at the actual number of her age. Rattler has to put a hand over the lower half of his face to hide the grin; he, after all, was one of the kings. Sort of -- his proposal wasn't exactly textbook. The werewolf blinks slowly and says, "Lady, you have my apology."

Suraksha nods once, gracious but unsmiling. Despite knowing this might be seen as dominant behavior, her steady and distinctly irritated gaze does not shift from Malachai's as she adds, "Apology accepted. Nevertheless I believe it would be wisest if, until the caravan departs, you once more respect our temporary territorial boundaries." She's silent a moment, then adds more quietly, "I do not know any longer if it would be wise to return here on the way back. That, I suppose, depends mostly upon you."

Malachai thinks carefully on that and says, "I believe..." He has to think carefully again before he says, "I believe that it would be safe for your people, and you of course, to return here. It has been good to have my people see something besides ourselves."

Suraksha gives Malachai a wry glance, then turns and continues heading towards town -- although her walk is now more her usual graceful sway than the angry striding of moments ago, "Malachai, dear, I meant more along the lines of whether you would respect my -- our -- autonomy, should we choose to return. Safety was not the issue, although apparently I have always trusted you more than you trusted yourself." She dryly adds, "I really don't want to have to fight you, regardless of shape, and then assume responsibility for your pack." She adds even more dryly, "But yes, some exposure to the outside world would likely be wise for all of you."

Malachai looks actually rather affronted, "My pack is fine with me as alpha." His speech is short and a little clipped, "And what I meant by safe is that you needn't worry about anyone overstepping bounds." He takes a deep breath or two, "I also see that I underestimated your Rattler."

Suraksha glances amusedly at Malachai, "You misunderstand. I agree that your pack is fine with you; that is why I do not want to be put into a situation where there is an actual battle between us -- I don't want the added responsibility of your pack." She darts a quirky sideways glance at Rattler, murmuring almost teasingly, "Are you my Rattler?"

Rattler smirks, unable to hold it back, "At least partly, cherie. Jest like yer ma cherie. Figger Bringer'd be real pissed if I tried to get all territorial on 'im." Suraksha laughs at that, relaxing a bit. She smiles with quiet warmth at Roy before she glances back at Malachai, checking to see how he's doing. She's making a small internal bet with herself: has he learned not to assume? Or will he disbelieve she can defeat him even in human form?

Malachai, who has seen and felt 'Chana's power in tiger form as well as her hunting as a wolf, isn't about to argue. They've come to the edge of town and he holds out his hands for the pelt, "I can go home from here. I will make it clear to my people that you will not be staying, and we will honor all our bargains."

Suraksha tilts her head amusedly at Malachai, "Indeed. Do you not want us in town, then? You still have my cloak, as well as some of my jewelry and clothing at your house, after all." She is a little saddened at Malachai's reaction so far -- he's sounding more and more like a man who doesn't want to see her again. She sighs internally, soothing herself with the thought that maybe that's for the best. She's a bit surprised, though, that Malachai doesn't want to see Roy get his comeuppance too -- that's uncharacteristic for most men.

Malachai smiles wryly, "Let us say that I wish to have some time to myself to think. You are welcome to come into town later, of course. Or I can have Rachel bring your things to you. In fact, I would be hurt if you stayed away completely." It's a hard truth for him to tell, especially to the face of the man he still can't help but consider a rival.

Suraksha relaxes slightly, stepping forward to place the precious fur in Malachai's arms. Once she's done so she reaches up to gently touch the man's cheek, murmuring gravely to him, "I do not wish to wear out my welcome... but if you are sure it will not be a problem, then I will consider returning to town at some point." She hesitates, then adds carefully, "Also, while tigers are different from wolves, I was warned once that wolves will attack higher ranking wolves who are injured. If you do not wish to show damage before, say, Meshek, might I suggest you shift before you go into town?" Her feather-light touch next to his black eye lets him know what she means.

Malachai smiles tightly, "That is the other reason I wished to be alone. I still don't trust my wolf not to try to finish the fight."

Suraksha smiles ruefully and just shakes her head once; she's not going to argue with him any more about trusting her or not. She turns and heads back towards the caravan, waiting a bit before murmuring in quiet amusement to Roy, "Now then... you can tell me all about why you felt you had to fight, you twit! -instead of simply calling me over to set things straight!"

Roy's walk is a saunter, "Sugar, did you really think we were gonna get outta here without me an' him havin' a pissin' match?"

Suraksha glares in dark amusement at Roy, exasperatedly punching his arm as she strides along next to him. "No, dammit -- but only because I knew you wouldn't do the commonsensical thing, you!"

Rattler chuckles and slides an arm around her shoulders as they walk, "Cherie, how long we been lovers?"

Suraksha snaps firmly, "Roy Lee Beauregard Beauchamp, you are not sweet-talking me out of this! You did a very foolish thing and I'm still annoyed with you!" She turns her head away indignantly... mostly to hide the grin.

Rattler, who knows he's still on the good books by the tone of her voice, says, "Hey, I'm askin' for a reason here. How long we been lovers?"

Suraksha considers that for a while, mentally totting up years. Finally she says thoughtfully, "Umm... about... 15 years or so? Why?"

Rattler says, "An' after fifteen years I don't get some credit for not kickin' his ass the first time he drugged you? Think what I was like back in the day."

Suraksha opens her mouth to give a heated reply -- then pauses and considers that for a bit. Finally she glances sideways up at Roy, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement, and simply murmurs, "Charmer." She's smiling as she adds, "However, I still think it would be wisest to keep you out of town, and him out of the caravan."

Rattler's drawl is lazy as he leans down and kisses her without breaking stride, "Hey, you don't catch me wantin' to go into town. I ain't entirely stupid." He smirks a little, "Gotta admit, it was a hoot watchin' him realize that I wasn't just some damn pup."

Suraksha laughs at the kiss, padding along next to Roy for a bit. As her mood rises she slips her small hand into Roy's, grinning up at him as she almost skips along next to him, and says teasingly, "Oh, only partly stupid? Are you stupid enough to let a li'l girl no bigger'n a minnit-" her drawl is for a moment an amusing imitation of some of Roy's guards, and then she goes back to her usual accents, "trip you up for a bit, mmm?"

Rattler says, "Sugar, everybody's partly stupid when they get their blood up, an' sex makes almost ever'body idiots. How tripped up you wantin' me to be, anyway?"

Suraksha laughs aloud at that, cheerfully tugging Roy along with her as she starts skipping in earnest ahead of him. Her eyes are sparkling as she says, "You haven't figured it out yet, after 15 years? Tsk! C'mon, I'll show you!" Rattler grins, holding back just enough to get a good look at her posterior as she skips along, then follows along after her. The amused caravaneers that see them on their way to the wagon know to not try to intercept them.

Once the wagon door is closed, Roy does his level best to remind his cherie just why she's chosen him as her lover and mate. He also has, as he mentioned, his blood up a little from the fight -- it makes him even more lusty and abandoned than normal in his lovemaking. By the time he comes up for air for the first time, he's made sure 'Chana has peaked at least two times and has tried (successfully) for three. While she's catching her breath he purrs into her ear, "An' that's part of why you put up with me." Suraksha laughs with tired pleasure, nipping lightly at her beloved Chosen's nose -- then cuddles up closely to him with a non-vocal purr of agreement.

Late that night the big tiger is on her turn at night watch. After all, after finally getting enough food, sleep, and energy, Suraksha is eager to start pulling her metaphorical weight in the caravan again. She's currently crouched on the caravan side of the stream, quietly lapping up a drink of water as she pauses in her rounds. When she hears a faint noise she raises her head, sparkling droplets of water dripping from her furry chin and rippling the silvery path left by the nearly full moon across the flowing water.

In the shadows of the higher far bank, eyes flaring scarlet due to the distant campfire, the silver wolf stops abruptly, startled at the sight of the huge predator. He's never seen her before when they're both quadrupeds. This is the first (and shocking) time. The two animals stare at each other silently for a few heartbeats: the wary wolf with one forepaw still uplifted, battling the instincts that are screaming at him to dangerbiggerhunterkillersnarlflee! -- and the enormous, relaxed tiger, ears pricked in interest as she casually snuffs the air to see who's there. Being more of a non-human entity currently wearing a tiger's shape -- rather than the more thorough body-and-instinct-shift of the werewolves -- Suraksha rumbles softly as she recognizes Malachai, and her head goes back down to continue lapping at the water.

That causes the wolf to slowly, cautiously put his forepaw down and, with delicate small steps, almost tiptoe forward a bit so he can see and scent better. He's still nervous but holding his ground as the tiger finishes drinking, straightens up and shakes herself, and looks at him again... then, not bothering to maintain eye contact, she slowly starts wading through the water to the other bank. She loses sight of the wolf as she gets to the base of the far bank (since it's a few feet higher than the other bank), but she settles her haunches down to sit in the water, then rears her upper half up to rest her forearms on the bank, and chuff a soft greeting.

The wolf had been creeping cautiously forward to peek over the edge -- when much to his shock, a huge stripy predator's head abruptly pops up over the edge of the bank before him! He shies back hard with a startled snort- ...then pauses, watching alertly as the big tiger rumbles softly at him and calmly rests her damp-furred chin on her crossed forepaws. After a few heartbeats of wary watching, he gathers his nerve and starts once more the cautious, step-by-step creeping forward.

He stops a short distance from Suraksha as she lifts her head again with an interested purr. Rocking a little nervously on his paws, he works up the nerve to sloo-oo-owly stretch his head out, ears flicking sharply back-forward-back again as he struggles to express nervous fascination and strong intent to not be aggressive, damping down hard on instinctual fear, listening to his inner desire to check out this dangerous new predator, and that mingling with the odd internal insistence that he knows this great beast and he is safe with her...

Suraksha slowly stretches out her head too, and for an instant their damp noses touch -- and Malachai jerks swiftly back! The tiger just waits patiently, though, as the wolf hastily licks his nose a few times, checking scent/taste for any potential aggression... there is none, though, and a moment later the wolf is sniffing with furiously fascinated intensity at the tiger's broad nosepad and her softly chuffed breath. That takes less than a minute, though -- and then the wolf steps back carefully, head still held nervously but high. He's reassured this predator isn't a direct threat to him... but his wolf instincts are still fiercely conflicted -- insisting both that he's safe, and that he put distance between him and this huge and dangerous beast. There's a long moment where the two apex predators stare silently, assessingly at each other... then, just as silently, the two of them acknowledge the other's territorial rights as they turn and head back towards their respective packs.

It's much later that night Rufus the wolf is creeping nervously along the edge of the caravan's territorial border. Malachai has been behaving oddly on this night, snarling at those wolves who wanted to accompany him on his four-footed run this night. The much smaller, younger wolf is feeling uncertain and worried, and that makes him want to spend more time with the new alpha bitch, if the alpha dog won't welcome Rufus' company. Both the giant sable wolf and her cubs seem to like him -- that's very reassuring to the young reddish-blonde wolf! However, he's not sure he's allowed to cross the border to her, even though he's definitely acknowledged her as his female alpha.

Near the little stream he hears some very odd sounds, so he slinks cautiously to the edge of the underbrush to see. He's shocked and startled -- that's her, in her tiger form! Dear god, she's huge! But what- is she... chasing the goblin?! Has the vicious little thing finally turned on her?! The young wolf is very confused for a few heartbeats, as the tiger bounds almost silently after the cackling, scrambling goblin -- and then, abruptly, the goblin changes direction and charges her! Rufus actually takes a few shocked steps out of the underbrush so he can see better -- and then the tiger pounces, and grabs the goblin's middle in her hugely fanged mouth! The goblin's long, shaggy arms and ferociously clawed hands wrap around her head, making Rufus gasp in worry as she shakes gently once or twice, then tosses upwards! The young wolf blinks -- with no apparent blood spray or damage, the goblin cackles exuberantly as it soars upwards for a short bit, arching to land in the water with a great splash!

The tiger gives an amused, snorting sort of chuckle as the goblin, chattering madly, bounds out of the water and races back to her, bouncing twice off her as it arrives -- from her rump to her shoulders to somersault off her lazily tossed head. That clear disrespect for so huge and terrible an alpha shocks Rufus to the core, such that he makes a small, startled yip -- and both creatures pause in place, their heads instantly swiveling to stare at him. The big tiger still has one huge paw reaching out to gather in the goblin, and he's just flipped over it to land on her head again. The scene is so incredibly surreal to the young wolf that it takes him a moment to register: they're playing! The goblin is being treated not like a challenger -- but more like... like a favored cub?!

Of course, that's also when Rufus realizes he's staring -- it's in shock rather than in aggression, but it is clearly him staring hard right at his alpha! He nervously flicks his ears back and hastily lowers his head, guiltily averting his eyes and crouching as he wags his downward-curved tail a time or two; he really hopes she isn't angry with him! She makes a chuffing-snort sound again -- he's not exactly sure how to "read" those, but he hopes it's not angry? -and then the goblin cackles again at her. The young wolf isn't sure, but it sounded weirdly like, "He play too?" The big tiger tosses her head with another laughing chuff, and the goblin screes gleefully as he goes flying over the stream again. He lands with another splash, bouncing through the water towards Rufus.

The wolf tucks in a bit nervously, eyeing the goblin warily and settling back on his haunches -- last time he was near this creature he got snapped at by his alpha! He doesn't have time to think, though, as Alg darts around him, grabbing his tail and tugging gently, cackling and darting away again as the startled wolf gives a protesting yip and whirls to yank away -- then darting in to tweak an ear and out again as the wolf whips aside... it takes Rufus a few boggled seconds to realize: the goblin is teasing him -- and teasing him toward the big tiger! On the other side of the stream, Suraksha is chuckling quietly, flopped out like a lazy sphynx as she watches.

It's only a short while later that Rufus is on the other side of the stream and playing with the goblin and the tiger. Initially his heart had been pounding with a mix of terror and elation -- she doesn't seem mad! Maybe she won't devour him in three big bites?! He couldn't help flipping hastily over onto his back with a small, panicky yelp the first time she'd gently pounced on him, but she'd just chuckled again, nuzzling him ticklishly before patting him gently upright again.

That's the scene, in fact, that a bemused Malachai spots from the higher far embankment some time later (due to not being able to keep himself away from the woman he feels is his, but knows is not): the goblin and the lithe young wolf both excitedly rushing in and out to bounce off the enormous tiger, play-grabbing at her and each other with arms and mouths and forepaws as she chuckles and pounces near-weightlessly on them, or scoops and gently tosses them with her big paws, or grabs them delicately in her powerful jaws... in a weirdly graceful ballet of gentle, inter-species playing in the moonlight.

Malachai has been prowling on his own for a while, trying to clear his head. Thing always seem simpler when he's in his four-legged form, though that simplistic thinking has gotten him in trouble just lately. His pride is still stinging from the fight with Rattler and from essentially being scolded like a schoolboy. It's almost by accident that he ends up along the stream -- possibly his dwelling on the fight has led him there -- and he's a little bemused to see Rufus with the tiger and the goblin.

The enormous tiger is pacing slowly along the inside border of the caravan's temporary territory as she plays with the other two entities, though she does not seem to have noticed Malachai yet. Alg is, as usual, utterly fearless in his bouncing about -- he's equally comfortable in pausing long enough to strop himself like a scruffy cat against the tiger's foreleg, as he is in dropping on her from a tree and bouncing along her back, or even bounding up and tugging her tail as he somersaults over her. Slowly Rufus is picking up the same gleeful familiarity with Suraksha.

The astonished Malachai watches the panting and tongue-lolling wolf so closely chasing the excitedly cackling goblin that, one after the other, they springboard off a boulder and onto the massive tiger's back, then leap away to gallop in a wide circle around and under her -- and she seems utterly unconcerned! If anything, her chuffing snort indicates amusement as she flicks her tail while they gallop madly around her. Malachai sits with his tail around his feet and watches the playing creatures carefully. He can think more clearly in this form than most of the wolf-hearted... and he is beginning to wonder if he has been relying too heavily on structure and rules. Once upon a time, he remembers being playful like that. Before he was alpha.

As he watches, Malachai sees Alg shift his speed slightly -- and in an effort not to run into him, the slender reddish wolf abruptly bounces into the air to leap over the goblin. The big tiger's huge head darts out, fanged mouth seizing the comparatively tiny wolf by the side of his neck! The reactions to that, by both Alg and Rufus, are utterly against wolfpack hierarchy. Alg cackles madly and leaps onto the tiger's shoulders, bouncing up and down and pulling her ears as he laughs, while the wolf gives a startled yip at the grab -- but then twists in the tiger's jaws to wrap his forelegs about her wide, muscled neck, apparently energetically chewing on her cheek ruff!

Though it looks like they should all be horribly damaged, the true playfulness of their behavior is clear when the tiger sneezes and snorts, then laughs, shaking her head and body madly to toss them both away. Malachai watches the scene intently. Back in his brain, he remembers being less worried about respect and more about the happiness of his pack. He wanted to be alpha for more than one reason, but it seems like most of them have fallen away. When did that happen.

The goblin and wolf bounce and roll in differing directions, then pick themselves up, shake themselves off, and come trotting back to lean against the big tiger. Alg sags against one stripy foreleg, panting, while Rufus simply flops over between her big forepaws, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. The big tiger nuzzles the two happily tired entities, her jaws parted in silent laughter as she gives them both a few affectionate licks of her raspy tongue. Then she lifts her head, scenting the air and with her big round ears pricked up -- and looks directly at Malachai.

The silver wolf's eyes meet those of the big tiger, and he holds her gaze for a moment before he gets to his feet and fades back into the woods. Suraksha sighs softly, a hint of disappointment in her demeanor as she watches the solitary entity depart. She watches the woods silently for a heartbeat more, but then simply shakes her head once and shrugs -- Malachai will do whatever it is Malachai wants, she supposes. She returns her attention to the two entities with her, nudging them gently with her broad nose, "Wan' ride? Godda gh'eep padh'rolling." Shortly thereafter the large tiger is indeed relaxedly continuing her patrol, utterly unfazed by the potential silliness of having a goblin and a tiredly delighted wolf sprawled across her broad back.

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