Verdigris Ravine if we lose our touch, it won’t mean much

The lash of travel-worn pads on his lean minge limb produced a cheekier smile as he snatched back his own paw. He knew better than to touch her trinkets, just as he knew better than to doubt the threat in her words despite her tone or expression.

A feeling like static raced down his spine at the mention of the taotaomona, as it always did. She was always watching, and it seemed like she watched Qiao most of all. Indeed, he said, shuffling upright so his belly rested on the warm earth and his forelegs reached ahead of him. He was still skeptical of all this spiritual stuff, but the feeling of eyes on him always grew stronger when Qiao was up to her antics. Whether it was interest or disdain, he couldn't say.

For him, it was more interest than disdain these days.