Ouroboros Spine My night with the prostitute from Marseille.

It was kind of a tall ask, coming from nearly perfect strangers. For a moment, Towhee wasn’t sure Luhtar would indulge them. But then he shifted his weight and settled, a ponderous look on his broad face. Then he began to speak, weaving a tale about a bear striking a deal with a fox.

Towhee missed most of it, her gaze drifting down to watch Bushtit’s face as the story unfolded. He looked very curious at first, eyes bright. But after his ordeal, it wasn’t surprising when he faded fast. He fought it, eyes drooping and then reopening, but it wasn’t long before his chin fell to his chest.

She looked up to catch the end of the story, which concluded on sort of a sour note. But Towhee was all smiles, even offering Luhtar a wink. Was there any higher compliment than a pup falling fast asleep to your story, really?

Thank you, she said in what she hoped was a quiet voice. I don’t mean to keep you, so you don’t have to stay. I’ll probably catch a few winks myself. You know what they say about sleeping when the baby sleeps… Towhee’s tail tapped the ground. It was nice meeting you.