Bearclaw Valley in the end i danced with a ghost

vail snorts. one of those half-laughs that’s more air than humor. she drags a paw across her face again and blinks slow.
uh, yeah.
a beat. her stare sharpens, catching the hesitation, the almost-walk-away, the way the other girl’s voice softens like she’s not sure what to do with her. vail shifts, lifts her chin.
why, you keeping score?
tail flicks once, rust-colored and lazy. she steps forward, barely, enough for the thorns in her side to catch the light.
you gonna stare all morning or what?