Sunset Valley Mask Off

The others would have heard the call too, she knew. Her heart squeezed in her chest as Masquerade contemplated all the different ways she could handle this. She could shoot another message skyward, so they wouldn’t worry when she didn’t come home. She could say goodbye. But she didn’t intend to disappear forever, nor did she want to invite commentary or interference, so she stayed quiet save for the audible pounding in her chest.

When Riley appeared, her heartbeat sped up a little, then began to slow. Masque’s limbs felt a little jellylike as she bounded to meet him, a shaky gush of hot air washing over his cheek before she slid her snout against it. It wasn’t until she pressed her body against his that she realized she was trembling.

Despite this, she said, I’m ready to go.