…

I must serve my master. 

I will. No matter the circumstance. 

That’s good. 

You know, our performance the other night was difficult. I could feel how exhausted master was. The way he danced. It was different. It was like sometimes he didn’t want to listen to the old man. He almost let me go a few times… He almost left me. I’m scared of that. That’s the last thing I want. I had to make sure he stayed. I couldn’t help it. Was that wrong of me? 

There are those who would never allow such. But from what I witnessed, your spirit was strong, little dear of mine. A sense of hope for some of us. 

It was out of place. I’m sorry. But I couldn’t help it. I can feel things are changing. And my master, he is heading somewhere I don’t trust. I don’t know how, but I feel like something is wrong, and where he’s going is exactly where there is something wrong. If he goes there, I can just feel that he’s going to leave. Leave me. All alone. 

Why can’t he tell? Doesn’t he feel it too? Or does he not care if he leaves? Why are we going there? Please make him stop. Please! I don’t want to go there anymore. Please help. Please, Sweet Princess! 

You know I cannot do that, little dear of mine. My role is to protect when Father is not about. Especially to protect those who are worthy. As of the Threads… I dare not. Our Kingdom is but a grain of sand amoungst an entire ocean. Maybe such a perspective can give you solace, little dear of mine. 

Does it really matter what we do then? If we are so small, then would it matter what do we even do? 

… 

Why is everything so different? So much is changing. My master is changing. We’re going somewhere bad. Can’t he tell? I’m sure he can. But he’s keeping things from me. My master. He’s been really holding back things from me lately. It’s like he doesn’t want me to know certain things. Why? It’s not fair. It makes me feel as if he doesn’t trust me. We’re partners. Should he trust me. I’m loyal to my vows. 

I will serve my master. 

Can’t he tell? And yet, we’re still heading there. I can just feel it. That’ there’s something wrong there, that there’s something that is going to take my master away. Why can I feel this? I’ve never had this feeling before. I want to warn him, but my master won’t talk with me. He’s been quiet lately. Really quiet. Ever since that time with that priestess. Why did she do that for us? 

There are gentle souls out there who want best for others. She merely honoured her duty, but also followed her heart. There is much to learn through her. 

But now she’s gone. I don’t understand why she risked her own time for my master. Especially when my master and I came against her house. I’m sure that’s what’s confusing my master. It’s not the first time that others got in the middle of our dances. There have been countless times where our performances were intruded. And as what happens to such intruders, they are taken away. But the priestess, she came back some how. I swear I saw her leave. I guided her out. I watched her elders bit their farewells. And still. She came back some how. And she made sure me and my master were well. That was a strange time and place. And those who were there sure were strange. Especially him. He followed my master. He was there the other night. I wasn’t comfortable with him. I really wasn’t. But it looked like my master called him to help. Argh! This is all so confusing. 

Why the frustrations, little dear of mine? All is well. 

I don’t understand everything that is going on. All these changes. Master is changing. At first, the change was good. But he’s changing even more. I don’t want him to change anymore. He’s changing towards me. It’s like he doesn’t listen to me anymore. I can tell. 

When whatever happened with the priestess occurred, Master made a happy change. We chose a happier road. A road for himself. We no longer had to perform for all those low lives anymore. They were all such weak cowards. All they’d ask us to do was dance with more weak cowards. I felt it make my taste even weaker. I’m glad Master could tell. He told me to never feel honoured about our cheap performances. He reminded me that we were meant for ones that were greater. He made me feel more important. I love Master for that. I love Master. He reminded me that I was worth more. That we were worth more. But since all these changes, he hasn’t said much to me anymore. 

At first when Master took his own road, everything was wonderful. He’d have so much to say as we roamed these worlds. It was just me and him – oh, and of course, the old man, whenever we needed his guidance. Told old man always looked after us after all. As our dance master, I always appreciated the geezer’s assistance. And so, everything was wonderful. Master was more at peace. I noticed he would even talk to you, Sweet Princess. What does he say to you? 

That is between he and I, little dear of mine. You must honour that. 

Okay. Sorry, Sweet Princess. I was just curious. I was hoping you could help me find out what he was thinking. He doesn’t share that with me anymore. Before, he always used to check on me and see how I was doing. He always used to see if I was well, if I wasn’t, if I was tired, if I was fit and ready. But now all he does is remind me to stay alert while we rest. 

Before, he would ask what I thought about things, about where we should go, who we should trust, when was it safe. Now he keeps to himself. I want to tell him to turn around. To not go where we are going. I don’t want him to leave. He can’t leave me. I should stop him! But I can’t. I must stay put and serve. 

I will serve my master. 

I have a bad feeling about this. I wish the other night didn’t happen. If it didn’t we wouldn’t be heading there. I thought my master and I were now free. Why is he still amusing somebody else’s call. The other night was so much to deal with. I never felt us dance so hard. Maybe because we danced with Hawk and his master. They were excellent. I never felt so honoured to share such a performance before. Did you see us all, Sweet Princess? 

Of course I saw, little dear of mine. Don’t you remember me there? It was a wonderful performance. One that will never be matched for many lifetimes. 

Do you really think so? 

I know so. 

I’m so honoured to receive such praise from you, Sweet Princess. Thank you for being there for us. The other night was like no other. I got so scared. 

I felt Master lose himself in the dance. It was scary. Maybe because we hadn’t performed like that in so long. Well, Hawk and his master were excellent. We had to make sure we kept up. Especially in front of the old man. 

Oh. That’s right. The old man was guiding them too. I didn’t know the geezer was their dance master as well. No wonder the performance was so hard. The old man man sure we all moved correctly. Even Hawk was feeling the pressure. 

Oh Hawk… I wonder what has happened with him now. Is he well? 

His path is his own, little dear of mine. Do not worry. Just as your path is yours. 

Hawk did warn me, though. He told me about a strange new master, with a smell that was not of these worlds. He said there were incredly powerful guides around this new master. Guides that were wise and ancient. I didn’t quite understand. But there’s one thing I know for sure. Hawk was scared when he spoke about that. I felt it in his dance. Hawk and his master. They were giving it their all, like they had no other choice. I guess that’s why the performance was so hard. That and the old man. Master was giving it his all, too. But he was getting lost in the motions. I could tell. He was listening less and less to the old man. The old geezer was getting mad at us. At the end, the old man guided Hawk and his master more than us. But Master didn’t care. That’s when Master called him. 

I’m not comfotable with him. His style is unpredictable and choatic. Not smooth and diciplined like the old man’s. And what’s more is that he smells like the jungle. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to that. But he did stop Master from leaving me. I wasn’t so comfortable with the last motion he guided me through. It felt so wreckless and emotional. But it helped. I hope I don’t have to move like that again. 

Wait! Something is happening! Master needs me! 

… 

Oh. It was nothing. 

I tried to tell Master that we shouldn’t go. That we should just turn around and forget this call. But he wouldn’t listen. And I saw him again. He still follows Master. And he was standing with teh old man. It was like they were friends. And he gave me a stupid smile. Argh! He ticks me off. Why is he with us. He stinks. 

Souls coming together is sometimes something that cannot be explained, little dear of mine. 

But why him? I don’t think he is reliable. His style is dangerous. It’s not elegant. And it’s inconsistent. We’re lucky to have to old man still around. But then again, the reason why Master didn’t leave me was probably because of him. How frustrating. Almost like I owe him now. I’ll give him that. It’s all ever since we met that priestess. 

Who was she? Why was Master become different after meeting her? He’s changed so much since then. And now he’s going where I know we shouldn’t. I can just feel it. If we go, he is going to leave me. I don’t want Master to leave. What will I do without him? The old man, nor the other stinker, won’t even help me. I know they can tell what’s going ot happen. I saw it on their faces. We have to stop Master. Why won’t they help me? Why won’t you help me, Sweet Princess? Please. Stop Master. Please. 

Have you ever thought about if this new journey was mentioned in the Threads. You may find peace in that. 

But if Master leaves, the we won’t be together. And then I’ll be all alone. What will I do then? 

A new master may find you. Do you life before your life with your master? 

But I don’t want a new master. Master is mine. We’re meant to be together. Forever. 

Forever? 

Yes. Forever. I can feel it. It’s supposed to be that way. That’s why I feel that going to where we’re headed is not good. I can feel that if we go there, Master will leave. He mustn’t leave. I’ll be lost without him. Before Master, I was… Before Master… I was… I was… I don’t remember. I… I was… I really don’t remember. All I know is life with Master. Why must it come to an end. 

There are tales about certain souls that always come together. Even after they drift apart in different lifetimes. Somehow, they return back to each other. Remember, sometimes souls coming together is something that cannot be explained. 

Does that mean Master and I can be together, even if he leaves? Oh, Sweet Princess. I hope this is true. I hope and wish and pray that this is true. Me and Master are meant to be together. I know it. I can feel it. I love Master. If he leaves, I’ll be sure to find him. I know I will. I just don’t want him to leave so soon. Please make him stay just a little longer with me. 

Father comes, little dear of mine. I must go. Be troubled not. I will see you bother the next night. Until then, stay sharp, little Fang.