I don't want to kiss just anybody, though. You're right, it has to mean something. I want it to feel like— butterflies in my stomach, or like flying, or— or like I'm connecting with nature but on a really deep level. Like talking to the gods, I guess.

[ she holds close to john, clinging to his arm with both hands now, though she's careful not to press herself against him too closely. he's warm. it's annoying how warm he is, like he's a dragon nesting on a clutch of eggs. maybe a dragon heating up his hoard? probably a better analogue, melli thinks.

at least the house is starting to appear on the periphery, with its grand roof and nice-looking windows. it looks like most of the houses on wolf's end, where the wolfanger home looms on the hilltop.

she misses home already. misses her wolves, her warm clothes, her parents. ]

Have you kissed many people? Does it help? Is it like training, too?