If Life was a game, Raven could learn a few tricks on how to win at the game of Life. She was accustomed to always playing a game with her companion. At times she had no idea she was in the middle of one of his games. She wasn't accustomed to someone constantly playing with her and it had taken some time for her to grow familiar with his antics. Over time the spotted leopard had poked and pried the lupine to show her playful side, encouraging her to let her guard down and let loose. It was a good thing that Raven was such a gracious loser, because no one could calm the boy down if he lost. He was not a very good sportsman like individual, and so there are times when Raven is close to winning she sends up a silent prayer for Fate to help her lose if only so he could win. One would think that an unconfident creature as she, would have some sort of spark of desire to win, and yet she had been so far pushed down that a spark could never grow. This simple race was no different. There was no need for the girl to imagine herself victorious. She accepted her oncoming defeat, but that didn't mean she wouldn't give it her all. She loved him, but she wouldn't fold over that easily.

Propelling her long limbs forward she ran after Tobias, large paws slamming into the ground as she picked up her speed. She was a creature built for endurance to combine with her speed. Surprised herself, she noticed how closer she was getting and how his gait was only decreasing. Pink tongue rolled out as she let out a soft bark, alerting him she was now at his side, blue-grey eyes sliding to meet his gold, as she found her pace matching his own for a moment, but then suddenly increase. Hearing his irritated huff, her ears slide back in an apologetic manner, as she continued running, silently wishing she would trip or fall so he would win. Yet as he launched himself forward in a sprint she noticed that the big rock was still far away. Thinking perhaps if she got in front of him, she could entice his pride to make him kick up his tempo, baring herself forward. As the wind tore through her dark fur she noticed something begin to surge within her soul, a faint spark of self-hope, that perhaps just this once...this meaningless race...she could win.

Her dial turned slightly to see the wildcat still behind, his species not meant for this run. For a moment Raven turned selfish and dug her paws into the ground, sprinting faster. It was only when she passed the rock did her pace slow down, and she would turn around to head in her companion's direction. Ecstatic that she had won she couldn't betray the overwhelming pride she felt as the small spark grew, only slightly. Her dial would raise slightly higher than usual, her tail swaying side to side eagerly, incapable of keeping herself from showing how happy she was that she won. As the leopard crossed the line her ears folded back in an apologetic manner, her tail lowered and yet still it waved. As he huffs and storms off to sit she hears his accusation, her fur bristling slightly, calmly telling him he was wrong.

"Now Tobi, you know very well that I wouldn't cheat."

Indeed she was a creature that wouldn't do such a terrible thing. As he turned human she easily turned into her own skin, still fully clothed, her footsteps gently pressing on the grass behind him. With a kind smile, all thoughts of her winning left, as she came to cure his bruised ego. Gently her hand would go through his long hair for a moment, hoping his face would turn to see her own, as she lowered herself to his level, her gentle voice soothing.

"Tobi, you know I don't win that much...you win at everything. Come on now Tobi we can, ompf!"

It did not occur to her that he would indeed pivot and pounce on top of her. As her butt and back landed into the grass, she let out a gasp, the wind clearly knocked out of her. Looking up at him she saw his lopsided grin, as she let out an exasperated sigh, pink lips turn upwards in a smile. As he claims he is clever she playfully scoffs and rolls her eyes. Her body moves underneath his slightly, the girl knowing all too well of her place in this manner, growing slowly familiar when he wished to pin her down below him. When he had done such a thing in the beginning she was nervous, but now she had slowly grown comfortable, feeling secure, safe, in such a position. As his lips press against her own, she silently shifts her form to accept the pressure of his weight, as she feels her form lower deeper into the soft grass. As their lips release for a moment for air, she speaks softly her hair going up behind his neck, as she speaks again, and at the end lifting her head slightly so her lips could press against his own once more.

"If this was what you wanted, all you had to do was ask, silly."

Raven Clocksworth.