Mosaic

Chapter 4 .:. Tacenda

Tacenda
(n.) things better left unsaid; matters to be passed over in silence

"Nari!"

The little dog flung herself at Brook's outstretched arms with happy, little whines. Brook cradled her gently and let the dog rasp her tongue across her chin. The giant grin that split her face was only a small part of the joy she was feeling. It felt like home.

"I know, I'm the best brother."

Brook swung around to face David, too content to argue. Because he wasn't wrong. She wholeheartedly agreed with him. Brook planted a soft kiss on the top of Nari's head. "Thank you, thank you! I can't believe you brought her." She laughed. "You actually brought her!"

David sent her a lopsided smile, one hand coming up to rub at the nape of his neck. "Well, yeah. She really missed you."

"I missed her too." And even though their reunion would only be temporary, Brook could already feel the gaping hole that had been in her chest since the move slowly begin to fill again. She planned to hold onto that feeling for as long as it lasted.

David herded her towards the truck. Brook tipped her head quizzically but hopped in without hesitation.

"So, what are you feeling?" David asked as he slid behind the driver's seat. "Ice cream? Pizza? Ramen? Actually, no ramen—I don't know if the ones here hold up to that place back home. Coffee?"

"You're hungry, aren't you?"

David shrugged, sheepish. "And what if I am? I haven't eaten since this morning!"

She rolled her eyes playfully. "But you're always hungry."

"And you're not?"

"I guess I could eat," Brook said with a thoughtful hum. "Surprise me."

David grinned. He started the car, turned up the radio, and backed out of his parking spot. He seemed to know where he was going even though he had never been in town before. Brook was slightly jealous as she still hadn't learned what street she lived on, never mind what was around her now.

Nari perched on her lap, sitting delicately as if Brook were her personal throne. Which wouldn't be entirely wrong either. Brook rolled down her window and watched as Nari seemed to shift. She lost the regal posture and poked her head out, the wind pushing back her ears. Her black button nose twitched with the barrage of scents carried by the draft.

They drove for ten minutes in silence, the cheesy pop songs from the radio making up for their lack of words. Brook distracted herself by running her fingers along Nari's back. Her golden-brown fur was incredibly soft and smelled faintly of dog shampoo.

When the truck sighed and shut off, Brook looked up. "Are we here?"

"Yep," David said, already out of his seat. "C'mon, Brook. You take too long."

She scrambled to open the door, Nari tucked closed to her chest with one hand. She shut the door and put Nari down. The golden dog huffed indignantly. Brook was tempted to pick her back up but decided it wouldn't hurt for Nari to stretch her legs.

Nari seemed smaller than she remembered, barely reaching up to her knees. She was foxlike in appearance with long legs, a sharp face, and svelte frame. Her ears were semi-erect, as if her genes had failed to decide whether they wanted to be floppy or upright and instead compromised to incorporate both. She had a naturally bobbed tail, which seemed longer than it was because of the long fur that added a couple inches to its length. For a random mutt, she was gorgeous in appearance with an air of elegance.