"Now, cuddles. Speak," she said, holding up a finger in front of Mokou as she wrenched her hand free and chuckled. She was leaning forward, right in her face. "You do know how to speak, don't you dog?"

The sopping wet hand ran across her pants before disappearing into a satchel at her waist. She had that wicked look in her eyes again. Was that the jingle of a harness?