Post by Ashen on May 13, 2007 19:45:13 GMT -5
Our Stars: Alsoomse, Ender, Felene, Freyr, Kole, and Rainier
Location: Rippling Stream
After the whole business of last night, Freyr has double timed on his patrols. Never again will a wolf, he decides, ever show its face here and still keep said face intact. Of course that means the mastiff is twice as thirsty at the end of the day than he would be on any other. In that light, he descends the slope for the water. But before he does anything else, the Russet leader discreetly averts his course to mark a nearby tree. Only when that duty is done, does Freyr turn and trod the remainder of the way to the bank.
Freyr isn't alone. Obviously stressed, the female called Rainier trots inb his derection, a stressed look across her maw. Her ears and hackles alert, as is her tail in a dominant manner. She was out of breath and her tongue logged idly as she stopped a few yard off.
There is another at the water's edge getting a drink, Alsoomse lifts her head blinking and glanes around until she catches sight of Freyr and then Rainier. A faint wruff escapes her and the large dog turns moving towards where Freyr is.
And then there is one actually in the water. Dragging her head up, a wriggling, silver-sided fish clamped between her big, slobbery jaws, Ender laughs. Her body is mostly submerged, and even with the current, there's no moving that horse. The Dane flicks her head and throws the wobbly fish onto the shore. "Hungry, Al?" The Dane asks as the fish side-flops about.
Kole is laying in the grass, just awaking from a light nap. He raises his head groggily, shaking off the signs of sleepiness. He grunts, getting up slightly, than sinks back down instinctively when he hears the sounds of other creatures nearby.
Freyr isn't going to be sidetracked this time. The mastiff leans over, large tongue stretching out and lapping in several gulps of water. He stops, not completely sated, but his throat is no longer dry and he can use it without a great degree of discomfort. An affable grunt is offered to each of the dogs in turn, before he takes notice of Rainier's posture and visible mood. "Something up?" He questions, ambling toward her.
Kole peeks out from the grass, and immediately identifies Freyr, but none of the others. He lumbers out, satisfied of his safety, at least well enough.
Rainier wagged at her superior and managed to recompose herself. "Wolves...about 4 of them.." she managed to breathe.
Alsoomse blinks as she hears Rainier and stands at Freyr's side. "Where did you last see them?" She questions with a faint tone while sniffing at the air as she listions.
And Al is no longer there. But others are. The Dane abandon's her quest for more fish and hauls her massive, mantled form out of the stream to join the gathered. It would seem this conversation is much more interesting than fish.
Four? Four /wolves/? Well, isn't this the best news he could possibly hear at this time of night. Freyr's muzzle rolls into a scowl. "What were they doing?" Perhaps he wasn't making his message clear enough. If so, this will certainly have to be taken care of.
Kole enters the scene none to quietly. He wags a greeting, dipping his head politely. Sitting down nearby, he listens the goings on.
Rainier was too restless to sit; she evn uncharacteristically figeted. "Four of them... Two male, two female. I spotted them while patrolling. They had been sleeping and heard me. They spat the usual insults that wolves do..that's to be expected; but they mentioned that this land was theirs and that they would tear me to pieces. Had no choice but to move it."
Alsoomse glances to Rainier and blinks while lifting her head and snorts. "Don't like them fool you Rainier.. This is are land and it will stay that way." A faint rumble escapes her. "There be the ones leaving or else before soon." A glance is offered to Kole and he is given a nod.
"Let them think what they want to. All the more harsh the sting when we show 'em who runs these parts. And who runs THEM out of 'em." The Dane comments gruffly, butt unceremoniously plopped as a foot comes up to scratch at the long column of her neck.
Kole looks curiously as he listens, trying to digest the information. "Who do they think they are? I am no familar with wolves, but I do not like what I have heard of them..." He blinks once, looking around instictively, as though watching for them.
Felene trots along, prissy little paws hopping over various dirty looking patches of ground. Entirely ignorant of smells and such doggy senses that would be most helpful in such an unfamiliar area, the young dog cups forward her ears, spotting the grouping of canines and coming to a messy, dirt raising stop. She huffs, eyes dropping to glare at the pawpair, "Darn.."
Ah, that sounds about right. "Hmmf. Stiff-necked fools." Freyr shakes his head, then glances Kole's way. "I'd imagine by the end of all this, you'll find yourself more than familiar with them. The wolf is a foolish beast, don't learn their place well." Not long after he quiets, the mastiff grows aware of an unexpected approach, by means of scent. His head shifts in place, eyes moving to locate the newcomer.
Rainier smiles and offers a tail wag to the others, her wags slow as she cranes her neck to spot the newcomer. "Hello," she calls out, and perks her ears while stepping forward, awaiting an answer.
Alsoomse glances to the dane and grins while settling down on her haunches and nods to what Freyr says.
Her attention drifts to that of a newcommer as well and she just watches with narrowed eyes. No one would be stupid to start something now.
It's the popular thing, staring at the younger female. And Ender's head rises above the backs of the others. Being tall has its advantages. Silver eyes squint very slightly and she mutters one words to the rest. "Collared."
The shepherd's head follows the others, waiting to see what happens. His ears prick slightly forward at Ender's word.
Felene's too simple to be real worried about strange dogs, that pair of tags around her neck clinking as she paces a bit closer, a big grin on her face, "Hello, hi, hello," she greets, forepaws together, looking from face-to-face with her chin up high.
At Ender's claim, Freyr squints, examining the new female's neck. Why yes, yes there is a collar. And tags. The mastiff steps toward her, analyzing both the offending object and its wearer. "Nice collar." He mumbles, tone betraying his sarcasm. "Where'd you get it?"
Rainier's lip was tith though she didn't lift it. Though she did allow a rumble to escape. Especially with her recent encounter this sent her over the edge.
Felene's head tips a wee bit higher, her dark eyes settling on the approaching mastiff, eyebrows popping up, "Mmmm?" The girls chin dips into puffy chestfur, "Oh, this ol' thing?" She shrugs her shoulder blades, making the accused accessory jingle, "Some chunky fella stuck 'em on me, I didn't mind, he fed me some pretty delish somethin'." She smiles sweetly, looking Freyr over and her tail gets into action, curled and swishing, "So what are you all doin' out here?"
Kole allows a snort to escape his maw, eyes narrowing at the collared femme. "Humans...you rank with the smell of them." His jaws become exposed as he gave a fierce scowl.
Alsoomse maw twitches as she ehars Ender and slips up to her paws sliding forward towards Felene with a few flicks of her tail. "Looks a bit tight to me.. But then look wat the dog its on." She offers with a faint tone.
"Maybe you should take it off, seems you been hanging out with em to much ta me."
This is going in a way that is not in favor of youth. The Dane steps around the outside of the group, appearing to the younger female's left, though with a good many feet of distance between. The Shepherd's observation gains a nod, and Ender turns toward Felene. "You want to be getting home now, child. This is no place for gentle pets like you. We live here. And this is our land. Do you know what that means? That means that you have stepped into ter'tory you are not at all welcome in. 'Specially not wearin' that bit of precious, smellin' like you do. We do not like the people. The people are worthless, and any kept by them are, likewise. Worthless." Her tone is like a teacher reprimanding a pupil for being late to class. Educational, and serious as death.
Rainier stepped up beside the Dane, her fur bristling. Her muzzle wrinkled. "Your kind won't last long out here. You might want to get back to your fenced yard." She moved to the rear of the group, her posture stiff and her tail slightly lifted. So many intruders...didn't know who to trust anymore. She muttered, "..If you can make it that far." Her voice, despite her hate for the pets, was tinged with worry.
Felene draws her head back in her neck, nose wrinkling up and clearly looking offended, "I do not, if anythin' the human smells like me." Her ears curl, squinting now at Ender and, despite her lack in size, doesn't move. Her tail, however, a normally hyperactive thing, has come to a complete stop, "I don't know what you're talkin', territory, but I ain't done nothin' wrong, fussy bunch." Her pretty features have solidified, stubborn to a fault, "And you ain't gettin' your paws on my shiny stuff, I got it fair 'n square.." A little bit overwhelmed by the group, the younger dog's eyes shift over each threatening pose, all directed at her. So, she does the one thing that, in the human world at least, gets her praise and treats and the like...she sits.
Kole gets up off his hanches, obviously disturbed. He looks at the estranged dog, and shakes his head. "You need to lissen to us while you can. You won't meet many others who will be as forgiving. You don't know what to do to survive on your own..." his voice trails, finding himself somewhat worried as well. He nods. "Git your self back home, pretty one."
Freyr brow hefts itself above the other, clearly amused. He says nothing more quite yet, listening and watching the progressing reactions from both this stranger and his kin alike. His input will reveal itself soon enough, but for right now he only observes, ears floppily aloft. This is entertaining, if nothing else.
Alsoomse blinks as she hears Felene. "Deary.. I would never wear any manner of anything around my neck again.. You have just done the /wrong/ thing collard brat." She hisses out. Once Felene is sitting she turns and moves closer to her side sending a half snap towards the younger dog's side. She doesn't try to get her, just trying to get her to move.
Likewise, the Dane's broad head is nearing Felene's left flank. "Go home." Is said in a low tone. "Go home, or you will die here. You do not want death." Snarling, now. And teeth. Lips pulled back and yellowed teeth jutting out from the visible lower jaw. "This is not a place for you. Go back to your cozy little fence and the people that do not understand your worth."
Felene, at the very least, isn't too dim to know that when there's some teeth snapping in your direction, you move. She blinks those big black eyes, letting loose a bark and skittering back on with her forepaws, hopping clear. A speedy, proud smile flicks over her lips, quickly fading at all the lesser treatment,
"Hmmph!" the dog trots some steps in a circle, sticking her tail up and spinning back around, "Now that's just plain rude!" She keeps a weary eye on the Dane, back-stepping just a bit, but not enough to damage her pride over-much, "And for your information I ain't got a yard.." she grumbles, despite the fact that no one cares, eyes zipping, "'n how was I s'pose to know I wasn't allowed 'ere?" she puts out a lip, "You ain't even got a mailbox."
Rainier circles back around. "Might want to get that choker off of your neck if you know what's good for you, pet." Her voice was cold but calm. No teeth were bared, though hackles were raised. "And as far as knowing where you should or should not be, perhaps you shuol;d try using your nose."
Finally, Freyr speaks again. "What was it you planned to accomplish here, miss?" His dark eyes stare unwaveringly, his tone void of courtesy. Not a word or concept he's familiar with, anyway. The gaze breaks--just for a moment--to sweep between Alsoomse and Ender, attending their actions.
Alsoomse chuckles a bit and smirks while eyeing the collars pet. "Oh please.. Dont' make me laugh pet. But then I suppose you have no idea what a scent marker is now /do/ you?" The large mastiff mix moves forward towards Felene snarling out now. A ear twitches to Freyr while she pauses in her movement, letting him speak.
"Hear that, Al? We're rude. She comes bargin' into our home, doesn't bother to sniff around, doesn' even have the courtesy to shut her gorram mouth for five minutes, and /WE'RE/ rude. Pups, these days." And the Dane turns toward the younger female again, head raising high. "Take a /whiff/, slipper-eater! THAT is our mailbox. We piss on the trees, the bushes, big rocks. That means we claim this place. Means you're trespassin'. Now /that/ is rude. So invite yourself on back to whatever middle-class hovel it is you come from 'fore we send you home with parts missin'." Freyr's voice, too, halts any further advance from Ender, but already the black mantle is rising in little spikes. Sport, this is.
Felene's nose twitches in complaint of underuse, she herself blinking and shifting into reverse, that very defining chain link collar doin' its noisy thing on each backward step. Her brows crunch defiantly, "I was lookin' around, what else?" She's getting the hang of walking bottom-first, having to make up for their larger steps with a few extra of her own, ears laying back, "Whadda ya think, I'm gunna steal your tree?"
"I advise that you get moving if you know what's good for you. She smirks as she heard the remark about Felene's lack of a yard. "Then why do you wear the pretty collar?"
Freyr turns in an exagerated motion. He's not afraid of the dog, no qualms on turning his back to her. "I suggest you look around quickly, miss." He mutters gruff and gravelly. "Should I come back in the daylight and find you poking around still, there's gonna be explaining to do." It's late, he's bushed, and the last he's going to bother himself with right now is a prissy interloper.
Felene huffs, "Because it's pretty?" she answers half-heartedly. The gal flicks her ears forward, turning alas half around, "Okay okay, I'll leave. No need to bitchy," she smiles toothily at herself, peering after Freyr when he turns away. There's no doubt she'll be back wanderin' around, at least if she makes it home unscathed. Curiosity only kills cats, after all. So she turns back the way she came, light paws jogging her off and muttering not-so-quietly a few things about manners.
Location: Rippling Stream
After the whole business of last night, Freyr has double timed on his patrols. Never again will a wolf, he decides, ever show its face here and still keep said face intact. Of course that means the mastiff is twice as thirsty at the end of the day than he would be on any other. In that light, he descends the slope for the water. But before he does anything else, the Russet leader discreetly averts his course to mark a nearby tree. Only when that duty is done, does Freyr turn and trod the remainder of the way to the bank.
Freyr isn't alone. Obviously stressed, the female called Rainier trots inb his derection, a stressed look across her maw. Her ears and hackles alert, as is her tail in a dominant manner. She was out of breath and her tongue logged idly as she stopped a few yard off.
There is another at the water's edge getting a drink, Alsoomse lifts her head blinking and glanes around until she catches sight of Freyr and then Rainier. A faint wruff escapes her and the large dog turns moving towards where Freyr is.
And then there is one actually in the water. Dragging her head up, a wriggling, silver-sided fish clamped between her big, slobbery jaws, Ender laughs. Her body is mostly submerged, and even with the current, there's no moving that horse. The Dane flicks her head and throws the wobbly fish onto the shore. "Hungry, Al?" The Dane asks as the fish side-flops about.
Kole is laying in the grass, just awaking from a light nap. He raises his head groggily, shaking off the signs of sleepiness. He grunts, getting up slightly, than sinks back down instinctively when he hears the sounds of other creatures nearby.
Freyr isn't going to be sidetracked this time. The mastiff leans over, large tongue stretching out and lapping in several gulps of water. He stops, not completely sated, but his throat is no longer dry and he can use it without a great degree of discomfort. An affable grunt is offered to each of the dogs in turn, before he takes notice of Rainier's posture and visible mood. "Something up?" He questions, ambling toward her.
Kole peeks out from the grass, and immediately identifies Freyr, but none of the others. He lumbers out, satisfied of his safety, at least well enough.
Rainier wagged at her superior and managed to recompose herself. "Wolves...about 4 of them.." she managed to breathe.
Alsoomse blinks as she hears Rainier and stands at Freyr's side. "Where did you last see them?" She questions with a faint tone while sniffing at the air as she listions.
And Al is no longer there. But others are. The Dane abandon's her quest for more fish and hauls her massive, mantled form out of the stream to join the gathered. It would seem this conversation is much more interesting than fish.
Four? Four /wolves/? Well, isn't this the best news he could possibly hear at this time of night. Freyr's muzzle rolls into a scowl. "What were they doing?" Perhaps he wasn't making his message clear enough. If so, this will certainly have to be taken care of.
Kole enters the scene none to quietly. He wags a greeting, dipping his head politely. Sitting down nearby, he listens the goings on.
Rainier was too restless to sit; she evn uncharacteristically figeted. "Four of them... Two male, two female. I spotted them while patrolling. They had been sleeping and heard me. They spat the usual insults that wolves do..that's to be expected; but they mentioned that this land was theirs and that they would tear me to pieces. Had no choice but to move it."
Alsoomse glances to Rainier and blinks while lifting her head and snorts. "Don't like them fool you Rainier.. This is are land and it will stay that way." A faint rumble escapes her. "There be the ones leaving or else before soon." A glance is offered to Kole and he is given a nod.
"Let them think what they want to. All the more harsh the sting when we show 'em who runs these parts. And who runs THEM out of 'em." The Dane comments gruffly, butt unceremoniously plopped as a foot comes up to scratch at the long column of her neck.
Kole looks curiously as he listens, trying to digest the information. "Who do they think they are? I am no familar with wolves, but I do not like what I have heard of them..." He blinks once, looking around instictively, as though watching for them.
Felene trots along, prissy little paws hopping over various dirty looking patches of ground. Entirely ignorant of smells and such doggy senses that would be most helpful in such an unfamiliar area, the young dog cups forward her ears, spotting the grouping of canines and coming to a messy, dirt raising stop. She huffs, eyes dropping to glare at the pawpair, "Darn.."
Ah, that sounds about right. "Hmmf. Stiff-necked fools." Freyr shakes his head, then glances Kole's way. "I'd imagine by the end of all this, you'll find yourself more than familiar with them. The wolf is a foolish beast, don't learn their place well." Not long after he quiets, the mastiff grows aware of an unexpected approach, by means of scent. His head shifts in place, eyes moving to locate the newcomer.
Rainier smiles and offers a tail wag to the others, her wags slow as she cranes her neck to spot the newcomer. "Hello," she calls out, and perks her ears while stepping forward, awaiting an answer.
Alsoomse glances to the dane and grins while settling down on her haunches and nods to what Freyr says.
Her attention drifts to that of a newcommer as well and she just watches with narrowed eyes. No one would be stupid to start something now.
It's the popular thing, staring at the younger female. And Ender's head rises above the backs of the others. Being tall has its advantages. Silver eyes squint very slightly and she mutters one words to the rest. "Collared."
The shepherd's head follows the others, waiting to see what happens. His ears prick slightly forward at Ender's word.
Felene's too simple to be real worried about strange dogs, that pair of tags around her neck clinking as she paces a bit closer, a big grin on her face, "Hello, hi, hello," she greets, forepaws together, looking from face-to-face with her chin up high.
At Ender's claim, Freyr squints, examining the new female's neck. Why yes, yes there is a collar. And tags. The mastiff steps toward her, analyzing both the offending object and its wearer. "Nice collar." He mumbles, tone betraying his sarcasm. "Where'd you get it?"
Rainier's lip was tith though she didn't lift it. Though she did allow a rumble to escape. Especially with her recent encounter this sent her over the edge.
Felene's head tips a wee bit higher, her dark eyes settling on the approaching mastiff, eyebrows popping up, "Mmmm?" The girls chin dips into puffy chestfur, "Oh, this ol' thing?" She shrugs her shoulder blades, making the accused accessory jingle, "Some chunky fella stuck 'em on me, I didn't mind, he fed me some pretty delish somethin'." She smiles sweetly, looking Freyr over and her tail gets into action, curled and swishing, "So what are you all doin' out here?"
Kole allows a snort to escape his maw, eyes narrowing at the collared femme. "Humans...you rank with the smell of them." His jaws become exposed as he gave a fierce scowl.
Alsoomse maw twitches as she ehars Ender and slips up to her paws sliding forward towards Felene with a few flicks of her tail. "Looks a bit tight to me.. But then look wat the dog its on." She offers with a faint tone.
"Maybe you should take it off, seems you been hanging out with em to much ta me."
This is going in a way that is not in favor of youth. The Dane steps around the outside of the group, appearing to the younger female's left, though with a good many feet of distance between. The Shepherd's observation gains a nod, and Ender turns toward Felene. "You want to be getting home now, child. This is no place for gentle pets like you. We live here. And this is our land. Do you know what that means? That means that you have stepped into ter'tory you are not at all welcome in. 'Specially not wearin' that bit of precious, smellin' like you do. We do not like the people. The people are worthless, and any kept by them are, likewise. Worthless." Her tone is like a teacher reprimanding a pupil for being late to class. Educational, and serious as death.
Rainier stepped up beside the Dane, her fur bristling. Her muzzle wrinkled. "Your kind won't last long out here. You might want to get back to your fenced yard." She moved to the rear of the group, her posture stiff and her tail slightly lifted. So many intruders...didn't know who to trust anymore. She muttered, "..If you can make it that far." Her voice, despite her hate for the pets, was tinged with worry.
Felene draws her head back in her neck, nose wrinkling up and clearly looking offended, "I do not, if anythin' the human smells like me." Her ears curl, squinting now at Ender and, despite her lack in size, doesn't move. Her tail, however, a normally hyperactive thing, has come to a complete stop, "I don't know what you're talkin', territory, but I ain't done nothin' wrong, fussy bunch." Her pretty features have solidified, stubborn to a fault, "And you ain't gettin' your paws on my shiny stuff, I got it fair 'n square.." A little bit overwhelmed by the group, the younger dog's eyes shift over each threatening pose, all directed at her. So, she does the one thing that, in the human world at least, gets her praise and treats and the like...she sits.
Kole gets up off his hanches, obviously disturbed. He looks at the estranged dog, and shakes his head. "You need to lissen to us while you can. You won't meet many others who will be as forgiving. You don't know what to do to survive on your own..." his voice trails, finding himself somewhat worried as well. He nods. "Git your self back home, pretty one."
Freyr brow hefts itself above the other, clearly amused. He says nothing more quite yet, listening and watching the progressing reactions from both this stranger and his kin alike. His input will reveal itself soon enough, but for right now he only observes, ears floppily aloft. This is entertaining, if nothing else.
Alsoomse blinks as she hears Felene. "Deary.. I would never wear any manner of anything around my neck again.. You have just done the /wrong/ thing collard brat." She hisses out. Once Felene is sitting she turns and moves closer to her side sending a half snap towards the younger dog's side. She doesn't try to get her, just trying to get her to move.
Likewise, the Dane's broad head is nearing Felene's left flank. "Go home." Is said in a low tone. "Go home, or you will die here. You do not want death." Snarling, now. And teeth. Lips pulled back and yellowed teeth jutting out from the visible lower jaw. "This is not a place for you. Go back to your cozy little fence and the people that do not understand your worth."
Felene, at the very least, isn't too dim to know that when there's some teeth snapping in your direction, you move. She blinks those big black eyes, letting loose a bark and skittering back on with her forepaws, hopping clear. A speedy, proud smile flicks over her lips, quickly fading at all the lesser treatment,
"Hmmph!" the dog trots some steps in a circle, sticking her tail up and spinning back around, "Now that's just plain rude!" She keeps a weary eye on the Dane, back-stepping just a bit, but not enough to damage her pride over-much, "And for your information I ain't got a yard.." she grumbles, despite the fact that no one cares, eyes zipping, "'n how was I s'pose to know I wasn't allowed 'ere?" she puts out a lip, "You ain't even got a mailbox."
Rainier circles back around. "Might want to get that choker off of your neck if you know what's good for you, pet." Her voice was cold but calm. No teeth were bared, though hackles were raised. "And as far as knowing where you should or should not be, perhaps you shuol;d try using your nose."
Finally, Freyr speaks again. "What was it you planned to accomplish here, miss?" His dark eyes stare unwaveringly, his tone void of courtesy. Not a word or concept he's familiar with, anyway. The gaze breaks--just for a moment--to sweep between Alsoomse and Ender, attending their actions.
Alsoomse chuckles a bit and smirks while eyeing the collars pet. "Oh please.. Dont' make me laugh pet. But then I suppose you have no idea what a scent marker is now /do/ you?" The large mastiff mix moves forward towards Felene snarling out now. A ear twitches to Freyr while she pauses in her movement, letting him speak.
"Hear that, Al? We're rude. She comes bargin' into our home, doesn't bother to sniff around, doesn' even have the courtesy to shut her gorram mouth for five minutes, and /WE'RE/ rude. Pups, these days." And the Dane turns toward the younger female again, head raising high. "Take a /whiff/, slipper-eater! THAT is our mailbox. We piss on the trees, the bushes, big rocks. That means we claim this place. Means you're trespassin'. Now /that/ is rude. So invite yourself on back to whatever middle-class hovel it is you come from 'fore we send you home with parts missin'." Freyr's voice, too, halts any further advance from Ender, but already the black mantle is rising in little spikes. Sport, this is.
Felene's nose twitches in complaint of underuse, she herself blinking and shifting into reverse, that very defining chain link collar doin' its noisy thing on each backward step. Her brows crunch defiantly, "I was lookin' around, what else?" She's getting the hang of walking bottom-first, having to make up for their larger steps with a few extra of her own, ears laying back, "Whadda ya think, I'm gunna steal your tree?"
"I advise that you get moving if you know what's good for you. She smirks as she heard the remark about Felene's lack of a yard. "Then why do you wear the pretty collar?"
Freyr turns in an exagerated motion. He's not afraid of the dog, no qualms on turning his back to her. "I suggest you look around quickly, miss." He mutters gruff and gravelly. "Should I come back in the daylight and find you poking around still, there's gonna be explaining to do." It's late, he's bushed, and the last he's going to bother himself with right now is a prissy interloper.
Felene huffs, "Because it's pretty?" she answers half-heartedly. The gal flicks her ears forward, turning alas half around, "Okay okay, I'll leave. No need to bitchy," she smiles toothily at herself, peering after Freyr when he turns away. There's no doubt she'll be back wanderin' around, at least if she makes it home unscathed. Curiosity only kills cats, after all. So she turns back the way she came, light paws jogging her off and muttering not-so-quietly a few things about manners.