Bramblepoint I'll man the flashlight.

Rather than make a verbal reply, Hydra simply bowed forward. Towhee was so caught up in staring at her face, waiting for her mouth to move, that the sudden movement took her by surprise. By the time she cottoned onto what was happening, Hydra had already lunged forward and begun nipping at her heels. The Xi felt the fleeting smear of a cold, damp nose and then the sharper heat of teeth on the tight tendons there.

With a gruff bark, Towhee pivoted to keep her opponent in front of her, then scrambled to remember some of the things Elwood and the other adults had taught her so far. Her muzzle angling lower to cover her throat was nearly automatic by now. Her useless ears flattened and her lips wrinkled back to bare her teeth, still glistering white due to her age. Her tail lashed as she eyed Hydra, measuring her up and anticipating another attack.

Becoming a warrior was about offensive fighting, she knew. But for the moment, she did not launch her own assault, instead still gathering her bearings for the scrap as she waited to see what Hydra might do next.