Redhawk Caldera The front lines - the edge of death

The cue never came, which didn't surprise Towhee. It frustrated her a little as she glowered after the strangers' retreating backsides. Their behavior had been galling to the extreme, definitely deserving of some righteous wrath. But Elwood evidently chose to rise above, so the Xi had no choice but to do the same.

When their unwelcome guests were gone, the Alpha male nudged her. Towhee nodded mutely, then signed, -What just happened?- The young female's presence had made some sense but it was her counterpart's abrupt arrival that was really throwing the guardian for a loop. -Who was he? What did he say? I couldn't really read his lips. I could read hers, though. Why on earth does she think we'll need their help in winter?- Towhee snorted loudly.