Lost Creek Hollow breakfast at tiffany's

Halfway through the question, she turned and snapped. It took some quick movement on his part to avoid those teeth, but the surprise kicked his adrenaline in to gear. Rio's fur spiked along his back, and his tail lifted, puffing almost like a cat's, initially offended by the sudden aggressive response. When the girl shirked back, he got a glimpse of the confusion on her face - and his heart went out to her. For whatever reason, she wasn't totally in control. Riordan's face creased with concern as he listened to her apologize.

"Nah, lass, it isn't your fault," well, that was sort-of a lie, but he didn't want her to feel worse than she already did. "I didn't see you there." But he saw her now, and he was kind of unnerved by her shift in moods. Clearly Rio had never been scarred for life; he surely hadn't been through anything more drastic than a botched hunt. "You headin' my way?" If she was heading towards the hollow, then this would be yet another ally he had awkwardly met along the way.