Redhawk Caldera My "people skills" are "rusty."

Elwood stopped short when Towhee suddenly blocked his progression with her small body. He looked down at her, observing the way her expression was contorted as she signed emphatically at him. He blinked, then peered at the blood on his own pelt again -- and, putting two and two together, realized that Towhee wanted him to clean himself up now.

"Oh," he said. "You don't like the blood," he added, using a paw to point to the stained fur. He dutifully began to lick at it with his tongue, slowly but steadily removing it from his coat. He did pause long enough to glance at Towhee and assure her, "It's okay," after noticing the regretful hunch of her shoulders.

Once the patch of hair had been returned to its monochromatic hue, he asked, "Is that better?" He accompanied the question with a shrug of his shoulders and lifting of his eyebrows, waiting for Towhee's judgment.