Stavanger Bay This night ain't for the faint of heart

rather than drift right past sandpiper, rosalyn seemed to take notice of her and head straight for her. sandpiper's ears cupped forward in interest, her angry little eyes narrowing in suspicion. in the back of her mind a thought stirred; an insecure one -- but she pushed it aside.

surely, rosalyn was approaching her now to tell her of some news, or inform her of something.

except halfway to her, her posture changed.

no, that couldn't be right.

but it was -- plain as day, rosalyn had gone from slithering eel to rising snake -- an unmistakable challenge in her demeanor.

sandpiper met the fueled intensity of her rival's gaze. the hackles along her back rose in sharp ridges as she recognized the intent behind the she-wolf's steps. no.

she  placed her paw down firmly and took steps towards her adversary that transferred into a lope, her tail held overhead in ropy swings and her ears pressed confidently -- assertively -- forward. with each stride her tail flounced authoritatively behind her, and her neck stiffened as she carried her head higher with each step until her canter was nearly upright and broken. despite the pain in her scruff she pressed on and ignored it, fueled by outrage that rosalyn had the chutzpah to challenge her.

she did not slow down, nor did she falter. she looked the she-wolf clear in the eyes and came at her challenger with fangs bared and ready.