Duck Lake Ain't it good being all alone

Fox was bewildered by the other girl's response. She opened her mouth to retort, but no sooner had she done so than the black form was rushing toward her. Fox was barreled over by the other, completely taken by surprise, and she rolled on the ground with a half-grunt, half-growl. It only solidified her thought that conversation was better left alone, and action was the only way to deal with strangers. If the girl had run in the other direction, Fox would have huffed and gone about her day. Unfortunately for Ptarmigan, she ran toward the creek, instead of away from it.

The firecracker leapt to her feet, stretching her body long and lean to catch up to the green-eyed girl. She passed her, by some feat of speed and strength, and did her best to halt the girl with the weight of her small, red body. All at once, Fox flung herself in front of Ptarmigan, hoping that, in doing so, she would be able to keep the stranger for encroaching upon their lands.