Emberflame Ridge Breath, should I take a deep?

For once, she scowled at a grin aimed her way, knowing it to be insincere. I approached you to greet you, Lily snapped. We've strangers all over these parts, and none of them have acted like you, you little cretin. Don't call me that! she tacked on, not clarifying whether she referred to his use of "witless" or "little starling."

My babes will do just fine, she said coldly. Unlike you, she thought, but held it back. It wouldn't help matters, and it was unnecessarily mean. Still, she wondered what kind of creatures would have to reproduce to birth something like. . .like that.

Demons, no doubt. Tricksters and clowns from hell.

But sorry to bother you, Lily sniffed, lifting her muzzle in a show--albeit a shaky one--of austerity. He might be a monster, but she didn't have to be. Guess I'll be going, now. If he had nothing else to say, she would back off, keeping him within sight until she was near enough to the willows to feel secure again.