Blacktail Deer Plateau ≡ Soaked in Gasoline

Feeling quite exposed, Umi watched as the wolf calculated the situation. He glanced at the carcass, then at her, stiff and cold. The eyes of the grey lupine figure were fierce and frightening. He was as that of a Lord in stature, heavy and thick. Had she encountered more brutish types, the cat might have simply abandoned her buffet and let him go.

But she was curious. She had never been the sharpest of cats.

Where to? she blurted. The end of her tail shifted like a rattlesnake: a sign of interest. His voice said "don't mess with me" but her buzzing mind had all of the questions. Like a kitten with a new toy, she decided that she would much rather poke this strange wanderer than do the wiser thing.