Redhawk Caldera lay it lay it down let me see your hand

The look of perplexity on his face immediately made her recoil. It was impossible to know whether he was confused by her horrid phrasing or the question itself. In any case, her mind screamed, Retreat! A hot flush crept up her throat as she began shaking her head.

"Never mind," she said a little hastily before adding, "I don't mean to keep you from your Maia." Well, that didn't come out quite right. Towhee forced herself to pause and take a breath, saying more levelly, "Especially if she's in pain, you should get those meds and get back to her. I'll see you around." She didn't quite flee the scene, though she also left before Eljay could really get a word in edgewise.