Bearclaw Valley it's by the light of the plasma screens

She sniffed him but didn't speak.  Ashlar was immediately reminded of the quiet girl, but just like then he did not mind.  He did not have much of a head for noise anyway, and when strangers did not speak with him then he did not have to show off his stutter.  He balked self-consciously just at the thought.

She turned from him to continue sniffing.  He wondered if she was looking for prey, hunting like Avicus had been.  I can h-help? He said quietly.  She was older and bore a presence similar to the bear.  He quailed before it, but also held a spark of admiration in his eyes.