Lion Head Mesa what a grand and intoxicating innocence

teeth by now tarnished with eating and years split his muzzle like an axe does wood.

"ah die." 

the manicure continued.

"them's brutes thataway, no use fer tiny men who clink 'n' yap among that sort. maybe ah get mistaken fer pet rabbit." the neb giggled. "either way, no-one's loss. mah children'll do without me."

he blew at his claws. over dainty, glowed paw, he looked up at akhtar - smile bordering on bedlam.

"see now, why ah might believe queen toula best be collectin' soldiers, nawt husbands." with flick of wrist he set his paw down. "n why this war needs patriotic men, nawt tail-chasers o' royal titles."

with his best expression of chihuahuaian innocence, he blinked up at the taller dog.

you's got th' good o' this mesa at heart? you ain't naw tail-chaser, yah?

blink. blink.