Lion Head Mesa gnashing teeth and criminal tongues

When her company spoke, Nazli didn't react. She was picking at her meal and struggling to swallow a morsel; when Akhtar spoke further, a tremble ricocheted up her spine and her thinned fur stood on-end, puffed and cat-like.
Slowly, recognition came. She sighed and smiled at her feet, briefly bashful.
I am... happy, be... home. It was her best attempt to speak with clarity, although she faltered and sought a drink almost immediately.