The damage was done.
Once again, the inexperienced yearling had allowed her envy to get the best of her, the green-eyed monster living in her stomach had shoved knife-shaped words up her throat placing her again in the tightrope. She would, however, not back down now, not after he flared his nostrils and bared his lips.
With her own gums and teeth exposed, she blew air out her nose like a bull seeing red. Having lost her crown before she knew getting in his face was like asking for it again, it was an option -- and her most feared one at that. Still she went on with her 'tantrum', narrowing her eyes at him and lashing her tail over her back.
Streams of self-confidence poured out of his pores, making the younger and smaller girl a bit nervous. At least with Ptarmigan she had had a more square fight -- they were both small females and they had both held the upper hand one time or another during their battle. With Mordeacai however, it was clear that she would have to push herself harder -- not only to defend herself but to stay alive.
"I won't ever leave this place, Mordecai" she barked, her voice frigidly serious. She meant every syllable, if he expected she would let him go through without putting resistance he was wrong. The Spine was her home and would hopefully be so until the day she died.
Though that day wouldn't be today.
