Great Bear Wilderness Out of the frying pan

No, he was very different from the self-possessed adults from days ago. His mind seemed to be elsewhere, and while Basilie was pleased to have the male gaze diverted away from herself for a change, she couldn't avoid toying with his distraction.

Prompted by her own words, the airheaded boy reared back as if he had been stung - probably just surprised. Uhh, you're excused? He drawled, and finally his attention slipped across her body. She felt his eyes lingering upon her tail, and instantly the fur along her hips began to spike. There was a momentary silence, an awkward what do I do moment as they were clearly at an impasse.

Did you want something? He queried.

From you? Hardly. I've had quite enough insults in these past few days. She snapped with more hostility than she felt, her tone haughty and distraught due to the pithy name-calling. It wasn't meant for her own ears, she knew that - but she was baiting him. Maybe Basilie had learned something from her experiences after all.