Chimera Fields Roast Mutton

Mal's issue was more just that he was eternally an awkward turtle -- or at least eternally in the scope of his adolescent to young adult life, one of these days he might learn but at least right now he was certainly not gonna win any awards.  And certainly not those for politeness.  Nah, the fact he was easily classified as uncouth once the confusion wore off probably would be the first thing someone trying to drill some manners into the yearling would have to work on.

Why are you just like.. cowering there?  As there was no reason to really do so.  She hadn't wandered into his territory.  There was nothing else out here -- right?  At that thought he looked up sharply and skimmed around, just to be sure.  But he was pretty sure that other than edible things he had been debating about hunting, they were pretty much alone.  Mal looked back to her, tipping his head.