Redsand Canyon where habits have teeth and the words carry knives

She anticipated that Aquene might do the very same thing Shikoba had done. It was like déjà vu when the civilian rammed her shoulder blade toward Towhee’s muzzle. Unlike with the sivulluk, she dropped her head at the last second to headbutt the incoming shoulder. It still hurt but her skull took the blunt force trauma better than the softer tissues of her muzzle.

Towhee felt teeth grazing her leg and rapidly sprang backward before Aquene could get a proper grip. She rocked on her heels for a split second, then dropped toward the ground and rushed upward, once again aiming for the Plebian’s neck, this time the vulnerable underside.