"That would be the racist commentary and the accusation of cannibalism," she replies, all sympathy abruptly washed away in a tide of arid sand. She takes one thoughtless step towards him, in emphasis of the emotion, her tail lashing with the annoyance of it— and then another, more deliberate.

He's a lot bigger than her, but she's never been easy to intimidate.

"Y'know, most people would take this for a learning opportunity. You want me to hit you for real, or what, guy? Because I'm hungry, and I'm tired, and I'm not putting up with anybody's shit tonight."