[hr][center][color=808B96][color=00BFFF][h2][b]T a f f y[/b][/h2][/color]Southeastern Mir - Max's Crash Site[/color][/center] [hr] Taffy thought that things might actually be shaping up for a change...until Max's introduction was interrupted by the arrival of not just one, but [i]two[/i] other people. She had been so focused on helping the otter boy, and had been providing enough inadvertent distraction, that she hadn't even guessed that someone else was around until it was far too late. If it hadn't been for Max's quick reflexes, it's possibly the Draconi in the military fatigues might have crept up on her unaware. And, while he seemed like he wasn't so bad - even with a gun being pointed at him - Taffy gave him a good look and thought she noticed something [i]off[/i] about the way he was behaving. Almost like he should have been better-mannered than he was, or maybe it was just a slight twitch here and there. The Lotori couldn't focus on what she thought she saw, though, because she was starting to get more and more frustrated as the back-and-forth proceeded. [i]Great, they're trying to one-up each other,[/i] she thought as she kept quiet, though her patience was starting to run out as she felt the cork on her feelings give way. [i]This kid is wrapped up and ready to move somewhere, and we have to hold up for a size comparison contest? Really? Now? We don't even know this guy's [/i]name[i]![/i] And then the nekomi woman had arrived - out of the branches, no less. Taffy's small frown of general disapproval of the world turned into a slightly longer frown as she heard the cheerful and friendly girl introduce herself. [i]Oh terrific, she sounds just like some of the girls back at the dorm,[/i] she thought crossly. [i]Well, if you mixed them up with a used cart salesman, anyway.[/i] Despite herself, she found herself admiring the cool feline grace of this Nikki. She moved with a fluidity that belied her youthful appearance. And having that odd mix of Miran and Novan feline traits made Taffy feel reminded of things that had attracted her to her boyfriend before- And [i]that[/i] little reminder soured her expression and temper to the breaking point just as the Draconi offered another puerile challenge. "Okay, that's [i]it![/i]" Taffy exploded as she got to her feet and stomped over to the medkit that had been tossed to the ground. She swiped it up with one hand, then gestured at the Draconi with it threateningly. "You're not going anywhere, pal, until you help me move this kid someplace safe. My uncle lives only a few miles from here, near the edge of the forest, and from there, you can make your merry way anywhere else you like. But I [i]can't[/i] get this kid there by myself, and it's starting to get dark already, so if you want to make up for causing trouble, then make yourself useful and help!" Max swore and started to tell Taffy to get out of the way, but Taffy interrupted him as she turned her baleful glare of hot ice from the dragon to the hedgehog. "And [i]you![/i] I'm keeping this kit until we get this kid to safety - you can have it back soon as we're done, but until then, you're helping as well! Neither of you will get a chance to attack each other if you're both busy carrying this kid, so you can stop playing the macho game until we get to my uncle's place." "And as for [i]you[/i]," Taffy said as she looked over at Nikki, "we won't be able to call anyone until we get out of the forest, so..." Taffy faltered a little here; then shrugged as she made a decision. "You might as well come with us. Safety in numbers, and it's gonna be dark soon...and then we won't be the [i]only[/i] things out here to worry about." Taffy went over to the boy and dropped to one knee by his side, giving him another glance before looking pointedly over her shoulder at the Draconi and Max. "You get it? It's not just a matter of convenience - if we don't get to shelter soon ourselves, we could be in trouble out here, with monsters...or [i]worse.[/i] So it's either stay together, or separate...and be chow." [i]Well, that was my best shot.[/i] thought Taffy. [i]If I have to, I can carry this boy myself, but...I really don't want to wander through the forest on my own at night.[/i] But she kept up her stern, take-charge front, and scowled meaningfully in the general direction of everyone else.