Faced with Mujuuk, Zhi's ears pricked forward and the smile returned with an extra heaping of slyness. "Ain't me first dance," she said, voice smooth as silk. She bent forward a little at the waist, her eyes holding a challenge curtailed by Clove clearing his throat.
Zhi straightened. "I understand. I ain't gonna be spillin' no one's secrets, 'less one o' you worthy ones tells me to."
"Dax," Clove said.
But she wasn't looking at him, she was looking at Mujuuk. "I'll follow yer orders, but he ain't earned me respect." Or, the sideways glance to Clove said, her fear.
"Push him, and I'll push you." Clove's voice was pleasant enough, but the threat was heavy in his words.
Zhi's ears flickered sideways in uncertainty, but her bravado held. "Tell me what ye need done, Master Mujuuk, an' I'll see it done." His name was still mangled, but the challenge had been guttered. That she was confident was present in the way she stood, though one of her ears still pointed in Clove's direction.
Zhi straightened. "I understand. I ain't gonna be spillin' no one's secrets, 'less one o' you worthy ones tells me to."
"Dax," Clove said.
But she wasn't looking at him, she was looking at Mujuuk. "I'll follow yer orders, but he ain't earned me respect." Or, the sideways glance to Clove said, her fear.
"Push him, and I'll push you." Clove's voice was pleasant enough, but the threat was heavy in his words.
Zhi's ears flickered sideways in uncertainty, but her bravado held. "Tell me what ye need done, Master Mujuuk, an' I'll see it done." His name was still mangled, but the challenge had been guttered. That she was confident was present in the way she stood, though one of her ears still pointed in Clove's direction.
