dang, those things are vicious

Henbane scowled at the man, her hackles still up. Standing tall over her paws, but also... well, she can feel the blood dripping down her face. Though the girl wants to look tough, she... hm. Maybe now isn't the time to play tough. "You want me to follow a stranger home?" The words slip past her lips, but Henbane is already following him. The sting of saltwater in fresh wounds was bracing, but she leaned in. Dunking her head below the surface of the water, wiping at it... well, at least there was less blood in her eyes. Did it make things better or worse? Fuck if she knew.

"Henbane Aeris, for what it's worth." Her tone has dropped any edge, though she's quick to realize-- company it is. Twice in one day? Her hackles up, tusks already swinging, Hen rounds to cover their backs. Nothing could sneak up on them now, at least. Gaze focused on the trees, Henbane licks her nose. Takes a deep breath in. Scents the air. She can smell it, but where the fuck was the thing? "East," she tipped her head, tracking the thing on the wind.

Unwilling to wait any longer, Hen dives into the small, shadowy copse of trees with a snarl. Yeah, she found the cat alright, and maybe she'd just rushed a tiger.
"Speech"