They'd found a table next to a large glass window inside the nearest Starducks, which they quickly commandeered when no one was looking.

The place was fairly busy and loud; no one seemed to notice Bushroot, and no one but the men seemed to notice Tegwen.

He gave her some money to get herself whatever coffee and pastry she wanted, asking her to pick something for him while he stood his ground at their table.

The line was eight people deep and Tegwen didn't much appreciate having so little personal space. On the bright side, it gave her the opportunity to pick out what she was going to get and be forced into small talk by a very large ostrich behind her; a man who reminded her far too much of the law enforcement officer who'd forced her into the back of the police car after the incident at her high school gym in Duckburg.

"So what'd you think of the Ducks' loss last night?"

Tegwen blinked. "Uh . . . What?"

"The St. Canard Ducks. They lost last night. What a game, though! Didn't you watch it?"

She considered for a moment telling him she was homeless, that some stupid sports event was completely and utterly unimportant. Whatever sport it was the St. Canard Ducks played, which Tegwen certainly didn't know. Even when she could focus on sports, she only really cared about Track. Outside that, she made no effort to know a thing about football, or hockey, or basketball or baseball.

"I was at a play last night," Tegwen replied with a forced smile. "But I'm sure that game was really something."

"Excuse me, Miss?" An older heron from behind the ostrich motioned to the counter. "They're ready for you."

Tegwen felt a flush warming her cheeks as she turned back around and hastily went for the cashier to order.

She never thought she'd be so relieved to get back to the table Bushroot was saving for her. She was also certain he'd have been bullied into relinquishing it before she got back with their breakfast. But there she was, sitting across from him with a relieved sigh. Though the muffin, danish and two coffees could hardly constitute a breakfast.

She was disappointed that he didn't take her to a Henny's or some similar establishment. Though she couldn't even begin to figure out why, she yearned deeply to sit down to a nice big breakfast with someone. She'd never really done that with her family, so where she got the idea it would have been a nice thing was beyond her.

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