"I have that ability, yes," Rhiow said dryly. "I'm sorry if I startled you - most ehhif on my world aren't used to understanding me either." She did sound a little contrite - if one wasn't familiar with feline body language, that is, because her whiskers were twitching madly as she held back laughter.

"My name is Rhiow. We spoke on the network, about the tracks in Grand Central?"