Shady

"I don't think it's savage," Rana said quietly, sitting down on a nearby rock. She tucked her legs under herself politely, straightening her coat. "It's different from what I'm accustomed ...

Rana was quiet for a moment, barely resisting the urge to stupidly reply 'my Father' that immediately jumped to her mind. She shuffled forward, awkwardly standing close to the ring ...

Rana looked amongst them. This seemed… weird. Hostility to the offer of a joint meal? Were they going to poison her? She hesitated. “Um…” the thought of going back to ...

Rana glanced among them, committing the names to memory. She gave a hesitant nod. “Oh… it’s nice to meet you… are you… well known here?” She didn’t know why he ...

“I’m nearly sixteen,” Rana sniffed, frowning at the lady. “Old enough for marriage.” Allegedly. She glanced at the man again. “You keep saying Rugga. What does that mean?” She didn’t ...

Rana tensed, backing up another step. “I didn’t do anything!” Why were they treating her like some dangerous criminal? Just because she followed a Martin. Or something.

Rana hesitated, glancing down at the creature then at the friendlier man. “What is it called?”

Rana glanced at her nervously. This woman seemed hostile; it made her anxious. She offered a hasty curtsy. “Rana. How do you do?” She felt stupid, but it seemed like ...

Rana was grateful when the man put the knife away and slowed down. She nodded, eyes flicking to his face. “I… I think so, sir. I… don’t know how I ...

Rana was so nervous she couldn't follow most of what they said. She caught a few, like 'home', 'why', 'you', 'what', and 'here' but couldn't make sense of them. Her ...

"Uh... uh..." Rana hesitated, eyes flicking around the people, down at the furry creature, then back at the woman. She only understood about half the words she asked, but she ...

Rana stopped short as the small creature stopped in front of the boots of... She looked up with a start, and blinked at the people in front of her, eyes ...

Rana, usually more situationally aware of her surroundings, was completely oblivious to this encampment even as she followed the small creature nearly directly toward it.

[Time skip] Rana was outside wandering around, as had become her mid-morning habit. She spent most of her days in the library, envisioning herself as a ghoul haunting the stacks. ...

"Why?" She looked at him innocently. "I'm going to have so much responsibility when I'm an adult. Why not enjoy childhood while I can?"