Grouse Thicket mais oui on se connait bien

 

annunziata settled by the stranger's answer, her expression demure as he spoke. she afforded the harsh glint of sunrise a brief look, before turning back and offering a smile as warm as the rosy sunlight that settled around them. he was forthright, which the woman appreciated in no small measure. her lot in life thus far had been many men which were not so transparent in their interests, yet had hoarded her the way one might possessively guard a kill.

"company would be nice." intoned the svelte woman, who also found a curse in loneliness. she hardly minded his accent, for it seemed to insinuate a cold strength that was intangible yet distinctly present. "in truth, i am a bit lost." she laughed at her own misfortune, a soft and fluttering sound like birds taking wing. "doesn't seem much like a place you'd want to eek out a living." annunziata joked lightly, sweeping a thin paw to motion the tangle that snarled around them. "i'm annunziata. what is a shield-maiden?"