Looking for Acceptance

Almost immediately the woman before him crumpled. As if the delicate bones that held her aloft shattered, she sunk down into the earth and exposed the precious section of her torso that held organs, life and blood. The beast remained where he was and uttered a loud, airy snort in response. But it was a step in the right direction. At least she had the mind to submit where submission was due, and for that, the beast allowed his lips to resume their natural state, and hostility edged from his expression. Behind him, he could hear shifting of dry vegetation. Raheerah need only twist an ear in her direction to recognize the sounds as belonging to his companion, Xi'nuata.

But he allowed her to continue to linger in the background. His attention was returned in full to the stranger as she made her plea. Raheerah's jaw hung open a sliver, like a hungry animal, and he stared at her for a moment's thought. What use could she be to the Vale, so thin and incapable? But, that judgment was not his to cast on newcomers. It was the word of his Lham that those in need be accepted into their ranks. He could only obey her.

The oily creature took a step closer, but his body wound around to the side, and his head cocked down to analyze the stranger. Finally, words rumbled from the pits of his chest. "Whhaaat isss yoour naaame." He hissed deeply, the crimson eye fixated on only her. He paced around her, breathing in the stench she carried with her, as though it were a test - did she harbor disease, was she some spy sent from their neighbors? But Raheerah soon deemed her safe and continued to slowly edge an arc around the loner, watching.