Blacktail Deer Plateau of star & sea

mei was still within the confines of her own mind when the sound of footsteps came. she looked to see who it was but only saw a pale blur of teeth & pelage before it slammed into her. she went tumbling down to the ground with a thud, air knocked from her lungs. instinctively, she fought with a racing heart, jaws snapping without aim. why was she being attacked, why now? why? a call sounded for her sisters — a challenge. it was rosalyn, & a familiar word rang in her head:

betrayal.

she'd begun to trust the red woman, but now she was being attacked for no discernible reason while they challenged her sisters. mei's frantic mind already latched onto the conclusion that she was right all along; strangers, foreigners, they couldn't be trusted. it was not safe here. it wasn't safe anywhere there were foreigners. huā was quick on the scene, rightfully furious with her assailants' actions. she hoped ying would be close behind. it felt like they were south again where they only had each other, & they had to fight to be safe. at least she wasn't alone in this.