Bearclaw Valley Silence, then...

she's affronted when the woman places her paw down, squarely in front of her. she takes the meaning. she doesn't like it. just because she spits words means she is suddenly the name-giver? her father has spoken much more than she.

her eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, but thankfully Merrick takes the burden from her shoulders. Vesta, he says, and she nods. she may have nodded at anything. a name is a name; Avicus finds little importance in monikers and perhaps never will. she is his blood-flower, and the woman is Vesta.

it is done.

or we'll kill you, she adds, thinking first of her threat to Karst (just words) and then her teeth in Earp's throat (action). she would not hesitate. she gives Vesta a gimlet glance and then moves away, the barest touch of her tail to her father's shoulder. her work here is finished.