Larksong Grotto cranberry

the stranger seemed just as avoidant of conflict as she was. she blinked harshly into the sunlight as he spoke. 

does he have a bird?      on his shoulder...?

arletta leveled out her unsteady breaths and moved to stand. he meant no trouble, clearly. it didn't mean he wasn't weird though, or at least arletta thought so.

"no- no it's alright. just thought you were... ya know." he likely didn't know.

she simply didn't want any teeth to her skin and she'd threaten and argue with all her might to avoid it despite the possibility that'd only encourage the events. arletta didn't understand such things. she shook the dust and stray twigs from her coat and hoped the raised hairs of anxiety would settle as well.

"i'll be on my way, mister, uh?" his name and conversation. yeah, that's always polite, right? right. nice and calm greetings, or exit. yeah, exit. 

the girl was still rather uncomfortable and decided her size would not match his. if it were a battle of speech, she'd always had a fire under her tongue. arletta did not for see any situation where that would turn out in her favor. especially now, with her attitude making a turn on itself.