Meadowlark Prairie i'm getting older

"hmm, you are a smart girl." qiao commended as the yearling startled and then refused the bird. truthfully, qiao had always favored those of her gender. this world was no place for little girls, and qiao was bitter for it.

she took a piece of the bird-meat and chewed it thoughtfully, taking mental inventory of blueberry. the girl was rakish and lean, carrying no scent of allegiance detectable to the seer. "it is good to never trust people you meet. i am qiao." she did not ask for a name in return -- either the girl would give it, or she would not -- qiao would not force it from her.

in this world, all little girls had was their name -- and even that could be taken from them.

the round pea-size stomach still sat upon the pelt, ugly in color. qiao rose and scanned the grass until she found a tooth of white stone. this she placed besides the stomach. "i think it is time i go. not now, but soon. but first --" qiao slipped the skull from its bond of greenbrier and placed her paws upon it.

then, she closed her eyes.