Thunder Dome one of many hiccups

Each step drew more from her, muscles aching. She prided herself on having gotten so far; she has not traversed many mountains in her short life. Briefly, she wondered what fool would make their home here. Perhaps goats? As tempting as they were, Varinril could not see herself hunting here, the inclines too perilous. Worse yet, the rocks were slick from both rain and cloud. The less time she spent here, the better.

Noise tore her solicitudes from her. The burliness of the stranger drew in a sharp inhale. Varinril's large ears swiveled, concern written across her features. She realized with a sinking feeling in her gut that this stranger standing only several paces away was unquestionably male. Testing the air for confirmation, her rosy tongue swiped nervously across her lips.

Deep down, she knew her dread of him was something to work through, not avoid. She knew. And yet...she cannot stop the panicky racing of her heart nor the lucid retelling of what happened not too long ago. So she finds herself crouching, spine arching, and tail drawn betwixt her legs. Her ears lay flat against her skull as her hackles begin to bristle, teeth visible. A grumble bubbles within her chest and escapes from her mouth.

Fear is a powerful thing and she is it's vassal now.