Heron Lake Plateau i.x : who was only a stranger at home

She kept her eyes narrowed as the woman spoke, but when they switched to the same movements she'd seen from Mou and the red girl in the woods, her gaze widened in a mix of puzzlement and exasperation. What was this? Maegi watched closely, trying to figure it out. It had to be some sort of language; messages were being conveyed.

Gods, what were they saying?

The man looked surprised and furious, as if the captive tale wasn't known to him. She was fixated on him when there came a dark blur, in the corner of her vision, and the Melonii turned to see Molag Bal springing toward her once more.

She hadn't moved, there on the mountain. She'd let him split her mouth. But she sure as hell wasn't going to stay still like some lost pup, now.

Maegi rolled, exposing the ruined left side of her face. Presumably the blow was meant for more vital parts, but instead it grazed her temple, shredding her ear to ribbons. White-hot pain lanced through her face--again--and she continued to scrabble away, finally managing to regain her paws and stumbling back, back, back, back--

What the fuck? she yelled, ears--all 1 1/2 of them--flattened to her skull. Blood oozed slowly down her jawline, stark against the snowy white. I didn't even do anything!