Sleepy Fox Hollow sunset

Sleep would not come, nor should it; she was camped out beyond a claim in a place she did not know, and there were dangers everywhere. No amount of prayer could keep her wholly safe; but she still made the effort, murmuring softly to the little people of the woods, and hoping the mountain spirits would take pity.

When she heard movement, Viv was alert to it. She watched the shadows as they birthed a silvered figure, then shrank lowly herself (if such a thing were possible, she was already coiled against the roots of these trees); but she heard what was said, and steeled herself to reply.

I'm lonely, and hungry, and -- oh! How could she delve straight in to a list of her own wants! That was beyond rude. That was greedy and terrible, and she knew better. She clears her throat as she sits up straighter, unfurling some ways. My name is Vivienne; I did not mean to disturb anyone so late...

Is there some arrangement we could make? That I could stay, even for a night? She didn't know how the adults managed this! It was all new to her; dispersal was the worst thing to ever happen in her life, and now she had to make a go of it alone, and find her place upon the earth.