Snippet #2233209

Erixianti remained unaware of the girl that stalked her from the rooftops, her "Mary Jane" shoes clicking on the ground as she slowly walked backwards. She must've looked like an odd girl, to be sure, but no odder than the residents of this part of the city. The bear in her arms quivered, snuggling closer against her as if seeking some type of comfort. She smiled softly down at it, though no words left those lips of hers. The bear seemed to take some amount of relief in that, for it did not quiver any longer and merely settled itself in her arms.

She turned her head to look behind her so at least she could see where she was going, it would not do for her to trip over her own feet! Cautiously, she gripped the side of her dress as she stepped over a rather large crack in the ground. Probably caused by a haywire invention of some engineer. Erixianti did not enjoy her dingy surroundings and took a deep breath. Merely going backwards may not help her, for all she knew, she could be going deeper into this part of the city and she didn't want that. Her indecision must've shown on her face, for she heard a jeer come from a nearby doorway. She looked around, her soft locks hitting the side of her face as she tried to find the source.

She laid her eyes upon a man, whose jacket was far too large for him and the many screws which were embedded into his skin made him look more frightening than friendly. "A little far from the city, aren't you?" The call was taunting and she furrowed her brows, holding up her bear in front of her mouth.

"Not anywhere I can't find my way out of," Contrary to what the man might've thought, it was the bear that spoke for her, the voice it possessed higher-pitched and girlishly childish. The man was caught off-guard by this and blinked several times, staring at the stuffed animal he must've been trying to persuade himself had just spoken. She kept her expression steady and her bear held high, her chin tilted upwards to give the appearance of independence. The shock did not take very long to wear off, for the jeer returned and he put his hands into his pockets.

"Do you need a guide? I can show you how to get back, you know." If the man didn't look like he was contemplating the best way to rid her of her skin and wear it over his shoulders, Erixianti might've taken him up that offer. As it was, she shook her head rather rapidly, denying his offer. She didn't use her bear to speak for her again this time, lowering it back towards her chest. She went to back away gently, not wishing to use any sudden movements. She wasn't sure what this man was capable of or what he might plan to do. She had heard many quirky stories about the people that lived on the "Underside", as it was known, and not a one of them ended nicely.

Tilting her lashes downwards, the girl took another deep breath, trying to figure out the best way out of this situation without having to do anything drastic. For despite her appearance, she was not at all weak or helpless. But she had no desire to harm him, no matter how creepy he was. She could only hope that he would not incite her any further than he already had.