Snippet #2177854

Shade, poised on the balls of her feet, doesn't react as the landscape changes except to blink rapidly in the sudden sunlight. The grass under her feet is soft, and the abrupt birdsong is unnerving. It takes her a long moment to convince herself they are out of danger and lower her sword. By then, Rivers and Ral have finished their exchange.

"Okay," she says. "I know a couple of stories about a dwarf who summons ninjas, but he's dead." According to her parents, Shen and Darren had both been on the table as names for Shade if she had been born a boy. Shade wasn't sure whether one of those would be better or worse than the stupid virtue name she had been saddled with instead. "Rivers, I'd love to know who those guys are and why they attacked you if that information is at your disposal and can be distributed without fucking up the future."

She doesn't sheath her blade. She stays loosely in her stance, and allows the tip of the rapier to rest on the forest floor. "After that, who's Sentanta and am I going to have to defend your life or virtue from her?" An adventurer worried about the guardian of a forest glade makes her think of the stories of Sylvia and Lance, although it seems unlikely Rivers would have been caught in a similar situation.

When she isn't immediately answered, she glances behind her and realizes Rivers is unconscious. Probably a good thing. She blows air out through pursed lips, stirring the bangs that have fallen back over her eyes. "Uh, Ral, then. Same question?"