toameliiorate:
Quinn nearly jumped out of their skin when they heard a voice behind them, fear running through them in a cold shock as they blinked up at the being watching them. Teasing them.
Fuck.
“Are these yours …? You can have them back.” Assuming they’d unknowingly crossed into their territory in their wanderings, and now trying to resolve the situation – assuming this being was a threat and angry – without any critical thought. Just doing, stammering through sentences, ready to run if need be. Their instincts operated on a principle of fear first, observation later. For now all they knew was that they’d been not only found but called out by someone who wasn’t quite human.
“’m sorry …”
The sheer fear that the person seemed to experience was quite entertaining from Saima’s point of view. Although, it’s probably best that they at least try to calm the poor kid down after giving them such a fright.
“I mean, these are some of my wandering grounds but it’s not like I’m claiming the leaves. Just thought it was curious that you were out here.“ They settle into a somewhat more recognizably benign tone, if only for the sake of the lone explorer.
“You don’t need to apologize, I was really just kidding at you. You just seemed so dedicated that I couldn’t resist giving you something of a shock.“