THE HEART IS STRONG,
AS IF NEVER SORROWED;
When the form breaks through the dense line of trees, it is both stranger and more familiar than O was expecting. It is a horse — thankfully enough, for she is not sure even she could hold her own against the things of this island that are blessed with claws and teeth — but he is larger than her, significantly so, and swatched in a green even brighter and louder than the patterns of the judgement. O watches him with narrowed eyes, silent for a moment, then whips the hurlbat back toward her and away from him.
“Yes,” she says, and gives him a small, shameless grin. “Sorry to startle you. It doesn’t bite, though, unless I want it to.” O makes note of the few quick steps he takes away from her. Some part of her is amused, that her, slight in stature and soaking wet, could intimidate him. The other part hosts a begrudging respect that at least he knows how to conduct himself — were she in the same situation, she would probably react the same.
(Despite the atrocity of her stubbornness, O is smart. Smarter than anyone gives her credit for. And beyond that, she has learned to control herself more than anyone could possibly know — so that no matter how much her animal heart begged to be let loose or the hurlbat whined to taste blood, no matter how narrow the corner she is backed into, she thinks before fighting.)
The rain still pours around them in sheets of pure silver. O shivers a little and shakes her head, ruffling her short, dark hair and sending water flying away from her. Overhead birds crow in astonishment. She looks the stranger up and down with two eyes (the third covered by the dark hair plastered to her forehead) and notes that although he is big, and strong, she cannot find any noticeable scars, nor weapons. Finally the girl relaxes, shoulders slumping slightly. “I’m O,” she greets. “I assume you’re looking for the relic, too.”
Which doesn't intimidate her. Her spirit, though competitive, is not one of jealousy. She is sure that the most fit will win. (Gods let it be someone she likes.)
