The inn was an uninteresting place. It seemed that group from earlier was having some meeting, but aside from that nothing could particularly claim Tsai's attention. She passed the time by doodling little designs in the table with her finger, her acid burning at the varnish. The inn keeper wouldn't appreciate that. Tsai didn't really care. She mused that enough time had probably passed since the children had run away, screaming, and it was now acceptable for her to leave as well. She picked up one last chunk of fruit to bite when suddenly a shiver ran down her spine.

Tsai felt cold, an awareness thrumming through her that put her on high-alert. This wasn't like when the trees warned her, whispering at her to be on her guard – this was something alien and invasive. Yes, it was very much time to leave now. 

At least, it was until the reaper from earlier sat himself down at her table, claiming an apple from her bowl as though it were his own. He muttered a thanks and then went to work on the pad he carried. It took her a moment to realize he was [i]drawing[/i] her. She just stared, frozen in her spot. 

He was a boy, hardly older than the children who'd dragged her to this inn (at least from Tsai's perspective). But it seemed reapers grew quickly, and he was annoyingly tall. An image of him from earlier flashed through her mind, with his demonic mask and unnatural voice. He carried death around him like a shroud, the chill of it prickling at her, unnerving her.

It was then that Tsai realized [i]he[/i] was the source of her shivers from earlier. He'd been [i]probing[/i] her.

Tsai's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. 

[i][color=crimson]He's a presumptuous one.[/color][/i]

Pride swallowed up her uneasiness. She was not afraid of this child reaper. She would not run. And so instead, she placed her elbow on top of the table, her chin resting delicately on the back of her hand. An eyebrow raised as she listened to him speak.

[color=crimson]"Yes,"[/color] she replied after a moment [color=crimson]"It seems no matter what, children come and find me. Loud, inexperienced brats who throw tantrums when something doesn't go their way. And whether I'm in my shop, or on the street, or at an inn, they come to me and make assumptions about what they can and cannot do with me because I'm just a colorful little flower to be plucked and admired."[/color]

[color=crimson]"Now,"[/color] she said, raising her chin at him in a challenge, [color=crimson]"would you like to tell me why you're any different?"[/color] 

[@raijinslayer]