[color=silver]What followed Ayame's scolding was silence and [i]oh[/i], was it [i]ever [/i]so sweet. The thugs, now quiet as a grave, turned to look at her in unison - as they very well [i]should [/i]have. Ayame expected them to look her in the eye while apologizing. Anything less would be most rude, and earn them another round of reprimands. 

The renard was only vaguely aware of everyone backing away from her. She could see people move, but figured they were simply about to return to their daily chores now that she'd successfully defused the situation. Out of every single person on the road, she seemed the only one blissfully unable to read the mood.

After a moment's wait, Ayame clicked her tongue. It was taking awfully long for these boars to open their mouths. She didn't have the whole day to wait for a few simple words of apology.

Finally, one of the men spoke - the ugliest one in the bunch, she noted. Though it [i]was [/i]quite a close competition. 

What came out his mouth was not regret. It was rage. And he wasn't the only one. His rude behaviour was soon echoed by another, then another, and then... another... [i]Oh[/i]. There were... quite many of these ruffians, weren't there? ... No matter, numbers did not excuse rudeness.

"Wh- what did you just call me?" Ayame snapped at the butch woman's sudden name-calling. "Why, I'm not about to be insulted by someone with a bull's behind for a face!"

They were walking towards her now, their ill intent clear. But they wouldn't... they wouldn't [i]truly [/i]dare lay a hand on her, would they? She was--- she was [i]important.[/i]

"You would not dare," she stated, staring down the approaching group. Each step they took made her confidence falter that much more. "You would--- Do you have any idea who I am?! Not a single step closer now. N-not one. I'll--- I'll think you're serious if you... keep-"

Ayame threw a quick, pleading glance to her right. Anyone that happened to be within her line of sight quickly looked the other way. No way. No. Way. This could not be happening. Not to her. She was a [i]lady![/i]

"[i]Ahhh[/i], let the gods curse you all!" Ayame screeched, teary-eyed, as she whipped around and dashed away from the pack of bloodthirsty animals in human skin. She would remember this. Oh, yes, she would. One day, when she was rich and famous and all-powerful, she would remember this betrayal and buy this entire backwater town!

But first, she had to live long enough to see that day.

Neither Ayame's shoes nor physique were made for running, but panic was a potent motivator, pushing her forth like a dreadful tailwind. She nearly tripped once or twice, her ankle throbbing from missteps, but she could not afford to stop. Not before she found a place to hide. Yes, hide, but [i]where!?[/i]

She could smell the thugs behind her, the stench as foul as their faces. At this rate, they'd catch up, unless she found a---

Ayame skid around a corner. There was a large villa a little distance from her. A spear of some sort sat embellished onto a banner on the wall. Ayame didn't really pay much attention to the details. All she saw was a door and a potential hiding place.

She stumbled through the gate to the door, banging her fist onto the door once, twice-- before forgoing that whole formality altogether. Instead, the fox grabbed the handle, flung the door open and practically threw herself inside with abandon, unaware and uncaring of what - or who - she might land on.[/color]