[h2]Abigail[/h2]

"You can call me Abigail," the other girl said, looking northwards before crouching and talking to the dog. Not that Hisako would have all that much luck in following what was being said, with her already demonstrably poor grasp of English. Whatever it was she said, however, was clear enough to the furry creature: it cut off towards the side, going round to come at the shade, whatever it was, from [i]its[/i] north.

Taking off in that direction, Abigail held her sword and explained the plan about as tersely as could be managed: "Either we get the shade from behind or it comes to us."