"I don't recognize the markings of your tribe. Are you alone?"

Aisea lowers her rifle somewhat, pointing it more towards the ground, but she doesn't let go of it. She slowly steps forward, closer to the rocks Ori was pointing at, but doesn't let her eyes wander from Ori.

An unknown tribe always means danger. If they are not known, then they cannot be retaliated against. If they cannot be retaliated against, they have little reason not to kill you and take your things.

And if she does not know our tribe either, then... prey.

She is not happy! Troubled. Concerned. Maybe confused? Be careful ...

Ori smiles, her movements becoming slightly twitchy as she turns away from Aisea and starts walking to her camp a few feet away. She can feel the stranger staring at her back.

No.

Her back and neck start glowing with heat. She can feel the soft hairs on her skin standing on end, while the hairs on her head drift up as if she is immersed in water.

"Hush", she whispers gritting her teeth, refusing to cede control, and continues walking the few steps to her gear.

She crouches down and rummages in her backpack, pulling out a small spit, some dried meat, and unhitching a tiny bag filled with berries. She speaks conversationally while she works.

"My tribe is very far away. We don't use metal carvings. It's forbidden. I'd rather not name them. They like to stay hidden. I have markings. Just not on my clothing.", she pauses and bites her lip, then turns around and spreads her offerings on the ground between herself and the stranger. The heat in her body turns with her, now radiating from her chest, staying between her and the stranger. The only visible sign is her hair drifting slowly upward.

"Shall we eat? I can tell you more about my tribe and you can tell me more about yours." She smiles again.

Aisea pauses. She did not expect the stranger to be this friendly, let alone turn her back on her. Then the question catches her even more off guard.

She's asking about our tribe! What can we tell her? She won't have any reason to trust us if we tell her what we did...

We must control the conversation. Learn what this is about. Limit what we tell her.

Possible words ripple in the tightness, each being examined, scanned for what it would reveal. What would keep Aisea in control?

And then what?

Aisea suppresses a sigh. She suddenly feels very tired and overwhelmed. She knew that she had to get away from her tribe, but she didn't really have a plan for what then, other than to trust the spirits for guidance.

Could this girl... be a sign of their guidance?

She hesitates again, then slowly returns her rifle to her back.

"I'm going to put away my weapon. But I'm instructing my drones to take action in case you look like you'd be about to attack me. So don't do anything that would look like that."

Aisea looks at the meat and the berries.

"Eating would be nice", she agrees.