"Well, this went a little bit more violent than expected.
Kivas seized the little girl by the collar, lifted her effortlessly, and pushed her against the nearest tree.
The bark cracked slightly under the impact, but the girl didn't flinch. Kivas' fingers wrapped tight around the girl's throat, just firm enough to deny comfort, not life.
She smiled.
It was not a pleasant smile.
"Now, I'm going to ask nicely," Kivas said, voice level, tone patient. "Who. Are. You."
The girl looked her in the eyes, unblinking, her expression oddly gentle despite being pinned. Her lips curled downward in an exaggerated pout, as though saddened by Kivas' impatience.
"You were doing so well," she sighed. "But then again, you always get like this when something doesn't make sense right away. Still, it's a little bit evil to do this to a little girl, no?"
Kivas didn't tighten her grip, but the force behind her stare sharpened.
