Farnese quickly pivoted on her heel to see where the voice had come from -- she had heard a yelp as the tree had fallen, hadn't she? She had assumed it was one of the strange animals that occupied the forest, but ...

She looked thoroughly embarrassed. Not only had she made a fool of herself in front of the spirits, but also in front of another person.

"I --" She dropped the stick and clasped her hands in front of her, fidgeting anxiously. "I apologize, I thought ... I thought that I was alone."