Shana wasn't quite ready to meet his gaze just yet, needing a moment to compose herself, a moment to hide the fact that his words had hurt. It was her own fault, and there was no way she could ever look like the females he was used to.

"It is still my life now, even if it's only at night. This place isn't all that much safer, you said so yourself. Do you really think the next giant bird or doppleganger or monster I stumble across is going to care whether I brushed my hair or not? And for that matter, is anyone else? I know just securing my hair back in a braid or with twine isn't the height of fashion, Valyn, and the state of my nails and my skin would most likely send most of your elven females and concubines run screaming in the other direction, but this is me, Valyn, and I'm different.

"Yes, maybe I'd like making myself up fancy once in a while, and the skirt I got to wear to town wasn't as bad as I thought, but when it comes down to a choice between saving my nails or saving a friend, I'd rather get my hands dirty."