Part 1

Svetlana was confused but mostly concerned when she made contact with Gilnas City. Nobody had sent those orders, in fact she was supposed to be on leave right now. While the orders were sent back to Gilnas for verification, she informed the King she had a Rusalki matter to deal with in Lichfield, and could say no more.

Through great effort, she managed to get her hair to stay in place in such a way that she at least appeared human adjacent as opposed to the unnerving black mass she otherwise could appear to be at times. There was no helping the lifeless whitefish eyes all female Rusalki had, even if hers had blue irises but she found the average human didn’t even look directly at her as long as she was in uniform. This changed once she got to Lichfield though.

She was constantly harassed by guards, townsfolk regarded her with suspicion, even despite her perfect Northern Karand accent, but most of it just felt like the fear of other until she got fed up with the latest shakedown by some guards.

"Why is it ever since I crossed into Lichfield I’ve been treated like a common criminal? I’m an Officer in the Royal Gilnan Army!" She said to one of the three guards, exasperated.

The guards murmured for a moment before one stepped forward.

"I’ll put it simply. We know what you are, rusalka. Just because a wild animal is dressed up like a human doesn’t mean we’ll treat it like one." The guard replied, keeping his distance.

"The only reason nobody’s killed you yet is you’re here at the invitation of the Duchess." The second guard continued.

"How ill informed humans continue to be." Svetlana said with a scowl. "There are three humans on this plane capable of removing me by force, and none of them are in Whitemire. Stay out of my way."

Svetlana resumed walking, pushing the guards out of the way when they refused to move.

"Halt! Assaulting a guard is a crime!" The third guard said, grabbing her shoulder.

"You dare?" Svetlana said, spinning her head to face the guard, causing a horrific snapping noise to emanate from her neck. "Food dares to touch me so casually?"

The guards reflexively jumped back at being referred to as food, suddenly remembering that they were harassing a rusalka.

"Go on then, arrest her!" The first guard laughed, pushing the third guard toward Svetlana again. "Get out of here rusalka."