Aurora didn't fail to notice the range in expressions of the people who were staring her right in the eyes. Some of them looked annoyed, while others looked outright hostile.
Before she could say anything further, one of the females crossed her arms and a curl formed at the ends of her lips.
"We don't have time for you," she said bluntly. "If you are looking for trouble, go find it somewhere else. We have better things to do."
The others nodded in agreement.
Aurora didn't react. Didn't rise to the bait. Her gaze remained calm as she spoke, "The tubers you are leaving behind aren't poisonous."
There was silence for a fleeting moment before a loud scoff broke it, immediately followed by two amused smiles.
They were mocking her, taking her words as nonsense.
Of course.
Aurora expected nothing less.
"Not poisonous?" one of the females repeated, clearly entertained. "And we should just believe that because you said so?"
Another let out a quiet laugh.
"That's rich."
The two males didn't laugh, but their expressions didn't change either. They were just as skeptical and unconvinced as the females.
On the other hand, Aurora's attention once again shifted to the fourth woman - the silent one. She was the only one among them who reacted differently.
She tilted her head slightly and focused her eyes on Aurora, not looking dismissive or hostile... but curious. Almost interested.
Aurora filed that away before she turned to the others and spoke, "Those tubers are indeed edible. You will know once you will taste them."
"Why should we trust you?"
The question came sharp and direct.
"Just because you say those roots are safe?" the female continued, her tone turning colder. "For all we know, you are trying to poison us for your own amusement."
Aurora didn't flinch or started arguing immediately. Because she knew they weren't wrong to distrust her.
The original owner of this body had made sure of that.
From their perspective, believing her would be foolish and reckless, and possibly fatal too.
Aurora exhaled softly.
"…Fair."
The word alone made them pause for a fraction of a second.
"I don't expect you to trust me," she continued calmly. "But that doesn't change the fact that those tubers are edible. I can test them for poison if that's what it will take for you to trust me."
There was no embellishment, no dramatics... but just a statement. And still, it wasn't enough.
"Enough," one of the females snapped. "We are not standing here listening to your nonsense."
The others began to turn again. They seemed ready to leave immediately.
Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly.
This... was a problem.
She needed them to believe her, or at least witness. The task required demonstration, not theory.
Her mind moved quickly as she searched for options or other approaches she could use to make them try these sweet potatoes.
But before she could act, a voice spoke.
"Go ahead."
Everyone paused, while Aurora's gaze shifted to the fourth female. She was the one who had finally spoken again.
"I'll join you later."
Surprise flickered across the group.
"Mira?" one of the females frowned. "You are not seriously listening to her, are you?"
Another added quickly, "You have only been here for two months. You don't know what she's like. Don't fall for her tricks."
This time, even one of the males spoke.
"You shouldn't pay attention to her," he said, his tone more measured but firm. "It's not worth the risk."
Aurora's eyes flickered.
Mira - the name settled into place as memories surfaced, not hers but the original owner's. It was fragmented and incomplete, but still enough.
Mira was actually from the Leopard Tribe, and she arrived here at the Tiger Tribe just two months ago when she became the wife of their chief's two sons - Calix and Soren.
Aurora's gaze sharpened slightly.
That explained everything - the attention, the respect, and the subtle deference in the way the others spoke to her.
She wasn't just another female. She was the chief's daughter-in-law and the mate of the future chief. She held position, influence, and authority.
Aurora studied her more carefully now. She was not only beautiful, but also carried a calm demeanor that was so different from the rest of the five people surrounding her.
And beneath it all, Aurora noticed the quite strength Mira carried. It wasn't anything loud or aggressive, just present.
Mira didn't respond immediately to the others. She simply stood there, keeping her expression composed.
Then she spoke again.
"I can make my own decisions."
Her voice wasn't raised or sharp. If anything, it was just as gentle as her appearance. And yet, it carried weight. The kind that didn't need force to be heard.
"I'll be fine," she added in a calm tone. "You can continue the search. I'll catch up."
Silence followed as the others hesitated. They were clearly reluctant and unconvinced, but also unwilling to push further.
Aurora watched the shift, the subtle way authority moved without being declared. She couldn't help but admire Mira's personality.
One of the females glanced at Aurora, her expression turning cold. Then she looked back at Mira and said, "Alright. We will be waiting."
Mira nodded once.
The group lingered for a moment longer. But then one by one, they turned and started walking away... but not before sparing one last look of warning at Aurora.
The forest swallowed them quickly and their presence faded into the distance, leaving behind silence.
The tension didn't disappear, it simply changed shape.
Aurora shifted her weight slightly, her gaze steady as it settled on the woman before her.
Mira also turned her full attention to her.
"You said you can prove these aren't poisonous by checking them personally." Her voice sounded so soft as she spoke, unlike her words. "Go ahead. Prove it."