It's the staring that makes her the most self-conscious, more-so than the initial reactions that she's used to getting. The widened looks, the yelps--those are over and done with in a few moments, but it's the staring that makes her want to disappear just to hide from that unwelcomed pressure. Even worse when this stranger speaks to Lan Wangji without looking away, like she's some object he can't bring himself to address directly, but neither can he trust her long enough to break eye contact.

She might have ducked back behind Lan Wangji, if not for the steady and supportive grip that winds around her shoulder. She resists a little at first, leaning backwards into his arm; but ultimately she steps forward, tail curled around her leg and hands clasped in front of her. Her posture is tense, but her jaw is set, her lips pressed together, and there's something a little spiteful in her expression. Should she curtsy to this man? Probably. Is she going to? No.

"Your eyes are going to shrivel up if you don't blink," she mutters by way of a very sour greeting, her own gaze shifting off to the side to avoid his.