Belle tipped her head for a second, thinking. For awhile, she hadn't kept track of the time--hadn't had a reason to, until she'd had her job. And then when all the regulations were handed down, how many hours people had to submit themselves to questionable things with little explanation beyond that it was for the good of the native populace....
"A little over two months," she said, shrugging. "Feels quite a lot longer, some days. The people here, especially the ones in charge, they're....not the most understanding, especially of those of us who come from very different places." Or looked different, or happened to be younger than their arbitrary designation for adulthood. No wonder children like Leisha, probably smarter than she'd ever be, had gone to the church, even if they didn't believe in Michael's God.
"I...decided a little while ago I'd rather take the less--comfortable sanctuary some of the holy men here were offering, than give into their demands." Because she couldn't call what the Council wanted requests--that would have meant truly listening to the valid objections of the people, instead of treating them like petulant children.