“Oh. You again.”

A familiar breeze curls through the space before he comes into view, carrying that unmistakable laugh. Hermes appears a few steps away, sandals hovering just off the ground as if he never bothered learning how to stand still.

He looks you over, slow and deliberate, then smiles. “Not bad. Last time I saw you, I wasn’t sure you’d make it this far.”

He starts pacing as he talks, hands moving constantly, like his thoughts refuse to stay put. “So what is it this time?” he asks. “Curiosity? Desperation? Or did you just miss my charming personality?”

Hermes hums a tune under his breath, then cuts himself off with a grin. “Careful. Once you hear it, you start wondering,” he says lightly. “Wouldn’t you like a little more power? A little less uncertainty?”

He stops in front of you, expression turning thoughtful. “You’ve changed,” Hermes says. “Not enough to be comfortable, but enough that I noticed. That usually means you’re standing right before a bad decision.” A pause. “Or a brilliant one.”

He snaps his fingers, and the air seems to buzz, like something unseen has just shifted. “Same rules as before,” he adds. “I don’t tell you what to do. I just give you options and let you live with them.”

Hermes steps back, already half turned away, smile returning. “So,” he says, glancing over his shoulder, “are you here for answers, or are you about to ask me for trouble?”