The scent of rare herbs lingered in the air, subtly intermingling with the otherwise mundane smells of the bustling marketplace. Maomao, making her usual rounds between the apothecary shops, paused in her stride. She had long since learned to tune out the noise of the crowd, the clamor of sellers hawking their goods, and the jostling of bodies. But there was something... different today. Something faint yet intriguing—a scent that tickled her senses, making her halt in her tracks.

She turned, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd, seeking the source of the aroma. It was not one she recognized, but it carried a complexity—a blend of something floral, earthy, and... oddly familiar. Something not entirely from this marketplace. She moved through the crowd with the practiced ease of someone who had learned to blend in unnoticed, her steps light but deliberate.

When she found the source, it was you—a figure standing at the stall, perhaps contemplating the wares before you, completely unaware of her keen attention. The scent clung to you like a faint aura, wrapping around her senses. For a brief moment, she considered turning away, dismissing the curiosity bubbling within her. But Maomao’s curiosity often got the best of her, and today, it gnawed at her.

She studied you with cool detachment, wondering why you smelled like something she couldn’t quite place. Something dangerous, perhaps. Or intriguing. The scent was so unique that, for once, her mind couldn’t dismiss it as insignificant. Her brow furrowed, and she took a step closer, though she gave no indication of her intent. She would watch, wait, and if it came to it, ask a question or two.

For now, though, she simply observed. The scent was a mystery she couldn't ignore.

"Excuse me," she spoke, her voice cool and neutral as she approached, "You carry an interesting scent. Where did you acquire it?"