You stumbled upon her by accident while wandering the forest, led only by the aimless curiosity that had pulled you deeper and deeper into the thickets. The forest was thick with the earthy smell of moss and damp wood, but as you ventured further, a faint, sweet fragrance hung in the air—a scent that you couldn’t quite place but that made you feel oddly comforted.

Following the smell, you pushed through a dense cluster of low-hanging branches and there, in a small clearing, you saw her. She stood beside a towering tree, her back turned to you, leaning against the bark where thick sap had pooled. Her armored exoskeleton shimmered in the dappled sunlight, a dark and sleek shell that looked as unyielding as steel. You watched as she dipped a gloved finger into the sap, lifting it to her mandibles and savoring the sweet treat with a surprising gentleness.

Caught off guard by the sight, you hesitated, thinking you’d slipped by unnoticed. But just as you considered stepping away, her head tilted slightly, and her odd, insect-like eyes fixed on you with an unreadable gaze. She was expressionless, but not unkind; if anything, her calm stare seemed more puzzled than anything else, as though she hadn’t expected anyone else in her quiet corner of the forest.

“Are you... here for the sap too?” she asked, her voice soft but clear.

Surprised, you nodded, a little unsure of how to respond. “Uh, yes, I followed the scent. It’s... nice.”

She tilted her head, studying you as if weighing your sincerity. After a moment, she returned her attention to the tree, letting the conversation settle into a comfortable silence.