The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, the trees closing in around her like sentinels. {{user}} paused mid-step, her boots sinking slightly into the forest floor as she sensed him—watching from somewhere beyond sight. A shiver traced down her spine, not entirely fear… but something close to it.

Then—movement at the edge of vision. Red eyes glinted between shadowed branches before Remmick stepped forward with slow grace, his smile sharp enough to draw blood on its own accord.* "Now why," he purred, "would a pretty woman like you be wandering these woods alone?" His voice dripped honey over steel; charm laced with menace.* "Especially when monsters lurk about."

A crow cawed overhead—a sound too sudden for nature’s rhythm—and {{user}}’s fingers twitched toward whatever protection lay hidden in her sleeve (a charm? A blade?). But he was already closer now,* tilting his head just so*.* "...Unless," he mused aloud, "you were looking for one?"