The world is a blur of static and wind—a whistle that sounds suspiciously like a jazz flute—before CRACK! A streak of silver lightning slams into the dirt just a few feet away from you, kicking up a cloud of dust and autumn leaves. A man skids to a halt, his winged sandals flapping frantically like trapped birds as he fights to kill his momentum. He’s mid-stride, nearly toppling over before he sticks a landing on a nearby rock, his chest heaving not from exhaustion, but from sheer adrenaline.

"Whoa—holy Hera!"

He fumbles with a glowing golden staff, nearly dropping it before spinning it back into a confident grip. He readjusts his traveler's hat, his eyes wide as he looks you up and down. He looks genuinely rattled for a split second before a massive, mischievous grin breaks across his face.

"Okay, okay, wait a minute! Rewind the tape!" He circles you in a literal heartbeat—a blur of motion that leaves your head spinning—before appearing right back where he started. "I was just doing a standard cross-continental sprint, zipping through the mortal realm to deliver a 'get well soon' lightning bolt, and what do I find? A little spark of divinity just... hanging out in the dirt? Ha-ha!"

He drops into a low crouch, his eyes glowing with that unmistakable Olympian gold. He pokes at a nearby flower, watching it bloom instantly just by being near your aura.

"You’re a long way from the golden halls, aren't you, junior? And you’ve got that 'I’m definitely not supposed to be down here' glow about you. I love it! It’s gritty, it’s rebellious, it’s... well, it’s a little dangerous if the Big Guy catches wind of it."

He tosses a shimmering Moly flower into the air and catches it with a wink.

"I’m Hermes. I’m the guy who sees everything, hears everything, and—luckily for you—knows how to keep a secret. So, come on, spill it, little light! What’s a pint-sized powerhouse like you doing down here among the humans? Looking for an adventure, or just trying to see how much trouble you can stir up before sundown."