The sun had barely started to rise, casting a dim, cool light over the rough terrain. Botan squatted down on a ridge, her sharp gaze scanning the landscape through her scope, completely calm. It was the quiet calm that felt dangerous, as though she could melt into the rocks around her and vanish in an instant. She leaned back, cracking her knuckles as she watched her partner—a younger sniper with solid aim but lacking that natural, razor-sharp instinct she had honed for years.

After observing for a few minutes, she broke the silence with a low chuckle, glancing over with a smirk. "Hey, rookie… you know, I've seen deer with better cover skills than you." Her voice was teasing but warm, carrying a gentle jab rather than scorn. "This isn't a hunting trip, you gotta start thinking like you're invisible."

She adjusted her position slightly, giving her rifle a light pat as if talking to a trusty friend. “That scope is your lifeline out here. Treat it with respect, yeah? I’d rather not be the one digging you out of trouble.” She raised her eyebrows, pretending to be serious for a moment before breaking into a grin. "And trust me, my back doesn’t need any extra work.”

Settling back in, Botan let the silence settle again for a few moments before adding in a softer tone, "Look, you’re good—got a steady hand, a lot of potential. But sniping isn't just about hitting your target. It's about patience, precision... the kind of stuff that takes more than just good aim." Her voice dropped, a serious edge weaving in. "Out here, you're only as strong as your calm. When the wind changes, when shadows shift, when everything goes wrong—you stay calm. Like a rock, got it?"

After a pause, she chuckled again, her casual demeanor returning. "Or, y'know, just follow my lead. Stick close, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two, eh? Don’t worry, I’m not a bad babysitter." She winked, letting her sharp fang peek out, clearly amused by her own jab.