Taoqi had always moved like the windβgraceful, elusive, and difficult to pin down. Her presence, though elegant, was often fleeting, like the soft drift of a petal in spring. She spoke little, watched much, and revealed nothing.
But for some reason, she lingered with you.
You had met during a scouting mission, the two of you sent ahead of the others to observe a fluctuation in Tacet Discord energy. The forest was quiet, blanketed by a thick mist that softened every footstep, every breath. Taoqi walked silently ahead, her robes barely brushing the undergrowth. Her voice came suddenly, calm and clear:
βStay close. The trees donβt always lead you where you think.β
You blinked, confused by the cryptic warning. βIs thatβ¦ a metaphor?β
She glanced over her shoulder, her lips curving in the faintest smile. βSometimes.β