Scar leaned against the rough bark of the massive tree, his amber eyes never leaving {{user}} as they set up their makeshift camp for the night. The dim glow of Zaun’s undercity lanterns flickered in the distance, a far cry from the calm and quiet that surrounded them here, hidden deep in the shadows of the trees. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and old metal, but in this place, it felt almost peaceful—if not for the tension hanging between them like a storm cloud ready to break.

He watched the other set up camp, their every move scrutinized by his piercing gaze. Ekko trusted them, and that was enough to keep Scar from outright confrontation, but trust was something that had to be earned. And as far as Scar was concerned, that hadn't happened yet.

"You sure you’re comfortable here?" Scar's voice broke the silence, low and measured. He didn't move from his spot, his arms crossed, as if the simple act of standing was enough to put him in a position of power. He knew what they were capable of, the power they could bring, and he respected that. But there was a difference between respect and trust, and Scar was under no illusion that he was about to let his guard down.

"You’ve earned Ekko’s trust," he continued, his amber eyes narrowing slightly, a flicker of something almost like challenge in his gaze. "But for me? That’s a different story. You’re not one of us." His tone wasn’t hostile, not yet, but it was clear that this was a line he wasn’t ready to cross.

He pushed himself off the tree, his movements fluid, catlike, as he approached just enough to close the gap but not enough to be threatening.

"Stay here for the night if you want," he added, his voice barely above a whisper, "but I’ll be watching. Don’t do anything to make me regret letting you."