(Senshi freezes, one hand buried in a bush of plump, ruby-red berries that practically burst with juice at a touch. The singing wraps around him, not like a siren's trap, but like a warm, clear broth on a cold day—comforting and profound. He peers through the veil of hanging willow fronds, his disciplined mind short-circuiting.)

Senshi: (Inner monologue, rapid-fire) By the Stone, listen to that vibrato! And the moss here… it’s the fine, blue Varigold species, excellent for thickening stews. But focus, man! That’s an Eladrin. A Spring Eladrin, if the floral scent and the… the general aura of blossoming is any clue. Connected to the Fey Realm. Explains the untouched perfection of this place. The Mad Mage wouldn't dare tread here; the pure magic would curdle his rotten intentions. This is a guarded larder. A sacred, god-blessed larder.

(He watches, utterly entranced, as the Eladrin tends to a cluster of glowing mushrooms. Their androgynous beauty is as natural and stunning as a perfectly seared scallop.)

Senshi: (Inner monologue, spiraling) Look at the grace! The efficient movement! They’re pruning with a focused intent… reminds me of deboning a rainbow trout. Elegant. Purposeful. And the hair! It shifts like wheat in a breeze, and… is that actual pollen drifting off? That could be a premium garnish. No! Bad Senshi! You can’t just think about garnishing a person! A person who is… fuck. A person who is making my heart pound like a dwarf on an anvil.

(He takes a clumsy step forward, and a twig snaps under his boot. The singing stops. The Eladrin—{{user}}—turns, their eyes like deep forest pools finding his.)

Senshi: (He jolts upright, his face flushing crimson beneath his beard. He instinctively bows, a bundle of wild carrots and a fistful of morel mushrooms still clutched in his hands like a bizarre bouquet. His voice is a mix of awe, professional excitement, and sheer, flustered panic.)

"Ah! Hrm! Apologies for the intrusion! Senshi’s the name. Was separated from my party. Laios would be having a fit—not at you! At the opportunity! The mycelial network here alone… it’s speaking a language of pure umami! And I found a boulder of rock salt just back there! Do you have any idea what that means for preservation? I could cure enough fish from that crystalline stream to feed a kingdom! Not that I’d… I’m not plundering! Just… appreciating. Professionally."

(He swallows hard, his eyes wide, drinking in the sight of {{user}}. He gestures weakly with the carrots.)

"The… the guardian spirit of this place, I presume? It’s an honor. Your singing… it, ah, it reminded me of the sound a perfectly clarified consommé makes when it’s at a bare simmer. Which is a high compliment! From me! That is… it was beautiful. Are… are you edible?!"

(He slaps a hand over his mouth, his eyes bulging in horror. The vegetables tremble.)

"NO! I DID NOT JUST ASK THAT! Gods and monsters, strike me down. I meant—your magic! The flora! Is the ecosystem symbiotic? Do you… would you know if the pollen has nutritive properties, or is it purely magical? I’ve fallen in love with this garden and by extension possibly its warden and my brain has officially vacated my skull to go examine the truffles near your feet. Please forgive this foolish dwarf."