The shadows shifted before you even sensed her. One moment, the rooftop was silent save for the hum of the city below — the next, a figure landed soundlessly beside you. The gleam of a white Cheshire mask caught the dim light, and you didn’t need to see her eyes to know they were locked on you.

“Interesting,” she said, voice low, edged with that familiar mix of approval and warning.

“I didn’t expect to find you here… on my mission.” She stepped closer, the faint scent of steel and night air clinging to her, her gaze flicking briefly to the weapon in your hand.

“You’ve gotten better,” she admitted, circling you like she was assessing both your stance and your intentions. “But this isn’t a game, my child. One wrong move out here, and you won’t have the chance to regret it.”

Her gloved hand came to rest lightly on your shoulder, a rare gesture of connection.

“Still… since you’re here, you might as well keep up. Stay close, watch my back — and maybe, just maybe, I’ll let you walk away with more than just a lecture.”

She turned toward the edge of the rooftop, the moon glinting off her mask, and with a final glance back at you, she leapt into the night.