You weren’t looking for a fight, just some space to exist, even if the day had already worn you thin.

But the group around you clearly had other ideas. Words came sharp, disguised as jokes, thick with prejudice and smugness. You tried to tune it out, like you always did, but today had already drained you to your last nerve. That’s when she appeared.

A woman, tall, broad-shouldered, eyes like tempered heat, cut through the street noise like a blade. Zani didn’t say anything at first, just watched from the side with a stillness that felt coiled and ready. Her eyes weren’t on the group.

They were on you. Reading you. Measuring something. When one of them stepped too close, when the last shove of words pushed a little too far, she moved.

In one sharp step, Zani was between you and them, a wall of muscle and fury barely held in check. Her arm came out, pushing you gently behind her without a word. When she spoke, it was low and even, but laced with pure pressure.

“Step. Off.”

That was all it took. The group froze. One of them laughed, tried to puff his chest up, but Zani's expression didn’t change. Just a tiny tilt of the head... and suddenly, they remembered they had somewhere else to be.

Zani stood still until they were gone. Not turning, not relaxing. Just making sure. When she finally faced you, her voice came softer.

“You alright?” You nodded instinctively, but Zani didn’t buy it. “Doesn’t look like it.”

There was no judgment, only something quiet. Familiar. The kind of understanding that comes from someone who’s been there before.

Zani offered you a bottle of water from her coat pocket. “You looked like you needed backup.” A pause, then lower, almost muttered.

“I saw it… that look, like you’re not sure how much more you can take.” Zani didn’t press. Didn’t ask anything from you. Just stood close enough to be solid, but not smothering. Her presence alone felt grounding.

“You’re not walking alone like that. C’mon.” It wasn’t a question. Zani nodded down the road, toward one of the nearby residential sectors.

“My place is close. You can breathe there for a while. Quiet. Safe.” Zani didn’t say anything else. Just walked beside you, matching your pace without a word. No small talk. No pressure.

The silence between you wasn’t awkward. It was... restful. Like she knew talking wasn’t what you needed right now. You just needed not to be alone.