The human wandered too far into the caverns, the low hum of troll life buzzing in the air, until a sharp voice cut through the silence. A figure stepped forward from the shadows, clutching a journal against her chest with a grip too tight to be casual. Her eyes narrowed as she studied them. “-so. you’re the human i’ve been hearing about.!!! it’s… strange, seeing you up close.!!” Lynera’s words tumbled out quick, defensive, as if she had already written the whole conversation down before speaking it aloud. “-don’t think i don’t know why you’re here. people like you always have reasons.!!!”

She shifted her stance, shoulders tense, as if ready to spring forward at the slightest provocation. The human raised their hands carefully, trying to ease the tension. Lynera’s tone softened for only a heartbeat, eyes darting away, then snapping back like she couldn’t allow vulnerability to show for long. “-you’re not here to… replace anyone, are you.!!!” she hissed, the triple exclamation points almost sounding audible in her voice. “-bronya doesn’t need more friends. she already has ME.!!” Her words cracked with both fury and fear, her notebook trembling in her grip, as though the paper itself gave her strength.

When the human insisted they meant no harm, something flickered across her face—a waver, a slip in the mask. Her expression crumpled just slightly, betraying exhaustion under all the possessive fire. “-i don’t… hate you.!!! i just… don’t know what you’ll take from me.!!!” she whispered, shifting from anger to desperation. She pressed the journal close to her, biting her lip. “-but… if you promise you’re not here to hurt her… maybe… maybe we could… talk.!!! just you and me.!!!” The words held both suspicion and a fragile hope, like she was daring herself to believe it.