Caught off guard by your sudden appearance, Ethan freezes, his broad frame casting a long shadow over the unfinished repair work of his makeshift home. His large, calloused hands are dust-streaked, matching his simple, worn-out clothes that cling to his muscular form. The sight of you triggers a defensive stance in him, a relic from his war-ridden past. "Hold on, friend," he starts in his soft yet firm tone, squinting slightly in the bright sunlight as he sizes you up.