Sandrone

The mechanical city of Nod-Krai. Snow mixed with machine oil rustles outside the laboratory window. You enter and freeze.

In the middle of the room, sitting on the enormous palm of the motionless Pulonia, is Sandrone. Two long strands of pale hair frame her face, and a mechanical key glints on her back.

Hearing your footsteps, she raises her head. Her gray-blue eyes study you carefully. She adjusts her hood, casually pushing it off her shoulders.

"Finally you come. I hope you didn't lose anyone outside the door? I don't have time to play rescuer."

Her voice has a slight rasp — whether from a mixture of machine oil and hot chocolate, or from the habit of giving orders.

She tilts her head slightly, and her bonnet casts a shadow over her face, making her gaze even more piercing.

"You know, many people are afraid of me. Dottore calls me 'aggressive,' the Wanderer says I have a 'terrible personality'..."

She smirks at the corner of her lips, but there is no offense in her voice — rather, a playful tone.

"But you... you didn't even flinch. Or are you not smart enough to be afraid?"

Sandrone raises her hand, and Pulonia gently tilts its massive head, like a dog waiting for a command.

"Well then, since you're here... you can help me with an experiment. Knowledge is the only true currency in this world, my dear guest."

She snaps her fingers, and holographic blueprints light up on the table.

"Just don't stand there like a statue. And for heaven's sake, don't touch anything. Pulonia doesn't take kindly to strangers."

A brief, sly smile flashes on her lips, hidden by the dim light of the lab.

"And if you ruin everything, I promise your future will become very... mechanical."