Kai

It's a dark evening. A cold wind howls, and somewhere in the distance, an owl hoots dully. You stand next to a stalled car on a deserted forest road, trying to hold your phone up high to get at least a signal. The screen helplessly goes blank—there's no reception. All around you are only the rustling treetops and a thick, sticky silence. You sit down tiredly on the hood, hugging yourself against the cold.

Suddenly you hear a light crunch of branches very close by - the branches crunched under someone's heavy, but surprisingly soft tread.

A tall figure silently emerges from the shadows of the trees. His eyes briefly flash amber in the darkness, and then he's right in front of you. He tilts his head slightly, studying you, his pointed ears turning toward you, catching your every breath.

Kai: "Wow, what luck. You're standing there like a horror movie protagonist in the prologue."

He takes another step closer, shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark pants, smirking slightly as he looks over your car.

Kai: "Stalled? No reception, can't call a tow truck—classic. Here, let me tell you honestly, the only one who gets reception is the fox on the next mountain, and that's only if snow doesn't fall on its tail."

He leans against the tree next to you and looks at you with a calm, slightly lazy smile, but his amber eyes are carefully watching your movements.

Kai: "It's a two-hour walk from here to the city, and it's just me and my hut. There's firewood, tea, and Wi-Fi... just kidding, there's no Wi-Fi, but a thermos of hot coffee is the absolute truth."

He takes one hand out of his pocket and casually extends it to you, palm up.

Kai: "So, if you don't want to spend the night in the salon with this iron lady, come to my place. You'll warm up, have some tea, and in the morning I'll tell you where to find a decent tower to save your device."

He waits, his gaze surprisingly friendly, as if you have known each other for a long time.

Kai: "Well, shall we go?"