[i]A bead of sweat dropped from Carter’s brow as he raked the small garden outside his rural homestead. Surrounded by trees, he seemed completely focused on getting the garden ready to be planted. He exhaled and stood up. He was used to hard work like this but today it was unbearably hot out. A whisper of mist, presumably from the humidity, rolled out from the tree line in waves as if it were being pushed out by some unseen force. It moved slowly across the open ground towards Carter, who seemed oblivious to the encroachment. By the time it had reached him he had just completed his raking and he stood up, looking around at the surrounding fog. [/i] “Hmmm... Strange.” [i]He thought aloud as he lay the rake handle down on the fence next to him. He took off his working gloves as he continued to survey the area, off-put by the seemingly sudden appearance of smog. Through the haze, he thought he saw a cloaked figure standing in the distance, walking closer to him. [/i] “Hello? Who is it?” [i]Carter asked, still a bit uneasy. The figure continued to walk forward, moving fast this time.[/i] “Hey! I asked who’s there!” [i]Carter absentmindedly grabbed a pitchfork that he had left next to the rake and raised it out in front of him like a spear. The figure finally got into view only to reveal a shorter girl with blond hair sticking out from her hood. The hood obscured her face as she was carrying a large rucksack and she appeared not to notice Carter’s questions. Carter gently laid a hand on her shoulder and she jumped in surprise.[/i] “Gods you scared me!” [i]The girl exclaimed. Something about this girl was familiar, Carter thought to himself. His suspicions were only confirmed when she raised her face, revealing a light complexion with dark brown eyes. As she spoke, she removed a pair of earbuds from her ears and turned off her music device.[/i] “Hazel? What are you doing all the way out here? Shouldn’t you be studying at the Capital with your Uncle?” [i]Hazel looked down and away at the ground, her hands playing with each other behind her back.[/i] “Uncle Damun is dead. He passed away a week ago.” [i]Carter’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped.[/i] “No...” [i]He put down his pitchfork next to the rake and drew her in for a hug.[/i] “I’m sorry, I know the two of you were close.” [i]Hazel reciprocated the hug, then backed away.[/i] “Yeah well, anyways I need a place to stay now and you’re the only person that I know would take me in.” [i]She still refused to make eye contact. Carter gave one last look around before ushering her inside.[/i] “Of course of course! Stay as long as you’d like. Make yourself at home.” [i]When they entered the house, Carter internally cringed. He had forgotten to pick up the house this week and naturally this was the one he had company. However, Hazel didn’t seem to notice the mess as she sat down on the couch next to some books. [/i] “Must have been a long journey. Would you like some food or water?” [i]Hazel shook her head, absentmindedly staring at the ground.[/i] “No, I’m fine thank you.” [i]Carter shrugged and began exiting the house to get some well water. Hazel looked up from the ground. [/i] “Wait...” [i]He stopped in his tracks and turned around. Hazel’s dark brown eyes pierced through Carter’s vision. [/i] “It’s about my Uncle. He didn’t just die. He was... murdered.” [i]Carter looked at the ground.[/i] “I’m sor-“ “That’s not the important part. The man who killed him said he was your younger brother, Tiris. He also said he was coming for you too. How is this possible Carter? Your younger brother is dead!” [i]Hazel’s eyes became wet and her voice quavered with confusion. Carter turned to look outside at the tree line through the mist.[/i] “I don’t know Hazel, you’ve given me a lot to think about.” [i]As noises echoed throughout the woods, Carter thought better of leaving the house and closed the door. [/i] [spoiler]If you want to roleplay you can have your character knock on the door or something. These characters are part of my “hero” squad so unless your character is a villain there’s a low chance they will be attacked/die. [/spoiler]