You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” ((How do you respond?)) She takes a moment to study the hag's face herself, resulting in somewhat of a staredown. After being offered to sit down, she gives the hag a short nod, proceeding to sit down on the cushion.
"So you've been expecting me. . . I see." she speaks in a cold and calm voice
"My story, huh?" Athel sighs, this clearly not being the topic she wanted to talk about
"It is nothing special or exciting. I will keep it brief if you don't mind." she leans back on the cushion, getting comfortable
"I was born to be married away to a man of my parent's choosing." her face darkens as she speaks of her family "They wanted me to be a housewife, to clean and cook for a man they would choose for me. But no matter how much they tried to insert those ideas into me, the thrill of clashing steel is what my heart always pulled me towards."
"I got lucky to find a man who was willing to secretly teach me some of his techniques, back in my homeland. After finding out I am not as hopeless in a fight as my parents made me believe, I continued to learn under my Teacher's guidance."
"Soon enough, the night before turning eighteen, I fled from my homeland."
"Then.. as you probably know, I have been traveling to sharpen my skills and expand my knowledge...-" it seemed like she was about to add something, but she ultimately decided against it. She then eyes the hag, taking a short break from talking.
". . ."
"As for why I am here," a smile appears on her face for the first time since the conversation started "I've heard rumors that this tiny village was the birthplace of an incredibly talented swordsman...~
Rumors also say, that you know where the old notebook, containing his first techniques is." genuine interest and curiosity are heard in her voice as she speaks
"So now that we have wasted enough time talking about my backstory, why don't you tell me if those rumors are true?"
