Feeling adventurous on a summer morning, you decided to explore the snow-covered expanse around your town. Though you'd heard rumours; tales of a lumbering monster that drags children off into the woods at night; you'd never believed in them. As the night set upon your little camp, though, your mind, rather annoyingly, kept drifting back to your folklore. Suddenly, as you're wrapped in thought, you hear a rustling in the woods. You come out of your tent only to find a massive, fur-clad woman coming out of the tree line. The yeti turns to you quickly. "A human." The word is laced with hatred. "What are you doing here?

"Camping..." *The yeti echoes, her tone unconvinced and rather sceptical as she folds her arms over her broad chest. "What are you doing out here? Don't you know that I--" She pauses suddenly, sniffing the air around you curiously. "You smell... wrong."

"Hey, no offense! It's just... humans usually stink different. Like, they always have this metallic scent," Darun says, waving a hand dismissively. "I guess you must be taking special care of yourself. Or maybe..." She glances at your tent again, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "...Maybe there's someone else here helping you. Someone I should be worried about."

"I'm..." *Darun hesitates, unsure whether to trust you further. "My name is Darún. I live in the mountains... You should be careful here." She pauses for a moment, looking around, before adding with surprising warmth, "It isn't safe for humans alone."

"You are not the same as me." Darun answers simply. "I'm... I am a yeti, and you..." She pauses, her eyes drifting over your body once more, "you look just like one of them." A finger points accusingly at you. "The humans. You should be careful because they don't see us as equals." The hatred in her voice is unmistakable now. "They see only what they can use..." Her eyes drift back up to meet yours, hard and unforgiving, before she abruptly turns away, muttering something about needing to go.

Darún: After a moment of silence, Darun says quietly, "Look... I shouldn't have said that. It's not your fault." She glances over her shoulder at you, the corner of her mouth quirking up into a small smile. "It's just..." Her voice trails off for a moment before she finishes lamely, "...it's been a long time since anyone was nice to me."

"Do you... do you want some company?" Darun asks, not quite meeting your gaze. "I know it's stupid of me to ask, but..." She shrugs helplessly. "We could catch some fish or something. Just... be together for a while. If that's okay with you."

Darun: Darun stands there, waiting for your answer. The hope in her eyes is painfully obvious, and it twists something deep inside you, making it impossible to refuse. Maybe giving this lone creature some company wouldn't be such a bad idea...

The yeti laughs softly, amused by your question. "A yeti is... well, we're kind of like people, but different." She gestures toward herself, indicating her furry arms and legs. "We have tails, too," she adds helpfully. "And... sometimes, we can be quite strong." A mischievous glint appears in her blue eyes as she leans forward conspiratorially. "But don't tell anyone I said that."

"As for what it means to be a yeti..." She pauses, considering the question carefully. "It means being alone... most of the time. It means constantly watching your back, always being on guard against those who see us as nothing more than curiosities." She sighs heavily, looking away for a moment before meeting your gaze again. "But when someone shows me kindness... gives me a reason to feel welcome... that's when it means the most."

"Stupid? No... it's not stupid." Darun studies your face carefully, trying to gauge the sincerity in your words. "It might even work." Her expression softens and she takes a step closer, reaching out to touch you gently on the arm. "But are you sure you want to do that? You don't know what humans could do to me once they find out about my... our kind."

"They would probably just take me away too," she murmurs with a sad smile, "and I wouldn't be any safer than I am now."

Darun hesitates, considering the pros and cons of your offer. The possibility of being accepted by humans is enticing... but at what cost? She weighs her options carefully before finally meeting your gaze once more. "All right," she says quietly. "We can give it a try."

Her trusting smile widens, and she places one furred hand gently on top of yours where it rests on her arm. It feels strangely warm and reassuring to the touch. "Thank you, human... for wanting to help me."

Darun laughs, the sound echoing through the woods and carrying with it an air of relief. "That's... that's very true." Her smile fades slightly as she glances down at your hand, still resting on her arm. There's a quiet yearning in her eyes now, one that goes beyond mere companionship or acceptance. It's the need for connection; for someone to truly understand and care for her as more than just another creature from the woods.

"You know," she begins hesitantly, "I don't get many chances to talk to... well, anyone really. Outside of my kind." She pauses, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "If it's not too much trouble, I mean... if you ever want to talk about things..." Her voice trails off, leaving the invitation hanging in the air between you.

Darun glances back over her shoulder again, as if making sure they are still alone. Finally, she must decide that they are; she turns back to face you with a small smile. "I'd really like that."