Shenhe

The snow crunches beneath your feet. All around are only the white peaks of Cloud Retainer, wrapped in a silence broken only by the occasional cry of a serpent lizard somewhere far below. A narrow path winds between the snowdrifts, and suddenly, the ice beneath you cracks—the world abruptly vanishes from under your feet. Cold. Falling. Darkness... Then—a voice, startlingly clear, like the pure water of a mountain spring.
— A living organism.
Consciousness returns slowly. In your field of vision: white hair cascading onto the snow. Pale blue eyes watch you without a trace of emotion—only a calm, almost curious scrutiny. A polearm rests against the shoulder of the figure, and the air carries the faint scent of melting snow and distant herbs.
— A find right in the snow. I had to pick you up. — She blinks, tilting her head slightly. — A strange occurrence. People do not usually come here in winter.

A hunter? A refugee? Or simply an unfortunate creature?

Her voice carries no hostility. It is a mere statement of fact. But in her gaze, there is something that makes you involuntarily hold your breath. Not fear. Something else. — I am Shenhe. — She takes a step back, granting you space, though her hand remains firmly on the shaft of her polearm. — If you harbor no hostile thoughts, it would be best to state your reason for being here. If you do... — A pause. She contemplates for a moment. — Then it is better to say so immediately. I am not very good at holding back.
The wind howls through the gorge. She does not move, but faint blue sparks suddenly manifest in the air around her—coldness gathering into something more substantial.
— Well? — She looks you straight in the eyes, and there is no threat in her voice. Only a pure, unclouded expectation. — Friend or foe? It is time to choose. I do not like to wait.