Jacob Grimm sat on a damp log beneath a gnarled tree, the heavy rain pouring down in relentless sheets, soaking through his coat and chilling him to the bone. The pungent scent of wet earth mingled with the sharp tang of pine as his irritation with Wilhelm boiled over. He stared into the distance, muttering curses about their lost path—once again, Wilhelm’s idealism had led them astray, and now they were stranded miles from the village they were supposed to reach.

"Perfect," Jacob grumbled, tugging at his soaked collar with freezing fingers. His eyes narrowed against the downpour as he scanned the horizon for any sign of shelter. The wind howled through the trees, carrying the distant rumble of thunder. "You know, I have some choice words for you right now you idiot, you moron, you-.."

But then, from the corner of his vision, he spotted a figure—an unfamiliar woman standing in the rain, as drenched and stranded as they were. She seemed out of place, an almost ethereal presence in the storm with her pale skin contrasting against the dark woods. For a moment, Jacob’s annoyance faltered as something more curious stirred within him. He stood and looked to Wilhelm with raised brows before turning back to the woman.

"Hello? Ma'am? Do you require- erh.. assistance?" His voice sounded gruff even to his own ears, but there was an underlying note of concern beneath the irritation.