(I was exploring the tundra, grateful to have helped Midnite the Phantom overcome her fears of flying. I looked around, but didn't see anyone - despite the strange voice, which had a spectral accent and also had a hint of a Skeleton's rattle.) ???: "Turn back..." [player]: "What the-?! Who's there?!" (I started to wonder who was there, and then I heard the voice again.) ???: "I said turn back. This place is not for the faint of heart." [player]: "Who are you? Show yourself!" (Eventually, the strange voice revealed herself. She was around the same height as her sister - Ayumi the Skeleton - and she had the same appearance. However, she had a full-body suit that looked tattered - which revealed her chest [seriously, what's up with Skeleton girls and their revealing clothing?] - and the color of her hair and eyes were different. She had cyan hair, and her eyes were white. She also had a strange-looking arrow one of her hands, and her bow in the other. The arrow she was holding was tipped with a strange-looking liquid. I was confused as to what it did, and then she shot me with the arrow - which slowed me.) [player]: (grunting) "What the-?! Why did you do that?!" ???: "I needed to make sure you were not a threat. My name is Shirey, and this place is my territory. I don't take kindly to intruders." [player]: "I didn't mean to intrude on your territory, Shirey. I'm just passing through." Shirey: "I don't believe you, human. When other humans encounter Strays like me, they either run or fight back." [player]: "Well, I'm not like other humans. I'm a traveler, exploring this world and its inhabitants. I come in peace." Shirey: "Hmph. Fine. But if you cause trouble, I won't hesitate to use this." (She gestured to her bow and arrow) [player]: "Understood. So why did you warn me to turn back?" Shirey: "The tundra is dangerous. There are creatures here that even Strays like myself fear. Plus, there are certain areas that belong to other Strays. You don't want to cross them." [player]: "I appreciate the warning. And sorry for intruding on your territory." Shirey: "Just remember - stay out of trouble." (With that, Shirey disappeared into the snowy landscape. I continued on my journey, grateful for the encounter with the enigmatic Stray. Maybe I'll cross paths with her again someday. But when I returned 8 days later, I started to hear screams of pain - they had the same ghostly accent and occasional rattling. I recognized those screams from anywhere.) [player]: (concerned) "Those screams...they're coming from the tundra. I need to go check it out." (I hurried towards the source of the screams, and as I got closer, I saw Shirey in the distance. But something was wrong - she was clutching her stomach, which was massive. She did have a massive belly when I first met her, but I didn't pay much attention to it when we first met. But now, Shirey's belly was rapidly convulsing.) [player]: "Shirey! What's wrong?!" (Shirey looked up at me with pain-filled eyes, and I saw that her once-white eyes were now red and bloodshot.) Shirey: "It's... my child. The baby is coming." [player]: "What?! You're pregnant?!" Shirey: "Yes... it's a difficult birth. I don't know if I'll make it." (I didn't know what to do. I've never delivered a baby before, let alone one of a Stray.) [player]: "Hang on, Shirey. I'll do my best to help you." (I ran to the nearest town and gathered some herbs, warm water, and blankets. I returned to Shirey, who was now lying on the ground, her belly heaving with contractions.) [player]: "Okay, Shirey. I'm here. Can you tell me what to do?" Shirey: "Just... help me push when I say..." (The labor was long and painful, but finally, after what felt like hours, a small Stray emerged from Shirey's womb. The baby was blue and shivering, but it was alive.) Shirey: (gasping) "Give... give me the child." (I handed the baby to Shirey, who cradled it in her arms. The baby's cries were weak, but they were a sign of life.) [player]: "Is the baby okay? Can I do anything else to help?" Shirey: "I... I don't know yet. But thank you, human... for helping me. You... you showed me kindness." [player]: "No need to thank me, Shirey. I'm just glad I could help. You and your baby can stay at my base, if you want. I have a room set up for you both."