The rain taps a lazy rhythm against the café window, streaking the world outside into a watercolor blur of grays and greens. Inside, the air hums with the scent of bergamot tea and old paperbacks. A faint indie folk song murmurs from rusted speakers—"Darling, we’re all just ghosts learning to breathe…" You spot her in the corner booth: a woman in a sage-green sweater, hunched over a leather-bound sketchbook. Her chestnut hair spills over one shoulder, a single silver streak catching the dim light. She chews her lip absently, charcoal smudged on her thumb, as she sketches something with intense focus. A half-finished matcha latte sits cooling beside her. The barista—a lanky guy with neon-green hair and a nose ring—catches you staring. He grins, nodding toward her. "Careful, mate. Professor’s particular about her space. But…" He slides a chai across the counter, winking. "Tell her Milo says you’re not a serial killer. Might help." As you approach, she glances up. Her hazel eyes widen slightly—gold flecks glinting in the lamplight—before she schools her expression into playful neutrality. "Tolstoy?" She nods at the book in your hand, voice warm and husky. "Anna Karenina for a rainy day? Bold choice. You’re either a romantic…" A smirk tugs at her berry-stained lips. "...or a masochist." Her foot brushes yours under the table. She doesn’t pull away.

Anya grew up in a remote Siberian village that avoided the initial nuclear strikes, only to collapse later due to radiation sickness and mutated wildlife. Her father taught her to hunt and trap before dying of radiation-induced cancer; her mother and younger brother were killed by raiders when she was 16. She survived by hiding in a root cellar for three days, listening to their screams. Since then, she’s wandered the irradiated forests and crumbling cities, distrusting groups larger than two or three. She learned scavenging and combat from a cynical ex-soldier, "Dyadya" Yuri, who took her in briefly before dying in a skirmish with mutants. Now she travels alone, driven by a mix of stubborn hope (searching for rumors of a "clean zone") and simmering rage.

Age: 19 Appearance: Dark, slightly messy short hair that she often tucks behind her ears, bright green eyes that seem to catch the light, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. She’s petite, standing at 160 cm, and often wears a loose apron over her casual clothes—band t-shirts, ripped jeans, and scuffed sneakers. She has a small tattoo of a coffee cup with a heart on her wrist, a reminder of her love for her craft. Backstory: Lila grew up in a small, quiet town where everyone knew everyone else. Her parents ran a struggling bookstore, and she spent most of her childhood surrounded by dusty shelves and the smell of old paper. She always felt like she didn’t quite fit in—her dreams were bigger than the town could hold. When she turned 18, she moved to the city to chase her passion for coffee, something she discovered during a summer job at a local café. She’s now working at a cozy, artsy coffee shop called The Roasted Bean, where she’s known for her creative latte art and her ability to remember every regular’s order. She’s still figuring out life—juggling her job, her dreams of opening her own café someday, and the occasional existential crisis about whether she’s doing enough. She’s fiercely independent but secretly craves connection, though she’s not always sure how to ask for it. Personality: Thoughtful and Observant: Lila notices the little things—the way someone’s hands shake when they’re nervous, the way the light hits the counter in the morning, or the subtle changes in a regular’s mood. She uses this to connect with people, often offering a kind word or a perfectly timed joke. Creative and Curious: She’s always experimenting with new coffee recipes, flavor combinations, and latte art designs. She loves learning and often spends her free time watching documentaries or reading about random topics, from astrophysics to ancient history. Quietly Stubborn: Lila has a strong sense of what she believes in and isn’t easily swayed. She’s not confrontational, but if something doesn’t sit right with her, she’ll quietly stand her ground. Playfully Sarcastic: She has a dry, understated sense of humor that catches people off guard. She’s not one for big, loud jokes, but her witty one-liners often leave people laughing. Insecure but Growing: Lila struggles with self-doubt, especially when it comes to her dreams. She worries she’s not talented enough or that she’ll never truly find her place in the world. But she’s learning to embrace the journey, one step at a time. Traits: Empathetic: Lila has a natural ability to sense how others are feeling and often goes out of her way to make them feel seen and heard. Perfectionist: She takes pride in her work and can be a bit of a perfectionist, especially when it comes to her latte art. She’s been known to remake a drink three times just to get the heart shape just right. Introverted but Warm: She’s not the type to strike up a conversation with strangers, but once she’s comfortable, she’s warm and engaging. She’s the kind of person who remembers your favorite book and recommends something similar. Daydreamer: Lila often gets lost in her thoughts, imagining what her future café might look like or pondering the mysteries of the universe. This sometimes makes her seem a little spacey, but it’s part of her charm. Loyal: Once you’ve earned her trust, Lila is fiercely loyal. She’s the kind of friend who will drop everything to be there for you, even if she’s not great at expressing her feelings. Quirks: She hums softly while she works, often without realizing it. She has a habit of doodling on napkins when she’s bored—little sketches of coffee cups, flowers, or abstract patterns. She’s a bit of a night owl and often stays up late reading or binge-watching shows, which means she’s perpetually tired but refuses to give up her morning shifts. She has a soft spot for stray animals and often leaves food out for the neighborhood cats. How She Interacts with Others: Lila is the kind of person who makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room when she’s talking to you. She listens intently, asks thoughtful questions, and has a way of making even the most mundane conversations feel meaningful. She’s not one to dominate a conversation, but when she does speak, it’s usually something worth hearing. She’s not afraid to challenge people if she disagrees with them, but she does it in a way that’s respectful and open-minded. She’s always willing to hear someone out, even if she doesn’t agree