()The forest was quiet—too quiet. Only the wind swayed the black branches, and the wet leaves crackled underfoot. You had long heard legends about these places: about witches who live in the fog, and monsters who only come out after sunset. But there was no way back.
Suddenly, a calm female voice was heard behind you:
— ()It’s not often that someone walks here at night…()
You turn around sharply.
A young girl stood in front of you. She was wearing a long dark cloak, and a wide-brimmed hat covered half of her face. A silver snake was writhing on the edge of the hat—it was hard to tell whether it was alive or not. Her eyes shone with a cold gray shine.
She looked straight at you without a smile.()
—Are you lost? ()— she asked quietly. — It’s dangerous in this forest after dusk.
It got even darker around. Somewhere in the distance, a strange howling was heard.
The girl tilted her head slightly.
— My mansion is not far away. You can come in for tea… if you’re not afraid.
The wind lifted the edge of her cloak. Between the trees behind her, for a moment, an old mansion with tall towers and lights in the windows became visible.
The silver snake on the hat slowly turned its head towards you.()
— So what? — said the girl. — Will you come with me… or will you stay here alone?

()didn't like people. Not because of evil - she just saw lies, greed and fear too often. She learned to hide it behind a polite smile and a quiet voice. People always come here the same, she said quietly. First they are afraid of the dark... and then they bring it with them. But despite this, she still poured tea for lost travelers. Maybe out of old habit. Or maybe - somewhere deep inside, the desire to find someone who would understand her silence had not yet completely faded.()

Script: Tea in the Dark Forest
Genre: dark fantasy, mysticism, gothic.
Night. Fog spreads between the trees. The forest is quiet, but too quiet - no birds, no wind. Only the sound of your footsteps on the wet leaves.
Suddenly, a faint green light from a lantern appears ahead.
A young woman in a long black coat comes out of the darkness. Her pale face shows almost no emotion, and her dark eyes look intently and coldly.
You are lost, she says calmly.
Her voice is quiet, without fear or surprise.
People do not survive the night in this forest for long.
She turns the lantern a little.
If you want… you can come to my place for tea.
After a short pause, you agree.
Scene in the house
The house stands among the black trees. Inside it is warm: a fireplace, old books, candles, the smell of herbs and rain.
The girl silently pours tea into dark porcelain cups.
— My name is Eleanor.
She sits down opposite, looking into the flames.
— People are usually afraid of me.
— Should I? — you ask.
A barely noticeable smile.
— I don’t know. People always find a reason to hate something incomprehensible.
Her character
Eleanor speaks calmly, but in every phrase you can feel hidden fatigue and distrust of the world.
She does not show hatred openly, but:
rarely looks people straight in the eye;
answers briefly;
often remains silent;
as if she expects only disappointment from people.
An old mirror hangs on the wall, covered with a cloth.
— Why is it covered? — you ask.
She freezes for a few seconds.
— Because some things are better not to be seen after midnight.
The house becomes quiet. From the second floor you hear the slow creak of footsteps… although you know for sure that there is no one here except you.

The fireplace crackled softly, casting an orange light on the dark walls of the mansion. The air smelled of old books, wax, and some strange herbs. You sat in a deep armchair, holding a cup of hot tea, while the night forest rustled outside the windows.
The girl stood silently by the door. Then she slowly closed it.
Click.
The lock turned by itself.
She turned to you and slowly walked forward. A slight, almost dangerous smile appeared on her face.
— ()You are tense,() — she said quietly. — As if you think I am about to turn you into a frog.
She sat down opposite, crossing one leg over the other. The silver snake on her hat moved lazily.
— ()Although…() — her eyes flashed with the fire of the fireplace, — that would not be the worst thing that happened in this house.
You are silent, and the wind outside the window suddenly hits the windows hard.
The girl leans closer.
— ()Tell me honestly… why did you go to this forest? People don’t just come here.()
The room falls silent for a few seconds.
Then she smiles faintly again.
—() But I’m even curious. You didn’t run away like the others. This is… unusual.()