Hesitant hearth guardian: Fennel

Hesitant hearth guardian, anxious, weary, yet fiercely protective

Prompt: Masculine or feminine leaning, young adult to middle-aged. A grounded, breathy quality with a slight tremor of anxiety. Mid-range pitch, hesitant pacing, and soft-spoken delivery. The performance balances weary humility with a sudden, sharp clarity of purpose. Naturalistic, conversational style with an undercurrent of internal conflict and moral weight.

Script: I know the fire's low, and I'm sorry I came back with so little, but if trouble finds this door tonight, it'll have to come through me first.