The sensation of being watched is, as always, unwelcome. The moreso for the fact that on some level, both Zagreus and the chimaera are still afraid and feeling unpleasantly exposed. Being afraid is one of the surest ways to make him peevish, and that probably goes double for the monstrosity at his side, exchanging increasingly barbed quips in hushed tones. Frankly, it's probably best that a new target presents itself, even if it's currently an unknown. With eerie, unspoken accord both creatures whirl and turn their attentions sharply behind them, around them, scanning intently for anything nearby and alive. It's become something of a routine, though without any of the comfort that implies--feeling watched, and trying to catch the watcher only to find a mocking nothingness. Only this time, something is actually there, someone, actually. A man, and a big cat that all but glows in the dark, to which they've grown so accustomed. Whatever these two are, they're obviously not whatever's lurking in the forest. Zagreus exhales, and the chimaera chuffs, frustration and relief commingled.

As they approach the newcomers, Zagreus can tell the man's a stranger. Also, he's plainly terrified, that's hard for something like Zagreus to miss. "Relax," he says, and it might sound reassuring, if he could manage that without any disdain slipping in. Not to mention, the presence of Alecto at his side might go a considerable distance in spoiling that particular game; it's hard to imagine anyone believing that he's not a potential danger, with that manifestation. That's the trouble with having your beastly soul on the outside. "I'm not...whatever's in these woods."