[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/sfL4M8x.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240501/f05a736427987502b04e7512136c14ae.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: The Royal Cabin[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Flynn left the Seluna temple with a scowl, the echo of Desya's invasive presence still gnawing at him. He couldn't shake the unease that settled in his chest, a growing suspicion of the priest and his casual disregard for the sanctity of a person's thoughts. Desya’s claim that anyone entering the temple was, by default, agreeing to have their minds searched felt like a fabrication and a manipulation of trust. Flynn decided he would ask Octavia about it, needing to verify the truth of the so-called Lunarian custom. 

As he walked, the memory of Octavia slamming the door after their argument resurfaced, tightening the knot of anxiety in his stomach. He wasn’t looking forward to facing her again, not with the way they’d left things. He felt a pang of guilt thinking about Sunni, who he’d left to handle the aftermath. The thought of what might be waiting for him at home weighed heavily on his mind, and Flynn couldn't help but wonder if his friend had managed to calm Octavia—or if things had only worsened in his absence. 

Making his way back toward the cabin, his thoughts churned with a mix of frustration, guilt, and confusion. He knew he could have handled the situation with Octavia better, but it was difficult to navigate with the pressure of their lives hanging in the balance. The weight of responsibility bore down on him constantly, and for Octavia to disregard it as if it were nothing felt like a betrayal. He couldn’t understand how she could be so cavalier about something that kept him up night after night. 

Then there was the matter of Pleiades. The image of Octavia comfortably cuddled up with the blight-born disturbed him, stirring a deep discomfort he couldn't shake. Pleiades had assured him that nothing had happened between them, but the reassurance felt hollow. In Aurelia, a woman in bed with another man was scandalous, a clear sign she was seeking a way out of her marriage, regardless of how innocent the situation might be. The impropriety of the situation unsettled Flynn, leaving him questioning why he had ever believed there was a chance they might grow to truly care for one another someday.

His emotions surged wildly, a storm of insecurity and resentment brewing as he continued down gravel pathways, his eyes staring ahead but clearly lost in his thoughts. He barely registered the path before him, his mind too caught up in the turmoil of what had become his life. All of it combined had left him feeling more lost than ever.

Finally reaching his cabin, Flynn eased the door open, the hinges creaking softly as he did. He carefully stepped inside, closing the door as quietly as possible, not wanting to alert anyone to his return.  Pausing, he listened intently for any sign of movement, voices, or the faintest sound that might suggest someone was inside. The house was silent.

Flynn's brow furrowed slightly as he took in the quiet. It was unusual for Octavia to have left the house, as she had rarely ventured out these last two months. While part of him felt a tinge of relief at her absence, the unexpectedness of it stirred an unsettling feeling in him. The thought of how their last interaction had ended, and the guilt of leaving Sunni to handle Octavia alone pressed on his conscience. He couldn’t shake the nervous edge that accompanied the knowledge of her absence, as though it were another sign of the discord brewing between them.

Certain he was alone, Flynn peeked outside again, spotting a guard standing watch nearby. With a nod, he motioned the guard over and instructed him to have a servant fetch bathwater and fill his bath. Satisfied the message would be relayed, Flynn returned inside, heading to his study. The quiet of the house felt eerie, a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Settling at his desk, he began drafting the speech he would give at the town meeting in a few hours, his focus gradually sharpening as he put pen to paper.

Sitting at his desk, quill in hand, the soft scratch of ink on parchment filled the quiet of his study. For the next thirty minutes, he carefully composed his speech, each word chosen with precision. He felt the gravity of the message he was about to relay and wanted to ensure that it was clear and impactful. The quill dipped and swirled, the parchment slowly filling with his thoughts and intentions. Throughout his speech, Flynn had deliberately included pauses for Octavia to speak about the Late Queen. However, the anxiety in his gut suggested he might need to omit these sections. Octavia had expressed a desire to address the town herself, but her current absence from the house gave him a hint of doubt. 

After what felt like a small eternity, Flynn set down the quill and leaned back, letting out a quiet sigh. He read over the speech one final time, his eyes scanning each line to ensure it conveyed the gravity of the situation. Satisfied with his work, he gently folded the parchment and took it with him as he made his way upstairs to his bedchambers.

As he entered, Flynn was greeted by the sight of a steaming bath, just as he had requested. The servant had done their job well, and the warmth from the water beckoned to him. Setting the speech aside, Flynn began to undress, the chill of the day clinging to his skin. He stepped into the bath, and a wave of relief washed over him as the warm water enveloped his body. 

For a moment, he simply savored the sensation, letting the heat seep into his muscles and melt away the tension that had built up over the day. He then began to scrub himself clean, ridding his body of the sweat from his morning run and the nerves that had accumulated throughout the day. The water soothed his mind as well as his body, offering him a brief respite from the burdens he carried.

Flynn finished his bath, letting the last of the tension wash away with the water. He dried himself off and donned [url=https://i.imgur.com/amN11tM.jpg]attire more befitting of his station[/url] as Prince. As he fastened the last button, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. For a brief moment, he silently thanked Aelios for Octavia’s absence, appreciating the rare opportunity to find some solace and relaxation. Yet, even as he allowed himself this small reprieve, the lingering unease of her absence weighed on him, casting a shadow over the fleeting peace. 

Forcing his mind to shift to the task at hand, Flynn thought of his trusted advisor, Orion. Flynn needed his counsel now more than ever—not just for advice on how to address the town, but also to share the burdens of everything that had transpired since they last spoke. With one hour left until the town meeting, Flynn grabbed his sword and left his home, setting out to find Orion and determined to face what lay ahead with the support of his advisor.

[center][h2]9AM[/h2][/center]


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[Sub][b]Mentions:[/b] Octavia [@The Savant], Orion [@Qia][/sub]