[center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/KY52Qc5W/Orion.webp[/img][/center][sub]Interactions/Mentions: [@c3p-0h] Tia, [@The Muse] Kira [/sub][hr]
[indent][color=#ffffff]As the blizzard finally began to ease, Orion pushed open the creaky door of his quarters, a cold gust biting at his face as he stepped out into the quiet. The storm's once-violent winds had left the town blanketed in a thick layer of snow, now shimmering under the pale, unblinking moonlight. His sharp eyes swept over the landscape, noting how the stillness felt foreign, almost unsettling, after days of relentless chaos. The wind, which had howled with fury, now spoke in hushed tones through the snow-laden rooftops, carrying a strange, fragile peace in its wake. For the first time in days, Orion allowed himself to breathe deeply, feeling the tension in his chest begin to loosen ever so slightly.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The blightborn joined the guards in their effort to clear the snow-clogged streets, the crunch of his boots piercing the fragile, untouched blanket beneath him. Each step left deep imprints, as if the earth had softened under the weight of the storm. The rhythmic scrape of shovels against cobblestone filled the silence, a methodical soundtrack to the early morning stillness. The main road had transformed into a frozen river, icy ridges and snow drifts towering along the edges, making the scale of the task feel daunting. Yet, as he worked, Orion found unexpected solace in the physical labor—the repetitive swing of the shovel grounding him in a way that his mind hadn’t been for days.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]It was terrible timing. The storm, the royal announcement, all of it had collided at once, leaving little room to process everything that had been revealed. Hence, the Eye of the Beholder’s announcement of a communal meal had tempted him—a chance to blend in, reconnect with the people, to hear their whispers and concerns firsthand. Yet, the call of the hot springs was stronger. The blizzard had sapped every ounce of energy from his body, and the thought of sinking into the warm, mineral-rich waters felt like an opportunity to shed the deep weariness that clung to his bones, even after regular feeding. At least in the springs, he wouldn't have to endure the stares—those curious, probing gazes that came with being who he was. He had grown used to them over time, but today, he wasn’t in the mood to be observed.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]While the townsfolk gathered for the meal, voices and laughter rising into the morning, Orion quietly slipped away, his breath curling in the crisp air as he made his way toward the springs. The narrow streets were still dusted with snow, though they had already begun to be cleared by those not attending the gathering. His footsteps were muffled, swallowed by the cold silence of the night. When he finally reached the temple, he entered quietly, the heavy wooden door closing behind him with a soft thud. The glow of the eternal flame caught his eye first, its light flickering in the corner, casting long shadows on the stone walls, and then his gaze shifted to the backdoor that led to the public bath area. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]As Orion descended the stone steps toward the public bath, his eyes caught sight of Tia ahead, her slender figure nearly swallowed by the heavy robes she wore. Her movements were brisk, each sweep of her hands clearing the accumulating snow with a grace that seemed almost unconscious. Her breath, small clouds in the icy air, rose and disappeared like vanishing whispers. There was something about the way she worked, the quiet focus, that reminded him of their first meeting—how her determination to help in her own way had always been a constant, even in the harshest conditions provided by Willis’ antics at the time. For a moment, Orion simply watched, a sense of appreciation blooming in his chest for her quiet resilience before he broke the silence.[/color]

[color=#0054a6]“Good morning, priestess,” [/color][color=#ffffff]Orion called out, his voice a low rumble that pushed through the cold, forming visible puffs as it met the chill. There was warmth in his tone, an effort to counter the biting cold that surrounded them. [/color][color=#0054a6]“How have you been faring?”[/color][color=#ffffff] While he waited for her response, his eyes instinctively flicked past her, scanning the surroundings with habitual caution.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Behind Tia, Orion’s gaze briefly settled on a figure half-submerged in the swirling steam of the bath. His eyes narrowed, sharpening as he recognized the distinctive orange-red hair of the blightborn woman, her fiery locks standing out like embers against the soft, misty haze. She was a familiar presence in these parts, though one often seen more than spoken to, her quiet demeanour matching his own. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and he offered her a curt nod—a silent acknowledgement, a shared understanding that didn’t require words. Just like before. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Satisfied with the brief exchange for now, Orion’s focus shifted back to Tia, his attention now fully returning to their conversation. [/color][/indent]