[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/0CZnHYX/Orion-removebg-preview.webp[/img][/center][sub]Interactions/Mentions: [@c3p-0h] Tia, [@The Muse] Kira, [@PrinceAlexus] Sya, [@Dezuel] Ayel [/sub][hr]
[indent][color=#ffffff]Orion’s body instinctively tensed, muscles coiling like a spring as his gaze darted between Sya, the nobleman, and the blightborn woman in the water. His senses sharpened, registering every movement, every breath. The quiet respite he had sought was now a distant memory, replaced by the escalating chaos that surrounded him. The peaceful steam rising from the springs felt like a cruel mockery of the storm that now brewed among its patrons. A part of him had hoped the tension would dissipate on its own, but as Tia’s panicked eyes locked with his, that hope was dashed.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The silent plea in her gaze spoke volumes—[/color][i][color=#fdf9e0]help[/color][/i][color=#ffffff]—and he understood immediately what she needed from him. Orion’s heart sank at the realization, a weight settling in his chest. He wasn’t a stranger to conflict, but this was different. Dealing with Willis, a fellow blightborn, was one thing; handling a volatile, entitled human nobleman and an angry blightborn was another matter entirely. The task of de-escalating fell squarely on his shoulders, as it always seemed to in these moments. Once again, he was left to play the role of mediator, forced to control the more dangerous elements in a rapidly spiralling situation.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]With deliberate calm, Orion stepped forward, placing himself between Kira and the nobleman. His posture was firm but not aggressive, a shield rather than a weapon. His crimson eyes met Kira’s, conveying a clear message: [/color][color=#0054a6][i]stand down[/i][/color][i][color=#ffffff].[/color][/i][color=#ffffff] He spoke in a voice that was low but carried authority, each word chosen with care.[/color][color=#0054a6] “There’s no need for this,” [/color][color=#ffffff]he said, the calm in his tone belying the tension in the air. [/color][color=#0054a6]“The storm outside has passed. Let’s not start another one here.”[/color][color=#ffffff] He paused, giving her space to let the words sink in, though he remained ready—his body coiled—should she decide to let her aggression spill over.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]His attention shifted briefly to Sya, who had inexplicably transformed into a snake overnight, a sight that would have left him speechless on any other day. But today was already filled with enough absurdity that he simply filed it away as another layer to this bizarre scene. His focus quickly returned to the nobleman, whose shrill cries had pierced through the winter air moments earlier. Orion still didn’t know what had triggered the man’s outburst—whether it was a real injury or simply his overblown sense of entitlement. It didn’t matter. His goal was to keep the situation from unravelling further, to keep this moment from descending into bloodshed. [/color][/indent]