[colour=#C0C0C0][h2]Nathaniel Stormlight [/h2][/colour]
[hr]  
[colour=#C0C0C0] Location:[/colour] Eye of the Beholder.  
[hr]

With a soft sigh, Nathaniel sank into the worn leather booth, its textured surface cool and cracked beneath him, imbuing the moment with a rich sense of history. The air was thick with the warm, spiced aroma of mead, a sweet melody that danced alongside the faint tendrils of smoke from the flickering torches adorning the tavern’s stone walls. Directly in front of him, a lively puppet show that captured the attention of the crowd had come to an end. The torchlights around the tavern coated its patrons in a warm, inviting glow as everyone continued celebrating with booze and food.

He lifted his chilled metal mug of mead to his lips, feeling the cold surface and the weight of it in his hand—the aroma of the beverage within. As he took a hearty sip. The blend of flavours that filled his mouth and soothed his senses. Then, an unsettling sensation prickled at the back of his neck, urging him to halt mid-sip. With a mix of curiosity and concern, he turned his head to the left.

His gaze landed on Eris, who sat next to him in the booth, subtly illuminated by the soft glow of the tavern’s light. Her hair cascaded in gentle waves, framing her face. She averted her gaze, her composure faltering as she became captivated by the tankard cradled nervously between her fingers. Nathaniel’s brow furrowed as he looked at her, the way her fingers traced the rim of the tankard rhythmically and anxiously.

[colour=#C0C0C0][i] Something is wrong.[/i][/colour] He thought. Just as he opened his mouth to voice his concerns, a sudden clamour erupted, drawing his attention.

Turning toward the source of the noise, Nathaniel's eyes were drawn to an imposing figure who stood in front of him. A woman clad in intricately designed armour that shimmered like a mirror under the soft, flickering light of the torches. Each crafted plate caught the kaleidoscope of colours and blurry reflections of other patrons dancing from the flames of the torches and light, reflecting hues that shimmered. An undeniable authority radiated from her presence, the same dedication that resonated with Nathaniel's magical studies. Her striking violet eyes, glimmering fiercely.

Her voice flowed effortlessly, She extended an invitation to dance, Leaving Nathaniel momentarily speechless. Did she see the moment he shared with Eris? A wave of confusion rippled through him at first. However, it was swiftly eclipsed by an ingrained sense of duty stemming from his noble lineage—a part of him that insisted one must never decline a lady's request. That would seem unfair since he had only just met Eris and danced with her.

With a practised smile, he replied, [colour=#C0C0C0]”Of course.”[/colour] Beneath the polished exterior, however, an instinctive conflict twisted in his chest. Leaning slightly toward Eris, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper tinged with concern, [colour=#C0C0C0]“I’m sorry about this. I won’t be long. I want to discuss the research with you more later.”[/colour]


As he pushed himself up from the booth, an unexpected sensation surged through him, creeping up his spine and settling deep in the back of his mind. It was as if an electric shiver of awareness awakened within him—[colour=#C0C0C0][i]What was that feeling just now?[/i][/colour] he wondered. Was it the anxiety of leaving Eris for another dance? Especially with another woman? Or had their previous dance sparked an elusive connection? Whatever it was, it made his heart race. His throat tightened, and he swallowed hard against the dryness that threatened to overwhelm him. He cast one small glance at Eris before his attention shifted back to the armoured woman standing before him; he needed complete focus.

[colour=#C0C0C0]”Ready when you are, Miss?”[/colour] Nathaniel prompted, an air of formality mixed into his words as he sought to uncover her name amidst the haze of tangled emotions swirling within. Though he projected an exterior filled with resolve, beneath the surface, a tempest of uncertainty brewed.

[hr] 
Interactions: Eris [@The Muse] Daphne [@PrinceAlexus]  
[hr]