[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/tbIvwoy.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240504/7ea89157aa7490b85c1faa2a61df7e74.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Hot Springs[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Kira’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she caught Orion’s gaze, mirroring her thoughts on Ayel’s rather hasty exit. The corner of her lips curled into a small smirk. She didn’t know who the mystery woman was that the nobleman had fled from, but Kira would certainly need to seek her out and thank her for her service. 

Keeping her eyes on Orion, she shook her head and opened her mouth to respond, ready to admit that she had no idea who the woman was. But before she could speak, Sya slithered closer and began explaining who the Aurelian man had been. Kira listened quietly from her seated position, pulling her knees up and covering her chest, just barely visible beneath the steaming water.

She made sure to remember the details Sya provided, filing the information away within her mind for safe keeping. Ayel of House Raunefeldt. A Marquess. The Prince’s supposed friend. Kira frowned slightly, somewhat surprised that the Prince would associate with a man as haughty as Ayel. It wasn’t surprising that nobility flocked together, but it was hard to imagine the Prince, with his more humble demeanor, associating closely with someone so insufferable. The thought gave her pause—perhaps there were sides to Flynn she hadn’t yet observed. Her eyes shifted to Orion. Was he hiding a similar side of himself too? He didn’t seem to be close to Ayel, despite his close connection to the Prince. That, too, was interesting. 

[color=DC561E]“Kira.”[/color] she introduced herself quietly to Sya, her eyes moving to the bottle of wine offered. She hesitated for a moment before deciding that after everything that had transpired, she could certainly use a drink. She tipped the bottle back, savoring the sweet taste, the warmth settling into her chest. Although human food no longer brought her comfort, at least there was still this. 

Silently, she extended the bottle towards Orion as he settled beside her, dipping his feet into the warm water. The quiet between them was companionable, understandings communicated in only glances and feelings. Strangely, it was the most comfortable Kira had felt in another person's presence in… she couldn’t remember how long. 

Still, the aura of Sya’s emotions lingered in the air. With her practiced skill in psychic magic, Kira was always aware of people’s emotions—more so than most. Sya’s emotions were spreading through the air like ripples across still water. Now, as her magic subtly reached out, she felt the pulse of Sya’s inner turmoil. It wasn’t intentional, more of a natural reflex she couldn’t quite turn off anymore, but it was uncomfortable to sit in. She caught herself tensing beneath the water, her fingers holding her knees closer to her chest as she considered retreating from the pressure of it. But Orion’s presence, steady and calm, balanced out the atmosphere, grounding her and easing the tension. Without him, she would have excused herself much earlier, escaping the feelings she didn’t know how to deal with. Isolating again, despite the way it only brought her sorrow. 

As Orion took the wine bottle from her hand, Kira's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her thoughts shifting away from Sya’s emotional weight. A playful spark lit in her amber eyes, her usual guarded demeanor easing just a fraction. 

[color=DC561E]“You sure the Prince is going to be okay without you watching over him 24/7?”[/color] she asked, her tone teasing. She wasn’t just poking fun, however, she was gently prying for more information about the inner workings of their relationship. The Prince had always seemed to hold a unique aura of his own, an enigmatic blend of authority and restraint, but it was clear that Orion played an integral part in the Prince’s life, more than just as an advisor. 


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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Orion [@Qia], Sya [@PrinceAlexus][/sub]