[colour=#c76ef0][h2][center]Aurora Halliwell[/center][/h2][/colour]

[colour=#c76ef0]Eye of The Beholder[/colour]
[colour=#c76ef0]Outside the Inn[/colour]

[hr] 

Aurora took a cautious step back, positioning herself slightly behind the monk to grant the princess the space she needed. She stood silently, her attention focused intently on the princess’s words. When she heard the princess express her worries about her legs, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of Aurora’s lips, a silent gesture of encouragement and empathy.

At that moment, the monk beside her spoke up. His voice was calm and soothing, attempting to reassure Aurora that the man they were helping would be fine. Aurora’s mind churned with thoughts, her brow furrowing in concentration as she silently thought, [colour=#c76ef0][i]I’m not worried about the stranger; I’m worried about the princess.[/i][/colour] 

Suddenly her train of thought was interrupted by the monk’s unexpected comment, calling her “kitty cat.” Aurora’s eyes widened in disbelief-she had never anticipated that a monk would say that, especially in such a situation. The surprise left her momentarily speechless, and she could only listen to the conversations that were taking place.

After a moment, she gathered her composure and replied with quiet determination, [colour=#c76ef0]“I will stay here as you said to my Lady.”[/colour] With her voice steady, she turned her gaze to the stranger who stood nearby. A feeling of suspicion settled within her as she scrutinized him closely; something about him felt off to her, but she couldn’t place what it was. The unease lingered in her mind, a puzzle she was determined to solve.

Once again, the monk drew Aurora out of her thoughts. She heard his calm voice making a statement to the stranger, and in a gentle gesture, he ruffled Aurora’s hair. This simple act brought a rush of memories flooding back to her memories of her father, who would do the same gesture whenever she got lost in her thoughts and worries or when she stared into space, deep in contemplation.

The warmth of nostalgia filled her heart, but it was quickly overshadowed by a wave of emotions. Tears began to form in her eyes, and she instinctively looked down, focusing her gaze on the ground beneath her. Her hand clutched tightly around the pendant that hung around her neck, the one that held a small, cherished picture of her parents.

As she stood there, absorbed in her feelings, she noticed that the princess, her lady-in-waiting, the stranger, and the guards had quietly walked away, leaving only herself and the monk behind. The silence hung thick in the air, punctured only by the muffled sounds from the tavern. Taking a deep breath, Aurora felt the heaviness of her heart but resolved to break the silence. Slowly she lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and mustered the courage to introduce herself.

[colour=#c76ef0]“Hello, I’m Aurora Halliwall. Who are you?”[/colour] she managed to say, her voice steady despite tears threatening to fall. She fought to maintain her composure, hoping to shield her emotions from the kind-hearted monk standing before her.

Gadez [@Dezuel]