[colour=#C0C0C0][h2]Nathaniel Stormlight [/h2][/colour]
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[colour=#C0C0C0] Location:[/colour] The Alchemy Chambers  
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Sipping on what felt like his fourth or fifth cup of steaming tea, Nathaniel sank deeper into thought, his mind swirling amidst the rich aroma of the blend. Each sip had provided a moment of solace, a brief escape from the whirlwind of preparations for the forthcoming expedition. He had transitioned from the first piece of parchment to his second, jotting down notes in neat, meticulous handwriting beside Eris, who was absorbed in her thoughts. Often making little doodles in the corner of the parchment, it got a little smile from Eris when he would show her. 

The tranquil ambience of the room was punctuated from time to time by their spirited discussions, each voice resonating with the subtle excitement that bubbled beneath their conversations about the necessary supplies, as well as more casual reflections on past adventures.

The silence that wrapped around them was suddenly fractured by a firm knock at the door. A muffled voice filtered through the sturdy wooden frame, and moments later, the handle creaked as the door began to open. A woman entered, her presence immediately commanding attention; she appeared to be a Sage, adorned in the traditional robes that signified her wisdom and rank. With a graceful bow, she acknowledged both Nathaniel and Eris, the respect in her gesture evident.

"I apologize for interrupting your discussions, Lead Sage," the woman said, her gaze meeting Eris's with a blend of deference and urgency. "It appears our new Sage possessions have been inadvertently left behind at the inn." Her eyes then flicked towards Nathaniel, who stood up, a frown of confusion knitting his brows as he recalled the implications of her words. Why were his belongings at the inn? An unsettling realization dawned on him; he had chosen to forgo a permanent residence—noticing the fleeting sense of disarray that accompanied it.[colour=#C0C0C0]”I’m so sorry, Eris, it seems I completely forgot about this,”[/colour] he said with a lighthearted smile, his fingers deftly retrieving his coat from the back of the chair. He slid his arms into the sleeves, adjusting the fit as a playful grin broke across his face. [colour=#C0C0C0]”You can have the rest of the shortbread”[/colour] he offered, motioning to the half-empty plate with an inviting gesture.

As Nathaniel passed the Sage at the door, she cast him a sly, knowing glance that seemed to speak volumes; it was the kind of look that hinted at shared secrets and whispered the juiciest of gossips among the other Sages. With a flick of his wrist, Nathaniel conjured a soft glow of light that illuminated the hallway, its warmth contrasting the chilling air outside. As he stepped out from the comforting warmth of the house into the biting cold. Once he was out of range the Sage looked back at Eris, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. “You two seem to be getting along splendidly. You have a soft spot for him, don’t you?” she teased, her tone lighthearted but curious.

Stepping onto the snow-covered street, Nathaniel felt the frigid air nip sharply at his cheeks, each breath escaping his lips in ephemeral, frosty clouds. The bustling sounds of the city faded as his mind wandered to thoughts of his fellow Sages, who should have been by his side during this venture. A heavy sense of regret settled in his stomach as the memories played out—what if they had chosen to wait for the blizzard that engulfed Dawnhaven? Would they all have been together now, united in purpose? Their unyielding pride and yearning for glory often clouded their judgment, leading them towards calamity. Though he felt sure the other Sages would question the absence of their comrades, he couldn't shake the worry of what Eris might think when faced with the budding but fragile connection they had begun to forge. Biting his lip, Nathaniel felt a pang of regret for his earlier comments, realizing how easily they could be misconstrued; she might interpret his intentions as an overture, despite their recent acquaintance.

His reverie was violently shattered by a distant, yet piercing scream that sliced through the stillness, carried fleetingly on the icy wind. Nathaniel halted mid-step, the crunch of snow beneath his boots coming to an abrupt end as he turned his head toward the sound. He scanned the area, desperately trying to assure himself that he had imagined it, but the wide-eyed expressions of two pedestrians passing by told him otherwise—they had heard it too. The couple paused, their gazes fixed on the shadowy outline of the forest looming in the distance. [colour=#C0C0C0][I]My luggage will have to wait.[/I][/colour] Nathaniel’s resolve crystallized with those thoughts, as adrenaline surged through him, compelling him to dash toward the direction of the forest, driven by an urgent need to uncover the source of the disturbing scream.

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Mentions: Eris [@The Muse]
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