[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/MrFrT8O.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/241224/2dff96a131a2215857bd81cacd3d277e.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Eye of the Beholder[/sub][/cell][/row][/table][i]Alone again.[/i]

Breathing in deeply, Nyla leaned her back against the door that led into the tavern, where Aldrick had returned more than fifteen minutes ago. With her head tilted upwards, she watched stars twinkle across the sky, and slowly released her breath. 

Aldrick had comforted her, but something hollow still ached in her chest. Gripping at her heart and twisting at the most inopportune moments. Her hand instinctively brushed over her heart, as if she could physically ease the weight. She closed her eyes, taking in another steadying breath. 

With a subtle shift of her head, she felt her horns scrape across the wooden surface of the door. Her brows instantly knit together, disturbed by the reminder of their presence. Holding her breath, she clenched her jaw before exhaling softly, opening her eyes to the night once more.

[i]Alone[/i]. That’s what she needed to be. Though, preferably where the cold didn’t seep into her bones. 

Straightening, she focused on the delicate threads of magic coursing through her body and began carefully pulling at them. Slowly, the illusion of her human form wove itself back into place. Aldrick had accepted her—Dawnhaven likely would too—but she didn’t. She couldn’t. Not yet. This thing was not her. It didn’t feel like her skin. 

She sighed with relief as the illusion settled. Though the strain of upholding the facade weighed on her, this appearance felt right—safe. 

Pulling the tavern door open, she stepped inside, warmth and noise rushing over her. Holding her head high and pulling her shoulders back, she attempted to appear more confident than she felt. Luckily for her, she had been practicing for this role all her life. 


Returning to the main room, Nyla’s eyes scanned the room, drawn instinctively to Aldrick. He weaved magic into melodies and drew smiles from the crowd with effortless charm. She paused for a moment, a faint smile touching her lips as she watched him in his element once more. His attention was fully engrossed with the crowd, just as it always had been. 

As a waitress hurried past with a tray of drinks, Nyla deftly swiped a glass of red wine, the action smooth and clearly not the first time she had done it. She sipped as she maneuvered through the packed room, her gaze darting over the sea of patrons in search of the front desk. If she wanted to be alone, she’d need a room first. 

Eventually, she found it near the front door, though it was unsurprisingly unattended. She figured the inn was likely short staffed, and any employees they did have probably had their hands full at the moment. So she waited, leaning a hip against the desk, crossing her arms and holding her wine glass, her eyes flicking back to Aldrick. Letting the music fill the empty spaces in her mind, she sipped her drink to maintain her buzz.

Several minutes passed before anyone noticed her. When a brunette waitress with an armful of dirty glasses hurried by, Nyla stepped forward to catch her attention. [color=DBA73D]“Excuse me,”[/color] she said, her tone polite but firm enough to break through the crowd noise.

[color=DBA73D]“Sorry,”[/color] Nyla said, offering a sheepish grimace as she gestured to the tray of dishes. [color=DBA73D]“I was hoping someone might help me rent a room?”[/color]

[color=FFFFC5]“Of course,”[/color] the waitress replied with a quick nod. [color=FFFFC5]“I’ll grab Miss Leela for ya.”[/color]

[color=DBA73D]“Thank you,”[/color] Nyla said with a small smile as the woman rushed off.

Leaning back against the desk, Nyla’s gaze returned to Aldrick’s performance. She swirled the wine in her glass, the smooth hum of his melodies distracting her from the persistent ache in her chest. For now, she let herself sink into the moment, content to wait.

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[Sub][b]Mentions:[/b] Sya [@PrinceAlexus][/sub]