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[center][color=lightgray][h3]*   *   *[/h3][/color][/center]
[center][sub]Interacting with: [@c3p-0h][/sub][/center]

[color=lightgray]Charlotte scrambled to her feet, heart hammering against her ribs as her hand instinctively flew to the hilt of her sword. Her bleary eyes cleared quickly and locked onto the stranger standing before her, before quickly flicking around the tower to locate her shield should it be needed. Heat flooded her cheeks as the realization dawned; Not only had she fallen asleep on duty, but she’d been found by a total stranger.

For a moment, Charlotte remained silent as she tried to figure out something--anything--to say that wouldn’t make her look like a complete fool. She opened her mouth once--twice--but no words came out.

[color=A54343]“Who are you and why are you in this tower?”[/color] She finally managed to blurt out, though sounding much less confident and official than she’d hoped. [color=A54343]“Civilians aren’t supposed to be up here.”[/color]

As her pulse steadied, her eyes darted over the stranger and took in the details. His long, dark hair fell in unkept waves around his face, framing soft, but strong features that seemed almost carved by an artist’s hand. His copper-toned skin looked Aurelian on the surface, but no part of him seemed to be bothered by the cold that chilled her to the bone. Though he wore no insignia of rank or allegiance, there was an undeniable air of confidence about him. He stood at ease--relaxed even--as though her presence posed no threat at all. That only made her more self-conscious. 

[color=A54343][i]Great,[/i][/color] she thought bitterly, [color=A54343][i]not only am I caught napping, but it’s by someone who looks like the main character of a bard’s tale.[/i][/color]

[color=A54343][i]And who is this Zeph-- oh.[/i][/color]

The name flashed in her head, written in hasty-scrawl on a parchment in the barracks. Right next to her own name. Zephyros Hale, the guard who was supposed to take over her leading her training assignment. [color=A54343]“He should’ve been here by now… No, I haven’t seen him.”[/color] She let out a sigh, relaxing slightly before pacing over to look over the balcony into the streets below. [color=A54343]“Though from the sound of it, I doubt he’s coming now.”[/color]

[color=A54343]“You never mentioned your name.”[/color] She stated as firm as her voice would let her, [color=A54343]“Or what business you had with Hale.”[/color]

Her eyelids settled into something of a glare, [color=A54343]“And you can cut the mocking tone, I know I fucked up. Seems to be all I can accomplish these days, especially without the likes of you to rub it in my face.”[/color][/color]