[center][color=FA8072][h1]Dawnhaven's Best[/h1][/color][img]https://i.imgur.com/Gvarqvl.png[/img][/center]
[hr][sub]Location: Town Square > Temple of Aelios[/sub][hr]

Torchlight flickered across the snow-dusted streets as two Lunarian guards made their way through town, their breath curling into the cold night air. Their pace was leisurely—neither particularly concerned with the so-called "threat" that had locked the town down, nor the orders that had been given to them.  

The taller of the two, a grizzled veteran with silver streaking through his dark hair, cast a glance at his younger companion.  

[color=FA8072]"You catch a look at that little thing beside Kain?"[/color] he muttered, a smirk tugging at his chapped lips. [color=FA8072]“Big blue eyes, all quiet-like.”[/color] His grin widened as he elbowed the younger guard. [color=FA8072]“Wouldn’t mind keeping her warm tonight, aye?”[/color]

The younger guard, with dirty blonde hair and dark eyes, chuckled and shot the other guard a sidelong glance. [color=FFB19A]"Yeah, that [i]little thing[/i] happens to be Lady Hightower. You know, the lead Sage?"[/color]

The older man blinked. [color=FA8072]“No shit?”[/color]  

[color=FFB19A]“No shit.”[/color] The blonde nodded, a smug look passing over his features. [color=FFB19A]“I get posted at the Alchemy Chambers pretty often.”[/color]

[color=FA8072]“Hm.”[/color] A beat of silence passed as the veteran considered this new information. 

[color=FA8072]“What’s she doing with the likes of Kain?”[/color] he finally asked, his brow furrowing for a brief moment before softening with another playful smile. [color=FA8072]“You think she’s got a stick up ‘er ass like the rest of them Aurelians?”[/color]

[color=FFB19A]“Probably,”[/color] the younger guard replied with a chuckle. [color=FFB19A]“And speaking of—you should watch your mouth. If one of those uptight bastards overheard you talking like that, you’d be cleaning stables.”[/color]  

The veteran barked a laugh. [color=FA8072]“Hah! Like they don’t think the same about their Sage.”[/color]

They both shared a laugh, boots crunching through the snow as they trudged on toward the temple of Aelios. The town was eerily quiet under the emergency order, the usual bustling streets emptied, doors barred shut.  

[color=FA8072]"Y'know,"[/color] the older guard mused, kicking at a chunk of frozen slush, [color=FA8072]"I don’t see what the fuss is about. If there really was some blight-born freak running around, they’d have bolted by now. What kind of attacker sticks around after that?”[/color]

[color=FFB19A]“Only if they’re an idiot,”[/color] the younger one quipped.

[color=FA8072]"Exactly! Hope they call this off soon,”[/color] the veteran grumbled. [color=FA8072]“I’d rather not freeze my ass off all night."[/color]  

They muttered complaints all the way to the temple, the towering structure looming over them. Steam curled into the air from behind the building, catching in the moonlight—a sign of the hot springs beyond.

Their boots clanked against the stone steps as they ascended, the warm glow of firelight shimmered behind one of the windows. A silhouette moved against it—unmistakably adorned with horns.

Both guards slowed their steps, exchanging a wary glance.

[color=FFB19A]“Think that’s her?”[/color] the younger one murmured.

[color=FA8072]“Hope not.”[/color]

Reaching the temple doors, the older guard pressed a hand against the wood and gave it a firm push. It didn’t budge. They frowned, then the younger guard knocked against the wood. 

Their gaze shifted to the window as they noticed movement. The shadow in the window shifted, and for a brief moment, they saw a pair of bright eyes peer out at them through the window before vanishing. A second later, the heavy thunk of a lock was turned on the other side.

As the door opened, both men stiffened at the sight. A woman clad in the flowing robes of a priestess—golden-haired, violet-eyed, with horns and a long, slender tail swaying idly behind her.  

For a moment, neither spoke. Then, with a deep breath, the younger guard recovered first and cleared his throat, offering his best diplomatic smile.

[color=FFB19A]“Greetings, Priestess,”[/color] he began, offering a very slight bow of his head to her. [color=FFB19A]“We’ve been sent to escort you to the Prince and Princess. Your presence is required immediately.”[/color]


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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Ranni [@Queen Arya], Aurora [@BlackRoseSiren], Celine [@SkeankySnack][/sub]