[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/VgbuqO2.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240522/49791553b35fa05b88864f9127dc2df9.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Northwestern Watchtower[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Eris’ breath hitched as a firm grip curled around her wrist, guiding her hand down to her side. Her blue eyes snapped up in surprise, meeting the piercing gaze of a dark-haired female clad in Aurelian armor. Completely focused on Aliseth, Eris had hardly noticed the other guard approaching. She held the woman’s gaze, momentarily stunned. The woman’s expression was unwavering, yet there was empathy in her eyes. And a silent command to stand down.

As the woman released her grip, Eris’ attention lingered on her for a heartbeat longer, her pulse pounding in her ears. The gesture was a kindness, yet it left her feeling lost and helpless. As though her very purpose had been stripped away. It was her duty to de-escalate conflict—to bring reason where tempers flared. 

Wasn’t it?

[color=B1E4FC]“I—”[/color] The word barely left her lips before it caught in her throat. Her protector had already turned away, her shield rising as she faced Aliseth. The moment had passed, leaving Eris adrift in the wake of something she couldn’t quite name.  

Then the ground shifted.  

She barely had time to react before the cobblestones rolled like waves beneath her feet, instantly sweeping both her and the Aurelian guard apart. A startled breath escaped her as she stumbled, her hands snapping out instinctively to steady herself against the tide. 

Her eyes settled on the stone mason as he moved forward, unbothered by the earth he commanded. He moved between the two women like a force of nature, magic thrumming through the very ground itself. He didn’t spare them a glance, didn’t slow his stride. His focus was set entirely on Aliseth, and the air between them tensed like a bowstring ready to snap.

Eris felt magic build and crackle at her fingertips, cold and sharp, instinct screaming at her to prepare—to intervene. But her feet felt rooted in place, even as the ground settled. Her heart pounded as Elio’s fist rose, and she braced for impact.  

But the retaliation never came.  

Instead, an eerie stillness settled between the two men. Silence stretched unbearably, taut and electric. She flicked her gaze between them, breath caught in her throat. Waiting for the inevitable snap. 

Eris bit her lower lip as her eyes darted to the Aurelian guard, an unspoken question lingering in the air. Should they interfere? Magic still hummed within her, eager to be unleashed, to freeze them both in place before it escalated further. 

But then, Elio lowered his fist, and she exhaled a quiet breath. 

His features were tight with frustration, but his voice, when it came, was low, edged with something deeper than just anger. Something Eris wasn’t privy to, but she could hear it in his tone. Could see it in the way he looked at Aliseth. 

As Elio began to walk away, she watched him go, a mix of emotions tangled in her chest—relief, wariness, curiosity. 

Just as she was about to turn her attention back to Aliseth, Elio’s gaze caught her. Amber eyes met blue in a way that felt different. A fleeting glance, barely enough to register, but it sent a jolt through her. His stare burned through her, sharp and assessing, leaving her feeling exposed. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she quickly tore her eyes away, desperate to focus on anything else. 

She didn’t have time to dwell on it. Aliseth’s voice rang out—sharp, bitter, taunting. Anxiety coiled in her chest all over again. 

Silently, she willed Elio not to turn back, her eyes locked onto his muscular back as Aliseth hurled insults his way. [color=B1E4FC]‘[i]Just keep walking…[/i]’[/color] she thought, [color=B1E4FC]‘[i]Please…[/i]’[/color]

To her surprise, Elio continued away and something washed over her. Beneath all the bluster and fire, he had chosen restraint today. He had been provoked, but he had not struck. 

She would remember that.

Pulling her gaze away from Elio’s retreating form, her attention shifted back to Aliseth just as he finished instructing the Aurelian guard to accompany her instead. Relief unfurled in her chest, as if a thorned vine loosened its grip around her heart. Aliseth had made her entirely too uneasy. 

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder, did Aliseth truly have the authority to command this guard in such a way? Their armor alone revealed their allegiances to different nations. Had the guards already settled their ranks among themselves? Perhaps it was a matter of seniority. The woman looked younger than Aliseth—maybe she did fall under his jurisdiction.  

When Aliseth gave her a parting bow, Eris returned it with a small, polite nod, murmuring a soft, [color=B1E4FC]“Thank you, guard Kain.”[/color]

Taking a steadying breath, she closed the small distance that had formed between her and the Aurelian woman due to Elio’s magic. The cobblestones no longer shifted beneath her, yet her steps still felt unsteady. 

[color=B1E4FC]"Thank you,"[/color] she said again, this time directed at the woman, her voice quiet but sincere. A small, hesitant smile crossed her lips. There weren’t words to fully express what the woman had done for her—how much that simple gesture had meant. Did the guard even realize? Likely not. Eris herself still wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about it. She only knew she wasn’t supposed to feel relieved about being stopped. 

Her gaze flickered once more to Aliseth, his form vanishing into the dark, then to where Elio had disappeared down the street in the opposite direction. It felt safer already. Exhaling, she turned her gaze back on the guard and offered her hand. [color=B1E4FC]“Eris Hightower, Lead Sage of Dawnhaven.”[/color] Her name felt strange to say aloud after the tension of the encounter, but formality called. 

With a small motion, she gestured to the royal residence behind them, its presence a reminder of where she should have been all along. [color=B1E4FC]“Guard Kain was to guide me back to the royals before… well, before [i]this[/i] happened.”[/color] she paused, suddenly feeling awkward and foolish. [color=B1E4FC]“But I—I can make it back myself. I wouldn’t want to disturb you, if you have other duties.”[/color] she trailed off, glancing toward the large home in the distance. 

It was right there. A short walk, maybe only five minutes away. She could manage.  

[color=B1E4FC]"I was only trying to distract by asking him to continue escorting me,"[/color] she admitted, her voice soft. [color=B1E4FC]“But really, it’s okay.”[/color]

She glanced toward the street again, then back to Charlotte, as if testing the logic of her own words. [color=B1E4FC]“It’s not like I’d be nabbed by a blight-born in such a short walk… with all the guards around… right?”[/color]

She meant it as a light hearted joke, to call herself out for having child-like fear. Or at least, she wanted to. But as the words hung between them, she wasn’t so sure.


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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Aliseth [@Dark Light], Elio [@c3p-0h], Charlotte [@SpicyMeatball][/sub]