[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 > Royal Residence[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]Eris exhaled a quiet laugh at Charlotte’s introduction, her lips curving into a small but genuine smile. [color=B1E4FC]“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hawthorne. But please, you may call me Eris. Truly, there's no need for such formalities.”[/color]

Hearing the familiar Aurelian accent in Charlotte’s voice struck something deep inside, a quiet ache she hadn’t realized was there. [i]Home[/i]. She hadn’t known how much she’d missed it until now, standing beside someone who felt familiar in the smallest of ways. It was ridiculous, really. Charlotte was a stranger. And yet, something about her presence already made Eris feel a little lighter, as though the grip Aliseth had held over her had begun to fade.  

But then came the reminder. [i]They still hadn’t found the blight-born who attacked the Princess.[/i] 

Eris’s heart sank, the weight of reality crashing back onto her shoulders. She wasn’t home. Nowhere near it. She was in Dawnhaven, surrounded by death and danger, with the pressure of the world’s future pressing suffocatingly against her chest. She'd wanted this. She'd asked for it.

Refocusing, she gave a stiff nod and turned to lead the way, shoving her hands deep into her coat pockets. Her fingers found Tia's hairpins once more, absentmindedly toying with them as she attempted to ground herself. Tension slowly coiled around her heart all over again—constricting, stabbing.

As they walked, silence stretched between them, but Eris wasn’t sure she had the energy to fill it. Her thoughts pulled her in too many directions at once. Her mind too full to think about asking Charlotte menial questions about herself. Eris' mother would have scolded her for the lack of poise, the lack of noble grace. Dawnhaven had clearly sucked out all her manners. 

As they neared the royal residence, the door suddenly swung open. A guard rushed out, voice urgent as he addressed the one standing watch at the entrance.  

[color=FA8072]"Where did the fuckin' S—"[/color] His words cut off the moment he spotted them, and relief washed over his face. [color=FA8072]"Oh, thank Aelios."[/color]

Eris hesitated for a moment, glancing between the two male guards nervously. Had they been waiting for her long? 

[color=FA8072]"Miss Hightower. Please, get inside."[/color] One of them said, holding the door open for her. 

Turning back to Charlotte, she gave the taller woman a small but deeply grateful bow. [color=B1E4FC]“Thank you for the escort, Miss Hawthorne…. and for…”[/color] Her words trailed off as she straightened to meet Charlotte’s steely blue eyes. 

[color=B1E4FC]“For what you did.”[/color] A faint smile touched her lips as she held Charlotte’s gaze for a beat longer. Whether or not Charlotte would understand what she meant didn’t matter, though, a small piece of her hoped she would. 

Without another word, she turned and entered the royal residence.  

The guard holding the door looked at Charlotte, giving her a firm nod of acknowledgement. [color=FA8072]"Good work."[/color] he simply stated, before disappearing inside with Eris, shutting the door behind them.

[hr]

[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Charlotte [@SpicyMeatball][/sub]