[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SfiukUq.png[/img][/center][hr][sub][color=lemonchiffon]Location:[/color] The Sun Temple[/sub][hr][hr]

Tia’s gaze snapped up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice — smooth, melodic, accented, and warm all at once. The most effortlessly perfect woman she’d ever seen was now approaching her, and Tia couldn’t help but feel… exceptionally unimpressive. Gorgeous, graceful, and vibrant, the woman practically [i]glided[/i] through the temple. Meanwhile Tia was still in her oversized sleeping robe, with stiff muscles that didn’t quite work and half a cookie in her mouth. 

The woman smiled at her like she was letting Tia in on a secret and warmth bloomed on her cheeks. She tried not to stare. Was she staring? That was rude, wasn’t it? Based on this woman’s look and accent, she was Aurelian — from one of the desert clans. They’d been rare in the capital, but no more than Tia herself had been. Tia had always been uncomfortable with the stares she’d received — even more so after her… incident two months ago. But this woman… how could one help but look at her? There was such weightlessness to her steps, how heavy could a stranger’s gaze be? 

Tia swallowed down the cookie and tried her best to clear her throat.

[color=lemonchiffon]“The sun warms all,”[/color] Tia rasped softly at the newcomer. She didn’t think her voice had ever sounded [i]more[/i] ruined than it did now, immediately after this woman’s lilting tones. But still, she tried to remember that however unprofessional she felt, she still had a job to do here in the temple, especially if everyone else had left for the day. 

Then Tia’s eyes widened as she realized her words and glanced at the window. It was dark beyond the temple’s light, snowflakes drifting faintly in the cold. She met the woman’s eyes again. Her cheeks seemed to heat even [i]more[/i] somehow. Then Tia just shrugged a shoulder, a self-deprecating smile curling her lips. 

The sentiment was close enough. 

Almost as an afterthought, Tia held up the small basket of cookies to the woman. She immediately felt childish offering one, but it’d be rude not to, right? Besides, Ranni would’ve been pleased to know if a temple-goer had enjoyed her work. 

Then Tia held out her open palm towards the hallway leading towards the springs. Trying very hard not to waddle on her overworked legs, Tia led the perfectly beautiful stranger towards the side door, stopping to grab a towel for her on the way. She opened the door and tried not to shiver at the sudden cold on her skin — at least she was mostly covered, between her oversized robe and scarf. Her pale hair tugged in the breeze, blonde strands fluttering around her face as she looked down to the springs. 

It seemed there was already a visitor this morning. He must’ve just arrived — the springs had been empty when Tia had searched for the twins. She glanced down at him, performing the simple, expected task of making sure all was well. 

Her eyes widened though, when she saw a color that didn’t belong in the spring water, nor on the half-melted snow surrounding the pool:

[i]Red.[/i]

Alarmed, Tia looked to the woman and thrust the towel and cookie basket towards her to take. She held up a hand, a quiet request to just… give her a moment. Tia’s dark eyes looked back down to the springs at the bottom of the stairs. Blood diluted in the water and stained the ice, marking a trail where the man’s steps had led him. Was he hurt? Did he need help?

Tia was already reaching for the well of magic in her core as she began the excruciating work of walking down the stairs — [i]without[/i] either collapsing or slipping on ice. Aching hands anchored to the railing, Tia moved as quickly as she could towards the spring. 

[color=lemonchiffon]“Sir?”[/color] she called out as loud as she dared. It wasn’t loud at all, considering the scarred and shredded state of her throat. Tia pressed her lips together, trying to focus on her ruined muscles. 

[color=lemonchiffon]“Alright?”[/color] she tried again when she was at the bottom of the steps. Tia tried to look him over, to see if there was any sign of injury. It was hard to find the source of the blood though, submerged and turned away from her as he was. 

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[sub][color=lemonchiffon]Interactions:[/color] Nyla Zafira [@The Muse], Vellion Hurst [@Dark Light][/sub]