[IC] Realms of Sun & Shadow

[BlackRoseSiren]

Aurora Halliwell

Eye of The Beholder

---

After savouring the lovely conversation she had with Daphne, Aurora stood, with a warm smile reflecting the joy of the moment. She was entranced by the performance unfolding before her—a dazzling display of music and movement that seemed to wrap the room in a magical embrace. Suddenly, her reverie was shattered by the abrupt entry of a guard, who burst through the ornate doors, his face taut with urgency. The flickering candlelight caught the wild look in his eyes as he swept his gaze across the crowd, searching desperately.

The atmosphere shifted palpably, anxiety hanging in the air like a thick fog. "We need a healer! Now!" the guard's voice boomed, rising above the melodic strains of the music, slicing through the festive air like a knife.

Aurora’s heart raced in response to his urgent call. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, she instinctively raised her hand, urgency flickering across her features as she navigated deftly through the throng of spectators, her focus unwavering. “I can help you! I am a healer!” she declared, her voice clear and resolute, a beacon of hope cutting through the chaos.

As she drew closer to the guard, a surge of determination surged within her. “Please, take me to the person who needs assistance,” she implored, her tone steady and commanding despite the whirlwind of commotion around her. Without a moment’s hesitation, the guard turned sharply on his heel and sprinted back through the doors, with Aurora trailing closely behind.

Stepping outside into the dimming twilight, the cool evening air rushed to greet them. Aurora squinted as her eyes adjusted to the gloom, following the guard to a man lying crumpled on the cold cobblestones, his condition alarming and distressing. He was pale, the pallor of his skin stark against the darkening ground, and the pain was etched across his features like a grimace of agony as if he were engaged in a fierce battle with an unseen adversary.

Without a moment's pause, Aurora sank to her knees beside him, the fabric of her gown pooling around her. "Just breathe," she murmured, gently urging him to lie back, concern etched on her face. Her hands moved with practised grace, a healer's instinct guiding her as she began her examination, her brow furrowing in concentration. Each pulse that raced through his body felt like a quiet song of struggle, and Aurora’s heart ached to mend what was broken.

“Can you or anyone here tell me what has happened?” she asked, her voice soothing yet firm, cutting through the noise as she directed her attention to the man. ” Can you tell me exactly where you are feeling pain?" Aurora's focus was unwavering as she concentrated on the ailing man before her, her world narrowing to the urgent task at hand. Just then, a flicker of movement caught her eye, and she glanced up to see the princess standing nearby, her regal presence stark against the backdrop of chaos, watching intently with wide, concerned eyes.

Amidst the healing efforts and questions racing through her mind, Aurora felt a singular clarity: this man's well-being was her paramount concern, and she was determined to do everything in her power to help him heal.

@c3p-0h

[Dark Light]

@Qia@c3p-0h

Vellion Hurst

---

Outside Eye of the Beholder.

---

Vellion cursed inwardly at himself, for his series of sloppy mistakes. He took the aid offered by the silver haired woman and sat up, hurriedly pulling his pant leg down over the injury. He saw her properly for the first time.

The kindness and compassion in her eyes, in her voice and in her actions was like a warm fur blanket wrapping around him in a blizzard. It was that strong drop of ale that warmed you from the inside. It was the glow of a morning sunrise after a long cold night. And he rejected it.
Such things were no longer for the likes of him. He didn't deserve it. So he mistakenly redirected his self loathing and snapped at her. Stern cold words and a dismissively flicking hand as he pushed away what he really wanted.

"I am fine, now get off me. What would you know anyway."

The question was rhetorical and he deliberately tinted his tone with a touch of disdain.... Why was he like this. but it didn't matter, it was done. Time and fate only swam in one direction, to try undo or fight with either would be like, well, he couldn't think of an appropriate difficult analogy right now as he found himself looking up at that slightly familiar face. She wore a half smile coupled with concern as she tried to make light of the situation.

“I assure you, the feast was not so important that you needed to risk further injury to yourself to attend.”

Releasing his expressions from his blight-born abilities Vellion gave her a warm and slightly playful grin. His voice ever smooth and full of confidence with a touch of reckless charming arrogance.
"Perhaps not a feast of food my lady, but I would gladly drag myself twice as far, with injuries twice as bad, through blight infested lands just to feast my eyes upon someone half as radiant as you."

While he spoke his dark eyes locked themselves to hers, he searched those glimmering pools for a hint of secrets unspoken, true thoughts not shared. He had barely any reserves of mana left so he could not push it, but merely sought anything in them freely shared.

His senses had told him of the guards moving in and going about, but he hadn't paid it any attention or concern, nor had he noticed the way they hung on this woman's every action.
With his ankle out of sight he carefully touched it up a little bit. He couldn't go so far as to mend it completely but had to find a delicate balance between what they saw and an injury of only slight concern. As he slowly worked, he felt a pain grow in his ribs. But that was ok, no one would see that part of him.

* * *

"Just breathe," the words came from beside him as someone knelt down. Oh no. he thought to himself as a slight panic swelled within him.

“Can you or anyone here tell me what has happened?” ” Can you tell me exactly where you are feeling pain?"

This was bad. This was very bad. He didn't want people to know what he had become, what he was, or what he had done. Where did he feel pain? The easier question would be where didn't he feel pain. The constant accompanying ache had become a friend. More familiar than a shadow in the time of sunlight.

"I'm, I'm fine." he blurted out, turning to the newcomer as he tried to shuffle away. Recoiling like she brought him a disease.
"It's just an old wild dog bite. Nothing a bandage and rest won't solve. Please. Don't allow me to take up anymore of your time. It's my own foolish fault for wondering in the dark alone anyway."

He adds a little reassuring chuckle to his words and a soft grin. But his eyes offer the healer an insistent stare, silently battling her fierce determination.