[center][h1][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5157586][color=MediumAquamarine]Arin von Astastel[/color][/url][/h1][/center]
Arin was cleaning up after himself ---while he waited for the wooden ring he found to completely soak up the crystalized essence--- when he heard sounds of struggle come from somewhere in the inn. It was brief enough that it could have been mistaken for a wild animal ransacking something outside, but Arin couldn’t ignore it. He left the kitchen to investigate the source.

It didn’t take long for him to find a wolf standing over a bloody man. Arin froze at the sight. [color=MediumAquamarine][i]How did a wild animal get in?[/i][/color] He regretted not bringing something to scare the wolf away and considered going back to the kitchen to fetch something, however, based on the amount of blood pouring out from the man’s throat the elf imagined he’d be dead by the time Arin returned… if he hadn’t died already. Arin swallowed and slowly inched his way towards the wolf and man. 

Knowing that it wouldn’t be wise to surprise the creature, Arin softly greeted the wolf “[color=MediumAquamarine]Good evening.[/color]” He wasn’t sure if he startled the wolf, but as soon as he spoke, he saw the wolf back away. The elf continued to cautiously advance towards the bleeding man, making a conscious effort to stay close to the wall, leaving plenty of space on the other side of the hallway so that the wolf could run away whenever it wanted to. 

Still keeping an eye on the wolf from the corner of his eye, Arin crouched down beside the man. He held one hand over the wound and took a pulse. The body still felt warm, but the man was dead. Arin reflexively clicked his tongue. Although he was no stranger to death, it was never a pleasant feeling to witness it. Even if it was just part of life.

Out of habit, Arin was about to offer a prayer to the recently departed but stopped himself. No divine being would ever hear his kind’s prayers. As much as his parents wanted to believe otherwise. Instead, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered the man’s face. 

He looked up and was surprised to see that the wolf decided to stay where it was. Softly, Arin asked the wolf, “[color=MediumAquamarine]How did you get in here? Are you lost?[/color]” He stared at the wolf, something about it suggested high intelligence. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what made him think that, though. Maybe it was the same feeling he got when he looked into his brother’s eyes. A warm smile spread across his face. “[color=MediumAquamarine]I suggest you leave this place promptly. You will be skinned alive if the villagers catch you. People usually do not take kindly to animals killing people.[/color]” Arin made hand motions to shoo the wolf away. With each failed attempt, the elf got closer to the wolf, until finally, he was close enough to touch it. Arin sighed and raised his hands close to the wolf’s nose, allowing it to sniff him. “[color=MediumAquamarine]I was not joking about being skinned alive, you know?[/color]” The docility of the wolf gave the impression that it was domesticated, a companion to a ranger of sorts. In which case, he could only assume that the wolf attacked the dead man because he posed a threat to it or its master.

Although a part of him told him it was a bad idea, Arin was curious if he could pet the wolf. It was not every day that one encountered a docile wolf. He tried to think it over, but the wolf's fur was too tempting to resist. Using his clean hand, Arin petted the wolf. As he did, his fingers brushed against what felt like a collar. He looked to the side to get a better look at it and instantly recognized it as a slave collar. He pulled away from the wolf, suddenly getting a bad feeling. The feeling got worse when he noticed the door across the hallway was ajar. 

Arin stood up and peaked in after knocking on the door. A quick survey of the room told him it was Elra’s. Elra, the elf that had the same collar as the wolf he just petted. Arin felt his cheeks flush. He tried to hide it as he turned around to face the wolf. For a few awkward moments, the elf opened and closed his mouth, though not a word came out. Finally, he relented, cleared his throat and bowed, “[color=MediumAquamarine]Forgive me Ms. Silverfang, that was entirely inappropriate of me. I did not realize it was you.[/color]”

He looked at Elra, then at the body, “[color=MediumAquamarine]What happened here?[/color]”