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[indent][indent][indent][color=gray][sub][right][color=dc143c][b]Location:[/b][/color] City Streets -- The City-State of Thorinn, Aetheria[/right][/sub][/color]
[hr]Graves was reluctant to release Seele at first. He had almost forgotten the comfort of another person's embrace. It was like falling into bed on a cold winter's night. There was a warmth and a strength to his friend's touch that surprised him. For all her bodily frailty, Graves was certain there was nothing in this world or any other that could truly harm her. Graves held Seele far too tight and hid his face from her, as if he might conceal the utter shame he felt burrowing into him. 

Until Alja came jogging up, of course, and he broke away near immediately. One look at her sent another wave of red-hot shame burning his cheeks. He hadn't the slightest clue how she of all people would react to the mess he'd made. She was as likely to put him on the ground again as she was to hug him too. Graves knew he deserved the latter. Some of his friends were too quick to forgive and forget; others were stubborn enough to talk a mountain into moving out of their way.

Graves wiped his face with the back of his sleeve. [color=dc143c]"I, uhh..."[/color] He started weakly, unable to conjure words enough to explain himself.

Thankfully Seele took the initiative and gave him an excuse to slip away. He nodded a few too many times to her before slinking back to the Laughing Worg, careful to avoid eye contact with Alja or anyone else that still lingered. His eyes stuck on the street as he went, his gaze passed over the knife he'd attacked Siegfried and Seele with- the knife Alja had given him not so long ago. For a moment he considered returning it to her. It was her property, after all, and he certainly wouldn't be using it anymore. But even the thought of picking the steel up twisted his stomach into knots. Graves shook his head softly and walked inside.

He slid Dariel a handful of coins as apology for the trouble he caused. This was the [i]second[/i] time he nearly got them thrown out of the Laughing Worg. He really needed to get a handle on that if he didn't want to lose his favorite- only- drinking hole. Maybe a few drinks would help him clear his head. Yeah.

Just a few.[/indent][/indent][/indent]