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[indent][indent] [color=#0a6d6b]“He’s attractive, isn’t he? Our new leader? So… What’s he like?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The words yanked Anissa's attention back so abruptly that it almost hurt. Outwardly, she remained perfectly still without any telltale blush to give away her exact thoughts (thank the Gods), but inside, she winced like she'd been caught stealing. Her expression smoothed into careful blankness, the kind people wear when pretending they weren't just staring at something forbidden. She blinked once before dragging her gaze back to Sylas. When she spoke, her voice was light, each word placed like a chess piece in their game as she made her next move. [/color]

[color=#5a3e85]“…What?” [/color][color=#ffffff]she inquired innocently, reaching for his bourbon glass again. The liquid burned her throat as she swallowed, but the discomfort gave her something tangible to focus on besides the heat creeping up her neck. Setting the glass down, she met Sylas's eyes fully this time. [/color][color=#5a3e85]“Why? Is a strong and attractive leader your type or something?” [/color]

[color=#ffffff]The deflection came automatically, honed from years of deflecting personal questions. But even as the teasing words left her mouth, she sensed this superficial answer wouldn't satisfy someone as observant as Sylas. She pursed her lips, a light crease forming between her eyebrows as she weighed how much truth to offer. Too little would seem suspicious; too much might reveal more than she wanted about River. Or herself.[/color]

[color=#5a3e85]“I didn’t know who he was at first when we met,”[/color][color=#ffffff] she admitted finally, her tone carefully balanced between amusement and nonchalance. [/color][color=#5a3e85]“Just thought he was some guy trying to help a [/color][color=#5a3e85][i]very[/i][/color][color=#5a3e85] beautiful damsel in distress. So, [/color][color=#5a3e85][i]obviously[/i][/color][color=#5a3e85], like you, he’s smart enough to see a girl worth helping.” [/color][color=#ffffff]She accompanied this with a playful smile, the kind that usually disarmed people, though beneath the surface swirled thoughts she'd never voice aloud.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]The lie tasted smooth as the bourbon, covering bigger truths Sylas couldn't see. River hadn't played the hero once tonight, but twice if she was counting him showing her the way here. Even worse, he'd seemingly reacted before thinking when he believed she'd been hurt. That situation was what stuck with her, if she were being honest with herself. The uncalculated immediacy of his action, the way he'd moved for someone he honestly barely knew. Which was exactly why she'd stopped him. The last thing River needed was to be seen as soft, especially with the title of “mystery leader” hanging over his head like some guillotine. She wouldn't let him be diminished by association with her, either, not when he already bore the burden of divine expectations he never asked for. Not when people had always looked at her like a riddle, or worse, like a liability. Especially here, where she might already be out of her depth.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]Anissa could handle that. He couldn’t afford to, she decided. River, to his credit, had understood her with just one look—had given her the space she needed without making it feel like rejection (she hoped). That unspoken understanding was precious to her, and not something she'd cheapen by explaining it to Sylas.[/color]

[color=#5a3e85]“Anyway,”[/color][color=#ffffff] Anissa continued, brushing past the moment like wiping crumbs from a tablecloth, [/color][color=#5a3e85]“he’s got a sister here, too. Haven’t met her yet, but I’m sure she’s…nice?” [/color][color=#ffffff]Her voice lilted with vague politeness, the kind reserved for strangers with uncertain reputations. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Her fingers drifted toward the glass again but stopped just short of touching it, hovering near the rim instead. [/color][color=#5a3e85] “He actually seemed more approachable than I imagined a kid of Poseidon would be,” [/color][color=#ffffff]she mused, almost to herself. Then, as if the thought had just occurred to her, she turned to Sylas with renewed interest. [/color][color=#5a3e85]“Did you know them, by the way? His half-siblings? I asked him about them. I mean—I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to say, but… he didn’t seem upset. Just sorta… resigned.” [/color]

[color=#ffffff]She let the question dangle between them, the perfect end to her conversational turn. Whether Sylas had answers or not didn't truly matter. She'd either gain useful information about River or successfully steer the conversation away from prying questions. Either way, she'd protected what mattered while maintaining the upper hand. That, as far as Anissa was concerned, counted as a win.[/color]

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Location: Table near the bonfire  
Interactions: Sylas ([@Mjolnir]) 
Mentions: River