[color=lightgray][center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ONchJfH.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QTleDb0.png[/img] [img]https://i.ibb.co/s9kz7Bwx/Chat-GPT-Image-Jan-30-2026-08-06-15-PM.png[/img] [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0boS-gQTY&list=RDqj0boS-gQTY&start_radio=1[/youtube] [color=#FFFDD0]TIME:[/color] Evening [color=#FFFDD0]LOCATION:[/color] The Gossamer[/center] Torvi’s golden eyes followed Kilian’s gaze, her expression shifting from lethal intensity to utter bewilderment. She watched the woman twirl the frayed edges of the fake mustache, the opera binoculars trembling as they remained locked on their table. It was so blatant that even Fenrys let out a huff of confusion, his head tilting in sync with Kilian’s. [color=#9D7A80]"A very... bold choice in disguise,"[/color] Torvi murmured, her voice laced with dry amusement as she watched Lucian storm over to confront the 'gentleman.' [color=#9D7A80]"I did not know spies in Caesonia favored the theater props of children. Or perhaps she is merely a fan of yours, Kilian?"[/color] She let out a soft, melodic laugh as the Prince began his hushed interrogation at the neighboring table. With Lucian occupied, she leaned back, the silk of her gown rustling as she draped an arm over the back of her chair. She looked at Kilian, her gaze softening into something far more personal and playful than their professional briefing. [color=#9D7A80]"Vell, vhile our Prince handles his little mustache problem... tell me,"[/color] she said, her voice dropping into a low, smooth purr. [color=#9D7A80]"Vhat comes after ve finish here tonight? I hafe missed the taste of home, but I hafe also missed the company. Do you plan on finding a dark corner to brood over those files, or is there a chance I could entice you to spend your evening doing something much more... interesting?"[/color] She let her eyes trail over him with a slow, deliberate pass before returning to his, a challenging and flirtatious glint in her golden gaze. [color=#9D7A80]"It vould be a shame to vaste such a beautiful gown on only a Prince and a silver volf, don't you think?"[/color] She said teasingly as she grinned at him. Kilian’s gaze lingered on the [i]“gentleman”[/i] and her tragic little mustache for one long moment, as if he were trying to decide whether it was insulting… or simply pathetic. Then, quietly, he exhaled through his nose. Amusement, restrained, and a faint curl tugged at the corner of his mouth. [color=#5D6672]“Bold is one word for it,”[/color] he murmured, voice low and smooth. [color=#5D6672]“Desperate might be the more honest choice.”[/color] Then, at Torvi’s teasing, his eyes finally shifted to her slowly and with intention as though she was the only thing in the room worth looking at now that his curiosity was satisfied. [color=#5D6672]“A fan of mine?”[/color] he repeated, the words touched with dry humor as his gaze softened just a fraction. [color=#5D6672]“No, no, no…My theory is that she was staring at you.”[/color] He said, the low tone of his voice reaching a sultry place as his hand settled at the base of his glass, thumb tracing the rim, his attention dipping briefly to the line of Torvi’s throat and the edges of her gown. That attention then returned to her eyes, steady and unflinching. [color=#5D6672]“Tonight…”[/color] he said, voice quieter now, meant only for her. [color=#5D6672]“I had planned to finish my work.”[/color] His mouth curved, faint and knowing as he spoke. [color=#5D6672]“But then you decided to wear that dress….”[/color] Kilian’s eyes held hers, unhurried and warm in a way he rarely allowed anyone to see. [color=#5D6672]“And as my favorite distraction, I must admit that I am curious what the prize of all Ulfhednar has in mind for me this night?”[/color] Torvi didn’t look away. Instead, she leaned in, the movement causing the gold-embroidered bodice of her gown to hug her curves more tightly. She watched his thumb trace the rim of his glass, a playful, knowing light dancing in her golden eyes as she matched his sultry tone. [color=#9D7A80]"It’s good to know my plan for the dress has caught some favorable attention,"[/color] she murmured, her voice a velvety rasp. [color=#9D7A80]"I vas certain that a man of your... refined tastes... vould appreciate the finer details. But you should know, Kilian, I am a very demanding distraction."[/color] She casually reached down and scratched Fenrys’ head. [color=#9D7A80]"I vas thinking perhaps ve could hafe a drink together elsewhere, to truly catch up. Something much less crowded than here. You could even take a much closer look at this lovely dress."[/color] She paused, picking up her glass to take a slow, rhythmic sip of the dark wine. Her eyes never left his over the rim. After swallowing, she licked a stray drop from her bottom lip and leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a sinful whisper meant for his ears alone. [color=#9D7A80]"And maybe... you could decide if it looks better on me, or on the floor."[/color] She pulled back just enough to catch his reaction, her smirk sharp and challenging. Kilian didn’t need words to answer her invitation. The hunger in his eyes, and the mischief that painted his smile was enough of a resounding yes, and as he raised his glass to her, he gave her a wicked wink to all of the…[i]distractions[/i]…they may find themselves enjoying that night. However, the moment was cut short, and the anticipation was halted for the time being as a guard rushed into The Gossamer, panicked and full of intent as he headed directly towards Torvi and Kilian. [color=gray]“I…I’m so sorry to interrupt your dinner, esteemed hunters, but the King has commanded me to find you.”[/color] The guard explained with conviction. [color=gray]“There is trouble in the lower ward… witnesses say sorcery is running amuck. The king wishes for you to handle the matter.”[/color] Kilian offered the man a resolved nod then turned his attention back to Torvi. A grin full of a new kind of anticipation grew across his chiseled face. [color=#5D6672]“It appears our night’s work isn’t over quite yet… Our fun may have to wait just a little longer.”[/color] He said to his partner as he stood, wrapping the chain leash of the girl behind him around his fist, and motioned for Prince Lucian to return. Lucian turned with a quiet, resigned sigh and began to walk back to his hosts, his sister in tow. He paused for a moment as he noticed the guard rushing over to Kilian and Torvi. It didn’t take long for him to see the flash of a grin across Kilian’s face as the man stood and motioned for Lucian to follow him. He glanced back at Marina for a moment, a worried look on his face, before he glanced back to Kilian. He had promised her and he wasn’t about to go back on that promise, but he couldn’t help but feel like bringing her along was the worst possible idea. He also knew he wouldn’t be able to convince her to go back on her own. Silently, he pleaded for Ambrose to come looking for them; for the tall, brooding man to come through those doors and stop his sister for him. With a deep sigh, Lucian turned back to his sister again. [color=slategray]”You stay quiet, understood?”[/color] He told her, his face suddenly very, [i]very[/i] stern. He walked over to Kilian with Marina, who was behind him. [color=slategray]”What’s going on, Kilian?”[/color] He asked, his tone calm despite his anxieties. As the white-haired witch hunter watched the two approach, his eyes scanned the girl who was tagging along behind the prince. Now, without that god-awful, fake mustache, he could see her face more clearly. The family resemblance was unmistakable. She was one of the princesses of Varian. Either Marina or Sylvia, he could not tell for sure, but he knew that he was now in the presence of two members of his kingdom’s royalty. [color=#5D6672]“Lucian,”[/color] Kilian nodded in greeting to welcome the prince back, his voice as darkly smooth and gravel-edged as ever. [color=#5D6672]“And Princess.”[/color] He said, as he offered the slightest of reverent bows to the terrible spy of a woman before him, his eyes meeting hers and lingering as an insufferably confident, wolfish, but handsome grin tugged at the edges of his mouth. Though his words continued to address Prince Lucian, his eyes remained on Marina. [color=#5D6672]“It appears that we are needed to ply our trade in the lower ward, my Prince. There are witches, mages, or abominations causing havoc, and it is time for us to show this city the consequences of peddling in the dark arts.”[/color] As he spoke, his grip on the chain tightened, and he pulled his little pet forward towards him for dramatic effect. [color=#5D6672]“Get the princess home safe, Lucian. We can catch up again soon.”[/color] With that statement, Kilian’s gaze finally slipped from Marina’s eyes and found themselves on the prince once more. He offered another shallow dip of his head in acknowledgement of the royalty before him, then turned to leave, pulling the obedient girl in chains behind him. Lastly, his voice addressed his partner, though he never stopped his stride. [color=#5D6672]“Torvi…why don’t we and Fenrys take our leave and have a [i]different[/i] kind of fun?”[/color] Torvi rose smoothly, shifting from a charming guest to a deadly Ulfhednar in an instant. She ran her hand over her gown, her earlier warmth fading into the focused alertness of a huntress. [color=#9D7A80]"It vas a pleasure, Prince Lucian,"[/color] she said, her golden eyes flashing a quick, knowing look at Marina. [color=#9D7A80]"And to you, Princess. Try to keep the mustache straight next time."[/color] She gave her a smirk and playful wink. Fenrys was already standing, his large silver form casting a long, predatory shadow across the table. He ignored the royals, keeping his sharp eyes on the door and his ears alert. He let out a low, vibrating huff, a clear sign of his restless excitement for the hunt. As Kilian left, Torvi walked beside him, her steps both graceful and determined. She answered him right away, her voice smooth but edged with danger. [color=#9D7A80]"I agree, Kilian. Blood and magic make a much better appetizer anyvay,"[/color] she said, her smirk returning, now sharper and more dangerous. [color=#9D7A80]"Lead the vay. I vant to see if these city-vitches can fight before ve break them."[/color] [/color]