Timestamp TBD, 515 AV
One of the most popular destinations of Surya Plaza was held back from the rest of the square, hidden away in an alley as if it were just one of many well-kept secrets the city had to offer. Since the first expansion, this building stood in spite of rioting, natural disaster and the passage of time. It was denoted only by a heavy wooden door at the entrance and an careworn old sign overhead, inscribed with its namesake: ‘the Scholar’s Demise.’
Inside, the spacious lounge was unusually quiet. Candles flickered gloomily in their glass orbs. Behind the bar stood Aleah the Lethaefal, wiping out a glass in seeming abstraction. It was the eighteen bell, which was almost always their busiest hour. But with the closing of the Towers and the absence of magic, the entire city had fallen into a habitual dolor. It was as if all the color had mysteriously gone from the place.
The only man at the bar was thin and sun-browned, perched atop his stool like a bird of prey. He brooded over the cup of ale between his hands. There was something notable about him. Perhaps it was the finery of his clothing or perhaps, the straightness of his spine. But whatever the cause, he seemed to be lost in a reverie, much in the same way as Aleah. There were dark circles under his eyes.
At Ae’lore’s arrival, both bartender and patron looked glanced over. Clearly, the lack of customers had taken its toll. The Ethaefal straightened up and gestured for the new arrival to come over and be seated. Graciously, she offered her a smile.
”Whatever she’s having… I’ll pay.” The man said, interest suddenly kindling in his eyes. It was incredibly rare to see an Akontak outside of Mura or Riverfall. As it was, neither party was sure just what kind of being Ae’lore was.
”Feeling generous, Nosumo?” Aleah asked, refilling his cup of ale. The man chuckled. As he did, his myriad of gold earrings chimed.
”Call it a professional curiosity. Have a seat, my friend.” Nosumo said, gesturing to the stool beside his.
As soon as Ae’lore and Rhissa locked eyes with him, they’d be taken in by fever dreams of a childhood nearly forgotten. Feelings of warmth and feelings of resentment. There was the vague notion of a boy apart from himself, who was important… But the moment he turned away, it was gone.
”What are you having?” Aleah asked gently, voice scarcely above a whisper. With one hand, she slid the menu across the bar.
”Whatever you like,” Nosumo reassured her. His fine silk tunic was laced was accented in gold, with trousers to match. Against the rich darkness of his skin, the effect was quite complimentary.
Once her drink was ordered, Nosumo looked over at her again. At the meeting of their eyes, she’d see deeper, this time. The touch of his Mother. The stinging rebuke of his Father. Secret rituals and an altar of red. Impure, disgraceful. A boy alone in a drawing room with only a quill in hand. Spilled inkwells. Broken glass.
There was so much that was already gone and so much more fading at the edges. His dark eyes were faintly haunted.
”So what brings you to the Diamond of Kalea?” He asked with the vestiges of an easy smile. ”I can't say I've ever met anyone like you before.”
Whatever she ordered, it wasn't long before it arrived. Aleah set the drink down on the bar in front of her.
”Here you are, dear.” she said. The Ethaefal’s gentle clasp of horns were a gradient of cerulean to white against her similarly colored, closely cropped hair. Aleah’s beauty was simply heartbreaking. Were she to glimpse into her silvery eyes, Ae’lore would be inundated by vague memories of the Ukalas and a thousand previous lives. The strongest of all were the outlines of the moon god Leth and the shimmering isle of Mura. The sheer magnitude of these impressions would be disorienting.
”I'm Nosumo Twilight,” he offered, extending a hand. ”Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms…”
