#alfynn

Dane hated these gatherings. The heat of the room, thick with perfume and laughter that didn’t quite reach people’s eyes, felt stifling against the high collar of his formalwear. The Castherian dragonrider was only here because he'd made a demonstration and now the man was more or less relegated to a corner of the room, desperately trying not to make eye contact - golden eyes well hidden amid the golden glow of the chandeliers.

The heir of Nyghtshade and Dane's step brother, Alfynn, was maybe even worse at these things than he was. His eyes landed on Alfynn, stiff as stone near the edge of the ballroom. A nobleman's words drifted through the air - something about trade agreements, or land disputes, or something else Dane had neither patience nor understanding for - but his brother looked like he might start flailing at any moment.

That was reason enough to move.

Dane exhaled sharply, bracing himself for a social interaction, then stepped forward. He didn’t belong in these circles any more than Alfynn did, but if he was going to suffer, at least they could suffer together.

"Evening m'lord," Dane greeted, voice deep as thunder as he tilted his larger, looming figure to look down at him. "but I've been told my brother's services are needed elsewhere." He looked to Alfynn, unclear if the alchemist would understand the opportunity or not. With a gesture, he pointed vaguely in the direction of the nearest exit, "Someone is... quite sick." He made another gesture with his hand, this one to signify that the individual in question was having significant stomach issues. His lies weren't good, but hopefully disgusting enough to sway any potential inquiries from the lord pestering Alfynn.

The festival raged on beyond the stone archways, a symphony of music and the ambient firelight flickered through the narrow alleyways, casting long, shifting shadows that danced along the worn cobblestones. Tucked away on the balcony of an old, near-forgotten watchtower, the noise was little more than a hum against the cool night breeze. The worn backing of a repurposed chaise was the rest stop beneath Iskander’s elbow as he leaned back against the lounger, one boot propped up against the low ledge of an adjacent balustrade that overlooked the revelry below, a half-empty cup of wine dangling lazily from his fingers.

The privacy was a welcome reprieve. No prying eyes, no desperate courtiers maneuvering for a moment of favor. Just the quiet company of Alfynn, who, for all his social upsets, was far more pleasurable to be around.

Iskander exhaled, tipping his head back as he swirled the wine in his cup. “I wasn't entirely honest when I saw you last in Bergia,” Iskander commented, "sex- the physical, the comfort. It's not just because I obviously enjoy it." He thought about Daven, about running from pleasure house to pleasure house and jumping from bed to bed. There was only one set of hands strong enough to hold him, but it was possible to allow himself to forget - even if only for a short while. "Have you ever been in love, Alfynn?"

Make fucking way for OCTOPATH TRAVELER

ALFYN: pure??? Boi???? Ur going to get taken advantage of one day so im getting u to therion first so i can make him nick all the stuff u need back

Zeph: devoted brother and friend?? HAS ESTEEM ISSUES POSSIBLY???

Nina: sweet precious child with a wild side -- enough to go look for a flower for her apothecary brother found in like, a nest of a fucking snake. No joke.

Lily: a loyal friend???? Sweet shy spring child???

Meryl: very, very resolved woman who wants to find her biological mother for closure

Lost Grandfather and lonely grandson : someone pls just tell me how to fix these two so they can stop being idiots and find each other already

Kit : ur,,,,suspicious,,,,couldnt u have hopped to clearbrook from that distance instead of staying put like some damsel in distress??? My grapes were used for better purposes u fucker u owe me one.

Greta: ???? U live a sad life man meryl's never gonna answer u until maybe a year later

Look i absolutely adore every side character here okay they give me free shit to find and they SOUND SO NORMAL. Fuck.