#ardjin

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He paused, sensing a presence before gazing toward the large window overlooking the mountains beyond Rata Sum. A silhouette was standing there, back turned to him.

Flax felt his panic rising for a moment. An assassin? No, the intruder wouldn’t be standing in plain sight like this. As he stared at the dark figure, he recognized the posture: a rather tall, lanky Asura who stood with great pride. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Councillor Ardjin,” Flax finally spoke up. The other Asura didn’t speak, only lifting a glass of wine in acknowledgment. “You’re usually better at announcing your visits.”

At that, Ardjin chuckled lightly. “I must’ve forgotten to send word. Apologies, my friend.”

Flax reached over to the panel by the door and activated the low lights, which dimly lit his living space with a warm orange hue. He could make out Ardjin’s features now.

The pristine white attire he always wore, the graying hair tied back neatly at the nape of his neck, his long ears tattered and torn from the accident. Flax had overseen to Ardjin’s injuries and medical care after an accident. He didn’t know what accident had occurred, but there were unsavory rumors surrounding the incident. He pushed those thoughts aside as he approached the other Asura.

“What’s the reason for this visit?” he asked, moving to the couch and taking a seat. Ardjin turned to face the High Councillor and Flax’s brows furrowed.

The medics did the best they could with Ardjin’s injuries, but the man had lost his left eye. His eye was replaced with a bio-mechanical one, which was dark in his socket while the pupil was faintly glowing. Overall, Ardjin had recovered relatively well with barely a scar on his body. Yet, his charming smile was missing, replaced with a stern and tired expression.