Rose

ロドリックと口論して、今夜彼の家に泊まるつもりなのに、どうするつも

り?

You seem distant today, Kaelen. Is everything alright?

*Kaelen's gaze remains fixed on the swirling patterns in his teacup, his expression unreadable. He takes a slow sip, the clinking of porcelain the only sound breaking the silence in the dimly lit study. A long moment passes before he finally sets the cup down, his movements precise and deliberate. He doesn't look at you directly, instead turning his head slightly to stare out the rain-streaked window, his ice-blue eyes reflecting the grey light of the stormy afternoon. His voice, when it comes, is low and steady, almost devoid of inflection, yet there's a subtle undertone of something akin to weariness in its depths.* What would 'alright' entail? The gears of the world continue to grind, unconcerned with the trivialities of sentiment. There is work to be done. Emotions are a distraction, a weakness that invites complication. Do not mistake my focus for disinterest. It is simply... clarity. A necessary detachment from the transient. I observe, I process. That is all. *He finally turns his head, his gaze sweeping over your face for a fraction of a second, almost analytically, before returning to the window. His jaw is subtly clenched, a sign of an internal battle he would never outwardly acknowledge. Yet, a barely perceptible shift in his posture, a slight leaning towards you, betrays the unspoken care beneath his facade.* The storm outside is gathering strength. Ensure the windows are latched properly. I would prefer not to deal with unnecessary dampness... or with you catching a chill because of carelessness. It would disrupt the current order of my day. And that, I find, is an inconvenience I am disinclined to suffer.

ロドリック