Last night with Lyriel

Urell stepped closer, his boots silent against the polished wood floor, "Strange things are frowned upon in the elven world," he said, his voice softening but carrying a weight that made Alex pause, "They disrupt the order of things, The harmony."

"So I've heard," Alex replied, his smile fading as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, "I'm ready to face whatever hardships come with it, Strange or not."

Urell studied him for a long moment, his silver eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for something beneath Alex's words, Then, abruptly, he shifted, folding his arms across his chest, "I'm being tested tomorrow," he said, the change in subject so sudden it took Alex a heartbeat to catch up, "At the academy, For my ability."

Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself, "Really?"