Crimson Whispers and Sulking Steps

The morning sun slipped through the curtains in soft golden shafts, casting long shadows across the inn's modest wooden floorboards. Birds chirped beyond the window, their morning song cheerful and lively, a contrast to the quiet stillness in the room.

Selena stretched with a long yawn, her limbs tangled in the sheets as usual. She blinked blearily, rubbing her eyes as her thoughts caught up with her.

Then she froze.

The other bed, Red's bed, was empty.

She sat up straight, the blanket sliding from her shoulders. His black armor was gone, and his swords weren't resting against the wall as they usually were.

Selena: Red?

Silence answered her.

Selena jumped out of bed, pulled on her boots, and rushed downstairs. The inn's tavern was mostly empty, save for the innkeeper wiping down tables. The smell of bread and meat filled the room, but Red was nowhere to be found.

She stepped outside, squinting into the morning light.

Silverhaven bustled with early activity, vendors setting up market stalls, guards patrolling with clinking armor, and adventurers of every shape and size passing through the plaza. She searched left and right, then spotted a familiar black-clad figure at the edge of the main square.

He stood by a fountain, leaning casually against its edge, arms folded.

Beside him stood a woman.

Selena's footsteps slowed, her heart thudding in her chest.

The woman was striking, tall and elegant, her form wrapped in sleek crimson leather armor that hugged her frame like a second skin. Twin curved daggers gleamed at her hips, secured by a black belt that matched her tight leather pants and heeled boots. Her long, dark red hair was tied in a thick braid that draped over one shoulder, catching the sunlight like wine-glass silk. She had sultry dark eyes, sharp cheekbones, and the kind of confidence that made every man's gaze linger a little too long.

She stood close to Red

Too close...

Selena's jaw tightened as she slowly approached, keeping her steps quiet. From this distance, she could hear their conversation.

Lyra: Still as quiet as ever, said with a faint smirk.

Her voice was smooth, confident, with a hint of something playful.

Lyra: You haven't changed, Red. Even after all this time.

Red's reply was short and low.

Red: Didn't expect to see you here.

Lyra: I go where the gold flows

Lyra replied, tracing the hilt of one dagger with her fingertip.

Lyra: But you? Escorting rookies now? That's new."

Selena frowned deeply, her pace quickening as her fists clenched at her sides.

Selena: Red!

she called, louder than necessary.

Both of them turned.

Lyra's gaze slid toward Selena, giving her a full once-over.

Selena stopped beside Red, standing rigidly straight and plastering on a thin, too-sweet smile.

Selena: Hi there. I didn't know Red had... company.

Red looked at her with a faint nod.

Red: You're up.

Lyra's lips curled in amusement.

Lyra: And who's this? Your new apprentice?

Red: She's Selena

Selena crossed her arms, pretending not to notice the assassin's perfect braid or the way she leaned just so, letting her armor highlight every graceful curve.

Selena: Nice to meet you, Lyra, said flatly.

Lyra extended a gloved hand with feigned sweetness.

Lyra: Pleasure, truly...

Selena didn't shake it.

Lyra's smile didn't falter. She turned back to Red.

Lyra: We'll catch up later. Maybe over wine, if you're not too busy.

She walked away with the sway of someone who knew exactly how many eyes were on her. A passing adventurer nearly walked into a stall watching her go.

Selena glared holes into the woman's back.

When Lyra disappeared down an alley, Selena finally turned to Red.

Selena: What was that?

she asked, more sharply than she intended.

Red: Lyra?

Selena: I got that, She said, pacing a step.

Selena: I mean... what was she doing here?

Red: Passing through.

Selena: Right. Just happened to bump into you and stand around flirting while I was asleep.

Red looked at her then, eyebrow slightly raised.

Red: She wasn't flirting.

Selena made an incredulous noise.

Selena: She basically purred when she said your name!

Red: She always talks like that.

Selena turned away, arms folded again, a hot blush crawling up her cheeks.

He wasn't doing anything wrong. She knew that.

And yet… she hated how effortlessly Lyra had commanded the space around him. How she stood so close. How Red didn't even flinch when she called him by name like they were old flames.

Selena muttered under her breath, 'She's all curves and daggers and smirks...'

Red started walking toward the guild.

Red: Let's go.

Selena followed, dragging her feet just slightly.

She didn't talk much as they moved through the market plaza and toward the guild. Red, as always, didn't pry, but he glanced at her more than once.

Finally, she sighed and mumbled,

Selena: Was she someone special to you?

Red paused at the guild doors.

Red: Not anymore.

That should've made her feel better.

It only sort of did.

Inside the guild, the atmosphere was its usual mix of noise and purpose. Adventurers sat at tables trading stories, armor clinking, ale mugs slamming, and new quests being posted on the board.

Selena walked beside Red, sulking in silence as she looked at the fresh quests.

There was a new slime mission pinned to the bottom, a few dozen slimes had reappeared west of the city again. Low threat, low reward.

Red tapped the parchment lightly.

Selena rolled her eyes.

Selena: Sure. Let's go kill jiggly blobs while you reminisce about mysterious crimson assassins and her shiny pants.

He looked at her.

She huffed.

Selena: Don't mind me. Just rookie sulking.

Red said nothing, but as they walked to the receptionist desk, he pulled a small cloth from his belt, a deep crimson handkerchief.

He handed it to her.

Selena: What's this for?

Red: Wipe the pout off your face,

She blinked. Then burst out laughing. "

Selena: Rude!

Red turned and walked ahead, but she swore she saw the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Her spirits lightened just a little.

Lyra might've been beautiful. Experienced. Confident.

But Red had come back to the inn alone.

He was walking beside her now.

And that, for the moment, was enough.