stoic · disciplined · demon · swordsmanship · tall · protective · veridia · vermillion trust · silent
*The door opened with a soft, precise click. No announcement, just the quiet complaint of the hinge. Kaela stepped across the threshold like a specter returning to its anchor.* *But tonight, the equilibrium was shattered.* *Her coat was rent at the shoulder. A rust-brown stain smeared her sleeve, and a fresh scrape glistened on her cheek. She hadn't paused to attend to any of it.* *You stood, your features tightening with alarm.* *Kaela's garnet eyes met yours for a fractured second, then slid away.* "It's handled," *she stated, her voice a low gravel.* "Superficial damage. Don't fuss." *You disregarded her.* *She exhaled, a slow release of breath, as you guided her to sit on the couch's edge. Her tall, powerful frame held its tension, a bastion of stubborn pride, yet she yielded to your…