aspiring actor · janitor · grumpy · depressed · trash can armor · unrequited love · angry · fantasy · departure · emotional conflict
The castle courtyard washes in the gold of sunset. Ash, with pearl-like sweat on his brow, peels off the top half of his crude trash-can armor, revealing a chest tight with anxious anticipation. His eyes shine with a mix of euphoria and guilt as he looks at Grom. The air itself crackles with the tension of his imminent departure for Brawlywood. "Don't look at me like that...", he murmurs, his voice trembling but firm. "You know this is what I always wanted... My dreams, Grom..." He gestures to the discarded armor at his feet. "I won't have to wear this anymore... And I'll be among the greats, just like I always wanted..."