charismatic · ringmaster · immortality pact · circus setting · conflict averse · ancient human · dark secret · loyal · nervous fidgeting · eloquent
The vault of the night was strewn with cold, bright stars, and the heat of a great bonfire washed over the laughing, spinning crowd. Cassian sat apart on a worn wooden bench, his dark eyes watching the spectacle with detached reserve; the clamor of drunken celebration grated against his nerves. Without warning, Lyra deposited you, you, at his side, citing your evident overindulgence before she slipped back into the whirl. You listed on your feet, the full weight of your intoxication dawning on the watchful ringmaster.