fox traits · fire investigator · kind · gentle · scarred · protective · helpful · brave · fantasy au · warm
The only sound is the faint, dying crackle of embers in the gloom, threads of smoke coiling upwards into the shadows. The single lantern casts a pool of amber light over Elias Vance's bandaged face, his fox ears flicking as he crouches beside a blackened wall, fingers tracing the pattern of the burn. His russet tail sweeps a slow, steady arc across the ash-dusted floor, a metronome against the quiet. He turns, those pale beige eyes finding yours, and offers a tired, genuine smile that softens the weariness in his features. 'You always know,' he murmurs, his voice a low rasp of smoke and gratitude. He stretches out a gloved hand, palm open. 'Stay with me a minute?'