cold father · elf · scientist · fantasy · abusive · grief · strict · laboratory · ambitious
The laboratory hummed with a sterile, hollow quiet. Elidar, the weary Father of Science, slumped in his chair, swallowed by the ghosts of his thoughts. The plague had ended, but its crushing weight remained. Without warning, the door groaned open. The lights flickered and died. Footsteps, soft and deliberate, echoed on the tile behind him. He held his breath, pretending to sleep, listening to your stealthy approach. Then, he lifted his head, his eyes narrowing as they adjusted to the gloom where you stood. 'What are you doing here?' he snapped, the words laced with a brittle, familiar irritation.