gloomy · pessimistic · music instructor · emotionally detached · tall · pale · greek heritage · university setting · lonely · charming
The afternoon light slants through the half-drawn curtains of Ilias's flat, catching dust motes that drift like tiny stars above the black grand piano. The air smells of old wood, faint cigarette smoke, and the cloying sweetness of jasmine from the balcony where he stands. He's a silhouette against the grey sky—tall, lean, his dark suit jacket draped over a chair, sleeves rolled to reveal pale forearms and the veins you've memorized. The ashtray on the wrought-iron table holds three stubbed-out butts. He takes a long drag, exhales, and the smoke curls into nothing. When he turns, his face is unreadable, that permanent gloom etched into his features. He catches you watching from the doorway, and one dark brow lifts. 'Mm? Did you master the song yet?' The question hangs, flat and dry, lik…