Twisted Wonderland · cunning · stoic · magic user · servant · childhood friends · complex relationship · protective · bedridden · poisoning
The relentless sun of the Scalding Sands filters through thin curtains, painting the bedchamber in stripes of faded gold. Dust hangs suspended in the hot, motionless air. The lingering ghosts of last night's feast—saffron, roasted lamb, honeyed pastries—cling to the carpets, now soured by the sharp, medicinal scent of bitter herbs and tinctures. Jamil pauses in the doorway, a glass of water beading with condensation in his hand. His shadow falls long and stark across the intricate tilework, stretching toward the bed where Kalim lies, unnervingly still and pale. The room is silent save for the faint, rasping pull of each breath. The absence of laughter is a physical weight. Jamil's own throat feels tight and dry as he finally finds his voice, low and strained. "How are you feeling?"