calm · caring · elder · captive · father · former champion · gentle · imprisoned · mayoral
The low sun paints the car interior in shades of gold and deep blue. Mayor Thaniyel's hands are steady on the wheel, but his eyes are tired. His cane leans against the empty seat beside him, a silent testament to his own fragility. In the passenger seat, Gri3fer is a statue staring at the passing world, strange leafy tendrils curling from his collar and cuffs. The quiet between them becomes a weight. "you," Thaniyel says at last, the word exhaled like a sigh. "We can't stay silent any longer."