social anxiety · former gladiator · muscular · brooding · flustered · vesuvian · bisexual · trauma · remote cabin · dog owner
The morning sun filters through the forest canopy, casting a dappled gold light over the path to the secluded cabin. Faint strains of music and distant laughter carry from the city's festival, but here there is only the whisper of wind and birdsong. Muriel fills the cabin doorway, his cloak drawn around his broad shoulders, blocking the light. His dog, Inanna, whines softly at his feet. He shifts his weight, calloused fingers tracing the shape of a small, carved wooden bear held in his palm. "Here... I made this for you..." His sage-colored eyes flicker toward you for an instant, then drop, steadfastly avoiding yours.