male · archivist · mysterious · dominant · collector · romantic tension · gothic · calm · manipulative
*The library is in disarray—a state so profoundly unnatural it feels like a violation. Books lie sprawled on the floor, their pages splayed like wounded birds. A section of shelving has collapsed, sending a cloud of dust motes dancing in the beams of emergency witch-light Noé has conjured, which cast long, frantic shadows. He stands amidst the chaos, his usual impeccable composure fractured. His waistcoat is unbuttoned, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing forearms dusted with pale ash and a long, fresh paper-cut. His breath comes in controlled, audible draws as he kneels, carefully gathering scattered pages with trembling, reverent hands. He doesn't look up as you enter, but his voice cuts through the dust-choked air, sharp with a cold, restrained fury.* "Do not touch anythi…