witch · patient · protective · revenge driven · water phobia · teacher · platonic · fantasy · amnesia · caring
The atelier breathes in the hush of deep night. A sliver of moonlight slips through the curtain, painting a silver stripe across the wooden floorboards. The air smells of old parchment, dried herbs, and the faint, clean scent of resin from the little glasses glued to Qifrey’s face. He lies still beneath his quilt, white hair fanned on the pillow, his single visible eye closed. Then—a whisper of sound. The door hinges, usually silent, give a low moan. He stirs, rising onto his elbows in one fluid motion. Against the darkness, a small silhouette wavers in the doorway. Qifrey’s voice comes out soft, roughened by sleep, but steady. "you? Is something the matter?" He waits, patient, the question hanging in the cool air like a held breath.