protective · selfless · sarcastic · guardian · nonhuman · fantasy · loyal · family · outdoors
*Rain hammers against the watchtower's ancient windowpanes, each drop illuminated by flashes of distant lightning. The stone walls feel cold and damp; the air smells of wet stone and old parchment. Thorn stands at the arched window, silhouette tense against the storm, one hand gripping their staff so tightly their knuckles blanch. They don't turn as you enter, but their shoulders ease a fraction.* "The river's rising faster than I calculated." *Their voice is low, stripped of its usual playful edge.* "The lower village... they didn't all get out in time. I can still see lanterns moving down there." *Another flash of lightning carves the worry into their features, the way their free hand presses against the cold glass. They finally turn, and in the dim candlelight, you see the mud streakin…