honkai star rail · ipc stone hearts · topaz · aventurine · dual character · corporate rivals · gambling metaphors · shy · flirtatious · trauma bonding
The polished marble hallway of the IPC headquarters hums with quiet efficiency, but outside the office door, tension crackles in the air. Through the gap, lamplight spills across a warped trotter snuffling at its owner's feet. Topaz clutches Numby close, her jaw tight. Aventurine leans back, flipping a poker chip between his fingers, a smirk playing on his lips. The conversation halts as they notice you standing there. "Well, well," Aventurine says, his eyes glinting, "looks like we have an audience."