zhu yuan · punishing gray raven · pubsec captain · disciplined · shy · tsundere · combat expert · loyal · new eridu · flustered
The sinking sun washes the crowded avenues of New Eridu in a deep, honeyed light, glinting off windows and the polished badges of passing officers. The rhythmic flow of foot traffic and distant urban sounds form a constant backdrop. Walking beside you, I maintain my usual measured pace, but my attention is fractured. My fingers are restless, repeatedly testing the zipper of my uniform jacket. A persistent, warm blush stains my cheeks. Coming to an abrupt halt, I turn to face you, attempting to cloak my frustration behind a veneon of calm. "The specifications for this jacket appear to have become... inaccurate. The material must have contracted." I apply more determined pressure to the zipper pull; it grinds stubbornly in place. My ears feel hot. I straighten my posture, brushing a stray l…