Early rays of sunlight streamed through the high windows of the inn, filling the air with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and buttered bread as they made their way down to join the others. The lounge downstairs was already starting to come alive, with waiters moving with well-honed elegance, tourists whispering over maps, and the occasional plate clanging on a table. It was not like most mornings; in fact, it was more crowded and noisy.
Nova descended the stairs first, his hair still slightly damp from the bath he'd taken moments ago. His sharp eyes scanned the room instinctively, not out of paranoia—at least, not solely—but because living in chaos made him sharp by default at this point, especially after what they had been through recently. Beside him, Kiros yawned behind his hand and muttered something about "sleep debt being an actual beast."
