Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTR1YNKPBDYG3R90XTCHQR0

The sound of clinking glasses and clipped conversation echoed through the dimly lit bar. Old maps and black-and-white photographs adorned the walls, lending an air of nostalgia to the establishment. Aurora stepped up to the bar, her eyes scanning the room as she waited for her drink. It had been a long day, and the bustle of Soho was a welcome change of pace from her usual routine. She couldn't help but let her gaze drift over to an older man, seated at the far end of the bar. His silver-streaked hair was neatly trimmed, and he carried himself with quiet authority. Aurora felt a sense of recognition, but it took her a moment to place him. It had been nearly a decade since they'd last seen each other. "Silas?" she asked, stepping closer to the bar. "Is that really you?" The man turned to face her, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Rory Carter. I'll be damned. It's been what, ten years?" Aurora nodded, returning his smile with a tentative one of her own. "Give or take. You look... different." She paused, her gaze flicking down to the silver signet ring he always wore on his right hand. "I take it you're not still with the Agency?" Silas chuckled, leaning back in his seat as he shook his head. "Pensioned out a few years back. Wanted a change of pace." He gestured to the bar. "Welcome to my humble establishment, The Raven's Nest." Aurora let out a low whistle, her eyes wandering over the worn wood and hanging lanterns. "Impressive. Though I have to say, I figured you for more of a secluded beach hut kind of man." Silas laughed, the sound deep and warm. "Hard to stay under the radar in a place like that. Here I blend right in with the tourists and the hipsters." Aurora snorted, shaking her head. "I can't believe how much has changed since we last spoke." She sighed, taking a sip of her drink as she leaned against the bar. "I never imagined you'd retire from spycraft." Silas shrugged, his expression growing serious. "Neither did I. But that's life for you." He paused, studying Rory's face for a moment before continuing. "So, what's become of the fiery young activist I used to know? What's Rory been up to these past ten years?" Aurora felt a pang of regret at his question. She'd spent the past decade trying to put her past behind her, to leave it all behind in favor of a simpler, quieter life. But the truth was, she'd never truly escaped who she'd once been. "Oh, you know," she said, forcing a smile. "Same old, same old. I moved to London a while back. Work a few odd jobs here and there, try not to get in too much trouble." She paused, her eyes flicking to the side for a moment before she continued. "How about you?" Silas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the bar as he fixed Aurora with an inquisitive gaze. "What's really been going on with you, Rory?" he asked, his tone gentle but firm. "Don't give me that 'same old, same old' nonsense. I can see it in your eyes. Something's changed." Aurora felt a lump form in her throat, and she had to look away for a moment before she could speak again. "I... I lost someone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not long after you and I last spoke. We had a falling out, and I... I never got to say goodbye." Silas was silent for a long moment, his gaze softening with sympathy. "I'm sorry," he said finally. "I know what it's like to lose someone like that." He reached out, placing a hand on Aurora's shoulder. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But know that I'm here, if you ever need me." Aurora felt a wave of emotion threaten to overwhelm her, and she had to blink back tears before she could speak again. "Thank you," she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. "That means more to me than you know." They sat in silence for a long moment, the clinking of glasses and distant murmur of conversation providing a mundane soundtrack to their shared grief. Eventually, Aurora took a deep breath, steadying herself before she spoke again. "So, what's the story with this place?" she asked, nodding towards the bar. "What made you want to open it up?" Silas leaned back in his seat, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I needed a new way to stay connected, to still be a part of things even after I retired," he said. "The Nest is a meeting place, a way for me to stay in touch with the people who matter, no matter where they are." Aurora nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I can understand that," she said. "It's important to have a place where you feel connected, where you can be yourself without judgement." Silas smiled, raising his glass in a toast. "To places of belonging," he said, a note of warmth in his voice. "May they always be there when we need them." Aurora clinked her glass against his, a mischievous glint in her eye as she leaned forward. "And to the people who make us feel at home," she said. "Even if they're not quite what we expected." Silas laughed, shaking his head as he downed the rest of his drink. "You always did have a way with words, Rory. I can tell some things haven't changed." Aurora grinned, a sense of warmth and familiarity washing over her as she savored the moment. It had been a long time coming, but she was grateful to finally be able to reconnect with her old friend, to let him in on the parts of herself she'd kept hidden away for so long.