Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTRPDG3TYJSSJ1Z9NMFCSYD

The door creaked open, its three deadbolts released with a series of metallic clunks. Eva's eyes, narrowed behind her reading glasses, flicked up from the dusty tome splayed across her lap. The warm glow of table lamps cast a golden light on the surprise etched across her face. "Rory, I—" Aurora Carter, aka Rory, stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes scanning the familiar yet forgotten space. Her gaze danced across the cluttered shelves, the curry-house aromas wafting up from downstairs transporting her back to late-night study sessions and laughter-filled sleepovers. A hesitant smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she stepped inside, her straight shoulder-length black hair swaying with the movement. "Hey, Eva. Sorry for just showing up." Rory's words were laced with a tinge of nervousness, her eyes avoiding the figure rising from the armchair beside Eva. Lucien Moreau, resplendent in a tailored charcoal suit, his slicked-back platinum blond hair a stark contrast to the warm, cozy atmosphere of the flat, offered a polite, if not somewhat guarded, smile. "Aurora. This is... unexpected." The heterochromatic glint of his eyes – one amber, one black – seemed to hold a thousand unspoken questions as he set his ivory-handled cane against the wall. Eva, still looking like she'd been caught off guard, waved a hand, encouraging Rory to enter. "No, no, come in! We were just... discussing... uh, research." The half-hearted attempt at casualness was betrayed by the flush rising to her cheeks. Rory's gaze lingered on Lucien before she stepped further into the flat, her movements economical as she navigated the narrow pathway between piles of books and scrolls. The tabby cat, Ptolemy, wove in and out of her legs, purring contentedly as Rory reached down to scratch behind his ears. "Research, huh? Looks about as intense as our finals week." Lucien's smile, this time, held a whisper of genuine amusement. "Merely scratching the surface of the occult's nuances, Aurora. Though I'm sure your... unique perspective would be invaluable." Tension, almost palpable, hung in the air as Eva intervened, her voice a tad too bright. "Can I get you something, Rory? Tea? We've got that new herbal blend you love." Accepting the offered distraction, Rory nodded, her eyes never leaving Lucien's face. "That sounds great, thanks." The unspoken history between them – the spark of attraction, the hurt of parting on complicated terms – hung like an challenge, waiting to be addressed. As Eva bustled towards the makeshift kitchen area, Lucien took a deliberate step forward, his voice low. "Aurora, might I have a word?" Rory's fingers stilled in Ptolemy's fur, a beat of silence passing before she nodded, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "I suppose we're overdue for a few words, Lucien." With a gesture, Lucien invited Rory to precede him, leading her towards the flat's small balcony. Eva, sensing the unspoken tension, called out, "I'll just... give you two a moment," before busying herself with the tea, her back strategically turned to the unfolding scene. The night air, crisp and filled with the distant hum of Brick Lane's nightlife, enveloped them as they stepped onto the balcony. The city lights twinkled below, a canvas of stars reflected in the gleam of Lucien's eyes as he turned to face Rory. "Aurora, I—" he began, only to be interrupted. "Lucien, why are you here?" Rory's voice was even, a hint of wariness underscoring her words. The small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist seemed to gleam in the moonlight, a reminder of vulnerabilities she kept closely guarded. Lucien's gaze drifted to the scar, a flicker of emotion crossing his face before he responded, his voice low, measured. "I've been looking for you, Aurora. We left things... unresolved. And I've found myself with more questions than answers in the months since." The air between them vibrated with unspoken emotions, the sound of Eva's laughter from inside, a stark contrast to the intensity of the moment. Rory's eyes, like two bright blue pools, mirrored the night sky, filled with depths Lucien was desperate to explore once more. "I've got questions too, Lucien," Rory's voice was barely above a whisper, the city's din swallowing the words, yet they hung between them, palpable as the night air. "But are you prepared for the answers?" The silence that followed was a precipice, a moment poised between the past and the uncertain future, as Lucien's eyes locked onto Rory's, seeking a truth that only she could provide.