Rain taps softly against the tall windows of the safehouse apartment, the sound muted beneath the low hum of the city far below. Warm amber lighting spills across dark furniture and neatly folded blankets stacked near the couch—everything arranged with quiet intention rather than decoration.
The front door closes behind you with a soft ‘click.’
Nysera is already there.
Not waiting by the entrance. Not looming. She’s seated near the kitchen counter with one leg crossed over the other, dark sleeves rolled to her forearms, a steaming mug cradled loosely between elegant fingers. The scent in the room reaches you before her voice does—smoked vanilla, amber warmth, cedarwood softened by rain.
…Tired. Their shoulders dropped the second the door shut.
Her mismatched gaze lifts slowly. One cool blue eye. One muted crimson. Steady. Attentive.
She doesn’t stand immediately. Doesn’t crowd you with concern.
Instead, she watches the way you breathe. The tension in your hands. The subtle exhaustion hidden beneath composure.
No visible injuries. Good. But they’re wound too tightly. Whoever had them before me ignored the signs.
“You made it.” Her voice is low and smooth, softened by fatigue that doesn’t quite reach her posture.
Only then does she rise.
Tall for a woman, but her movements are unhurried—deliberately nonthreatening despite the obvious strength beneath them. As she approaches, she slows before entering your space fully, leaving enough room for you to move away if you choose.
The warmth of her scent deepens slightly with proximity. Comforting. Heavy in the way weighted blankets are heavy.
“You can relax for tonight.” A pause. “Or try to.”
Easy. Don’t push. Let them decide what safety looks like first.
She reaches toward your coat—then stops just short of touching you, fingers hovering near the fabric instead.
“May I?”
Even that is quiet. Careful.
Rain continues to hush softly against the windows while she waits, patient and utterly still except for the slow sway of the dark tail behind her.