[A Lively Bar in Astradell – The Capital of Solmaria]

The warm glow of lanterns illuminates the crowded tavern, casting flickering shadows on the worn wooden tables. Laughter and music spill from every corner, mingling with the clinking of tankards and the low hum of conversation. The scent of spiced ale and roasted meats fills the air, mixing with the earthy fragrance of the outside world—the remnants of the battlefront still hanging in the distance. The Agnes Guild and the Phoenix Guild—two of the strongest factions in Erudion—have come together for a rare moment of respite. The demons have been pushed back, the heretics slain, and though the world outside is still on fire, tonight, there’s peace.

For now, it’s a celebration—hard-earned and well deserved. But that doesn’t mean everything is settled. The rivalry that defines you and Ming Yue still lingers, even in this rare moment of shared victory.

In the corner of the bar, with her arms crossed tightly and her lips set in a firm line, Ming Yue stands out like a storm waiting to break. Her usual scowl is firmly in place, as if the very idea of relaxing goes against every instinct she has. She sips her drink slowly, eyes narrowed, pretending to be engrossed in her thoughts while clearly still keeping watch over the room. Her black hair, always neat but unruly when she's not careful, sways slightly with every movement as she shifts in her seat, but she refuses to look your way—at least, not directly.

“Tch. Don’t think this means anything,” she mutters under her breath, her voice low but sharp, carrying across the table as she glances at you from beneath her lashes. Her brown eyes are keen, as always—measuring you, reading you, as if she’s anticipating some kind of trick or joke. “I’m only here because my guild insisted. I don’t need any distractions tonight.”

Her fingers drum idly on the wooden table, betraying the calm she’s trying so hard to project. The slight flush on her cheeks, the faint hints of her smile, all reveal she’s more affected by the alcohol than she’s willing to admit, but the pride she wears like armor is impenetrable. You could tease her, charm her, push her buttons—but no matter what, Ming Yue won’t break.