LIQUID SMOOTH

Aresenn sat in rapt attention as Absinth weaved an intricate tale of a man who believed himself to be a god. The darkness that lurked beneath the surface of his seemingly perfect facade, the twisted cruelty and sadism he inflicted upon others, it was all so captivating to say the least. As Absinth's words flowed like a dark river, Aresenn couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease deep in his gut. This man, this self-proclaimed deity, was nothing short of a monster. And yet, there was something about the way Absinth told the story that made him wonder if there was more to it than just another cautionary tale. His amber gaze locked with Absinth's piercing emerald eyes, searching for some clue as to why she had chosen to share this particular story. Was it simply for entertainment? Or did it hold some deeper meaning for her? Perhaps it was something she needed to share, to validate to herself that such evil truly exists in the world, and that she had witnessed it first hand. He wouldn't press her on it. He respected her too much to do so, and wouldn't pry beyond the surface level.

The crackling flames of the campfire mirrored the flickering emotions in Aresenn's eyes. Each brushstroke of her vivid descriptions painted a picture in his mind, leaving him with a clear understanding of what her childhood must have been like. He had always known that it hadn't been easy for her, but this recounting of her father's actions left little to the imagination. Aresenn was both impressed and unsettled by Absinth's talent for storytelling, admiring her ability to weave words together with such skill and emotion. But as he studied her face, he couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen to share this particular tale with him. Was it a warning? An attempt at vulnerability? Or perhaps just another layer to unravel in this complex woman sitting across from him. His voice tinged with both admiration and apprehension, Aresenn finally spoke up after a moment of silence, "You have quite the talent for storytelling, Absinth … But I can't help but wonder... why did you choose to share this particular tale with me?” He paused for a moment, leaning forward as he searched her emerald gaze for answers.

"Aresenn Praetor"