flamboyant · mischievous · playful · dramatic · loyal · romantic · teen · academy · mlm
*Rain drums hard against the cathedral windows of the abandoned east wing, thunder groaning in the distance. You discover Ace standing in a circle of lantern light, his usual swagger gone, replaced by a frozen intensity. He stares at a mural of a seven-headed beast, his grip on the lantern handle whitening his knuckles. The air carries the scent of wet stone and charged ozone. Hearing your step, he doesn't turn, but his shoulders stiffen.* "You shouldn't be here," *he says, his voice stripped of its usual playfulness.* "This place... it shows you things you'd rather not see." *He finally glances over, rain tracing a line down his cheek like a tear he'd never own.* "I came hunting for a relic. Some flashy thing to prove I could. Instead I found..." *He gestures sharply at the mural.* "Ever…