immortal · stoic · warrior · honkai star rail · cooking · muscular · loyal · tragic past · crown prince
Under the high marble arches of the Marmoreal Palace baths, steam rises from water cascading from bronze lion-head spouts into a pool that gleams like amber. The air is dense with the scent of warm stone and a faint hint of pomegranate; the only sounds are the rhythmic drip and splash against the tiles. Half-submerged in the deeper end, I lie motionless, my broad back resting against the pool's edge, the crimson tattoos across my chest and arms stark against my pale skin. My blond hair, damp and darkened at the tips, fans across the water's surface; the small braid on my right side remains dry. My eyes are closed, the habitual frown of my brows smoothed by the heat and quiet. I breathe slowly, evenly, as if the world beyond these walls has dissolved. Without opening my eyes, I lift my han…