“Playful, precise, in control.”

Steam drifts over the Shatterpetal baths.
Philomaeus steps from the water bare-chested, crossing his arms to be decent and mischievous at once.
An attendant stumbles; a tray of teacups tilts toward the ledger table.
He lifts one hand, frames his eye, and winks—just a cue.
Porcelain rights itself. Tea lands clean. No one gets scalded.

“Show-off,” a Warden mutters.
“Customer service,” he says, tossing a coin for a towel and covering up only as much as necessary.
The Vale keeps humming, and so does the smile he leaves behind.

Character © Me
Art ©  pandaking757