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• Silu_et

The evening sky darkened the horizon, a faint pink and orange glow faded above the tree line.Sounds of various creatures whispered amongst the foliage in every direction. As visibility waned, the dangers of the Black Shroud grew. Even the most fledgling of travelers wouldn’t be naive enough to be caught amongst the forest in the dark.The man hurried through the forest, the darkness closing in around him. He could hear the sounds of the creatures of the night all around him, and he knew that he was in danger. He had been held up far too long this morning and was now paying the price. He was forced to trudge through the forest trails at night, and he knew that the dangers of the Black Shroud were only growing.He pulled the scarf under his hood tight to his face and shivered slightly under the linen. The cold wasn’t so much the culprit as was the tension he felt. He had to get to Buscarron's Druthers. He had to find shelter from the night and the creatures that inhabited it.Pausing a moment to try and gain his bearing, he scanned through the trees for any sign of his destination. After a few moments, he let out a sigh of relief. In the distance was the bonfire's faint glow outside the Druthers tavern. He shifted the pack on his shoulder and set forth to the establishment.As he got closer, he could see that the tavern was a modest, two-story building with a thatched roof. There were a few horses tied up outside, and a few men were sitting around the fire, drinking and talking. They Don’t seem to pay mind to the man as their attention is on a Miqo’te barmaid. As she made her way to each one with new tankards of ale, they take turns grabbing at her and laugh as she flinched. Tripping over one of the drunks purposefully outstretched feet, they cackle as she stumbled, shouting bigoted remarks toward her. She Pressed her skirt tight to her legs as she scampered around the side of the building.The Cat like ears on the traveler's head twitch under his hood. His teeth clenched as he was forced to simply watch the disgusting behavior. He couldn’t afford to get caught up in any sort of altercation. Pulling the scarf even higher to conceal his face, He could sense the other men’s visions start turn toward him.He did his best to keep his tail tucked under his jacket lest the drunks spot it. Not everyone was okay with beast folk, even though Miqote were common these days. He avoided eye contact and approached the tavern, making his way inside.A man with a long beard and a friendly smile greeted him. "Welcome to the Druthers," he said. "Name’s Buscarron. Owner, bartender, cook. What can I do for you this evening?""I'm looking for a place to stay for the night," the man said. "I would rather not be out in the dark any longer than need be.""Of course," Buscarron responded. "We always have room for one more, even a beastkin such as yourself. Come on in."Paralyzed, the man in the doorway. He was so easily ascertained as a Beastkin. He stepped further inside, one leg thumping a bit louder than the other as the floorboards creaked beneath him. The tavern was warm and inviting. A little dated, but with a fire burning in the hearth and a few tables scattered around, it felt homely. The man could smell the delicious aroma of food cooking, and his stomach growled."Can I get you anything to eat?" Buscarron asked."I'll have whatever you have to offer. I’m surprised you are alright serving someone like myself" the man said, his voice trailing off slightly toward the end.The man behind the counter chuckled and nodded. “True, some folk may see fit to not serve ya, but Gil is Gil. Don’t matter who or what it comes from. Even got a beastkin workin here if ya would believe it, though i couldnt say where that damned Evelyn got off too…” Face furrowing in frustration.“I believe the men out front may have given her a bit of trouble. Though i did see her run around the building.”“Gods damnit, those bastards always cause that poor girl trouble. She’s probably hiding in the back. I’ll go check in on her and make sure she is doing alright. Thanks for letting me know stranger.”They exchanged quick nods with one another before the bartender disappeared back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with a plate of food for the man. The man dropped a few gil in front of the man and pulled a stool away from the counter. He shifted the length of his brown trench coat behind him and swung a prosthetic leg around the stool, planting himself firmly on the wooden seat before digging into the steaming plate of food before him.After eating, the man sat back slightly in his seat and sighed happily. "That was the best meal I've had in a long time," he said."I'm glad you enjoyed it," Buscarron said, doing his best not to stare at the fake leg presented in front of him. "When you are ready, the Room is upstairs, second door on the right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work mister…uhh? I didn’t catch your name."“Vynnik.” the man replied“Mister Vynnik, you have yourself a wonderful evening. ” And with that, he disappeared back into the kitchen.Vynnik stood up and stretched, rubbing his thigh just above the prosthetics socket. It was a bit sore after his travels. He was tired but grateful to have found a safe place to stay for the night. He walked over to the fireplace and sat on a battered leather chair, sinking into its worn cushion.

As Vyn moved through the once lively halls of the building, the silence weighed heavily upon him, a stark contrast to the bustling activity that once filled these spaces.
The absence of life was palpable, the only sounds permeating the air were the mechanical hum of the fish tanks and the distant whirring of machinery from the workshop.
It felt as if the very essence of the place had been drained, leaving behind an eerie stillness that sent shivers down Vyn's spine.With each item he packed into his bag, Vyn couldn't shake the feeling of finality that hung in the air. He moved with a solemn determination, methodically securing his belongings as if preparing for a journey into the unknown. The weight of his pack pressed against his shoulders, a harsh reminder of what had transpired and the uncertainty of the path ahead.Standing before the front desk, Vyn hesitated for a moment, almost expecting the presence of a receptionist to greet him. But the emptiness of the space only amplified the sense of solitude that surrounded him. He reached out to ring the bell, the sound reverberating through the empty halls with a haunting echo. With a heavy sigh, he silenced the ringing, his hand lingering on the cold metal of the bell as if seeking solace in its familiarity.As he made his way toward the exit, each step felt like a step closer to the unknown, a stark reminder of the inevitability of change. The door handle seemed to resist his touch, as if reluctant to release him from the confines of the building. With a deep breath, Vyn calmed his `nerves, pushing open the door. The cool breeze of the outside world washing over him like a balm.Outside, the sun was beginning to break through the clouds, casting a soft glow over the landscape. Vyn paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the scene before him, knowing that this would most likely be the last time he would stand on the familiar ground. With a sense of both sadness and anticipation, he turned away from the building, the door shutting behind him with a final click that seemed to fill the whole yard.With each step along the path, every footfall seemed to carry a weight of sorrow, a stark ``reminder of the journey he was undertaking. Vyn couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy as he moved forward, leaving behind the memories of the past. Though he knew that this marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, the prospect of what lay ahead was tinged with sadness. Despite the bittersweet nature of the moment, he understood that this transition brought with it both challenges and opportunities, waiting to be embraced amidst the sorrow.-----------------------------------------------------------------Vyn's heart was heavy with grief as he grappled with the recent loss of his sister, Alina. The circumstances surrounding her passing remained shrouded in uncertainty, leaving Vyn with a lingering sense of unanswered questions. The doctors' speculations offered little solace, and he had resigned himself to the fact that he may never truly understand what had taken her from him.In the wake of Ali's death, the company had made the call to shut down the Limsa branch where she had worked, deeming it too costly to replace her. Most of the staff and resources were relocated to the main branch in Old Sharlain, but for Vyn and others like him, there was no place left within the company.Some had swiftly found new opportunities elsewhere, Bernie and Charlene had both managed rather quickly, with Charlene dragging Marvrin with her, but Vyn found himself without a job or a home, his luck having seemingly run dry.The office space above one of the company's external workshops, which Vyn had come to call home, was now off-limits to him. Forced to vacate the premises, he felt a sense of displacement wash over him, reminiscent of his childhood days spent wandering the market streets of Limsa, begging and stealing to survive.Despite the upheaval, Vyn was grateful for the severance package provided by the company. It offered a temporary reprieve, allowing him to afford a stay at an inn while he navigated this tumultuous period.Standing in the bustling Aetheryte plaza, surrounded by a sea of hurried commuters, Vyn felt a sense of disorientation. With the sun beginning its descent towards the horizon, he knew he needed to find shelter for the night. Resolving to start at the Drowned Wench, a local tavern and inn, Vyn hoped to gather information about potential job opportunities before seeking refuge for the evening. It was a small glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty that loomed over him.