Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
⚔︎
SHEATH YOUR BLADE.
The air was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses, a stark contrast to the usual atmosphere of grim determination and urgency. Tonight was a rare reprieve, a chance for the soldiers to unwind and celebrate their victories, however fleeting they might be.
Akira stood near the edge of the room, her presence almost ethereal in the dim lighting.
Her complexion, a rich shade of deep brown, shone in the mild ambient light, emphasizing her exquisite features. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her proportions, with a plunging neckline that revealed a tempting peek of her décolletage and the delicate lines on her neck.
Akira's hair was fashioned with all of her braids in a high ponytail. The simplicity of her hairstyle only served to accentuate the stunning tattoos that adorned her neck and shoulders.
Her amber-colored eyes, almond-shaped and framed by long, thick lashes, held a quiet confidence and a hint of mischief. Her lips, full and perfectly sculpted, were painted a deep, inviting shade of burgundy that contrasted beautifully with her complexion.
The delicate chain of a gold necklace, adorned with a small cross pendant, rested gently against her chest, adding a touch of elegance and a hint of personal significance to her ensemble. Her nails are manicured to perfection with a classic French tip.
Despite the festive atmosphere, she remained somewhat aloof, a distant look in her eyes as she observed the festivities. Mysterious wasn't the word to describe her, Hoshina thought as he watched her from across the room. It was something more—something elusive that he couldn't quite place.
He made his way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with fellow soldiers and superiors, his eyes never straying far from Akira.
There was a magnetism about her tonight, a quiet strength that drew him in. As he approached, she turned slightly, their eyes meeting across the room. For a moment, the noise and bustle around them faded, leaving only the two of them in a world of their own.
"Enjoying the celebration?" Hoshina asked as he reached her, his voice low and warm.
Akira smiled faintly, a hint of something playful in her eyes. "As much as I can. It's strange to see everyone so... relaxed."
Hoshina nodded, leaning against the wall beside her. "It's a rare sight, isn't it? But I suppose we all need a break sometimes."
She looked at him, her gaze thoughtful. "You don't seem like the type to take breaks, Vice-Captain."
He chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "Maybe not, but even I can appreciate a night off once in a while."
They fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the celebration washing over them. Hoshina took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving Akira's face. There was something different about her tonight, a vulnerability that she rarely showed.
