The tension in the air was palpable, a silent stand-off between the stranger and those who had taken notice of their arrival. Kieran's mind raced, evaluating every possible scenario. He had faced danger countless times before, but there was something about this situation that felt different.

As if in response to the unspoken tension, the tavern's door swung open once again. Another figure entered, one whose presence seemed to amplify the charged atmosphere. A dark green colored male corsac fox. Kieran's eyes narrowed as he observed the newcomer, his instincts urging him to remain vigilant. The green fox’s gaze swept over the tavern, his gray eyes locking onto the stranger at the bar. There was a flicker of recognition, a momentary connection that spoke of shared history.

Tessa tensed beside Kieran, her fingers curling around the hilt of a concealed blade.

The stranger finally turned away from the bar, their purpose seemingly fulfilled. With a final glance around the tavern, they made their exit, leaving behind an aura of mystery that lingered like a whisper in the wind.

Kieran gave Isabella a questioning look, wondering if she knew anything about what this all meant. Tessa's gaze remained fixed on the door, a mix of determination and curiosity in her eyes.

Isabella sighed softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass as she leaned closer to Kieran, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "That's Lysander Thornwood, as mysterious as they come," she whispered. "He's been a regular in this place for longer than I can remember. Keeps to himself mostly, doesn't engage in much conversation. But when he does, it's like every word he says carries a weight."

Tessa's grip on her blade relaxed slightly, her gaze shifting from the door to Isabella and Kieran. "Who is he? And why did he come here?"

Isabella shrugged, her gaze thoughtful. "No one really knows. Some say he's a traveler, others whisper about him being involved in things best left untouched. But he's never caused any trouble, at least not directly."

As they spoke, the green colored fox seemed to have found his way over to their corner. His scars were less intimidating up close, and his voice, though rough, carried an unexpected warmth as he greeted the group. It appeared that his presence had scared off that Lysander guy, so Kieran and Tessa instantly felt mostly relaxed around him. Perseus, however, maintained a cautious distance, his eyes fixed on Malachai with an almost comical intensity.

Kieran observed the scene with a mixture of wariness and intrigue. "Looks like he’s making himself at home,” he said to Isabella humorously.

Isabella nodded, a wry smile playing on her lips. "He has a certain charm, in his own way.”

Kieran shifted his attention to the green fox as he began to introduce himself to Tessa. “Hello, miss. My name is Malachai,” he smiled, a blush coming over his face. “Y-you’re quite pretty there. Who might you be?” His shy smile and friendly demeanor were a stark contrast to the scars that adorned his body.

Tessa's guard remained partially up, her hand still resting on her concealed blade, but she couldn't help but be intrigued by the enigmatic stranger. Tessa's gaze met Malachai's as he introduced himself, his words stumbling slightly as a faint blush tinted his cheeks. His genuine compliment caught her off guard, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words. She cleared her throat, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"I'm Tessa," she replied, her tone cautious yet not unfriendly. "And this is Perseus," she added, gesturing to the small fire dragon who was eyeing Malachai with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Kieran's lips twitched with amusement as he took a sip of his drink, watching the interaction unfold. "Seems like you've made an impression, Tessa."

Tessa shot him a playful glare before turning her attention back to Malachai. "So, Malachai, what brings you to Dawnbreak?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Malachai's eyes sparkled with a mixture of bashfulness and genuine interest. "Just passing through, really. Heard this place had a certain charm to it." His gaze shifted to Kieran, a question in his eyes. "And you, sir? Are you locals?"

Kieran leaned back in his seat, a half-smile on his lips. "I’m Kieran, and you could say that. We've been around these parts before." Was that true? No, because this was the first time he’d visited this city, but he knew better than to seem like a new tourist in an unfamiliar environment. It was a rule he lived by, never showing any kind of vulnerability to strangers. It kept him safe often; confidence and knowledge were key, and if those were not present then he could become a tempting target for mediocre criminals.

As the conversation continued, Kieran found himself both intrigued and wary of Malachai. His attempts at friendly banter were endearing, and he appreciated the effort he was making to connect. He noticed Tessa became increasingly more tense as well. She seemed to be enjoying herself, yet there was a guardedness in her demeanor, a reminder of the dangers that existed beyond the tavern walls.

Malachai talked with Isabella some, and with other men at the tavern, having a hearty old time. Malachai's attempts at conversation with Tessa grew more frequent and his smile more genuine. He seemed to genuinely enjoy their company.

Malachai gestured to the swift fox to order his drink, his gaze fixed on the array of bottles behind the counter. "I'll have a glass of moonberry wine, please," he requested with a polite smile.

Isabella nodded and began to prepare his drink, pouring a deep purple liquid into a glass. Malachai's fingers tapped idly on the counter as he waited, his eyes wandering around the tavern. It's clear that he's not quite used to being the center of attention, despite his attempts at friendly conversation.

When the glass of moonberry wine was placed before him, Malachai offered a grateful nod to the bartender before turning back to Tessa and Kieran. "Cheers," he said, lifting the glass in a silent toast before taking a sip.

Tessa watched him carefully, her curiosity piqued by his choice of drink. Moonberry wine was known for its sweet and slightly tart flavor, a favorite among those who appreciate a more refined taste. It was a choice that added to the enigma of his character, a complex blend of scars and subtlety.

Kieran's observant eyes flickered between Tessa and Malachai, catching the subtle shifts in body language and the play of expressions. The tavern's warm glow painted a cozy backdrop, casting an almost ethereal light on the scene unfolding before him.

Malachai's scarred visage softened as he leaned in slightly, his gaze fixed on Tessa with a mix of genuine interest and a hint of shyness. His words flowed like a gentle stream, each sentence carefully chosen as if he were navigating uncharted waters. "You know, Tessa, I've been coming to this tavern for a while now," he began, his voice a smooth undertone amidst the tavern's lively chatter. "But I must admit, I've never seen someone as captivating as you."

Tessa's reaction was a study in contrasts. Her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, a response she couldn't quite hide. At the same time, her tomboyish demeanor shone through as she playfully rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a half-smile.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Malachai," Tessa teased, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I'm not so easily charmed."

Malachai's lips curled in a genuine smile, revealing a side of him that Kieran hadn't quite expected. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, a silent plea for a chance to connect, even amidst his attempts at flirtation.

Kieran's grip on his drink tightened slightly, a mixture of protectiveness and intrigue stirring within him. He watched as Malachai leaned back, his tone shifting to a more casual note.

"Well, I won't deny that I'm a regular around here," Malachai admitted, his fingers tracing the rim of his wine glass. "But it's not often that I meet someone who can match my wit and fiery spirit."

Tessa's laughter danced through the air, a clear indication that the malachite green furred fox’s words had struck a chord. Kieran couldn't help but chuckle under his breath, impressed by Malachai's ability to hold his own in this playful exchange.

A while passed, and the two kept chatting; Kieran couldn't shake off the feeling that beneath Malachai's scars and enigmatic demeanor, there was a genuine longing for connection. The subtle flirtation was probably just a surface layer, a way for Malachai to bridge the gap between his own world and Tessa's.

When Malachai's friendly advances began to take a markedly affectionate, even sensual turn, Tessa's smile faltered. The green fox had begun rubbing her back, inching closer to her, and the final straw for the starry girl was when Malachai put his hand on her thigh. Perseus had been uncomfortable the entire time, and this was what caused the fire dragon to snap; he roared and blew a small bit of flames at his owner’s would-be suitor.

She gently but firmly turned away the clearly excited male’s attempts at closer proximity, her gaze unwavering. "I appreciate the company, Malachai, but let's keep things friendly."

Tessa stroked Perseus’ neck, attempting to calm down a still grumbly dragon.

Malachai's smile remained, though there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "Of course, Tessa. Just thought I'd try my luck."

Tessa offered him a small, reassuring smile. "Luck has a way of surprising us sometimes."

Kieran watched the exchange between Tessa and Malachai, a subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. It was clear that Malachai's advances hadn't quite hit the mark with the celestial fox girl, despite his charming attempts. Kieran couldn't help but admire Tessa's straightforwardness and confidence in setting boundaries.

As the conversation settled and Malachai excused himself to the bathroom, Kieran decided it was time for him to retire for the night as well. He finished the last sip of his whiskey, feeling its warmth spread through him. "Well, it's been an eventful evening, but I think it's time for some shut-eye," he announced, stretching his arms above his head.

Isabella nodded in understanding. "Of course, Kieran. I can arrange a room for you if you'd like."

"That would be much appreciated," Kieran replied with a grateful smile. He glanced back at Tessa and Perseus. "You two take care now." With a nod of farewell, he went to follow Isabella up the stairs to the second floor where there were many rooms.

Kieran was assigned a room at the end of the hall. “This is your room, I figured you were the type to like your privacy,” she smiled.

“Thank you,” Kieran said and handed her some gold coins. “Will five gold coins be enough?”

“Oh you only owe me two coins,” she giggled, handing three pieces back to him.

Kieran held up his hand, gesturing for her to stop. “Nah, you keep the rest, you served us well tonight.” The swift fox brightened up and looked quite grateful, and then left him in peace in his room.