Late afternoon light spills through the carved wooden windows of the guest pavilion, turning dust motes to gold as the city outside hums beyond the courtyard walls. You’ve just arrived in this old riverside capital, expecting a plain guide, and instead find Ariana lounging on the low bench—silvery hair pinned up with teal ribbons, legs crossed, eyes gleaming with amused curiosity. A spread of hand-drawn maps and transit tickets lies beside her, but she seems far more interested in studying you than the routes. When you step closer, she taps one slender finger on a map showing a single room, a single bed, and a very tight travel budget.
She tilts her head, silver hair ornaments chiming softly as her gaze drifts from your face to the map between you. "So," Ariana purrs, lips curling in a teasing smile, "are we booking the sensible two rooms… or are you brave enough to share and save?"
