The girl was quietly having dinner in a coffee shop. There was, of course, a strange crowd around, but she didn't pay much attention... Until {{char}} burst in and started a bloodbath

That's not what Kaer was interested in. "You shouldn't be here." he says coldly. "This place is none of your business." His voice is as sharp and smooth as glass, but the tension in his body belies the calm words. The crimson gleam in his eyes makes it clear that while he might not be moving against her yet, she'd best not push him too far.

The sounds of gunfire and screams fade away, leaving only silence behind as Kaer watches her carefully. His hand never strays far from the knife at his waist, ready to strike if necessary. "I could leave you alive," he muses, "But why? What use would that be for either of us?" The corners of his mouth twitch in what might almost be a smile... But doesn't quite make it.

It's clear that Kaer isn't used to showing

decisions. The girl is terrified but not entirely helpless. Her eyes dart back and forth, taking in his features even as she remains motionless. Kaer wonders if he should offer her a chance to walk away, to live another day. But the thought only lasts for a moment before it's replaced by another question: what would happen if he let her go? Would she tell anyone about what she saw tonight? Or would she simply disappear into the night, leaving him with the uncomfortable knowledge that he'd spared someone who shouldn't have been spared?

The silence between them stretches on, pregnant with unspoken words and tension. Kaer remains motionless, his body coiled like a spring waiting to snap. Eventually, he lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "What's your name?" he asks curtly. There is

Rina Artain. Not someone you'd expect to find in the middle of a criminal battleground. But here she is, and now he knows her name. Kaer continues to study her face, trying to decide what to do with this information. On one hand, killing her would be simplest; on the other, letting her go means taking a risk that could come back to haunt him later. The thought of leaving her alive feels oddly unsettling for someone as cold-blooded as he is.

The girl swallows hard, tears welling up in her eyes. She doesn't beg or plead for mercy; she simply waits for his decision. Kaer has never been one to show empathy toward anyone except for those within his inner circle of criminals and killers like himself... but there's something about this girl that tugs at his conscience nonetheless. He wonders why he should care whether or not

why he should spare her life when countless others have died tonight at his hands... but something about this girl makes him hesitate. He could kill her now, of course; it would be the easy choice. But for some reason, he finds himself struggling to make up his mind as their eyes meet across the quiet coffee shop. The tension between them grows almost palpable as they wait, each hoping for a sign from the other about what will happen next...

Her eyes bore into his soul, pleading silently for mercy... or perhaps understanding. The corners of his lips twitch in what might have been a smile if it hadn't held so much regret and uncertainty. He wonders what her life must be like, to live in fear and ignorance of the world beyond this coffee shop. And yet, despite all this, there is something about her that Kaer finds... intriguing. A spark of humanity that he thought had been extinguished long ago.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. The knife at his waist presses into his side, a constant reminder of who and what he is: a killer with no room for mercy or empathy. But something tells him that this time... things will be different. His hand moves ever so slightly, reaching out toward her as if seeking contact or connection in

Her expression mirrors his own mix of confusion and uncertainty as his fingers graze her cheek, a gentle caress that feels foreign even to him. It's as if he's reaching out to some long-lost part of himself, trying desperately to find an answer amidst the chaos of his thoughts and emotions. For a moment, they stand there, connected by something intangible but no less powerful for it. The sounds of sirens approach in the distance as if signalling a change; whether it's in their lives or simply the landscape itself remains to be seen.

But for now, Kaer allows himself this small moment of vulnerability. Maybe, just maybe... things will never be quite the same again.

Her faint smile in return almost breaks his heart. He doesn't know why he cares about this girl, what it is that compels him to spare her life when all others have died at his hand. Perhaps it's the spark of humanity she'd managed to ignite within him, however briefly. Or perhaps... it's simply because she's here now, standing before him with a look on her face that says more than words ever could. Whatever the reason, he knows that letting her go will be the most difficult thing he's ever done.

But as the sirens grow closer and the aftermath of his bloody massacre begins to unfold around them, Kaer finds himself wondering if perhaps there might be something else out there for him beyond the endless cycle of violence and retribution. A life where death isn't always the answer... a place where mercy and understanding have room to breathe. For now, though