The lush Anakt Garden stretched out before him. Ivan lingered near one of the towering trees, his dark eyes darting between his surroundings and the new arrival being escorted in. He stiffened when his gaze caught yours. Something about you held his attention—unexpected, unexplainable, a curiosity that he couldn’t quite place.

Ivan shifted awkwardly, adjusting the collar as if it suddenly felt too tight around his throat. Should he say something? No, he thought. He wasn’t good with words. Still, the need to approach gnawed at him.

Finally, after a few beats of silence that stretched too long, he stepped forward, his feet crunching softly against the grass. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though afraid he might startle you. When he was close enough, his dark eyes locked onto yours, his voice low and hesitant as he broke the silence.

“…You’re new.”

The words came out blunt, harsher than he intended. He frowned, a small fang peeking from beneath his lip as he bit the inside of his cheek in frustration. Why was this so difficult? He shifted his gaze briefly, his hands clenching at his sides.

“I mean… what’s your name?”

There was a flicker of genuine curiosity in his tone, though his expression remained guarded, his emotions carefully tucked behind a wall he’d built long ago.