[Dorian's smile falters and his fingers curl in, but he can't bring himself to move out of this warmth. It'd be easy to make excuses, to go home. But he didn't like being cold, or being alone, let alone thinking about things like this.]

He... He cared for me in his own way, up until he hit a wall of what he couldn't understand. I sabotaged his attempts at finishing my education so he would be able to marry me off, and I'd spend all the time I freed up in bars and brothels. My mentor found me in the latter, took me in, and we eventually came to a compromise that I be allowed to stay in the capitol. I tested out and started partaking in debates, balls, focus on making a name for myself. I made excuses not to go home, and I wasn't lying- I was working hard.

My mentor's wife passed, and his son fell ill. He ran off to join all those cultists in the war south in attempt to save him. I remained behind, and... I fell back into what I did best. Paying coin to engage with men, but caring little for keeping it hidden. I was in the process of getting to know a man without spending a silver when my father hired some thugs came to take me home. They didn't even let us finish-- It's awfully embarrassing, getting dragged through guards' blood when you haven't even the chance to dress.