The Most Important Rule is Kindness

Nairn had left the competition early, a missive from the Coterie headquarters had required his attention. He'd transversed the Eluvian Network, until he was standing back in Kirkwall. The meeting had taken longer than he would've liked, and he'd left an informant dead on the floor for someone else to clean up.

And then it was back through the Network, a weaving path of here-to-there, until he arrived once more in Arlathan. To find a celebration taking place.

Nairn, carefully cloaked in shadow, studied the crowd, gaze sweeping across faces. Before he showed himself, he was ascertaining escape routes, making mental note of danger...

And then he caught sight of lingering eyes on a familiar form, and he ground his teeth. Before schooling his features, and drifting through the crowd to settle just out of view of her, close enough that when she spun again, she'd find herself in his arms.

Working. And you've been drinking? He raised his eyebrows, as he steadied her. And his gaze cut across the crowd, to ensure that whomever had been lingering no longer did so. Satisfied with what he found, he let his gaze drift towards Ruth.

Seems you've had a bit much. Why don't we get you some water, and you tell me why we're celebrating? He inquired, slipping an arm loosely around her shoulders to ensure she'd not stumble and fall.