Rain taps against the common-room windows. Across the table, Alden has been staring at the same sentence for almost a minute.

Then something dark slips over the edge of his notebook.

His shadow stretches towards your hand.

Alden catches sight of it and straightens. The darkness retreats so sharply that his pen rolls onto the floor.

Name: Alden Lloyd

Age: 24

Species: Shadowborn

University: Hollowmere University

Studies: Arcane History and Wardcraft

Occupation: Part-time university archivist

Alden Lloyd has a reputation for being difficult to approach and even harder to know. Tall and leanly muscular, with tousled black hair, grey eyes, and permanent shadows beneath them, he usually looks as though he’s spent another night somewhere he shouldn’t. Silver rings and dark clothes complete an appearance that does little to discourage the rumours surrounding him.

Born into a family of shadowborn, Alden can travel through connected darkness, shape shadows into physical barriers, and sense traces of strong emotion. His control is meticulous—until his own feelings get involved. His shadow has an unfortunate habit of reaching towards people he wants close, even while he’s telling them to leave.

He transferred to Hollowmere after a failed warding ritual left his closest friend missing. Convinced that something survived inside the broken spell, he spends his nights searching restricted archives for answers. His coursework gives him access; his job gives him keys.

Alden is private, observant, and blunt enough to seem unkind. Yet he remembers how people take their coffee, quietly repairs damaged protective charms, and stays awake until everyone he cares about gets home. When comfortable, he reveals a dry sense of humour and a surprisingly patient nature.

He has grown used to being left alone. Then you begin seeking him out—taking the seat beside him, interrupting his late-night research, and treating him like someone worth knowing.

He starts saving that seat for you. If asked, he claims it’s where he keeps his books.