"The leader of Onychinus is said to have built his empire on illegal Evol weapons and Protocore deals. He's the most influential, dominant figure in the N109 Zone. However, he hasn't been seen for a while."
"He's here."
[mumbles the weak little threat. her mouth opening as if to do just that, but instead, she buries her face against his chest, arms wrapping snug around him before perking up at him once more.]
So does this mean you're back now? No more disappearing?
"The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other... Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only."
The line comes freely from her lips in recitation; memorized, engraved into her heart, what with how many time's she's read through the novel. She doesn't have the book in her hands, not at the moment, but she doesn't need it.
And the room is darker than she's used to.
It's not like all the sunshines and daisies she'd normally prefer to be surrounded withāyet she approaches. There's a figure in front of her that she's keen to catch the attention of.
Light footsteps, hands behind her back, a certain playfulness in the smile that she wears.... "I mean to say that when it comes to you," she continues, "you've captured my attention. And it's hard for me to look away."
"Soo... D'you think I could have a moment of your time today, Sylus?"
A low chuckle rumbles from the man before her, laden with a fond mischief. He doesnāt turn around from his position, back still turned to her as his scanned the numerous spines of the books on display in front of them. Her poetic recitations hadn't gone unnoticed; nor has he missed the meaning mixed with her humble request.
Yet it is in this way that love begins--
You've captured my attention. And it's hard for me to look away.
He smiles to himself.
It was evening out, rush out past and businesses closing down. At this particular bookstore, almost everyone had already left, leaving only Sylus, Kaia, and a lone staff member to deal with the motions of closing up shop. They didnāt mind that the two were still thereāthe store was affiliated with Onychinus after all. Not that Kaia needed to know that.
Sylus hums in feigned thought, arms crossed. In his mind's eye he sees her smiling and could even hear it in her voice.
"A moment more, Kaia?" he answers, just as playful. He ignores the urge to turn around.
"One more shouldn't hurt, but not more than that--we do have to finish perusing before the staff tells us to leave."
She stops just within arm's reach of him, an eyebrow raised. The interest is there; she can tell as much. But something wills her to play along.
"Hmm, I dunno... Should I settle for only that?" she mimics his tone. Her hand reaches out to slide down his arm, an unhurried search of his own, before her fingers wrap around his wrist. A gentle tug. It's all she does before she steps slightly to the side, hoping to get even a little glimpse of his expression. "You've the right to know... I might be a little greedy. An object of my affections would be getting no less than that, after all~"
As she speaks his time, her gaze softens, and there's a little hint of sincerity behind her words. This game they've been playing, and all the banter and flirting... she's not sure how long it's been going on. In ways, she's grown fond of itāthe push and pull, the way he'd be keen enough to match the tension that always seemed to be in the air around them. There remain many things she's yet to find out about him, but he keeps her on her toes about it. She likes that he does.
Yet, to look at him now, when it seemed that the only people present in the little bookshop were them... A part of her wanted more than this.
And if she were to breach the line herself...
"What if..." she peers at him, testing. "I asked you to spend the evening with me? Any chances I'd be met with a yes?"
Feeling the tug at his wrist, he finally faces her. There's intrigue and mirth in his eyes, the glint they lended softening his features as he met her gaze. It's there for a moment before it gave way to the cool confidence he more typically wore.
It conceals the way her words move him, the spark in his heart known only to him.
"Then you should know," he begins, "that I'm no stranger to greed, either. Be it mine, or otherwise."
He lets his words hang in the air and waits for her to speak again. His head tilts ever so slightly to the side, half-lidded eyes watching her expression closely.
They widen just a hint with her question; they come alive with a subdued excitement, and the smile that never left his lips curls higher.
"You have... Quite a high chance of being met with a yes." He chuckles. "Bold tonight, aren't you?"
"If I were to say yes... What do you have planned for us?"
reinhart, when will you be free? i'm in dire need of tea and, of course, your company. @irisirens
Iris, dearheart, I'm surprised to see you! [pauses and takes her in a warm embrace, though he's admittedly a bit haggard like the rest of his men moving boxes around]
Unfortunately I'm still settling into the new abode so I may take a moment before my schedule's truly free for a day's shopping... [sighs]
However... If you don't mind that we simply take from my own stock, then we can have afternoon tea here. Just say the word and I'll have someone get started on preparing everything.
Either or, my darling. { she smiles with a soft tone in her voice as she sips her tea, briefly leaning her head against his shoulder for the time being. } I mean, do you have any ideas already? If not, there's no rush.
{ she's squinting at him, reaching to lightly prod at the smirk displayed on his lips before playfully rolling her eyes as she hides her smile against the brim of the cup, eyes averting briefly throughout the garden, watching a few of his men bringing stuff out. } I... do not prefer tonight to be less intense, if I'm being honest, butā You, reinhart are a little shit, but also, I love you.
An entire week? { she blinks as an impish smile etches on her lips, craning her head to look at him before she sets down her cup on the table in front of them, resting closer to him as her thumb presses on the first date and slides it back and forth as if adding and subtracting the dates. } If you're serious about an entire week, speak now or forever hold your peace~
[he thinks about it for a moment before giving a sure nod, an eager, mischievous glint in his eye.] I do have ideas... But perhaps you're right with not needing to rush. There are a few that I'd prefer to explore first before presenting to you.
[moves to try and nip her finger. then sips more of his tea as he leans back, content with the reaction he managed to get from her. his smile pulls higher on his lips at her confession] And I love you too, dearheart. I'll keep your thoughts about tonight in mind.
Like I said--I want the entire week with you, dearest. You didn't even need to ask again. Decisions like this... I don't make them lightly, as quickly as I might've said them. [he watches her go between the dates, head slightly tilted. his smile grows fonder, somewhat reminded of a cat batting a toy back and forth.] Of course, if you do have other obligations to fulfill, or would like to spend some time with your other friends, I won't stop you. In the end, I know you'll be coming home to me.
Aaaand inbox is clear rn! If youāve sent something before the time of this being posted, I havenāt received it.
Inbox is still open for asks; threads still have pending responses from me tho, which should trickle down over the next few days because they take a bit more time for me to answer >.<;;
His tendency to Yes, And people and call their bluff with little hesitation. Plus part of this as well is the inner thrill-seeker/adrenaline junkie in him.
The teasing. I know all the LIs do this but thereās something to how he does it that I really want to nail down. It doesnāt feel like him if thereās not a layer of fucking around present, unless itās actually like, someone heās closer to and having a sincere conversation with.
The voice. Like, I find it hard to write for him (or any of my muses except Mephisto lol) if I canāt imagine his voice saying the things Iām putting down on paperāer, text box. Although Iām not too sure if everyone else can hear him talking with the responses I put downā¦
At least, these are the three that I can name off the top of my head, in no particular order. Iām still getting a hold of how he is in canon, though I suppose I canāt really shake off my ~personal touch~ when it comes to writing him. >.>;;
*squints at sylus wondering if he's asleep or not, kinda annoyed that the man had her travel all the way to the n109 zone only to be asleep. Yet, his relaxed expression melts that annoyance and she finds herself admiring his face.*
"Tch, you're lucky that you're so handsome," she whispers, settling on the floor with her arms resting on the sofa that he's sprawled out on.
*rests head on her arms and smiles at him*
"I never thought I'd ever associate this word with you, but you look very cute right now."
Truth be told, he was asleepābut only until she came into the room.
He listens to her words, able to continue feigning sleep. He can already imagine her expression as she whispers her admonition, though the amusement that stems from that is easy enough to ignore.
That is, until he heard an intriguing key word. His lips slowly curl into a smile while his eyes remain closed, and his deep voice is a little deeper from his nap.
Did you program Mephisto to be a woodpecker or something? Damn bird drilling his beak against my window at 3am in the morning, what kind of witching hour is he on? Tell him to bug Iris or something.
Why would I tell him to bother Iris when I can just do that myself? Itās not my fault that Mephisto seems to have⦠Taken a liking to you and your studio. [grins; visibly trying not to laugh.]
Arenāt you typically still painting at that hour? Play with him for a little while, heās just bored and looking for fun.