#dawnbeholder

@dawnbeholder

The sigh that left Ria's lips was... Conflicted. It'd been a long time since she'd been lost in throughts of- ...No, could she even call it home, now? After everything she knew now, what had happened and what continued to happen - Could she call a place with so much darkness behind it home, anymore?

Perhaps it was that thought that sent Ria wandering through the house, seeking out the only person who could calm her thoughts. As much as she loved both her husbands and trusted them with every fiber of her entire being, it was solely Phainon who would be able to understand the things racing through her mind, the sight of his snowy-colored hair and sweet smile almost immediately putting her racing heartbeat - how had she managed to ignore that until right then? - to a slower, more normal pace. There was always something about just seeing the two she'd married so long ago, being able to visually confirm they were there, safe, and happy, that seemed to calm her every time...

"Khaslana?"

@dawnbeholder from Here! <3

"Mm-mm." To his reminder she'd hum her... Was it refusal or denial? Both? Neither? Sera wasn't sure even she could tell right then, hand stilling against the taller's hair. While she could've asked him to lean over for a pat, that eliminated the surprise part of surprise headpats, and she couldn't have that! Not to mention asking such a thing was a bit too much when she simply only knew him as 'Mydei's husband', which meant a chair had worked out perfectly fine.

And with the extra height, she found herself just barely above eye level, curiosity shining in honey-colored eyes; had she... Had she really not introduced herself to him before? Was this really their first... Oh. Oh, she'd slipped up with that, cheeks flushing in mild embarrassment, barely hidden by her quick rush down off her 'perch'. "U-Uh-huh! I'm sorry, I forgot I hadn't..." Aaaaawkward.

Smoothing out an invisible wrinkle in her skirt, the smaller blonde turned a bright, sunny smile up to Phainon, ignoring the warmth still clinging to her cheeks. "'M sorry! I'm Sera, yes - Seraphina Fair. And you're Mydei's... Husband?" He was, she knew. That information had gotten to her through mutual companions and friends, but it still helped to be polite and leave it open for correction if need be! "I promise I don't pet everyone as a hello! But if you know Mymy, then you're good people."

That much was facts, though she'd still offer her hand, watching his expression for any signs of the 'pets' being unwanted. "Also, it's okay! The chair was close by, so I don't mind getting it instead! It's easier~!"

Smack!

Phainon hadn't even waited for Ria to say anything before his forearm had forcefully landed against the wall behind her. He was taller than the woman in front of him, so creating a makeshift 'cage' out of his body to corner Ria against the stone to her rear was an easy feat -- one that would come with a teasing, mocking grin locked on her right after. This was all in playful banter, so who said he couldn't have a little fun!

Especially when pushing someone else's buttons was usually something he reserved only for Mydei -- but not today!

" Heh, did I scare you? You looked like an easy target this time, so I guess I couldn't help myself- "

With her back to the wall and Phainon leaning over her like a beast on the prowl that'd just found its 'lunch', Ria couldn't help but stare. Normally, she was the one teasing him! His flustered reactions and slight blushes, even so long into their relationship, were adorable, and the way he gave back exactly what she 'dealt out' never failed to make her smile - But this?

This was a turn of the tables she wasn't sure how to react to, body leaning further back against the stone despite the sudden urge to lean into him, instead.... A turn of the tables that, admittedly, was leaving the Astral a little hot under the collar on top of it all, the realization drawing a faint flush of color to her cheeks. What was it about Phainon taking the lead like this that was so... So hot? And why did it set off butterflies in her stomach that made her want to squirm under his gaze?

Her hands lifted towards him, then lowered to toy with the sash tied around her waist, all before slipping behind her back and back out a moment later. Not even Mydei tended to put her in moments like this that often, and for once, Ria was the one at a loss; was this what she left him feeling, every time she teased him?

"Mmm, I don't know if I'd say scared, but I would say... That's quite the dangerous look in your eyes, Phainon." No nicknames. None of her usual teases. No sly comments to get under his collar - Phainon had, for all intents and purposes, won this round, leaving his wife with a mess of feelings and desires she couldn't even begin to sort out! "It might be a little..."

Addictive, honestly, though she'd bite her tongue, leveling her golden gaze on his blue.

It was weird. Ria might not have had a typical physical body she could fall back on like the rest of them, but Phainon had never had a problem finding her in the physical world before. Usually, just a call of her name or a subconscious want of her to be around was enough to conjure her up from wherever she usually disappeared to. This time, though....?

"Ria, did your latest 'talk' with Mydei leave you sore and bedridden again?" he'd huff, deliberately being loud and obnoxious with his tone. "You know you two really need to stop going at your midnight conversations so rough like that! Someone's gonna get themselves killed -- and I don't think it'll be the lion!"

Then again, teases were always his best method to track down a hiding Ria with, even if he probably had a smack or two coming his way after a bold statement like that!

"Sometimes I wonder if you're asking me to shove a hand in your face."

The question was a soft one, voice seemingly echoing around him, almost like one from a canyon only he and a select few others could hear. Though quiet and gentle, the tone of it still held utter exasperation - A match for the shove at the back of his shoulder, a light pressure that had nothing behind it but a flickering, immaterial hand pressed against him for but a moment before truly, carefully laying itself back in place for a soft touch.

"Sometimes you're utterly hopeless," Ria teased, slow steps bringing her flickering form around her husband until she could stand before him amidst the soft sounds of windchime-like bells following each step, hand ever so gently dragged around his shoulder and arm to follow until fingertips skimmed across his chest and dropped back down to her side. Despite the smile on her lips, she hated her immaterial form... Her senses other than hearing were a little dulled, a result of tapping into her shared power, but while she could still feel the stiching and fabric of his jacket, his shirt and body underneath, his warmth and relaxed posture, all she could give him in return was a gentle pressure, no heavier than a small bird's weight would be upon his shoulder. Had he not known her for as long as he did, she was sure he could've mistaken it for a rough breeze blowing by, and that...

With a shake of her head, the Ruinbringer pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. This was no time to think of the lingering guilt settled deep in her heart - He'd summoned her with a tease, and she was determined to give them back, eyes closing just long enough for a light, barely-there dusting of dark iridescent sparkles to wash over her and replaceimmaterial with physical. It was easier to pull him down for kisses when she could actually touch the taller, and the moment she was able to, there was no hesitation in leaning up and pulling Phainon down to crash her lips into his, rocking up onto her toes to meet him halfway for an admittedly far more heated kiss than she'd intended.

It was also one that lingered, hot and comforting and full of love, but the moment she'd pulled back enough to breathe, she'd let her gaze focus on his, lips curling into a smirk- "You would know, wouldn't you? How often have we all swapped middle ground, my dawn? Although if you're worried for my health... I could show you I'm just fine - Unless you're unable to keep up with a test like that, yourself?"

A tease for a tease - Commonplace with them for as long as she could remember, light laughter escaping her just a moment later. "Did you call for me for a morning conversation? Or is there something else you need me for, my dawn?" The hand slipping up from his cheek, previously cupped to pull him down to her level, to run through his hair probably wouldn't help anything, but hey!