#ruinbeholder

'Ah, there she is! Right on cue-'

The brush of her hands against him was so light and airy at first, that any ordinary person probably would've missed her embrace altogether! Luckily for him though, Phainon had long since grown used to the 'breeze' being more than just a breeze and had picked up on the spirit-like form of the woman hovering around him beats before she'd decided to switch her appearance.

Then again, the feathery soft kisses she'd long since grown into being a master of had definitely helped concrete her presence. Phainon would only sigh into them, quietly returning an affectionate greeting of his own before he'd lift one of her hands up, delicately kiss her knuckles, before following all of that with a smirk.

" Hey now! I'm not here for anything of the sort! I just thought that mentioning the obvious would be the best way to draw you out of hiding and into the open, that's all! And it turns out I was right! "

Ria couldn't resist a good tease! Especially so when it involved her habits behind closed doors announced loud enough for any passersby to hear. Still, Phainon would back down from his taunts as quick as they'd started-

Perhaps it was just her. Maybe, so lost in her concerns, the Astral had forgotten the warmth of the sunlight itself... But that made no sense when she could feel that same warmth every day amongst her family, and among those in the city she'd come to know. Maybe she was imagining it... Maybe it was her own power, tempting, luring. Calling out for her to destroy the world around her like she'd been initially sent there to do...

Despite being wrapped up in her thoughts of the moment, she'd not needed to look to know she wasn't alone on the roof of their home just a few moments later. The temple had been slowly coming back to life since they'd moved back in after the war's end, helping those who lived in Aurora, raising their family within the same walls Mydei had called home for so many years, but she knew this presence specifically: Khaslana. The warmth of the sun in physical form, almost begging her to turn and kiss him good morning like she always did.

But this morning... This morning was different. Warm and comforting as Khaslana was, even he couldn't burn away the feeling of the cold, of something going wrong... So when her lips parted, it wasn't to call his name, or to answer his questions on why she was on the temple's roof-

"...If something goes wrong... I want you to promise me you'll save this world."

Slowly turning to face her husband, Ria's expression turned serious, though pleading and love still shone in her golden-leaning amber eyes. "It may be your nature... But please, Khaslana. Save them. Save them all, if you can - Save this world. Don't let it meet the fate they've set for it. Protect them... Protect our family."

"Even if I'm unable to help, don't destroy this world. Promise me... And save it."

@ruinbeholder

Her words were somber and distant -- so much so, that they almost felt out of place against the warmth and beauty of a rooftop sunrise like this one. In truth, Khaslasa wasn't even sure how to respond to that himself; so he stood there, unmoving, with his gaze lingering over Ria while he tried to pick out his best words. Or at least...while he tried to figure Ria and her reasoning out so that he could reply.

What had she seen about the day that he hadn't? And what had suddenly sunk her mood so low that it'd warranted a good morning greeting like that? She was normally the first to meet the sun with such a happy smile, but today-

" Haven't I already given you my word before that I would? " finally came his counter. " I know what the prophecies say about this world, but Ria...I wouldn't have spent all this time making sure things are as they are only to turn around and burn them all to the ground. Just because the skies speak one thing doesn't mean we have to listen. "

He'd pause again only for Khaslana's attention to turn out toward the rising sun and its unfiltered golden light. In his eyes, those unclouded rays promised nothing but a new day full of potential and productivity; one where anyone could do anything they set their mind to without obstruction. But to Ria...?

" What's got you so spooked all of a sudden? "

The slight jingle of distant windchimes soon turned into actual footsteps, Ria's approach of the hunter's back slow but steady. She'd heard enough from Ral and Mydei to know Kinich was a fearsome man who would defend himself the moment he felt threatened, and as much as the Astral wanted to see him in action, this most certainly wasn't the time. Next time, maybe, but not now.

So the silver haired woman would take her time in getting closer to him, hands smoothing out her skirt against her thighs and tugging out wrinkles that weren't actually there. Hopefully the movement would make her seem rather tame and unwilling to hurt him, but... He was perceptive, too. How long until he could sense the Ruin in her?

"It's a pleasure to meet you. You're a hard man to track down - I am Astaria... Ria. Mydeimos and Phainon's wife."

" ...hm? "

Kinich could only stare at the woman for a split second in disbelief from over a shoulder. How did she manage to sneak up on him like that? He'd made sure to do a thorough search of the area before he'd decided to settle in for a break, even feeling so confident he'd stopped listening for passersby. Maybe it'd been a slip on his part to only do a patrol for resident Saurians in the area and not actual people, but in such a remote location on the outskirts of Scion territory-

What were the chances of running into someone here looking for him specifically? Something didn't sit right with him.

Much like someone had grabbed the string of a windchime and shaken it, the soft jingles increased in their volume and franticness with Ria's approach. Not more than a second later, the Astral threw herself at her husband; surrounded in a soft dusting of dark irridescent sparkles, it was the physical that wrapped her arms around his middle, fingers curling tight into the back of his jacket and face burying itself into his chest. It was a hold she'd needed... And a hold she'd not release until her tense, trembling form eventually relaxed.

She didn't need to tell him she'd been lost in some horrible memories, she was sure. With her true form encased in crystal a great distance from them, she didn't exactly need sleep. It did nothing for her makeshift body, but it was still nice to do so anyway, despite having to will herself into it - And it was often prone to nightmares as a result. Nightmares that fairly regularly were just memories of the darkest points of her incredibly long lifespan, like when she'd been forced to stand by and watch as Khaslana had tried to sacrifice himself in the Scepter's hold, and when he and Mydei had faced the end during Halcyon, and...

He's alive. He's alive, here, and you're okay.

Touching him like this was enough - It always was. She'd ask him to call Mydei in a moment, when her voice returned... But for now, she just needed the reassurace he was alive and could, and then she'd get the same from their husband, who'd have been in the same position had she spotted him first instead. She just... Ria... Just...

Give me a moment... My... My everlasting dawn... Please, continue to shine for me forevermore-

She wasn't sure what she'd do if he didnt, muffling a quiet sob.

He wasn't sure what had happened. First, the sound of rushing bell-like steps followed by arms so desperate to grab him, it'd made Phainon stumble forward a step -- but the force that'd crashed into him from Ria's embrace had been something almost unmeasurable. Scared, terrified, panicked. Whatever had sent Ria running to grasp onto him had shook her so ferociously, that her only reaction had been to bury herself into his chest for comfort and cry.

" ... "

And so, Phainon wouldn't say a word at first. Instead, gentle and tender arms would slowly lift themselves to wrap protectively around Ria's back for a secure, snug hold that'd velcro her to his front. Next, a quiet sigh from him would hopefully give her a noise to ground herself to, even if the low sobs from her already threatened to shatter the dawnbringer to pieces.

It was sad and concerning, but-

" ...Ria. "

As much as her state devastated Phainon though -- he wouldn't ask questions. He wouldn't demand answers. He wouldn't force Ria to stay anything until she felt calm and safe enough to. Until then, he'd be her support with nothing more than his warmth and a silent hand massaging her back in a loving embrace.

" ...It's okay. Take as long as you need. " came more solid words, if only to break the mounting heavy feeling surrounding them. " Whatever it is, I'm here. "

"Hey handsome - Anyone tell you your eyes are brighter than the sky itself?"

...Hopefully Mydei wasn't around to witness this one, or she'd never hear the end of his laughter...

" H-Hey, Ria — wha! "

Smack!

Her move toward him had been such a whirlwind that no sooner had Phainon realized he'd been 'under attack' had his back been slammed up against the wall with a delicate mighty arm wedged in between his and his torso, 'pinning' him in place. It took a few blinks for him to realize what'd happened exactly, but eventually, his surprise would melt into a truly caught-off-guard smile.

" A little...bold of me? Haha! That was precisely the point! "

He'd finish her sentence for her, if only because Phainon could tell something in Ria had caught her so off guard, that waiting for her to finish herself probably would've taken a few more uncomfortable seconds still. He hadn't meant to make Ria hesitate! But after being poked and prodded about how he never seemed to keep the Astral on her toes, making Ria second guess that assumption wasn't a bad feeling at all!

That uncertain, defenseless, yet still trusting look in her eyes was actually somewhat adorable anyway. And maybe that's why Phainon would stand there, hovering over Ria in their close proximity for a few more beats longer before he'd finally take a step back to return Ria's personal space, adding in a lighthearted laugh right after.

" Did you like it? Someone said that out of the two of us, I was the one who had the harder time catching you off guard in random moments like these. I told them they were wrong, so I was just trying to prove my point that I definitely still have what it takes to take your breath away~ "

So much so, that even as he'd stepped back slightly, Phainon was still looking overly proud of himself! He really didn't need Ria to tell him he'd 'passed' this self made test, but just for the confirmation, he'd ask anyway.

Instead, she'd let her thumbs run ever so gently over his skin, golden gaze soft, focused on his own. She alone couldn't calm the fury within her dawn, nor could Mydei's... But she'd be damned if she wouldn't bring the both of them to his side, a gentle reminder that the fire and ruin he had kept close to his side would continue to be there, holding him up and doing all they could to keep him steady, just as he would for them.

And when her lips parted again, it was to repeat his name, soft and breathy like anything louder may shatter the moment they found themselves in. A quiet reminder, a soft promise... A note of love held within, from both Ruin and Flame, spoken by the one who found it easier to put such things into words. Not that their Flame wouldn't, but... Who could blame him for struggling with whispers of sweet nothings, honestly?

"Khaslana," she'd repeat, thumbs stilling against his skin. I love you. She'd not need to say those three words to convey as much, however, lips curling into an equally as soft smile.

"Come home, Khaslana."

Lay down your weary head and rest with us, my love.

" ...I want to. I want to so much, Ria. But I- "

He was tired, almost exceptionally so. His voice seemed to speak it and his posture seemed to confirm it. Tired of the endless pain, the constantly reoccurring cycles of death and destruction, and the agonizing cries of the people all around him begging for mercy -- begging for a safe haven where someone, somewhere could save them. It was an excruciating, infuriating noise that stuck in his ears and rattled his bones-

But he'd seen all of this before. Their sad calls for help, no matter how desperate, were always as futile as their attempting to defile the fate of their death was.

And maybe that's why the only part of his being that didn't seem to scream his need to collapse away from the scene before him were his eyes. His fury driven eyes that echoed the fiery rage that burned deep in his core. They were the only flicker of hope keeping Phainon -- Khaslana -- walking along the path he did now. Through pain and agony; through death and forceful execution of both friends and foes alike-

Even though his feet and soul felt like ironclad fetters bearing down on him, that rage and defiance in him refused to let him rest until he'd finished what he was destined to do -- to deceive the skies and find a different path for these cycles. And that's why Ria would meet her fury driven Khaslana head on with only a dip in his head to briefly rest against her comforting, outstretched palms.

" If I give in to that thought... If you and him stay by my side now, then I'll hesitate...and you and I both know this world doesn't have room for a soldier who wavers. Let alone someone so cursed as to carry the title of 'Dawnbringer'. " His voice would pause so that Khaslana could give an almost stuttered sigh against Ria's palms; his feigned hesitation almost searching for one last ounce of happiest and comfort to keep him going before he'd continue- " So no matter what I want...there are some things that only I alone can shoulder. Because if I don't- "

Phainon wouldn't push back on Ria's sudden bout of affection. If anything, he'd gladly accept it with open arms and a return of his hands lightly clasping behind Ria's back in a gentle, but reassuring hold of their own! It wasn't every day that the other came to hunt him down just to give him a kiss and a few bold, affirming words of their relationship!

But that also confused Phainon, too. Had something happened to send Ria looking for him like this? Or had he been the one to miss a cue or two and not realize? It certainly wouldn't have been the first time.

So with a quiet, content breath against the top of Ria's head followed by a quick nuzzle of his own, the Deliverer would ask:

" Not to be the buzzkill of the moment, but...everything's okay, isn't it? Because if something happened in the bit I've been away, then you know you don't have to find me and soften me up like this before you break any bad news to me. " A pause because the more he thought on it, the more that sounded awkward and awful!