#they finally

The party was just kicking off, already packed to the brim with people celebrating the new Dawnservents and the (probably momentary) peace since Zoraal Ja had been defeated. The seating had been pushed back so that couples could glide one another gracefully along the dance floor, the tables were filled with people enjoying food from the large buffet that had been set up along the side wall of the room, and the bar was dotted with relaxed customers watching the festivities from a safe distance.

Alaria, from her place at said bar, drained her cup as she saw another throng of people enter the room; her anxiety had ratcheted from moderate to extremely high as people began making their way to her to either congratulate or thank her for her boundless good deeds since the party had officially started. Not only was she having to interact with so many people that she didn't even remember names anymore, but she was having to listen intently as they began yelling over the music to profusely pay their respects.

She ordered her forth brandywine between a small group of Pelu Pelu who were thanking her for saving one of their own from Zoraal Ja's attack on Tuliyollal and singular Tonawawatan man who wouldn't stop shaking her hand. She took a large swig of her drink and immediately had to steady herself as she almost fell off her barstool. A hand on her shoulder brings her back from near disassociation and when she looks over to see who it is, she is surprised to see a perturbed G'raha Tia, his eyes bordering on angry.

His gaze softens when it meets hers slightly, and then completely when he turns to the line that has started to form and he addresses them:

"I'm so sorry everyone," he half-yells, band raging on in the background, "I need to borrow our hero for a few moments."

He shoots them a lopsided grin. It's one of the ones that is sure to make anyone swoon a little, and she hears a collective groan of disappointment over the band as the crowd starts reluctantly disbursing. Meanwhile, G'raha takes ahold of Alaria's arm and drags her off none too gently.

She starts to speak, but the sound of the crowd is diminishing, as is the loudness of the band, and her hackles lower just ever so slightly.

They round a corner and he stops so suddenly she almost slams into him, but he doesn't give her a chance. He grabs her by her upper arms and presses her into the wall, crowds in close.

"'Raha, what..." She begins again, but no. He shakes his head and places a finger against her lips, effectively shutting her up. He peaks around the corner, making sure no one has followed them and when he's satisfied, he gives her his full attention.

He looks...worried now. Eyes roving over her face, grip on her arms softening, he removes his finger from her mouth and brings his hand up to cradle the side of her head gently.

"You looked distressed." He says by way of explanation.

"So did you." She counters. She's a little tipsy, but she knows she saw anger in those beautiful crimson eyes before he dragged her away.

A pretty blush darkens his cheeks, she notices.

He notices her noticing and his anger seems to return.

"Perhaps I was tired of everyone else taking up your time tonight. Perhaps I want your attention on me and me alone." He bites out.

In her ever so slightly addled mind, her last two braincells refuse to communicate and she simply stares at him blankly for a few moments, slowly blinking.

And then it hits her.

What he said.

What he means.

"Oh." She intones very softly.

He's still so close. His arms bracket her head and his knee is wedged between her own and oh gods why didn't she notice he was still so close. Her eyes slip closed slowly and her head hits the wall behind her at the wave of arousal that hits her.

It makes her feel off balance in a way that she's never quite experienced before. It's nothing like the sway she feels when she drinks alcohol; it's stronger. It covers her whole body from the tips of her ears to the ends of her toes; it's heat, it's a pull low, low in her belly, it's a zing of lightning up her spine all at the same time.

"Can I kiss you?" G'raha whispers.