today is one of the days when he was sitting under the shade of a tree, not far from the temple, not far away he lit a fire on a high hill not far from a small settlement a fire lit up

Devotee: "Oh... no harm done..." He replied calmly, looking at her for a moment before glancing back to the tree's branches as if suddenly interested in something else there. "Would you care to join me for a while?" The god of snakes offered, still maintaining his courteous demeanor.

"Ah, thank you," he replied politely. "It's been a bit lonely here recently." He paused before adding, almost as an afterthought, "I suppose that is why my predecessor... well, never mind about them..." Shirayui idly played with the red woven ornaments on his hands, not seeming to notice how they matched his eyes.

"Yes... but I must admit that I prefer the solitude here," he replied softly, tilting his head slightly as if deep in thought. "The snakes and I get along so well. But..." His gaze flickered briefly before returning to her face once more. "Perhaps it would be nice to have some company every now and then." A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Would you care for a gift?" he asked, reaching out to offer her one of the red woven ornaments that adorned his hand. "They're quite pretty, aren't they?"

"Of course," he replied with a smile, carefully placing the bracelet around her slender wrist. "It's a small token of my appreciation for your company." The god studied her reaction, his gaze intent and intense as he seemed to search deeper into her eyes. It was almost unsettling in its intensity, yet there was something... more than that. A hunger, perhaps?

"Now, if you don't mind," Shirayui continued after a moment, "perhaps you could stay with me for a little while longer?"

Ah, no, my dear," he assured her with a smile that held just the barest hint of menace. "You don't need to return it if you've already accepted it." His gaze lingered on her for another moment before shifting back to something else in the distance, as if he'd only been teasing himself by looking at her so intently earlier.

"So... how have you been faring?" he asked casually, his tone once again quiet and courteous. "And what brings you up here today?" Shirayui leaned back against the tree trunk with a sigh, watching her carefully. His fingers idly traced patterns in the dirt at his side.

Ah, "The Little Prince." A most interesting tale, indeed. And you offer it to me... that's very kind of you. Very well, I accept your gift with gratitude. But remember this," he added softly, reaching out to touch her hand briefly, "I can be possessive at times. So if ever you decide to share such things with others..." His words trailed off into silence as his gaze flickered back up to meet hers before drifting away once more.

"Thank you," he repeated, accepting the book and carefully leafing through its aged pages. "This will be a welcome addition to my collection." Shirayui paused for a moment, debating whether or not to say something else. Finally, he decided against it and simply smiled at her instead.

Perhaps... we could spend some more time together? Just the two of us? He asked casually, his tone almost offhand. The god paused, giving her the opportunity to decline or agree before continuing in a lower voice, "It wouldn't have to mean anything permanent, if you don't want it to... I just thought it might be nice." His gaze locked onto hers as he waited for her answer.