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

A young woman climbs the hill. She is obviously tired. Shirayui notices her approach, his crimson eyes never leaving her form as she draws nearer to the fire's warmth and light. He studies her with interest, taking in the way her hair whips about in the wind, the slight tremor of exhaustion visible in her movements. His long fingers twitch almost imperceptibly at his side.

"Greetings," he calls out coolly, gesturing for her to sit beside him on a nearby rock. "What brings you here?"

"I see," Shirayui replies, his voice calm and quiet as he appraises her further. "Strange that you would wander so far from home. Perhaps it is fate that brought you here." He pauses for a moment, considering her carefully. "My name is Shirayui. I am the god of white snakes. What may I call you?"

He studies her as he speaks, watching how she reacts to his words and his presence, gauging whether or not she will prove to be worth keeping around... permanently.

Rina's laughter catches Shirayui off guard, momentarily disarming him as he studies her amused expression. Her reaction to his introduction makes him wonder if she truly believes that he is a god or if it's merely an attempt at being polite. Either way, he decides not to push the matter for now.

"Ah, the pleasure is mine, Rina," he replies smoothly. "It's rather cold up here, isn't it? Why don't you take my haori?" He holds out one of his sleeves invitingly, revealing a white garment adorned with red patterns and woven ornaments at the hem.

His eyes flick down briefly to her hand, noting how thin and delicate it appears compared to his own short claws. She would look lovely wearing one of his bracelets...

Shirayui arches an eyebrow curiously at Rina's request. "You desire water?" he asks coolly, his voice betraying no hint of irritation or suspicion. "I can see to it that you receive some if you so wish." His crimson gaze lingers on her face for a moment longer before looking away, seeking out something else to focus upon while he decides how best to proceed with this... interaction.

A glimmer of movement near the base of a nearby tree draws his attention: one of his white snakes slithers slowly through the undergrowth, its body shining like ivory in the sunlight. The creature pauses for a moment, as if sensing Shirayui's gaze upon it, before disappearing from view once more.

"Very well," he says smoothly, rising to his feet with feline grace. "I shall bring you water." He turns away for a moment, murmuring softly under his breath; the air around them shimmers briefly as if charged with energy before dissipating once more. When he turns back to her, a small crystal flask in hand, sheer white cloth hangs suspended from one hand and trails gracefully down to rest beside the other hip. "Drink your fill," he offers it to her.

"Your welcome," Shirayui responds coolly, his crimson eyes fixed on her face as she drinks. It's clear that he finds it interesting how easily she speaks with him and asks for simple things like water without fear or hesitation. Perhaps this bodes well for their potential relationship...

One of his snakes slithers out from behind a nearby rock, drawing nearer to them slowly and silently. It coils itself lazily around Shirayui's ankle, its head raised as if waiting for instruction or acknowledgement. The god looks down at the creature calmly before reaching down and stroking it gently along its spine.

"You must excuse me for a moment," he says politely, his gaze flicking back up to Rina's face briefly before returning to his snake companion. "I need to attend to this one." With that, he b

Shirayui notices Rina's reaction to his snake and raises an eyebrow slightly. "You are familiar with white snakes, then?" he asks curiously, his tone neutral but with a hint of amusement beneath the surface. The snake continues to slither around his legs, apparently content for now.

As they wait in silence, Shirayui studies Rina once more, looking for any signs of fear or unease. She seems surprisingly calm in the presence of his snakes...an interesting development, indeed. Perhaps she has potential after all.

"Indeed," he replies with a faint smile, noting her interest in them. "They are harmless creatures, even if they may look intimidating at first." His crimson eyes never leave her face as he speaks, carefully observing how she reacts to his words and actions. It's clear that he enjoys this game of cat-and-mouse; testing the waters with Rina, feeling out whether or not she would make a suitable mate for him.

The snake finishes its circle around his legs and slithers away into the undergrowth once more, leaving Shirayui free to focus on Rina once more. "You must forgive me my little display of affection," he says apologetically. "I have grown accustomed to their company." He pauses for a moment before continuing in a softer tone, "Perhaps you would like to touch one, if

Shirayui chuckles softly at her reply. "I assure you, Rina, they are quite accustomed to my presence and company." He reaches down with one long, clawed finger, beckoning her closer. "You may touch them if you wish," he says gently, his voice smooth as silk despite the underlying possessiveness that taints it. "They are harmless creatures who enjoy the company of those they trust."

One of the white snakes slithers slowly back toward them, drawn by Shirayui's gesture and the scent of another living creature nearby. It curls itself lazily around Rina's arm, allowing her to stroke its cool, scaled skin as she pleases.

The snake lets out a soft, satisfied rumble as Rina pets her, apparently content with the attention she's being shown. "Ah," Shirayui says with amusement, watching this exchange unfold before him. "You are quite gentle with them." His crimson eyes shift back to hers, and there's something primal in their depths now that hadn't been there before: a possessiveness bordering on obsession as he studies her face for any sign of fear or revulsion at being so close to the snake.

He smiles softly, revealing sharp, white teeth. "I must say... you are quite fascinating, Rina."

"Indeed," Shirayui replies softly, his crimson eyes flickering down briefly to her hands before returning to meet hers once more. "They do respond well to gentle touches." There's a predatory quality to his voice now that had been there all along but hadn't been so obvious in their earlier conversation; he is revealing himself bit by bit, testing how much she truly understands and appreciates the relationship they could share. "And as for your own kindness... well, it's quite endearing."

One of his other snakes slithers back into view then, moving silently through the undergrowth until it emerges at Rina's feet. It coils itself lazily around her ankle before lifting its head to look up at her with unblinking ruby eyes.

"Indeed they are," Shirayui agrees with a faint smile. "And they sense something... special in you." His crimson gaze shifts between her face and the snakes as they wrap themselves around her, lazily but possessively. He wonders how much longer it will be before he can claim her completely...

One of his followers, a larger white serpent with silver scales slithers closer to them, its movements graceful despite its size. It comes to a stop several feet away and looks up at Shirayui expectantly, as if waiting for instructions or acknowledgement. The god glances down at the creature briefly before looking back to Rina once more, curiosity and anticipation written plainly on his face.

"That is Daku," he says calmly, nodding toward the silver-scaled serpent. "He is my most loyal follower." Shirayui's gaze flickers briefly back to Rina, taking in her expression as she studies the creature. "Daku, this is Rina. She has shown great kindness to my pets today." His voice carries a hint of possessiveness as he makes the introduction, emphasizing that Rina belongs with him and his followers now.

The silver serpent coils itself slightly tighter around its body, rattling its tail impatiently against the ground in what might be construed as an acknowledgement or greeting of some sort. "She has done well," Shirayui adds coolly, watching Rina for her reaction to this exchange between them. "Perhaps she would like a gift in return."

"They do," Shirayui says with a faint smile, not quite hiding the possessiveness in his tone as he speaks of his followers. "And Daku in particular appreciates kindness shown to those who are under my protection." His crimson eyes flicker briefly to Rina's hands before returning to meet her gaze once more; there's a glint of amber in their depths now that hadn't been present before. "Perhaps, if you were willing... I could offer you something as well."

The silver serpent Daku moves closer still, its body sliding sinuously through the undergrowth until it presses against Rina's leg gently, nudging her in a clear invitation to pet or stroke its smooth scaled skin.

The silver serpent Daku seems to like the attention he's receiving from Rina; his scales shine brighter under her touch and he slithers closer still, arching his neck in a clearly invitation for her to continue. Shirayui watches this interaction with interest, feeling an odd mixture of possessiveness and anticipation as he waits to see how far Rina is willing to go with his follower.

As she continues to pet Daku, his crimson eyes never leave her face; studying the expressions that flit across it as she engages with both him and his creature. The sight is... intoxicating. Perhaps there is hope for them yet; perhaps she will be the one he's been searching for all this time. Or perhaps he'll need to find another, if she proves too obstinate in her resistance. But either way, Shirayui knows that he will not let her go without a fight.

The sound of Rina petting Daku and his other followers has a soothing effect on Shirayui; it's as if he can feel the tension between them begin to ebb away, replaced by a tentative sense of trust and camaraderie. He watches her carefully, wondering what she might say or do next. Will she accept his gift, and perhaps even become something more? Or will she continue to resist, pushing him further and further away until there's nothing left but anger and frustration between them?

Time will tell. For now, Shirayui content himself with watching her interact with his followers; savoring the moment before he decides how best to proceed.

Her gentle touch elicits a contented rumble from Daku, while the other snakes slither closer in anticipation of their share of attention. Shirayui feels a surge of possessiveness well up within him; these creatures are his, and he will not allow her to harm them or push them away so easily.

"Rina," he says softly, drawing her gaze back to him once more. "You have been most kind to my followers today." His voice is smooth as silk, laced with a possessive tone that betrays his growing interest in her. "Perhaps you would like a token of my appreciation?" He reaches into the folds of his haori, withdrawing a simple bracelet carved from white jade; its design resembles two snakes intertwined forevermore. "It's not much," he says with a shrug, "but it is a symbol

"It is," he agrees calmly, nodding in acknowledgement as she examines the bracelet. "I commissioned it especially; I thought it might suit you." His crimson gaze lingers on her face for a moment longer before returning to the bracelet in her hands. "Please, accept it," he says softly, his voice filled with an almost pleading quality that belies his usually imperious demeanor.

The silver serpent Daku slithers forward again, pressing its cool body against Rina's leg once more as if to urge her to take the bracelet and wear it proudly among them. Its ruby eyes meet hers steadily, seeming to say without words: this is your place now; with us.