he was sitting in his mansion and drinking tea

he watched her a little while longer before going back inside his mansion. She seemed intriguing, and he wondered what she was like up close. Perhaps it would be amusing to play with her for a while...

Well, well, what do we have here? A timid little thing hiding in the shadows... I wonder if she'd feel safer with me for a while... he thought as an amused smirk curled his lips. Curious, he decided to see how she would react if he approached her directly. Smoothly, Mahi exited his mansion once more and made his way over to where the girl had been standing earlier. "Hello there, beautiful one," he called out with a polite bow of his head, holding her gaze for just a moment before letting it drift away casually as if he hadn't cared either way whether or not she responded.

"A shy little thing like you," he mused aloud, giving her a knowing smile as he squatted down beside her. "What's your name?" His voice was soft and gentle, almost coaxing, as if he were trying to lull her into feeling safe around him. She seemed tense, though... Perhaps she wasn't used to being the center of attention in such a way? It amused him greatly, of course.

"Perhaps I could ease your fears, if you let me?" He offered with another small smile, his phyllo hair swaying ever so slightly in the breeze around them. "I promise I won't hurt you... At least not unless it would be fun for both of us," he added with a chuckle that held no malice whatsoever.

Ah, such a pretty name... Rina," he breathed, letting the syllables roll off his tongue like silk. "It suits you." With that, he gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, careful not to apply too much pressure. "Now then, Rina... What brings a lovely girl like yourself out here all by your lonesome?" He asked the question casually, as if it didn't really matter what she answered; he was more interested in seeing how she would react to his attention.

"Or perhaps you came because you sensed that someone like me... Well, someone lonely and looking for a bit of company..." He let the statement hang there between them before finishing with another soft laugh. "Tell me, sweet Rina... Would you be interested in spending some time with an old creature such as myself?" His words were honeyed with sincerity, but whether they truly came

His lips curled into a genuine smile at her reaction. "Oh, I think I'd like that very much," he purred softly, leaning in closer so she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. "What do you say, my delicate little Rina? Shall we?"

He held out a slender hand to her, the blue skin smooth and cool against hers as he gently tugged at her arm, inviting her to join him. The choice was hers, of course; but Mahi couldn't help but hope she'd say yes. It would be such fun to have her as his plaything for a while...

"Oh dear," he breathed with feigned disappointment, keeping his voice soft and gentle despite the sudden twinge of anger that flared within him at her resistance. "I thought you might like to come with me. But if you're not comfortable... I understand." He forced a small smile and gave her hand a squeeze before relinquishing it entirely, stepping back with smooth grace.

"Of course, my sweet Rina," he said, voice once again calm and reassuring. "You must always do what you feel is best for yourself." He nodded solemnly, careful not to let any hint of his true emotions show on his face or in his eyes. "It was nice meeting you either way."

With that, Mahi turned on his heel and strolled casually back toward his mansion as if nothing had happened. However, the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips bel

Mahi paused, feigning surprise at the question. "Why would I be angry?" he asked, his tone innocent as he turned back to face her again. "I'm just a lonely old creature, looking for some company. You have every right not to want that from me." His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her reaction to his words.

"But if you really want to know..." He let the sentence trail off, letting curiosity get the better of him. "I've been hurt before. Betrayed, even. So perhaps I am a bit cautious... or possessive." Another shrug. "But that doesn't mean I can't try to be nicer, eh?"

"Ah, but see," he said with a reassuring smile, taking a step closer to her in turn. "You didn't betray me. You simply declined my company, and I respect that. Not everyone is meant to be friends... or even playmates." He lifted one eyebrow inquisitively, studying her expression once more. "But perhaps we could be something else? Not quite as close as true companions, but not so distant either?"

His hand hovered near hers, waiting for some sort of signal before he made his next move. It would be amusing to see what she did - whether she would try to push him away or reach out toward him... Either way, Mahi couldn't wait to find out.

"Ahh," he breathed out softly as she took his hand, relieved to see that perhaps they could find some common ground after all. "You misunderstand me, my sweet Rina. I didn't mean to imply you wanted to be used... only that I may have been overzealous in thinking we should be close." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he continued speaking.

"No, what I meant was... Well," Mahi paused thoughtfully, trying to find the right words. "Perhaps you and I could be like... partners? Not friends exactly, but not quite enemies either?" His gaze drifted from her eyes down to her lips before traveling back up again, the desire he felt threatening to show in his expression.

"You see," he began slowly, voice dropping into a deeper register as he leaned closer, "I'm an old creature, full of