[Honestly, in most cases, Elijah doesn't like to be touched at all...let alone by a complete stranger. It's not that he can't stand contact or anything, it's just that most people don't have any business laying a hand on him. But when this man reaches out towards him...he doesn't find himself bothered by it at all. He doesn't even flinch, or shy away as the hand gets closer- simply standing there, continuing to watch.
It's already fairly obvious that the other is examining him in one way or another...and it gives the impression that he's looking for something he wants too. There's no way for Elijah to know if that's true or not unless he stays...and for some reason, he can't help but want to see if the other will find something he likes. Elijah himself likes the thought of that too...No matter the fact that he knows next to nothing about this "king", he can at least conclude that he'd like a reaction like that.
So he closes his eyes as those finger tips brush against his cheek- letting himself focus on the sensation of the touch. Something about it makes a shiver pass through his body, and he has to fight to keep himself from leaning into that hand more too. Even though the stranger touched him first, he doesn't exactly want to seem needy for it...and yet...he really doesn't want it to stop.
A moment passes and he opens his eyes again- still not making any move in either direction.]
I guess I'm not.
[It doesn't seem like he'll be leaving anytime soon either, so he takes a moment to look the man over too. He's not looking for anything in particular- more just that he's curious to see what he does find.]
And were you planning on keeping it that way for a while?
I don't think you'll ever leave this forest again. [ Either way, that much is true. Because Agreas has never actually shown himself to any of the humans and let them leave these forests again in the end - the only ones that left to tell the weird tale of mysteriously going missing in that forest are the ones that he only watched from a distance before he deemed them unfit to be his queen. But somehow with Elijah it doesn't quite feel like that... Mostly since Agreas wants this time to be right. Elijah could be his one chance to find the person he's been looking for for such a long time now, deep within the forest.
He's saying it with a surprising casualness in his tone for the content of his words. Most humans would freak out at hearing those words, after all, and with a good reason. Even if Agreas isn't necessarily implying that Elijah will end up dying here in the forest, it still means that Agreas isn't planning on letting him go back to his regular life, to everything he's known until this point.
It doesn't seem to bother Agreas though, and he strokes the human's cheek for another moment before pulling his hand back. He tilts his head a little instead to regard the other, the crown of twigs and thorns not falling out of his hair at the movement - like it's just nested in there.
Elijah really does seem perfect as long as he doesn't get too unreasonable right now. It makes the forest king feel an odd sort of sensation - almost some sort of excitement that he's never felt before in his eternal existence. He actually is eager to take the human back to his castle, to make him his queen. ]
... You're sharp anyway, aren't you? [ He can see that much in Elijah's eyes. It might be part of the reason he hasn't freaked out yet like some other humans have at the mere sight of him, who knows. It's something that Agreas likes about the other, anyway. ] You know nothing here is normal.
[ Because this is his domain - and he certainly isn't normal by any means. ]
[That statement...does send some alarm through him this time. Not necessarily because he's afraid of dying, though. He really doesn't get any sense that this stranger wants to kill him, or even hurt him...at least, not yet. But on paper, Elijah sure doesn't like the idea of getting dragged into some forest and never being able to leave again. He came to spend a few hours here at best, nothing more...and while he doesn't necessarily dislike the forest or anything...he's still the type to spend most of his time inside.
It's strange though- all of those worries flash through him in an instant, but then fade towards the background again. Like they're not that important...more like an inconvenience. And it's not as if they don't matter at all...but...
He just can't bring himself to worry about that as much as he normally might. This is something he can deal with later- all the everyday things that're supposed to be bigger concerns. How he'd get home, back to his apartment, his job, his regular life...He can pass all of that up, if going back there meant losing this chance here. Even though he doesn't necessarily know the full story of what's going on right now...he knows for sure that he'd regret it if he tried to leave in this moment.
This time he does lean into the man's hand, just slightly, before he pulls away. Maybe because he knew the other would pull his hand back...and just like he thought- the absence of the touch just makes him want it right back again.]
Hmm...so you're saying that does include you?
[As far as not being "normal". Even though it's phrased as a question, it's more like a statement. There's nothing "average" about this man...as ridiculous as that might seem in an objective sense. But Elijah's sure that even if he saw him in a more mundane setting, he'd feel the same way.
He is sharp though, and he feels a small, stupid rush of pride at that fact being acknowledged. But it's because of that...that he can tell the other seems somewhat excited about something.]
Then maybe you can tell me why I won't be leaving.
[ He doesn't give an answer to what Elijah is asking at first. Probably mostly because the question itself makes it clear enough that they both know the answer to that question. Sure, Agreas might not exactly be the type who walks around among humans and understands everything about them and their society (far from it), but he does have a pretty decent understanding of what is normal to them and what isn't.. and so he knows that humans finding someone like him wandering around in the forest is a pretty weird thing to him. Not just his general appearance, but with Elijah being as close to him as he is right now, Agreas is sure Elijah can see that something about Agreas' eyes is a little off, like they're much older than they ought to be for his physical appearance. The closest thing the other gets to a reply is a low hum, like he's telling Elijah to consider the question.
But it isn't like he's planning on being mysterious here forever. Sure, he's already been looking for his queen for a long time, so it's not like a few moments more or less are really going to matter at this point. But he does want to keep Elijah as interested as he seems right now, and no matter how convinced he already is about the other's potential, the best way to fully test him on whether or not Elijah can fulfill that position is to just drop the bombshell and see the human's reaction to it. ]
You're going to be my queen.
[ Short and simple - Agreas doesn't even blink as he says it, like it's a totally normal thing to tell someone. It is to him though.. being a forest demon god and all, just picking someone to be his queen isn't all that weird. It doesn't even matter that Elijah is a guy. It isn't about the femininity of the title of queen, it just means someone who will be his side as the king of this forest. His companion for a long time.
And Elijah... well, he does seem perfect. But if he doesn't react all that well, then it's not like there's much stopping Agreas from killing the human if he tries to run away or anything of the sort - it'd suck to start his search all over again, but if it has to be done, then so be it. ]
[Hearing a statement like that...even if it's said so casually, it drives home the point. Elijah's life won't ever be the same now.
It's a very finite thing to say too, isn't it? "You're going to be my queen"...meaning Elijah doesn't even have the option of saying no. Maybe something like that would petrify most people...especially given the fact that he's almost certain this man isn't human. But the finality of that statement actually sense a cold rush of excitement through his veins.
Maybe it's something to do with the fact that Elijah himself is so possessive of people, but the reverse is also true in some cases. Especially right now. He feels absolutely, undeniably thrilled at the idea that this..."king" saw something in Elijah that he liked...enough to take Elijah for himself, without even taking no for an answer. That someone, presumably in a position of power, wants him for a companion. And a companion that he'd want by his side for a long time, given what he'd said...
A shaky breath slips out from his lips, but it's not one of fear...and his eyes widen- practically shining with intrigue by now.]
Your...queen...?
[His voice is softer too- quivering slightly- but it should still be obvious enough that it's not because he's bothered by the idea. Not at all. Even the title of "queen" might bother some men, but not him...Not when it's said like that to him.
Without even realizing it, Elijah's body drifts towards the other- very slightly leaning over towards him. Like he's once again subconsciously asking for the other to touch him. If he's going to take Elijah, then he should do it.]
[ Of course Elijah doesn't fully understand. Even though some things are obvious to glance from this situation, like the fact there's something supernatural going on, it's not as if you could tell everything about Agreas with a single look at him, or what exactly he expects out of a queen.
But that's not important right now anyway. Elijah doesn't have to know everything just yet... what's more important than that is the fact that the human seems excited at the prospect anyway. Even knowing nothing about it, he still seems eager to be Agreas' queen, eager to be near him more.. he really is an interesting human in his own right, Agreas can't imagine many humans this attracted to someone else after having only seen them for a few minutes.
At least Agreas does give the human what he's longing for. A hand moves to cup Elijah's cheek - not entirely softly, but not roughly either. If anything, it's a little off, like that hand hasn't touched many humans before and is only now figuring out how to do so. But a moment or two later he's already leaning in, moving his face closer and closer to Elijah's now he knows the other isn't going to try and get away until their lips are touching in a very short kiss, almost more a peck than anything else. Like Agreas is just getting a taste of Elijah, just seeing more of him to make sure this is really what he wants for the rest of eternity.
But nothing is deterring him from the other so far. Not in the slightest.
Although.. he still can't help but point it out a little, since it's such unusual behaviour for a human, no matter how much it pleases him to see. ]
[The hand on his cheek is already enough to get Elijah's heart racing faster again...And the fact that it does feel like the other man isn't used to it- that just makes him all the more interested. Because if this isn't something this king's used to, that must mean Elijah's at least one of, if not the first person he's tried this on...and that's a thought he likes quite a lot too.
He sees the kiss coming, naturally, as their lips get closer and closer...but no matter that fact, it does nothing to prepare him for it. The moment they touch, Elijah feels a violent shiver pass through him, and he lets his eyes close...drinking in that small sample of what could be his. The more this man gives him, the more Elijah wants...and even as he pulls away again, it feels almost like some form of torture. Of course he's eager...eager for more of all of this. The other's question on it actually makes him chuckle a little in turn.]
So do you.
[After all, it was this other man who approached him first...then declared Elijah his queen, and now kissed him. And it's not as if Elijah was doing anything to deter him- he'd been encouraging him, if anything. But he hadn't come out into the woods in search of anything like this, that's for sure.
Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't interested. Honestly, he couldn't imagine turning down an opportunity like this- even if it means throwing away...well, much of everything that's familiar and comfortable in his life. It doesn't feel like such a hard decision though...he knows that even if he lived, and left the forest, he would regret turning away from this for the rest of his life.]
[ It's a claim Agreas isn't going to deny. Despite not exactly being eager in the overly enthusiastic sense - Elijah has got him beat there, it's absolutely radiating off the human how intrigued he is by all of this - he still knows that it's not like he's feeling apathic about all of this. There have been so many humans who wandered into his forest, but this is the first time he's ever seen one as suitable for the role of his queen as Elijah is. It's almost eerie how perfect he is.. as if it were fate.
Despite being the god of this forest, he doesn't necessarily believe in things like destiny and fate. But even despite that, there's no doubt about it that Elijah is perfect for him, and that there's no way he's ever letting go of the other anymore now. So in that sense it's a good thing that Elijah shows absolutely no signs of wanting to leave to begin with, hm?
The question from the other makes him tilt his head a little in contemplation before speaking up. ]
Humans tend to fear what they don't understand.
[ Which is, if you'd ask Agreas, not even really the worst quality about human beings - there's a lot worse things he could say about them, especially when it comes down to the way they treat nature. What he's saying right now feels more like a fact than any kind of insult to him. He's seen humans paralyzed with fear at the very sight of him, humans who immediately tried to run away, tripping over their own feet in panic.
To be fair, some of those humans saw him in a form slightly less human.. but even some of them who saw him plainly like this instinctively felt that he was something to be afraid of.
... Not that they were exactly wrong, mind you.
There's something faintly showing above his head, shimmering and almost transparent in the slight sunlight filtering through the leaves - like it's nothing more than an illusion. His crown of twigs extending up, tangling into a pair of antlers extending from Agreas' head.. and then it's gone again in an instant. ]
Are you not afraid, human?
[ He can already guess the answer to that with the way everything is going and with the look in Elijah's eyes, but he still wants to hear it from the man himself. ]
If your eagerness is greater than your fear, perhaps you should tell me your name. [ It sounds less like a request and more like an order, although not a very direct one - more like a very, very heavy suggestion. ]
[As much as it'd seemed obvious already...that statement about humans fearing the unknown- referring to them as if they're the "other" in this case...it really seems to be the first thing to drive home a confirmation that this being in front of him is most definitely not human. Of course, there's even more afterwards...the shimmering light...and then the flash of those antlers. No matter how easily someone could chalk that up to a trick of the light, Elijah knows they were real. It's something that seems to go beyond even instinct- like there's not any room for doubt.
His heart beats faster in his chest than it has since the man first walked up to him...like the brief sight of those antlers ignited an even stronger feeling inside of him. He stares up at the space where they'd been a few moments longer- like he's unwilling to miss a chance at a second glimpse. His lips are parted very slightly, and his eyes stay open wide- the light from the forest itself reflected in them now. A part of him almost wants to reach out...to touch the space where the antlers had been. But his body feels frozen after that and for the time being, his hands stay where they are.
Still, there's no question whether it's eagerness or fear on his face...it's plainly written there for the other to see. But that makes it easy to give an answer too- even as another breath shudders out of his mouth.]
Elijah...
[There're always stories...about names holding power. Even if they were always folklore, it feels like right now...it might hold a little more weight. Whether that's true or not, he still doesn't feel fear from handing his over so easily...Maybe in part because he can't help but wonder...can't help but desperately want...need to hear the way his name sounds when it's said in the other's voice.
And yet, some small, defiant part of Elijah had almost wanted to wait and ask for the man's. The part of him that doesn't like being ordered around...But this is one of the few times he'll compromise somewhat. Even if that doesn't necessarily make him a docile little lamb either.]
[ It's not difficult to know just what exactly Elijah is staring at like that - even though, now the antlers are gone, it just looks like the other is staring at the empty space above Agreas' head instead. And despite the other's lack of answer, it's still pretty obvious what said answer would be. Elijah isn't afraid.. if he was, then he would have turned on his heels and ran the moment he caught a glimpse of Agreas really being something more than just a human.
But instead the human is still standing here, looking utterly mesmerized.. fascinated, even. The light of the forest being reflected in Elijah's eyes is a beautiful sight, and Agreas definitely wants to see more of it. He's always preferred the beauty of nature over anything else, but he is sure Elijah would be beautiful too in his domain, with the light of the forest in his eyes, with flowers adorning his hair..
A small near-smile curls around his lips once the other mentions his name though. It's true - names do have power, even though Agreas doesn't necessarily plan on abusing that power. It's just.. well, it's natural to want to know the name of his queen, right? ]
Elijah.. [ He repeats the name, a low rumble. It seems to satisfy him enough to not even have to give much consideration to the human's request. It's inevitable that Elijah will become his queen at this point, so there's no reason to not give out his own name as well. ]
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It's already fairly obvious that the other is examining him in one way or another...and it gives the impression that he's looking for something he wants too. There's no way for Elijah to know if that's true or not unless he stays...and for some reason, he can't help but want to see if the other will find something he likes. Elijah himself likes the thought of that too...No matter the fact that he knows next to nothing about this "king", he can at least conclude that he'd like a reaction like that.
So he closes his eyes as those finger tips brush against his cheek- letting himself focus on the sensation of the touch. Something about it makes a shiver pass through his body, and he has to fight to keep himself from leaning into that hand more too. Even though the stranger touched him first, he doesn't exactly want to seem needy for it...and yet...he really doesn't want it to stop.
A moment passes and he opens his eyes again- still not making any move in either direction.]
I guess I'm not.
[It doesn't seem like he'll be leaving anytime soon either, so he takes a moment to look the man over too. He's not looking for anything in particular- more just that he's curious to see what he does find.]
And were you planning on keeping it that way for a while?
[Considering the way things are going.]
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He's saying it with a surprising casualness in his tone for the content of his words. Most humans would freak out at hearing those words, after all, and with a good reason. Even if Agreas isn't necessarily implying that Elijah will end up dying here in the forest, it still means that Agreas isn't planning on letting him go back to his regular life, to everything he's known until this point.
It doesn't seem to bother Agreas though, and he strokes the human's cheek for another moment before pulling his hand back. He tilts his head a little instead to regard the other, the crown of twigs and thorns not falling out of his hair at the movement - like it's just nested in there.
Elijah really does seem perfect as long as he doesn't get too unreasonable right now. It makes the forest king feel an odd sort of sensation - almost some sort of excitement that he's never felt before in his eternal existence. He actually is eager to take the human back to his castle, to make him his queen. ]
... You're sharp anyway, aren't you? [ He can see that much in Elijah's eyes. It might be part of the reason he hasn't freaked out yet like some other humans have at the mere sight of him, who knows. It's something that Agreas likes about the other, anyway. ] You know nothing here is normal.
[ Because this is his domain - and he certainly isn't normal by any means. ]
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It's strange though- all of those worries flash through him in an instant, but then fade towards the background again. Like they're not that important...more like an inconvenience. And it's not as if they don't matter at all...but...
He just can't bring himself to worry about that as much as he normally might. This is something he can deal with later- all the everyday things that're supposed to be bigger concerns. How he'd get home, back to his apartment, his job, his regular life...He can pass all of that up, if going back there meant losing this chance here. Even though he doesn't necessarily know the full story of what's going on right now...he knows for sure that he'd regret it if he tried to leave in this moment.
This time he does lean into the man's hand, just slightly, before he pulls away. Maybe because he knew the other would pull his hand back...and just like he thought- the absence of the touch just makes him want it right back again.]
Hmm...so you're saying that does include you?
[As far as not being "normal". Even though it's phrased as a question, it's more like a statement. There's nothing "average" about this man...as ridiculous as that might seem in an objective sense. But Elijah's sure that even if he saw him in a more mundane setting, he'd feel the same way.
He is sharp though, and he feels a small, stupid rush of pride at that fact being acknowledged. But it's because of that...that he can tell the other seems somewhat excited about something.]
Then maybe you can tell me why I won't be leaving.
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But it isn't like he's planning on being mysterious here forever. Sure, he's already been looking for his queen for a long time, so it's not like a few moments more or less are really going to matter at this point. But he does want to keep Elijah as interested as he seems right now, and no matter how convinced he already is about the other's potential, the best way to fully test him on whether or not Elijah can fulfill that position is to just drop the bombshell and see the human's reaction to it. ]
You're going to be my queen.
[ Short and simple - Agreas doesn't even blink as he says it, like it's a totally normal thing to tell someone. It is to him though.. being a forest demon god and all, just picking someone to be his queen isn't all that weird. It doesn't even matter that Elijah is a guy. It isn't about the femininity of the title of queen, it just means someone who will be his side as the king of this forest. His companion for a long time.
And Elijah... well, he does seem perfect. But if he doesn't react all that well, then it's not like there's much stopping Agreas from killing the human if he tries to run away or anything of the sort - it'd suck to start his search all over again, but if it has to be done, then so be it. ]
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It's a very finite thing to say too, isn't it? "You're going to be my queen"...meaning Elijah doesn't even have the option of saying no. Maybe something like that would petrify most people...especially given the fact that he's almost certain this man isn't human. But the finality of that statement actually sense a cold rush of excitement through his veins.
Maybe it's something to do with the fact that Elijah himself is so possessive of people, but the reverse is also true in some cases. Especially right now. He feels absolutely, undeniably thrilled at the idea that this..."king" saw something in Elijah that he liked...enough to take Elijah for himself, without even taking no for an answer. That someone, presumably in a position of power, wants him for a companion. And a companion that he'd want by his side for a long time, given what he'd said...
A shaky breath slips out from his lips, but it's not one of fear...and his eyes widen- practically shining with intrigue by now.]
Your...queen...?
[His voice is softer too- quivering slightly- but it should still be obvious enough that it's not because he's bothered by the idea. Not at all. Even the title of "queen" might bother some men, but not him...Not when it's said like that to him.
Without even realizing it, Elijah's body drifts towards the other- very slightly leaning over towards him. Like he's once again subconsciously asking for the other to touch him. If he's going to take Elijah, then he should do it.]
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But that's not important right now anyway. Elijah doesn't have to know everything just yet... what's more important than that is the fact that the human seems excited at the prospect anyway. Even knowing nothing about it, he still seems eager to be Agreas' queen, eager to be near him more.. he really is an interesting human in his own right, Agreas can't imagine many humans this attracted to someone else after having only seen them for a few minutes.
At least Agreas does give the human what he's longing for. A hand moves to cup Elijah's cheek - not entirely softly, but not roughly either. If anything, it's a little off, like that hand hasn't touched many humans before and is only now figuring out how to do so. But a moment or two later he's already leaning in, moving his face closer and closer to Elijah's now he knows the other isn't going to try and get away until their lips are touching in a very short kiss, almost more a peck than anything else. Like Agreas is just getting a taste of Elijah, just seeing more of him to make sure this is really what he wants for the rest of eternity.
But nothing is deterring him from the other so far. Not in the slightest.
Although.. he still can't help but point it out a little, since it's such unusual behaviour for a human, no matter how much it pleases him to see. ]
You seem eager.
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He sees the kiss coming, naturally, as their lips get closer and closer...but no matter that fact, it does nothing to prepare him for it. The moment they touch, Elijah feels a violent shiver pass through him, and he lets his eyes close...drinking in that small sample of what could be his. The more this man gives him, the more Elijah wants...and even as he pulls away again, it feels almost like some form of torture. Of course he's eager...eager for more of all of this. The other's question on it actually makes him chuckle a little in turn.]
So do you.
[After all, it was this other man who approached him first...then declared Elijah his queen, and now kissed him. And it's not as if Elijah was doing anything to deter him- he'd been encouraging him, if anything. But he hadn't come out into the woods in search of anything like this, that's for sure.
Of course, that doesn't mean he isn't interested. Honestly, he couldn't imagine turning down an opportunity like this- even if it means throwing away...well, much of everything that's familiar and comfortable in his life. It doesn't feel like such a hard decision though...he knows that even if he lived, and left the forest, he would regret turning away from this for the rest of his life.]
Is it really so strange if I feel the same way?
[When neither of them have never met before now.]
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Despite being the god of this forest, he doesn't necessarily believe in things like destiny and fate. But even despite that, there's no doubt about it that Elijah is perfect for him, and that there's no way he's ever letting go of the other anymore now. So in that sense it's a good thing that Elijah shows absolutely no signs of wanting to leave to begin with, hm?
The question from the other makes him tilt his head a little in contemplation before speaking up. ]
Humans tend to fear what they don't understand.
[ Which is, if you'd ask Agreas, not even really the worst quality about human beings - there's a lot worse things he could say about them, especially when it comes down to the way they treat nature. What he's saying right now feels more like a fact than any kind of insult to him. He's seen humans paralyzed with fear at the very sight of him, humans who immediately tried to run away, tripping over their own feet in panic.
To be fair, some of those humans saw him in a form slightly less human.. but even some of them who saw him plainly like this instinctively felt that he was something to be afraid of.
... Not that they were exactly wrong, mind you.
There's something faintly showing above his head, shimmering and almost transparent in the slight sunlight filtering through the leaves - like it's nothing more than an illusion. His crown of twigs extending up, tangling into a pair of antlers extending from Agreas' head.. and then it's gone again in an instant. ]
Are you not afraid, human?
[ He can already guess the answer to that with the way everything is going and with the look in Elijah's eyes, but he still wants to hear it from the man himself. ]
If your eagerness is greater than your fear, perhaps you should tell me your name. [ It sounds less like a request and more like an order, although not a very direct one - more like a very, very heavy suggestion. ]
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His heart beats faster in his chest than it has since the man first walked up to him...like the brief sight of those antlers ignited an even stronger feeling inside of him. He stares up at the space where they'd been a few moments longer- like he's unwilling to miss a chance at a second glimpse. His lips are parted very slightly, and his eyes stay open wide- the light from the forest itself reflected in them now. A part of him almost wants to reach out...to touch the space where the antlers had been. But his body feels frozen after that and for the time being, his hands stay where they are.
Still, there's no question whether it's eagerness or fear on his face...it's plainly written there for the other to see. But that makes it easy to give an answer too- even as another breath shudders out of his mouth.]
Elijah...
[There're always stories...about names holding power. Even if they were always folklore, it feels like right now...it might hold a little more weight. Whether that's true or not, he still doesn't feel fear from handing his over so easily...Maybe in part because he can't help but wonder...can't help but desperately want...need to hear the way his name sounds when it's said in the other's voice.
And yet, some small, defiant part of Elijah had almost wanted to wait and ask for the man's. The part of him that doesn't like being ordered around...But this is one of the few times he'll compromise somewhat. Even if that doesn't necessarily make him a docile little lamb either.]
Will I get to hear yours, too?
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But instead the human is still standing here, looking utterly mesmerized.. fascinated, even. The light of the forest being reflected in Elijah's eyes is a beautiful sight, and Agreas definitely wants to see more of it. He's always preferred the beauty of nature over anything else, but he is sure Elijah would be beautiful too in his domain, with the light of the forest in his eyes, with flowers adorning his hair..
A small near-smile curls around his lips once the other mentions his name though. It's true - names do have power, even though Agreas doesn't necessarily plan on abusing that power. It's just.. well, it's natural to want to know the name of his queen, right? ]
Elijah.. [ He repeats the name, a low rumble. It seems to satisfy him enough to not even have to give much consideration to the human's request. It's inevitable that Elijah will become his queen at this point, so there's no reason to not give out his own name as well. ]
I am Agreas, the lord of this domain.