Of Flowers and Flames [Lillith || Inv]

As she spoke the lines of his visor seemed to glow a brighter red, illuminating the halls enough that his shadow stood out against the now tainted crimson darkness, it was only as the red light from his former hollow mask spread that he realized just how close they had been without discovering each other, which wasn't that close considering it was a good 10 or so meters, but that they'd gotten this close and not yet discovered each other's presence was in itself a cause for some slight alarm. For a moment he paused, using his vision to lock onto her, initial observation showing she was definitely strong, strong enough to give him some problem if it actually came down to it, but otherwise nothing he couldn't handle.

Something else gave him pause however, he wasn't able to place his finger on it, but something about her voice, the manner at which she spoke or rather called to the darkness seemed to make him take notice of her, he'd already ascertained from the voice that she was female but the more he began to take her in the more he began to realize just how stunning she was, even in the darkness her skin seemed to glow, the way it contrasted with her dark, piercing eyes and streaked hair and whatever kind of skin tight armor she seemed to be wearing that only seemed to accentuate her physique that dripped with a nasty concoction of beauty and deadliness. It wasn't uncommon to come across female arrancar, he'd seen his fair share in his time, but hers was . . . peculiar in the sense it was a foreboding beauty rather than a purely aesthetic one, one could almost say she capitulated the hollow race.

Whereas many would find her captivating, almost breathtaking he found himself equally just as wary of her, beauty like that was only good for one thing and he pondered whether he might even answer her demands, a breath escaped silently from his lips as he strode forward, allowing his figure to emerge from the darkness only slightly, the light from his visor growing stronger with every step.

Strong words from an intruder, calling out to the darkness to show itself. . . .just what were you expecting to happen anyway?

A light smile panned across his face, she didnt look like the type to draw first and ask questions later, but there was something betraying about her eyes that seemed to keep him just that little bit more wary of her, if he wasn't careful hers would be the only glorious pair of boobs he would see. . . . ever again.

She seemedto be toying if not playing with some idea in her mind, there was no obvious look of fear in her eyes and from that observation alone he could deduce that she was a cut above the usual hollow he'd encountered, then again it wasn't hard given how menacing she looked, which was strange since he'd yet to see menacing encaptured so alluringly in a being such as a hollow. Noting that thought with a soft hum the arrancar let his lips return a grin of their own back at the female, it was humorous two hollow smiling at each other in los noches and either one was yet to draw their weapon.

The only reason it hasn't come to such is because you haven't decided to attack me. . . .

Part of him wanted her to, another part of him wanted merely to discuss the philosophy of intruding but then again he too was an intruder, they might as well have been two thieves robbing the same house discussing what breaking and entering really meant. She smiled at him again and again his mind toiled with marrying the ferocity in her eyes to her overall. . . .beauty, he shouldn't have been so fixated on it and yet it bothered him, like an onomatopoeia or two sharp contrasts in one it was strange and yet enticing all the more.

. . .or maybe I'm just glad to see you, then again I suppose stupid questions deserve stupid answers. . .

Referring back to his later questiom, he couldn't help but ogle her through his visor, it was an instinctive thing this body of his seemed to do and rather than just fighting it he let it happen, secretly glad somehow that it did so, his demeanour relaxed a little as he did so. She wasn't looking for a fight, which meant she had some other reason to be here, he pondered asking and risk having the question turned back on him, realizing he wouldn't have to explain himself to her a reminder that hung on his mind.

. . still I am intrigued as to why one such as yourself is here, I'm even more intrigued as to what your name is so I dont have to keep saying one such as yourself.

The soft lurch of the building followed by the soft grumble of dust and gravel silenced their conversation temporarily, the white haired arrancar temporarily becoming self conscious, more aware of his surroundings, once it became more apparent that it was just the two of them he allowed his attention to divert back to her. He didn't approach, nor did he retreat, choosing to remain between shadow and light, allowing the glow of his visor to permeate the room.

Despite the name she still seemed to wary of him. Understood he was a stranger yes, but her's was a wariness that only seemed to add to the tension, as if somewhat expecting it to bubble over at any moment.

Hephaestus. . . most simply call me Burner

The name was accompanied by a courteous nod of the head but would not be followed by a last name, as much as he respected her as a fellow hollow and indeed even as commanding as she seemed he knew where the cards lay. If it came down to it he could wipe the floor with her and gazing into her fierce yet hypnotic eyes only served to confirm that she was well aware of it as well, still it was masked rather expertly and his gaze lingered somewhat awkwardly into the silence.

You can relax, my bite is worse than my bark.

He said with a soft humorous snort to accompany it, clearly he was the only one at ease right now, despite their current location, yes he had seen her eyes move taking it in, her mannerisms were so . . . instinctive, were she to apply herself she would've made a deadly assassin he was sure of it.

Had I wanted to kill you I would have before you even saw the glow of my vizor in the darkness

Moving a finger to his visor the arrancar gently slid it down to reveal teal eyes, one of which would close in a suggestive wink. It wasn't exactly the best thing to say to get her to relax, hell she might even become more wary of him, but it didnt matter to him. She was of no threat, once that was confirmed he allowed his curiosity to take over.

They say a powerful shinigami once made this place that we now walk on, I was curious to see it for myself since. It's not often we get shinigami down here for the long term.

His hand would return the vizor to his face before folding his arms across his chest.

But now I'm more intrigued as to whether or not you will come willingly or by force.

Her response would earn her a light, jovial chuckle from the masked arrancar. Shaking his head softly in response.

Nowhere, it's always interesting to see one's reaction when faced with such questions, judging from your response im guessing its a question you're familiar with.

They'd been alone up until this point and even though the two of them weren't even speaking in hushed tones it would seem as though they would go on undisturbed. Perhaps this place was as ancient as they had assumed, either that or the rumors he had heard were simply that. . . rumours. Still he had managed to find another like himself down in the darkness and their meeting had somewhat intrigued him now.

Truth be told I do not blame you for being guarded, one doesn't go a day here without struggling to survive.

He moved this time, allowing himself to close the distance, approaching her at a calm and steady pace the arrancar made to observe their surroundings, illuminated by a soft, if not dim moonlight.

Gotta say your eyes are a curious shade, I've yet to see anything like them, maybe you could entertain me? if you're still cautious of me, it'll give me a chance to get to know you better whilst showing you my intentions are not what you assume