Dendalli rapped lightly on the door to her apartment as he stood out on the landing. He had arrived at the designated time, again anxiously awaiting his chance at the chess board. He was dressed a bit differently today; sporting a brown tunic top with a white shirt beneath and matching brown pants with a red sash around his waist. His head and ears were left uncovered. He saw no need to conceal his features since the pair would be spending the day indoors.

He knocked once again. "Coming!" Kitty's voice came from inside. After another minute or so, the sound of the lock sliding was heard and the door opened. Dendalli gave a slight look of surprise when he saw her.

She looked slightly different today. She was still wearing the gray pants and white blouse she normally did, yet the familiar lavender vest was absent. What he took notice of most, however, was her face. Her hair, usually pulled back, now hung loosely against her back and shoulders. She was also not wearing her glasses. Without them, the natural deep blue of her eyes stood out and her long dark lashes were more visible. He found himself catching his breath in his throat briefly at her 'new' appearance. She looked even lovelier this way than usual. That was the thought that graced his mind as she greeted him warmly. "Hey there", she smiled. "Great timing. I just finished straightening up and the board's all set up." She stepped to the side to allow him entry. "Come on in."

Dendalli regained himself and greeted her back with a friendly nod and smile before stepping past her into the apartment. Glancing about, he took note of his surroundings. The main sitting room was meagerly furnished with nothing more than a couch and coffee table, a television against the opposite wall, and a small wardrobe in the corner closest to the entryway. A few posters decorated the walls here and there, showcasing characters from several shows she was obviously a fan of. There was a small kitchen area in the same room, separated from the sitting area by only a counter and some hanging cupboards. There was a window in the kitchen next to the refrigerator; out of which he spied a fire escape. Between the sitting area and the kitchen was a small hallway, presumably leading to her bed and bath areas. Glancing back to the coffee table in front of the couch, he saw the chess set she had spoken of before set up and ready for play.

After closing the apartment door behind him, Kitty walked past Dendalli and motioned towards the floor in front of the table where a cushion was placed. "Go ahead and have a seat", she suggested. "I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of refreshments, but I can offer you some tea if you like. Other than that, all I have is water." "Tea will do nicely", Dendalli replied as he sat on the soft floor cushion. "I don't suppose it would happen to be Earl Grey, by any chance?" Kitty gave a small chuckle. "Sorry. Just Chamomile." "That will be sufficient, then", he answered. "Hot or cold?" "Warm, but not hot, if it's not too much trouble."

Kitty went about making the tea as Dendalli sat at the table, glancing over the chess set. The board itself appeared to be carved porcelain; or at least something close to it. The chess pieces themselves were metallic. Half of the set was what appeared to be polished stainless steel while the other half was gilded brass. The entire set seemed well cared for, despite Kitty's previous claim that it had been neglected. Looking back at Kitty as she worked in the kitchen, his eyes glanced around the area again. "Your lodgings are very pleasant", she said. "It's not much", she replied as she heated the tea kettle on the stove. "But it's home. There's not a whole lot I really need. It's comfortable and that's enough." "It has a friendly and comfortable feel to it", Dendalli pointed out. "Though I suppose that is mostly due to you as such a friendly host." Kitty giggled in reply. "If you say so. Thanks."

Kitty soon finished making the tea and brought him his cup first before retrieving her own and taking a seat on the other side of the table in front of the couch. It did not take long before they began their game.

"Checkmate", Dendalli declared after moving his next piece. Kitty looked at the board and gave a sigh of defeat. "And that makes three", she said. "Geez, I'm just no good at this." "Do not become disheartened so easily", he stated. "I think I see what you need to work on, though. It appears that you are making your moves too hastily. Remember, chess is not a game of speed." "Yeah, right", she said in a joking tone. "I've seen those guys on TV in those professional chess matches. They're always racing against that timer." "Those are professionals in a competition", Dendalli noted. "Chess is not meant to be about speed. The true aim of chess is to gauge your opponent carefully and make your moves by anticipating what theirs will be. You have a decent grasp of the game. Take your time and consider your moves more carefully." "Okay, okay", she replied. "Let's go again, then."

They set up the board once more and Dendalli began with the first move. "I have an idea. Let's talk a bit. If you allow yourself to relax more, it may help." "Um... okay", she said haphazardly. "But talk about what?" "Feel free to choose a subject." Kitty thought a moment before moving her first piece upon reply. "Well... There is something I've been a bit curious about... but I was a little hesitant to ask." "Yes?" "Well... What happened to your eye? The one with the scar over it..." Dendalli hesitated a moment as he reached for his next piece. He stared down at the table a moment, as if in thought. Taking note of his silence, Kitty attempted to withdraw her question. "If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay. I'm sorry." "No, it's alright", he finally answered, at last moving the chess piece. "You could say it was a... 'gift'... from my father when I fought him." "Fought...?" Kitty blinked. "My father, who's name I will not speak aloud, was an evil creature twisted by demonic magic. He had been sealed away, but it was only a matter of time before the seal would have weakened enough for him to break free. I saw no other option but to break the seal and destroy him myself. I succeeded, but not before he took my eye as a souvenir." Kitty's face contorted in shock. "Oh god... I-I'm sorry for bringing it up." "It's fine", he waved a hand. "I suppose it worked out for me in the end." He pointed to his left eye. "My new 'eye' is actually a crystal that allows me to see different auras and magical energies. So in the end, it has worked out to my benefit." "I still feel bad asking you to recount such a thing, though", she admitted apologetically. "You were merely curious", he answered. "I cannot blame you for it." "So I guess that's how you got all of your other scars too, huh?" "Oh, no", he replied with another wave of his hand. "Only a few of them. Most of them are attributed to what reckless children will do to make a name for themselves." "Oh", Kitty blinked, but understood.

After a few moments of silence, Kitty made her next move before speaking again. "Well, um... Why don't you tell me a bit about what it's like being a god. What kind of stuff does a god do, anyway?" "Demigod", he corrected once again. "But to answer your question, I only have a few necessary duties within the Aener. As I said once before, I am known as the God of Magic and, though the title is not exactly accurate, my role is that of overseeing the regulation and education of the mystical arts among mortals. In short, I keep an eye on what magic is practiced in the mortal world. I am also responsible for reporting to the elder gods if I find that certain taboo arts are being practiced or abused... and keeping an eye out for those who may have, in essence, become too powerful for their own good. Magic is a form of metaphysical mathematics. Therefore, I don't control magic, as my title would suggest. I only govern its applications and abuse." "I see", Kitty nodded. "So... Do you have a following of some sort, then?" "You mean as a religious figure?" Dendalli chuckled a bit. "In actuality, no. I have no fold of worshipers, as other gods do. In fact the only 'prayers' I would ever hear in passing usually involve things such as 'Please let this magic item I'm making work' or 'Please let this spell not backfire in my face'." Kitty snickered a bit, stifling a laugh. "S... Sorry." Dendalli chuckled again at her response. "No apology necessary. I understand it must sound amusing when I explain it that way." Dendalli took the time to move another piece as Kitty ventured another question. "So is there anything else you do? Like... any other big responsibilities? Like meeting with other gods?" "Other than submitting my findings, no", he replied. "I tend to keep to my own realm unless summoned. Many of the elder gods in the Aener are quite old and tend to be not exactly pleasant to be around. It can be quite a political circus amongst them at times." "Ugh... Politics", Kitty groaned. "Don't even get me started. It's all a glorified pissing contest among old men, as far as I'm concerned. I can only imagine how it must be amongst gods." Dendalli nodded and responded "Just imagine when those old men are over 2,000 years old, can shoot lightning from their eyes and have whole nations of people who believe their word as law..." "So... Not a pissing contest... More like an 'I have more followers than you' contest." "That too", he concurred. "Sometimes it's also 'My followers can kill your followers' or 'I bet my champion can destroy this elder evil before yours can'... and so many other stupid contests. You can understand why I spend as little time as possible on that plane of existence." "Thoroughly", Kitty nodded. "Hence why I usually don't bring politics or religion into a conversation." "Being a god of sorts myself, it is eventually unavoidable", he stated. "But I try to keep away from the topics of religion and politics as well."

Kitty looked at the chess board for a minute and made her next move. "Okay, so... What about your life before being a god? When you talked about titles before, I remembered you said you were sometimes called 'The Forlorn Prince'. Does that mean you were actually a prince or something?" "By birth, yes", he answered. "I was born into the highest house of Ithandantillian. However, I was quickly exiled due to ill omens concerning my birth." "Ill omens?" Kitty inquired. "My pale complexion", he responded, "and my red eyes are considered the mark of a curse. Eladrin are meant to be Arian Adonises, not sickly albinos. There was a saying that there has never been an albino born to the royal house who did not bring death with it." "...I see", Kitty said lowly. "I was expelled from the house as a result", he continued. "Luckily, I was found and raised by an elderly human mage through the better part of my youth. He died after I had already left to traverse the world on my own." "I'm sorry", Kitty replied. Dendalli gave her a queer look. "Why do you constantly apologize for what you have no fault in?" "O-Oh...", Kitty stammered. "Sorry... I just feel bad about causing you to bring these things up, I guess." "Don't", he insisted. "This is all in the past. And if it pained me that terribly, I would not bother speaking of it." Sor-....I mean... okay", she corrected herself. "Much better", Dendalli smiled a bit and took the time to move his next piece.

Kitty took a final sip from her tea cup, emptying it and setting it back down on the table. She took a look at his cup as well, noticing it was also barren. "By the way", she asked. "Did you want anymore tea?" "I'm fine for the moment, thank you", he smiled. "Well, let me go wash these, at least", she said, rising and picking up both cups before heading back to the kitchen area. "So", she called from the kitchen. "Did you do a lot of traveling? Any exciting stories you want to share?" Dendalli heard the sink water running as he responded. "I have had my share of adventures, yes. Most notably, I've endured several great battles. I've faced three different armies of Giants, the massed forces of the Ogres, helped to repel demonic invasions, battled the Orc Hordes, and the like. But my life has not been all battles and survival. I also once arbitrated a peace treaty between the Dwarves and Humans, and befriended many great mystical beasts of legend. I have also been a teacher to many. To this day, I am still known to give guest lectures within the Occult Studies classes at St. Emaria's University." Kitty returned from the kitchen and took her seat on the floor once again. "Oh? Where's that?" "In a place called Engel City", he responded. "I'm not sure if you would have been there before or even heard of it." "It's not familiar, no", Kitty replied. "I'm curious though. That part about meeting mystical beasts... you mean like unicorns or something?" "Naturally", He nodded. "Yet they are just one of many great legendary creatures in existence. And many of them are quite intelligent." "Wow", Kitty sighed. "That's something I've dreamed about since I was a little girl, ya know. I've always had dreams about seeing Unicorns and Fairies and such." "As I'm sure many have", Dendalli stated. His expression turned slightly sad then. "It is sad that many of them have been hunted over the years, however." "Hunted?" Kitty said in surprise. "But why??" "Many ridiculous reasons", he answered. "Some merely for sport or for some valuable trophy. Others by worshipers of the dark arts to be used as sacrifices for great power." "......That's terrible", Kitty said in a bit of shock. "Indeed", he agreed. "Fortunately, though, there have been great lengths taken over the years to prevent that. Another reason some creatures have been hunted is because they possess specific components for spells or medicinal purposes. Luckily, the majority are now taken with permission and without harm to their owner."

"Well that's a relief", Kitty sighed. "Though now I'm curious just what kind of 'components' they are to have to do that to a creature." Kitty viewed the board and considered her next move as Dendalli offered a reply. "Well, it's made certain that what is needed will not harm the creature if it's removed, of course... But there are many that possess remarkable traits that are widely regarded. For example, the horn of a Ki-rin is widely known for being used in the production of a powerful aphrodisiac."

There was a resounding clatter as Kitty suddenly knocked over the piece she was reaching for as well as several of the pieces around it. Dendalli looked at her in surprise as she quickly tried to replace the pieces she knocked over with a bit of a flustered look on her face. "S-Sorry", she said nervously. Dendalli raised a brow as she quickly moved the intended piece and withdrew her hand, sitting up straight. What just happened... was that because of... As the thought entered his mind, a little of his mischievous side started to surface.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. "No, I'm fine", she replied. "I guess that just caught me a bit off guard." "Well, I apologize. You just seemed interested in an example, so I thought I'd offer one." "No, it's okay", she waved a hand reassuringly, yet she still seemed a nervous. I wonder... , he thought. "Speaking of the Ki-rin", he continued. "I believe they call it the Asian Unicorn in the texts here. It may only be a creature of myth in this world but, I assure you, they are quite real. Rare, yes, but not mythic where I come from. It is a noble creature; far too intelligent to be called an animal, but on the same level of sentience as you or I." "Really...", Kitty replied. It wasn't so much a question as it was a response to his statement and a signal to continue. "Yes", he went on. "A truly remarkable creature and very wise. They are also well aware of the desire for their horn and willingly offer it since they believe it's use is important. Though when I say that, it is because it is not primarily used as an aphrodisiac. In fact, calling it such would be inaccurate, now that I rethink it." "Oh?" Kitty looked a bit curious now. Good. That was what he was hoping for. "The truth is it is used for many other reasons. Allow me to explain... On it's own, it has no effect. However, a powder ground from the horn is the primary ingredient in a potion that significantly heightens one's physical awareness when imbibed. Many use it as an aid in training their bodies to gain a better understanding of their environment. In a sense, it helps to train their senses at a heightened state. However, a side effect of this is that all of one's physical senses are enhanced, including one's sense of pleasure. That is why it is sometimes also regarded as an aphrodisiac." "O-Oh...", Kitty uttered a reply. She felt her pulse jump slightly and her cheeks took on a slight tint of pink; the latter of which Dendalli noticed, but pretended not to as he continued. "For example... Think a moment about when you kiss someone. You feel the warmth and softness of their lips, the tingle running through you from the contact, the fluttering sensation in your chest. An amazing feeling. An arousing feeling. Now... imagine that feeling amplified tenfold. The simple soft touches, the tingle, the flutter.... it pulses through you, resonates to every area of your being. To your very core." He could easily see the pink hue on her cheeks deepening as he continued. "And that's simply from a kiss. Now... imagine how it feels beyond that. Every single touch... the simple stroke of a finger or even a whisp of one's hair over your flesh... hitting every nerve... I wish words were enough to explain the feeling, but it truly is something one must experience to fully understand..." Kitty could feel the heat in her own face increase as the conversation went on. She cleared her throat a bit and swallowed before speaking. "So... You know this personally?" "You mean 'have I tried it myself'?" Dendalli couldn't help but give a small smirk now as he answered. "But of course, my lady. Ki-rin are found all over the multiverse. And I've had my share of trying a few things. I've used the potion quite a few times myself, to be honest. And not simply for training. How else would I be able to properly describe it?" Kitty's blush deepened further. Dendalli watched her, having a pretty good idea what was likely running through her creative little mind at the moment. Inside his own mind, he was chuckling a bit. The reaction he was hoping for was all too obvious on her face.

Kitty swallowed again, feeling her throat having gone dry. She rubbed her neck a bit and rose from her seat. "Excuse me a sec", she attempted to say calmly. "I need some water." Dendalli watched with a subconscious smile as she stumbled slightly while she walked into the kitchen.

She quickly took a cup from the cabinet and filled it with water from the sink faucet. Gulping it down rapidly, she let out a sigh. She felt flush, her heart racing slightly as she attempted to cool her temperature with the water. Calm down, calm down, she told herself. God dammit, why'd he have to go and say something like that? She took a slow deep breath and another gulp of water, closing her eyes with another sigh afterward. Great... I must look like such an idiot right now. Overreacting to what he said so easily. But, geez... The way he described it...

"Are you alright?" Kitty gasped sharply and spun around suddenly as she heard his voice from directly behind her. The cup flew from her hand, water spilling across the counter before it fell and bounced against the floor. He had surreptitiously made his way from his seat at the chess board to stand behind her. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed. Now, with her sudden one-eighty, she was leaned back with both hands against the counter of the sink, staring at him. The heat rushed back to her face as a result. "I am sorry", he responded to her actions, looking a bit apologetic. "I didn't mean to scare you." "N-No", she replied. "You... You just....caught me by surprise... I was just-" "Thinking about what I said?" She stared at him as he finished her statement for her. "Has something I said... bothered you in some way?" He took half a step closer to her with his question. The combined motion and question caused the pink hue to flood back into her cheeks. "...Am I making you uncomfortable?" As he said this he took another half step towards her. She didn't answer. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable, honestly, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to actually tell him so. After a few silent moments, Dendalli slowly lifted a hand towards her, setting it gently on her cheek. The pale tone of his hand easily contrasted the deep flush on her face now. He could easily feel the heat permeating through her cheek against his palm. She was also trembling a bit and his ears easily picked up on the fact that she was fighting to control her breathing.

She was showing all the signs... but regardless of their close proximity, he wasn't about to do something without her consent. His eyes met hers, locking her gaze to his securely before he spoke. "Kitty", he said softly. "We are friends... correct?" It took a moment for her to respond, swallowing and licking her lips a bit from the dry feeling in her mouth. "Y... Yes...." He then leaned his face in towards her slightly, hand still gently resting at her cheek. "Then would I be overstepping my bounds... if I kissed you now?" If Kitty's cheeks could have become any redder at they point, they would have. She felt her pulse quicken at the question, any audible answer unable to find it's way from her throat. Looking into those strange blood red eyes of his... she wasn't sure if she was imagining it, if it was simply the moment, if it was the tone of his voice... She saw sincerity in his eyes. She wasn't sure how, but she saw it. Felt it. Even in this tense moment, there was a sense of comfort from him. Did this have something to do with him being a deity? Or something else? Maybe her imagination? Regardless, her inhibition seemed to slowly disperse and, after what seemed to drag on for an eternity in those few moments, she responded with a small shake of her head. Nothing more.

It was all that was needed for him, closing the distance between them shortly after. She felt a soft wash of his breath before their lips met gently, both of their eyes closing simultaneously as the contact was made. She caught her own breath as that simple contact sent a spark running through her; hands gripping tightly against the sink counter behind her in reflex. Dendalli kept the kiss light; as if not to seem intrusive, yet just enough to entice her. Whether that was his intention or not, once he started to pull away slowly he was surprised to feel her moving forward to keep them from separating; even making effort to increase the pressure of the kiss. His own eyes opened briefly with the surprise as she used the leverage of the counter to push her lips further into his. A blush stained his own cheeks at her participation before his lids lowered once more, halting his progression away from her. He joined her in deepening the kiss, hand sliding down her cheek to rest against the side of her neck. He could feel her quickened pulse pounding against his palm through the thin flesh of her throat, even as she felt that same pulse pounding in her own ears.

A sense of time had been lost in those moments, even as the two finally parted. He looked into her eyes again once there was distance between them. Her breathing was obviously labored, skin hot to the touch and her face burning red. A slight trace of pink still graced his own pale features as silence passed between them for a few moments after that.

"Thank you, Kitty", he softly broke the silence with a gentle smile. "I know we have not known each other nearly long enough for me to be so forward with you... but I am glad that you are not rejecting me because of it." Kitty wanted to respond, but she currently couldn't find the right words to do so. She thought of saying 'it's okay' or 'you're welcome' or 'me too' or something equally brief... but nothing seemed to fit what she wanted to convey. "I am also glad", he continued. "that you do consider me a friend. And I truly hope this situation has in no way tainted your image of me." "No", she finally found the will to speak. She felt that perhaps it was best to simply be honest. "It's just... the things you described earlier... It made me think about... things... with you..." "Does that bother you?" "...No", she answered. "It's just... Like you said... We haven't known each other long... I didn't want you... thinking badly of me for thinking.... that way." Dendalli retained that soft smile. "There is no way I could think badly of you. We all have those feelings, but you are not ruled by them. You are a lovely and intelligent young woman, Kitty. And the fact that you bear hesitation shows that you have a pure spirit. You are an exceptional woman, and I am honored to have been able to know you in these past weeks."

Kitty's face was still flush as she soaked in his words. "Th...Thank you", she stuttered. "I... I feel happy to have known you, too. Just something about you... makes me feel at ease." "I am glad", he smiled. He moved his hand from her throat now and took a single step back to give her some space. Pushing against the counter behind her she stood back upright, absentmindedly smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles in her blouse. Dendalli chuckled softly and spoke again. "Well, it seems I'll have to choose my conversational topics more carefully in the future, won't I?" Kitty didn't answer. Her face was still flush, but at the moment, it was partly due to embarrassment. "But in any case", he continued. "I suppose I must have made you rather curious about that little concoction, hm?" Kitty cleared her throat a bit. "Well... the way you described it made it hard not to be. It's not often one hears things described like that. Outside of some romance novel, anyhow." "Would you like to find out for yourself?" Kitty blinked and did a double-take, not sure if she heard him right. "Wh... Huh?" "I said 'would you like to find out for yourself'?" The fading blush quickly shot back into her cheeks at his offer. "You mean the... the..." "The Ki-rin horn potion", he filled in the end of her statement. "What else would I be referring to?" "U-Uh..." Dendalli rose a brow. "Unless the idea bothers you, of course." "N-No", she insisted. "It's just... I... uh..." After a moment, Kitty slapped a hand against her face with an exasperated sigh. "Fuck... How the hell can I answer that without sounding like a total pervert?"

Dendalli could not hold back the laugh that came out right then. Her antics and words made it impossible. "F...Forgive me, my lady", his laugh died down. "But there's no reason for you to worry about such a thing. I'd figured the implications behind my question would have assured that from the beginning." Kitty sighed again. "You're right, you're right. Sorry. I just hate... looking stupid." Dendalli smiled stepping up to her again. "You honestly shouldn't worry so much how you appear to other people. Being honest is usually the best path." Immediately after that statement, Dendalli displayed a thoughtful look for several moments. "By the way," he said finally. "Would you be at all interested in perhaps taking a tour of my realm?" Kitty blinked repeatedly at that question. "What?" "I said 'would you-" "I heard you the first time", Kitty cut him off, still bearing a look of surprise. "Aren't mortals forbidden in a place like that??" "Each god and demigod within the Aener has their own realm and thus has full control over it", he answered. "There are certain planes where mortals are forbidden, however... But in my own realm, I have complete say in who may and may not enter. So, you would be welcome to tour there as my honored guest... If you like."

Kitty blinked again, carefully considering his offer. She couldn't deny that she was curious. She'd seen several other worlds in the past years since becoming acquainted with the people she and her friends knew, and it had become something of a goal of hers to see as many of those worlds as she was able. And now, here was a deity from a world she had neither heard of nor seen and he was offering her a chance to see it. How could she possibly refuse?

"Well, I honestly can't say no to an offer like that", she smiled. "I'd be honored." "Well, then", he smiled in return. "Let's be off, shall we?" As he started to raise a hand at his side, she interrupted him. "Wait.. You mean right this minute?" "Why not?", he questioned. "Well, for one thing I'm hardly dressed properly for going to a god's domain, and sec-" Again, Dendalli laughed before she could finish her sentence. "What's so funny?" "My lady, did I not just say a moment ago that I have complete reign over who may or may not enter my realm? I sincerely doubt your attire will affect that fact." "Well, still", she mused. "I at least need my glasses or I won't be able to see things very well." "Very well, then." He conceded to her wishes and stepped out of the kitchen to allow her passage so that she could retrieve her glasses from the coffee table. Upon doing so, she quickly put them on and began glancing around the room. Dendalli eyed her curiously. "What are you looking for?" "My shoes", she answered. "You won't need them", he insisted. She looked back at him with an awkward expression. "Huh? You don't really expect me to walk all the way to your world barefoot, do you?" Dendalli merely smiled. "The trip is much shorter than you think." With that, he waved his hand toward the wall with the necessary incantation. Within an instant, the portal slowly opened, offering a clear view into his realm. Kitty gasped and stared in disbelief. Seeing a portal wasn't exactly new, but the way he'd called it so effortlessly within her apartment left her a bit speechless.

She walked up to him, peering through the portal in awe. After a few moments, he caught her attention as he held his hand out to her. "Shall we then, my lady?" Kitty smiled, her face baring a slight look of excitement. She nodded in affirmation, taking his hand. Dendalli held onto her hand as he stepped through first, then assisted her in stepping through carefully as well; the portal closing behind them shortly after.

On the abandoned chess board, two pieces stood out in the center of the board; the white bishop and the gold queen, sitting side by side.