They were a hurricane of dirt and fur, white on black, a sordid yin-yang atop each other until force propels her off of him. She lands in a heap with a grunt, ungainly gaining her feet while untangling herself. She shouldn’t be surprised that he is still just lying there looking thoroughly pleased with himself and his actions, but of course she is. She is always surprised by him be it good or bad. The smug look on his face simply peaks her displeasure and decision to reciprocate with her punishment. Perhaps it is the fact that he takes it in stride, making no attempts to escape or return action, or perhaps it was the months of stress and emotional pain finally welling up, but regardless the laughter bursts out of her unbidden. It flows over her like cool waters on a hot day, her mood lightening to a height she couldn’t remember experiencing before.

She doesn’t shy away when he finally does respond in his own kind, the clip of his teeth against the thick hair of her cheek and scruff strangely not concerning but enjoyable even. She had never felt this way before, and she tried very hard not to focus on it too hard lest she lose the feeling. It was something dangerously close to joy. What she did notice the odd way he cocked his head to the side to look up at her, using only one eye to focus on her struck her as odd and something she hadn’t noticed before. However as he spoke his words incited such a fire that she decided not to bring it up now.

Her thick head draws back, a feigned look of indignation crossing her features at his insinuation. Of course that is nothing compared to what he said next. At that point surprise is actually on her face, the squeeze of his legs around her sides causing her heart rate to skyrocket and skip a few beats. She never let anyone close to her, especially not to touch her. Even her own brother touched her rarely and always with a fear that she might lash out at him in return. It pained her on occasion to think that others came to her like that, yet here Zaphkiel was once more shattering all typical responses to her. It always seemed instead of shying away from the possibility of her wrath he leaned into it, almost hoped for it, which strangely disarmed her.

She stepped back quickly, almost needing to get a bit of distance from him at this point to gather the wits he had seemingly scattered all about the clearing. She shook her head slightly, attempting to clear her mind a bit and allow him time to stand. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to find you here,” she said, striving for casual nonchalance but there was still a breathlessness to her words that she couldn’t hide. He always managed to disarm her and she wasn’t quite sure how to deal with it. “Were you born with only one good eye, or did you lose it during one of your grand adventures?” The question was blunt, but it was the best way to change the topic and focus, and much as she tried not to care she hoped it wouldn’t take offense.