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His answer was almost impatient, almost stating that she already knew his name, and his usual abruptness almost took over- but something held him back. Something probably like a certain slumbering god, who raised one reproachful eyebrow at him in reminder of the arrangement they'd made.

"I am host to Yschadeh, the Arcane," he stated instead, the words leaving a slightly bad taste in his mouth. The fingertips that rested on the ground, supporting his balance, clawed slightly; he might not be fighting so much anymore, but he was far from resigned. "Lady, you hold a trace of familiarity as well- and more than I have seen from the other pard mages. Do you find yourself a host, as well?"

"Oh, how fascinating. I've met one of those as well- Yu Huang, though Yschadeh seems to find his company most entertaining. His host shot me." Emerald eyes flickered with amusement, and he decided to be so bold as to reach over and gently stroke her ears. "I've...reached a sort of understanding with the Arcane, since I don't seem to have much choice in the matter. I suppose that's the best I can expect."

Thoughtfully, he glanced around the 'temple,' eyes lingering for a moment on the dragon statues. "Truthfully, I don't like to come here...Harmodious left a bad taste upon my lips. No one likes being made to feel afraid, or as if they were nothing."

"Yes, he's a bit violent. It seems my parasite and his are to be allies, however." At the note on Harmodious, his shoulders tensed. "You are not missing much," the human mage told her grimly, the faint burn of memory tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yschadeh's servants tell me I met him on the transition from Creation to Destruction...what he is now, few would call pleasant company."

His expression softened slightly, bringing his attention from the setting and back to his companion. "I am close to no one but my cousins and my sister...I haven't been able to bring myself to tell them. They're a very emotional lot, and Britain has this bad habit of trying to stop 'bad things'...I suppose I just don't want them to have to face the frustration and helplessness I have felt."

"Britain will most likely kill me," UK said thoughtfully, hand returning to it's absent petting, careful of her horns. "She does hate anything she can't control, any 'crime' in her eyes that she can't prevent. My sister....I'm not telling my sister. Yschadeh can explain it to her."

An almost impish smile touched his face, and he laughed lightly. It was a pretty sound, airy, and the smile that was so unusual made him look much younger. "Might I propose a treaty? You protect me from my sister, and I will console you with steaks and company when you face your own challenges. London is so terribly much scarier than I." ^_~

"That, lady, is something my parasite and I agree on quite well," the human mage murmured, a trace of the wicked predator in his expression. "If one is going to eat steak, what exactly is the POINT of burnng it until it has lost all flavor...? Certainly, I would be pleased to offer such a trifling."

With agonizing sharpness, he felt Yschadeh awaken. It had become much more common, of late, and his control was becoming harder and harder to maintain...like today. He gasped once, feeling the gem throb with strange heat between his shoulderblades. The hand that had been so gently caressing his companion flew to press flat against his chest; he gave in gracefully, though he wasn't pleased about it.

"It seems..that our conversation must be cut a bit short," he managed, voice flickering between his own light tones and Scha's darker malice. By the time he finished the sentance, his eyes had been painted with violet and amusement, changing his demeanor completely. "Forgive me, Lady. United Kingdom can be so terribly stubborn, and I did not wish the chance for us to meet to go unattended."

"How pleasant, considering how few actually DO enjoy his company," the diety murmured, amused at her reaction. Heaven forbid his sarcastic host actually make FRIENDS. "I am wounded, Lady- so much of you is representative of my realm, and yet your first words are harsh. Do you begrudge me such a small joy as an introduction?"

This might have been more affective if not said with Scha's arrogance, and his sparkling violet eyes tainted with amusement. Though he didn't actually seem to mean anything offensive by the gesture, he also wasn't apologizing for his interruption- and there was nothing of UK in the way he moved, the way he held his body.

"Lady, I could taste the scent of a Dragon on you from the other side of the world," came the dry response, and Scha raked UK's bangs out of his face with irritation. He seemed unconcerned with her own anger, unaffected by whatever opinion she might have of the diety. "Very few command my respect- perhaps your master will be one such."

He rose, indigo eyes going still as he looked around the Temple and took in what had changed since he had last been present. So dark, so violent...neither of which made him uneasy, but the implications they brought left him quiet. "It is as I thought, then. Destruction at it's height- we are in for a rough road to the Hells, Lady."