
Ria had been a bit dzed while gazing upon Ain, but she was slapped back to reality when Ain met her eyes. Ria blushed just slightly, thinking he had relized she had been staring. But instead he just gestured to the snacks Ria had brought and nodded, probably as a thank you. Ria was relieved, he had not noticed, thankfully. Ria nodded back and looked away briefly, embarrassed by her own staring. Ria made a notion of the fact that Ain seemed to have a preference for the mint flavoured candies, and he also faintly had the scent of mint on him at other times. Ria usually didn't make such keen observations about people. But something about Ain made her want to pay attention.
Ria decided to keep in mind that Ain liked mint.
Time passed in silence as Ria kept drinking and eating, and stealing glances at Ain. This time gave her mind freedom to wander, and of course it wandered over to try and figure out her confusion and feelings. Ria had never experienced emotional attraction towards anyone. Physical attraction, sure. It was a simple biological reaction to want to have sex, and Ria wasn't a virgin. To her parents' horror, but they didn't know about it, yet. Only Jii did, and she had promised to keep it a secret. Ria would never be forgiven for losing her virginity to a Northener.
But with Ain it wasn't that simple. Naturally she felt attracted to him physically, Ria found many men attractive in that sense, it was only healthy, but the emotional attraction was a first. Ria barely recognized it, which was why she was confused. She wasn't sure if that was really it.
Ria observed Ain with slight confusion as Ain shook his head slightly to himself, he seemed to be in deep thought. Ria wanted to ask him what was on his mind, wanted to hear his voice. Ria could somehow imagine it, from hearing Ain's laughter and other such noises he could let out. But Ria wanted to talk to him, wanted to hear him answer her...
Ria realized she was being very greedy and sighed a bit, rubbing her neck a bit. She was a woman of her word, she would help Ain break his curse in any way she could. But it couldn't be just because Ria wanted to hear Ain's voice. That would make it too personal.
Ria finished drinking her tea and leaned back a bit, looking around her in the cabin. It was a cozy place, and really did remind Ria of home. She looked at Ain, Ria suspected he spent most of his time alone. Ria wasn't that much of a social creature, but even she needed to communicate with others to stay sharp. Under the table Ria, without realizing it, slid her feet forward a bit so they nearly touched Ain's.
"How long have you lived here Ain? If you want to answer use the same method as when showing your age."