”Thank you, that’s nice to know” Erythreus was flattered by the offer but couldn´t help but wonder she really meant it. He couldn’t shake the comparison with his ex that refused to vanish. There were many similarities between the women both gentle kind and blonde, making the world a better place, both too good for him. Serena, even just thinking her name hurt, had also offered to be there when things got rough. When the lights in his sometimes dark world fainted. She was maybe his biggest heartbreak yet. He´d imagined their life together and even though they had had their differences and tough times the aspect had always believed it would make the stronger. However she hadn’t shared that vision he was just a project someone she could fix. Perhaps it was the same with Penelope? The blonde hadn’t known him long enough too experience him in his worst, and it wouldn’t be fair off him to kill the light in this girls eyes to with his darkness. It was safer to stay away, easier to choose the sassier one night stands than to potentially ruin both of their lives.

Erythreus stopped himself, now he’d let his mind drift away again. The diviner had only offered him a safe haven not a life together. She was probably not even interested in him that way. He pictured her kind of man someone very different from himself. Hell he didn’t even know if she had found her special one already.

”Sounds like a healthier pastime than mine” he scuffed. ” Maybe I should try it” he joked. The ancient aspect wasn’t exactly up to date with all electronics of this time. He didn’t even own a computer. The guard teased him for being a dinosaur when he needed help with the tech. Phones were toe easy to locate so he barely used those either.

”Why would it be easy” he sighed rolling his eyes and cursing Venetus for touching and gifting his belongings. ”Sure it somewhere to start” Ery agreed even though the aspect doubted the ring would have found its way back to the archives in the short time it had been gone. With his luck it wasn’t even in the country and guarded by some fairytale monsters and cursed. He followed Pen silently amazed of how the corridors changed shape soon her command.

”I don´t think so I think it needs physical touch to read the person and morph into the shape that pleases them” He hadn’t worn the ring himself so he wasn’t sure, it had mostly laid in a box in his drawer awaiting the right woman t give it to. Maybe it had more unrevealed powers. Should they try to find the woman selling it to him in the first place instead? He didn’t even know if she was still alive and could barely remember anything about her. 

Penelope observed him closely, noting the fleeting shadows that flickered across his face as he sank into his thoughts. Curse her keen eye; it often picked up on emotions others tried to hide. Though it was clear he preferred silence at that moment, she silently vowed to always be there when he was ready to talk. After all, she had walked this path before, with only the support of Wyatt, her father's mentee, guiding her through the storm. He had become more than just a friend; he was like a brother to her.

With a playful grin, she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I can definitely come up with a long list of healthy-ish pastimes. Let’s be honest, though, turning down unhealthy food? That’s a challenge I’m not sure I could conquer!" Her light-hearted laughter filled the air, a welcome break from the weight of solitude. It was nice to have someone nearby; she had almost forgotten how lonely being a guardian could be. “So, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time? If you don’t mind sharing, of course.” Her curiosity piqued; she knew little about him or the other aspects besides Malva. In truth, she often wondered if the others even knew she existed.

This was the part of their interactions she cherished most, the wonder that danced in the eyes of even the eldest beings she had encountered. The Archives held a unique kind of magic, and as she glanced over the myriad of rings, her lips pressed together in concentration. “Probably not in the no go danger zone, then,” she mused, her attention caught by a giant book that floated gracefully toward her. She raised her hand, flipping through the pages, captivated by the secrets within. “What makes them special?” she asked, her eyes scanning the text eagerly. “Some rings are crafted through magic, others by hand, some by blood, or even wishes. The methods can be unsettling, but you’d be surprised at how helpful they can be when searching for a ring.”

“Does it have a base form it shifts to when not worn?” she inquired, tapping the book thoughtfully. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Ah!” she exclaimed, skipping over to one of the glass cases. She pulled out a ring, her excitement bubbling over as she approached him. “This isn’t yours, but it’s definitely a cool one!” With a broad smile, she took his hand gently, sliding the ring onto his pinky. As it settled, she traced her fingers along the band before stepping back, her expression one of pure delight. The ring hummed softly, and as Penelope closed her eyes, the world around them faded away.

In an instant, they stood together in a realm of blackness, and with a flourish of her hands, a magnificent castle rose behind her, surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. She was clad in a flowing princess dress, while he donned shining knight's armor. 

When she finally opened her eyes, her smile radiated joy as she twirled, the scene transforming with her movements. “This ring lets you create your own slice of paradise, if only for a little while.” she explained, turning the sky to a deep night, where stars danced joyfully overhead. “Though I imagine you’d prefer to spend as little time in the Archives as possible.” Her laughter faltered slightly as she realized she might have veered off course, potentially annoying him. With a sheepish smile, she moved to turn off the enchantment. “Forgive me. I can get easily sidetracked. When someone visits.” 

Erythreus loved Penelope’s mischievous gaze but got more reserved when the blonde asked him about his pastimes. It wasn’t a secret that the aspect of death had been spiraling lately, his booze intake high and his female conquests endless. He’d always had an addiction personality. Easily hooked on all kinds of stuff like love booze adrenaline. Things that slowed his always spinning mind grounding him made him feel like he wasn’t useless. However what all had in common was that when the affect wore of he found himself back with the self hate and insecurities. The chaotic male didn’t want to reveal this to Penelope, even though she most certainly knew he doubted that his escapades had gone unnoticed even by a girl hiding in the archives. Ery didn’t think know why he was afraid to share his sad hobbies. He’d come to a point where he barely acknowledged others disapproval. The kind diviner also didn’t seem like someone who would judge him. Maybe she would feel sorry for this manboy who had lived more than a thousand years but still couldn’t handle his feelings, which would be even more terrible.

”I like making music ” he surprised himself by saying. When was the last time he had played any instrument or sang.

“I actually don’t know” he admitted. He’d only bought the ring from a strange old woman at a flee market a long time ago not asking any questions. He’d been appealed by the silver band with a big blue sapphire star with a diamond in each corner and could picture it on the woman he was dating turns finger. The aged woman had said some cryptic things about it bending the perfect ring as it was every woman’s dream ring. She had probably referred to its ability to morph but it was nothing he had frowned upon then. She had also said that it would remind the bearer of the good times during hard times. Ery had later understood that it meant that the ring saved the happy memories for its owner. He described the ring to Penelope doubting it would help them give the ring. Was it an ancient ring that was described in one of the books or was it just someone who had put a spell on their ring to give it its powers?

”Wow” the aspect looked around his new surroundings. Was this the supernaturals way of playing VR games only the illusion was way more convincing than any human invention. He could only imagine how humans would kill for this ability to live in their fantasy only their imagination setting the limits. “Escaping my reality is always welcome even though I probably shouldn’t admit that and consume my duties any more than usual”