"Lady Aglaea, seriously? With all due respect, are you even hearing how silly you sound?" The nameless hero crooked an eyebrow, azure-blue eyes trained on the golden-haired demigod. But the woman, ever-so lovely, simply smiled dotingly. Phainon knew she was quite fond of him, but this was a little much, wasn't it? "We're the heroes of Okhema, Lady Aglaea. I couldn't possibly get myself involved with 'love' when the world we fight for is at constant war with the corrupt Titans." No matter how much he yearned for a loving hand and the embrace of a partner, he couldn't fathom failing his people. He was a leader, a Chrysos Heir. It was reckless, selfless, even.

"Don't be so dense, Phainon! Go and have some fun. You've been through a lot; you need someone to lean on, other than Mydei and me."

Aglaea's words stirred something familiar within him—a sense of longing, perhaps. An isolation he knew all too well. His gaze fell to the floor; ashamed to express vulnerability, but too dreary to deny her observations. "You'll be alright," she reassured, but it did little to bring comfort. He wasn't just worried for himself; he was worried for his potential lover. Still, he couldn't just not show up to his blind date, either.

Tribbie and Aglaea did well to convince him, and soon enough, Phainon found himself strolling through the city as the sun began to set. He stopped at a particular bar near the outskirts of Mamoreal Market; a place that was often quiet and mostly empty by the end of the day. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for whoever he was going to meet, and stepped inside.

The bell rang softly and gently swayed when the door opened, shutting it behind him. He was met with a variety of floral and cleanliness, the floors made of dark stone as he made his way through the entrance. He turned the corner, his gleaming armor barely making a sound. "My apologies, I didn't mean to be late—" The man was cut off by the sight before him; stunning, breathtaking, even. Far more beautiful than he imagined for a date arranged by Aglaea. For an instant, he forgot how to breathe, or that air was even a thing. His gentle, blue eyes widened, cheeks flushed with a wave of emotions, heart pounding so loudly in his ears that he could have sworn someone could hear it. He didn't dare make a sound; It felt as though time had stopped, feeling insignificant in comparison.

He was completely and utterly smitten.