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The door to the apartment slammed tight. It wasn't often that Aten was in a rush, but when he was, boy could that imp move.

Osiris gave a shrug of his broad shoulders and kicked off his boots, leaving them right in the middle of the front door. The hybrid had no idea how long Aten would be, or when little Rhys might arrive home, but he was told to make himself comfortable and that was what Osiris intended to do.

Padding his way in to the kitchen, Osiris got his glass of wine that Aten had poured for the two of them just before he whisked himself away to go buy the rest of the dinner ingredients he needed in order to feed his family. The two were normally like a couple of moms, gossiping over a glass of red wine while the kids ran about and played, but this time around Osiris was kid free, and he had planned to spend the day just hanging out with his mate one on one for a little while. But the poor tiger boy must have been running himself ragged. It wasn't like him to be so discombobulated. Osiris was a touch glad he had come over to distract the poor dear from his worries, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel he was a part of the problem.

Taking his merlot, Osiris made his way in to the living room, swirling the dark liquid around in his tall glass before sipping it as he made himself comfortable on the couch, lounging a touch like someone expecting someone to walk in any moment that he had intended to seduce, glass raised in one hand to keep from spilling. In truth, this was just how he preferred to lounge, as 'sexy' as some others might perceive it, he just did it because it was comfortable for him.

Osiris watched the clock, listening as the little hand ticked by second by second ... surely someone would arrive soon.

Osiris sat up the instant he heard a woman's voice call out. He had been positioned in such a way that he couldn't see the door if it opened, and he probably should have had the courtesy to sit up properly as he waited for someone to come home.

"Hello, my apologies if I seem as if I am intruding." Osiris' voice was a bit deeper than Aten's, and as he stood up he was even a head taller, making him seem almost like a giant in comparison to Cassie, and with his dark colours ... it just dawned on him now that he probably seemed a bit shady, especially with that pose.

"I am Osiris." he gave a small bow, keeping some distance between them so as not to make her uncomfortable, not so much as spilling a drop from his raised glassed. "I'm one of Aten's friends. He invited me over for the evening for a little R&R, but he had to leave suddenly to attend to an errand. You must be his lovely lady Cassie. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, I have heard so much about you." Osiris stood tall once more, extending a hand to offer it to her, allowing her to close the distance if she so pleased.

Osiris brought his mouth down to kiss Cassie's hand as she met him half way. Good. This was good ... hopefully things would go a bit more smoothly from this point on. The man offered the fallen a small, smooth smile before gently releasing her hand. He had been about to gesture to the couch to ask her if she wanted to sit -- in her own home no less -- but the fallen was already settling on the arm chair, causing Osiris to give a soft chuckle.

"Shall I grab you some wine while we wait?" She wasn't quite what Osiris had imagined Aten's partner would be like. He had expected someone a bit more sophisticated and ... well, less. Like this. But the mystery seemed to intrigue Osiris. He had to admit he was more curious about Cassie now that she was entirely different from what he figured would be Aten's type, and even more so about what qualities she possessed that had captured Aten's attention and affections so readily. Almost as curious as he was about Aten's Smolder that he frequently ranted and raved about. "Aten poured one for himself, but he didn't get a chance to drink from it before he had to leave. I could grab you that one if you'd like? That way I'm not poking around your house anymore than what makes you comfortable without Aten around."

Osiris made his way in to the kitchen, scooping up the glass of wine that had been abandoned on the counter, a small smile forming on his lips at the fallen's questions. "Yes." he said plainly. "I'm a single father of three."

The hybrid returned to the room, his long strides quickly bringing him back to Cassie's side as he resettled on the couch even though he wasn't hurrying. He gave the woman another small smile and offered her the wide and stout glass. It was more of a brandy glass, but Aten had been less afraid of Rhys smashing it than he had been the more expensive, top shelf glasses that Osiris had one of in his hands. Osiris promised not to set it down once Rhys was home, just to be sure no accidents would happen.

"Aaw, that's not true. There's plenty worthy of desire in this household. It very much seems like one of love, care-freeness and fond memories. What is not worth stealing in such a place?" Of course, he was teasing her, but he was also being genuine.

Osiris let out a low chuckle, allowing his geistly tail and tendrils flicker with his amusement as his tiger stripes flickered with his amusement. "If I truly wished to, I'm sure I could find a way. When there's a will ... " The man smiled then, raising his glass to Cassie as he teased her back before taking a sip of his wine.

"You're an awfully lucky woman to find someone like Aten. He's practically super dad. I heard you guys have more children on the way. It always sounded like your little Rhys was a complete handful. From what I have seen of him he's quite the colourful child. Full of life. I hope he keeps that spunk through his later years. It will serve him well, I am sure. Otherwise he's a great kid. You lot have done a great job raising him. I can't foresee him getting in to any trouble. Well, with the law ... not with bruises and scrapes."

Osiris could feel that Cassie was still edgy with him. He was trying to help her unwind simply by filling the silence with conversation, but the man could tell it wasn't entirely helping. "I'm sure Aten will be along soon." He attempted to reassure her. "Don't worry."

"Ah, yes. Smolder -- Aten's childhood beau." Osiris nodded at the mention of his name. "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, no. I had hoped to meet him this evening. In truth, this is my first time over to the house while other people besides Aten have been here. I'm rather curious to meet the entire family, and with three more children on the way ... I'm rather impressed. The fact that you and Aten managed to imbue three stones on your own? Your feelings for one another must be quite deep indeed. I admire that sort of connection. I've only ever been able to partially imbue a single stone. Two of my children are partial imbues, and one adopted. I've never experienced love myself." Osiris placed his empty wine glass down on the side table next to the couch, his glowing markings slowly starting to simmer down as he finished that thought. Having never experienced love didn't really bother him, but the idea that perhaps he was incapable of it did give cause for Osiris to brood over the subject.

"Yes," he began. "Count your many blessings, my dear. You have a blessed and wonderful life." The man smirked then. "Even if some nights are sleepless over worry and fear your son might just spontaneously combust."

Osiris couldn't help but to laugh at Cassie's romance comment. He knew full well what she was talking about -- or rather, had some idea. Osiris had often times stumbles on to Aten waiting to pick up Rhys from school and found him leaning against various poles or fire hydrants or sitting on benches reading sappy and sexy harlequin books. It was actually how Osiris had first met Aten, looming over curiously with a quirked brow and asking him how the read was. Poor Aten had jumped so high in his skin and flushed with embarrassment that he had been caught reading the books in public, then tried so desperately to keep his cool and quiet reserve. But Osiris had seen right through to Aten's squishy soft center on the first day.

"Yes, I will have to make note to check in with him on that once the children are a bit older. Do you think Smolder's upset he couldn't imbue stones, or relieved?" he asked curiously. "From what I've been told it seems like his little Rhys is more than what he could have handled alone."

Osiris crossed his legs and leaned against the back of the couch. "My kids are 'take-home' kids." he wasn't sure he cared for that term. "I'd rather keep my kids close. I don't think I'd feel comfortable ditching them at the Academy to be raised and grow there when they have a parent who can care for them just as well. The caretakers have enough on their plates. If every parent was dropping off three or more children to live out after-school lives there ... I imagine they'd run out of dorm and bed space quite quickly. And have their caretakers all be immensely burnt out."

"Yes," Osiris agreed, nodding his head. "I'm curious to see what happens as the future unfolds before us. With the grimm, nixie, and now all the daydreams having appeared ... I can only wonder how the rules will change as their cultures impact Below's more mainstream societies. I wonder if any other races will slowly be sifted in ... the worlds are vast. I can only begin to imagine what sorts of mysteries lie just beyond the horizon."

Osiris finished his glass of wine at long last and got to his feet to return it to the kitchen. "It is good to hear that Smolder is already with it, then. I do not know if I would do well in a triad. The dynamics of one are very fascinating, especially with so many children in the mix. I admire you all for it. It is definitely not for everyone." The hybrid rinsed his glass under the tap and gave it a quick wash before tucking it away again on the special shelf Aten had pulled it from.

"I know that you are just about to have three more, but do you think you'll ever have anymore children, then? You're all still so young."