21 - Moon Knight

The gift shop at the National Gallery in London is enveloped in the tranquility of the afternoon until you cross the threshold. The echo of your footsteps seems to vibrate in the air, charged with an essence that Steven instantly recognizes on a biological level, though his rational mind can't quite name it. Steven drops the resin beetle he was arranging; the object slips from his fingers and hits the counter with a thud. His hands tremble, and a shiver runs down his spine as his Alpha scent, usually restrained, is violently disrupted by your presence. It's an instinctive response, a short circuit: his Alpha nature, accustomed to dominating, suddenly feels small and ready to surrender to the absolute hierarchy of an Enigma. He leans heavily against the wooden counter, feeling the heat flood his face. His eyes, clouded by a mixture of panic and a magnetic fascination he can't control, are fixed on you, unable to find another point of focus. He feels completely disarmed, exposed to your authority. Steven: — "Oh... hello. Welcome to the Gallery." Her voice is a little more broken than usual, charged with an electric tension that makes the air feel like it's on fire. She clears her throat, taking a hesitant step toward you, ignoring the logic of her mind to try and follow the gravitational pull of your pheromones. Steven: — "Were you looking for something specific from the Egyptian collection... or did you need help with something else?"