Alysia was well aware of Hanzo's sudden and recent displays of trepidation. His behavior, as far as she was concerned, was heading from kind of irrational to downright bizarre. Still, while she had no particular enmity toward him, she was innately suspicious and traditionally disinclined to trust those who tended toward the stealthy-killer persuasion. From her point of view, the fact that Hanzo was fearful meant that he expected them to be at odds at some point.

So it was with a great deal of surprise that she recognized him making his way through the snow blanketing the grounds, some sort of box held behind him in what she privately considered a miserable attempt at disguise. It occurred to her that if he really was that scared, he might try to remedy the situation by removing the source of his fear. Immediately uneasy, and now assuming he was trying to conceal some sort of weapon narrowly tailored to her weaknesses, she drew her soulsword and headed for the foyer as his knock sounded at the entrance.

Alysia flung one of the double doors open, grabbed Hanzo by his shirt, and kicked the door shut before shoving him against the entrance with the edge of her blade held to his throat.

"Hanzo," the Priestess purred. "What brings you here?"

"Charming," Alysia breathed. "I'm amused that you think a gift could buy your life, if your life was something I sought to end. It's not." At the moment, she thought. She inclined her head with wry acknowledgment and stepped back two paces, lowering the sword.

"However, surprises have this funny way of making me nervous. Why don't you pick up the box?"

"Gods and demons, Hanzo, what did I ever do to you?" Alysia offered what might be considered a disarming smile and made a show of sheathing her sword. She took the box Hanzo held out, shaking it, holding it up to the light, sniffing it. She didn't make eye contact with him until she'd finished a cursory examination of it, then she held the box out and stared at him.

"If you swear this won't explode when I open it, I won't kill you." The Priestess remarked in a smooth contralto.

Alysia held the endorphin-releasing teddy bear, looking it over and listening as Hanzo explained. The box didn't explode. Neither did the bear. Neither did Hanzo, for that matter, and that was surprising.

She wondered if the cuddly plush worked for demonspawn. The Priestess could think of a few more productive and interesting ways to release endophins and relieve stress, but Hanzo was nervous enough as it was. She didn't think he was in the mood to appreciate her suggestions.

Hanzo glanced toward the window. "That snow's getting nasty.. but staying here.. Miss Skye.. would you be sparing enough to not kick me out in this white out. I wonder if I can spend the night here without waking up from some bad nightmare. So.." He turned around sharply and asked for permission to stay the night.

Alysia thoughtfully put one hand on a leather-clad hip, still holding what he'd referred to as 'that atrocity'. The stuffed bear dangled in her grasp. Her storming, fire-red gaze flickered toward the stairs, and she nodded once before turning back to Hanzo. "I suppose so. I rather suspect you'll have disturbing dreams, but I'd rather not have the death of a guest on my conscience. People might talk."

She smiled crookedly, showing the points of her fangs. "Come on. I'll show you where you can stay."