open 🪶 the world owes me a debt, and i've come to collect.

[garudas]

Who: Benedikta Harman & you.
Status: Open.
Where: All around.
What: Oops, all MANTA stuff. And a not-date with Cid.
Warnings: FFXVI spoilers, foul language, suggestive content. The usual.



🗡️ i. bite-sized blessings

[Apparently, Benedikta's ears are looking quite delectable to one small, pink dragon today. This is why she hates Eltrut—half the time she comes here, no, a majority of the times she comes here, there is always something. A goose, a conning healer who sends her out to do his grocery shopping... Today, it is a small pink dragon that has bitten her ear and tries to do it again. She's attempted to swat it away, walk it off, but no matter how fast she moves, it follows her and nips at her, or finds joy in playing with her hair.

Fool her once, shame on her. Fool her twice—]

You little brat!

[—it's managed to grab at her hair, and it pulls, before swooping away from her grappling hands with a chirp, as if it thinks this is some sort of game!?

Someone please help this woman. Or this dragon. She has yet to hear all about how this thing is meant to be returned to Elah, so if you are looking for said pink dragon, here it is.]

🗡️ ii. a steamy winter heist

[It was the exorbitant prices that drew Benedikta to the job first. The black market was always open, and she was always willing. Call it doing someone else's dirty work, if it put a good sack of coin into her pocket, then who is she to complain? Besides, it's not as if stealing something off a ship in the dead of night was difficult—she's done it dozens of times before.

The fact that it was a special sort of tea was only a bonus, so of course she would pocket some for herself... Maybe a handful. Or maybe a whole crate if she could get away with it.

Now, that is the question, isn't it?]

༄ a. getting to the ship. [Perhaps it is your lucky night and Benedikta is feeling somewhat charitable. Charitable enough that she is willing to use anyone she finds as a decoy while she sneaks in to steal the goods. Of course, she isn't about to say as much, as she stands on the docks and stares out to the merchant ship coming into the shore, its lights blinking against the darkening sky.

She has her pipe between her teeth as she almost always does before a job like this, letting the smoke swirl on her tongue before letting it billow outward.]

So, that there is the ship? [She scoffs.] She is certainly impressive.

[As large as a rich, black-market-selling merchant's ship should be. Which is why she's agreed to a "two-person" job.]

༄ b. caught red-handed. [Or, maybe she wasn't feeling so charitable.

As if being caught matters all that much to her. She's in the middle of making off with a whole crate—and the last one, too; people have been busy—of these tea bags (there must be hundreds of them in here) when she hears footsteps coming. She hardly flinches, if at all, and stands there with it tucked haphazardly under her arm while she stares the other person down with a smile before she tosses her head back.

Yep. You saw right. A whole box.]

Sorry. As they say, the early bird and all. A shame you came all this way only to come out empty-handed, but try again another night.

[There may have been a threat underlining her voice somewhere.]

🗡️ iii. poke 'n prance

[Well, at the very least, being paired up with Benedikta for a challenge like this cannot get any better... or worse than this, depending on who you ask. Having a history of torturing others means that she knows exactly where to put the sword and how much pain it will inflict. After all, when fishing for information, it is best to poke and prod it out of someone, and you can't very well gain much from a dead person, now can you?

Which is why she walks up with her own sword in her hand with all the confidence and arrogance of a pretty peacock, her fingers caressing the sharp edge of her blade, from hilt all the way to its jagged tip.]

Now, pay close attention to where I stick you because we can only do this once. Perhaps twice, if you can withstand it.

[She smiles, so sweet and saccharine and sarcastic.]

So, consider this a valuable lesson.

🗡️ iv. coins of the crescent

[Well. What she thought would be a nice, peaceful ride out to this island to fetch some coins turned out to be... well, everything but. It had been fine for the most part, but as the island came into view through the fog, things had started to tip and tip and tip until everything went fucking tits up.

Not only did the crew start to howl and turn rabid, much like those stupid wolves she can hear in the distance, but so did the captain, and now the ship is wayward on the seas at the behest of the waves. Fortunately, she can use the winds to guide them true, but it will take a little more concentration than what she can afford as she drives her sword into the shoulder of one infected crew that lunges at her with what could only be thought of as a kitten's claws.

Don't worry, that won't kill him, but it will send him reeling to the ground wailing in pain, and she kicks him in the gut to quiet him.

Whoever might be standing near her, she will shout at them with no shortage of rage in her voice as she gives her sword a brandish, the blood spraying from her blade.]

Might anyone spare a moment to take care of them while I attempt to not crash this fucking ship!?

[Must she do everything!?]

🗡️ v. untitled goose bounty 2

[Well, this is certainly not what she was expecting to see when she arrived on Eltrut, or tried to. She'd heard sounds from above across the ship's deck first—the worried shouts of the crew and riftfarers alike. Benedikta had been enjoying the peaceful ride in her cabin aboard the Stormbringer, and had half a mind to ignore the noise and go right back to sleep...

...

Until she hears something else.

The loud, low, rumbling sound of a... honk?

Something visceral shatters through Benedikta's whole body then, forcing her to sit up when the flashbacks of those eight-headed geese attacked her not even a month ago. She rushes to her feet and then out the door, shoving people out of her way as she storms up to the deck where she beholds—]

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

[—an eight-headed(?) goose large enough that it could peck out Eltrut's eye.

Much, much larger than she recalls it being.

And she is pulled out of her reverie only by the sounds of magitech cannons being blasted off.]

I see it's come back for another taste.

🗡️ vi. wildcard

[None of these prompts work for you? Want to do something that isn't from the MANTA board? Feel free to hit up my plotting comment, or via plurk @ crystariums! I'm also around on the game discord, and PM works, too! Also open to texts/bottled messages!]

Comments

[garudas]

[Her eyes never once leave him as he wanders over in spite of herself and the colour that grows on her face. How could she look away? He is wearing a tie, of all things—something she can't say she's ever seen on him before. And the way the brim of that hat casts a shadow over his own eyes...

It's hard to not stare, and she hates herself for it.

...

But his response does raise a brow, and it throws her back to that one particular memory. It isn't a pleasant one, and it makes her nose wrinkle ever so slightly remembering it, but it disappears just as quickly, fading into light amusement because of course he would be cheeky like that.]

Long enough that I considered leaving.

[Too long, honestly, only because it is much harder to distract herself from her wayward thoughts when he isn't here to bother her and drag her away from them.]

[ramuhs]

[A small chuckle as he stops in front of her before a thought comes to mind and he reaches out to take her hand, a playful grin as he brings it to his lips—eyes never leaving hers.]

I'll make it up to you.

[A low voice, a subtle brush of his thumb against her fingertips as those words could mean many different things for them. And then with a softer look, his eyes truly unable to leave hers—]

...You look absolutely stunning tonight, Benedikta.

[Beautiful. Gorgeous. Ravishing. Sexy. Lovely. Even cute with that haughty, flustered expression of hers. Many words he could say, but he opts to be simple, choosing what he first thought when he saw her from afar and perfectly encapsulates his reaction, and will use the rest when needed.]

[garudas]

[The gesture of him so boldly stealing her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles is so surprising that the only thing that Benedikta can do is stare at him, right into his eyes locked on hers, as if he holds every ounce of her attention captive until he speaks, and even then...

Her heart skips a beat and then some, leaping in her chest so violently that she could choke, when he utters those words, so low and so soft against the back of her hand.

Stunning...

How many men have said that to her? Many, probably, but when they did, it made her skin crawl.

How many that had actually mattered? ... None. None because there was only one man who ever did, and when he does say it, she feels like she could soar.

Her lips part in a sigh, and she wonders if he can feel the way her pulse quickens in her wrist, or how her fingers grow warmer draped over his.

And that is the only reason she takes her hand back.]

And you...

[Hungry eyes masked by her light bristling roam over him again, but there is no hiding that quirk of her brow.]

You are looking rather... sharp yourself, Cidolfus.

[Handsome. Sexy. Far too charming for his own good, or hers. Dashing. And the hundreds of other things she thought when she saw him.]

[ramuhs]

[He lets her hand pull away, if only because he had already seen all he wanted to see—that surprise, the quickening of her pulse, the impact of his words.

So he'll just straighten up with a grin, fingering the brim of his hat as he tilts it a little.]

Glad you like. Bit of a different style than I'm used to, but I might get used to this.

[Not that he'd wear such an ensemble everyday, but fun occasions like this? Could be convinced.]

[garudas]

[Realizing that she's still holding that mirror, she quickly shoves it away into her clutch, praying to whatever god will listen that he didn't see that it's the same compact one that he must have slipped into her bag.]

Very different.

[Benedikta looks him over again with a scrutinizing narrow of her eyes, tucks her clutch beneath her arm, and takes a step towards him, breaching whatever space had been left. Her gaze moves from his hat down to linger on his lips, and finally, they rest on his tie.]

I am not sure...

[She reaches up with both her hands to touch the tie, adjusting the knot—]

... if I like this.

[—and she loosens it around his neck before popping the topmost button open with a simple twist of her hand before she leans back to appraise her work.]

Better.

[ramuhs]

[Too bad, he noticed from the start. But he won't say anything...even if his eyes do follow briefly.

And he will watch with some curious amusement as she steps in to fiddle with his tie...

...

A snort.]

I won't say no, but ruins that formal look a bit, doesn't it?

[Not that he's really complaining, either. Never did like going full formal even back in Waleod when occasions called for it, but he had to put up with it for appearance's sake.]

[garudas]

No.

[Just a simple answer, but she seems pleased with herself, her chin lifting ever so slightly in that prideful manner it likes to do.

If he needs to fix it later, then they can but for now, this suits him—and her—better.

Now, it's time to bring her attention to the hat, and she runs her fingers slowly along its brim, her lashes batting with curiosity.]

And the hat?

[ramuhs]

[A small chuckle as he just leaves it at that then.]

Came with the suit. But I thought it might prove useful given...my potential reputation here.

[garudas]

[Ah. Right. That. She had almost forgotten, and would have felt a little bitter about the memory if it weren't for him standing in front of her like this right now.

So, the corner of her lip lifts further with a smile, and she starts to fidget with the hat a little, tipping it up, and then back down over his eyes. How alluring...]

It suits you, Cidolfus.

[Her voice is quiet, even a little husky, as she meets his gaze before she withdraws once more and pulls back, this time with a proper step.]

Now. Let's get this dinner over with.

[ramuhs]

[He continues watch in amusement. Honestly, he had been indifferent about the hat. It was fetching to be sure, he had to admit that. Yet it wasn't something he wore before, so it felt a little strange. So to see her so taken by it make it both amusing and a little more worthwhile giving it a try, practical reasons or not.]

Maybe I'll wear it more often.

[And then he extends his arm with a knowing grin.]

If I have the occasion for it.

[garudas]

[She eyes his arm with some scrutiny, as if wary of what he implies by offering it to her. She knows, but should she take it is the question? What will he make of it, if anything? She doesn't want it to mean nothing, but doesn't want it to mean too much, either...

Because this is just a dinner. A dinner that they have both dressed up far too fancy for, and came all the way to Elah for, and she has been so bloody nervous for.

But it's just a dinner.

With a roll of her eyes—]

I'm sure you will find an opportunity.

[—she saunters around him, making it look like she might continue without him, but her arm slips under his other one as she tugs him along to the street.

An opportunity that had better be with her.]

[ramuhs]

[He half expected to refuse, and he's about to half shrug as he usually does, his arm lowering...when she takes his other one instead.

...

Cheeky little—]

Find, yes. But will I able to do so, ah. That's the question.

[A light, wry grin as he lets her tug him along before taking the lead to guide her down the walkway.]

[garudas]

You do so love being stubborn, Cidolfus.

[He would find a way and pull it off. They are here, aren't they?

And fine, she supposes she will let him lead the way to wherever they are going, but as they move, she looks around.]

Risky, coming all the way here, though.

[Not that Benedikta minds.]

[ramuhs]

Makes it more exciting, doesn't it?

[A more amused grin as they walk under the well-lit streets, the layout, style, and atmosphere reminding him more of the capital cities like Oriflamme.]

Which is why we use an alias—just in case.

[garudas]

[She arches a brow at him.]

And I don't suppose you've already thought well and hard about that?

[Though, she will admit... yes, it does make it a little bit more exciting.]

[ramuhs]

I have. Though whether you wish to remain single or married is up to you.

[A very cheeky grin, knowing how she'll respond to that audacious proposal.]

[garudas]

[It's exactly how he would expect: with a hand swatting at his chest and a very deep pout.]

What, you haven't gone so far as to decide for me? I would have thought you'd go for married.

[The impudent man that he is!!!]

[ramuhs]

[He expected the swat to some part of his body. However, the pout and then actual expectation throws him off.]

What, you'd really want to? I thought you'd throw a fit if I did.

[garudas]

No!

[No, she doesn't want him to!!! Absolutely not. What is he talking about? Don't look at her like that—

She fixes herself, bristling and huffing and straightening out her fur scarf with a sharp clearing of her throat.]

I just thought that you would have already decided that. As you like to do. It doesn't matter. We are not doing that.

[ramuhs]

[HE'S GETTING STRANGE SIGNALS but the idea of her disliking the idea and just her assuming he would do it anyway is both baffling and amusing.]

It would work in our favor.

[Just going to tease her a little.]

[garudas]

And how do you imagine it would?

[With her cheeks burning a bright pink, she refuses to look at him.]

[ramuhs]

Well, we're already a "couple," and one shared last name will stand out less than two.

[garudas]

[Ugh. Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh!!! She hates it when he's this right about something.

There's a silence that stretches on as they walk, the deliberation and her discontent about it clear all across her face, though she still avoids looking at him before she gives a sharp sigh—]

Fine.

[Though, deep down, does she really mind? Who's to say, but he will never find out about it.]

But we are not a couple, Cidolfus. [Before he gets the wrong idea!!!] We are merely getting dinner. However, if anyone asks that might give us away...

[ramuhs]

[And again, her answer defies his expectations. He truly thought she would end up going against it and he honestly would have been fine with it. So there's just an arch of the brow before a quiet chuckle.]

Well, there's an easy answer for such a question.

[That she hates.

And he says with an amused gleam in his eye as he looks at her even though she's still avoiding him.]

[garudas]

[Well, look at her go, subverting all sorts of expectations tonight.]

And? Will you tell me, or is this another one of your "surprises"?