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

[ramuhs]

[He can't help but laugh quietly as he watches her clearly enjoying that dessert so much, his hand, now free of the spoon, falling to the table.]

And do you plan on sharing?

[garudas]

[Well, now she has his spoon and hers, so...]

If you want some, you will have to be quicker on the draw next time.

[She scoops another bite of the cake, and this time, she offers the spoon to him, twisted so that it's handle first and he gets no funny ideas with it!!!]

I am only offering this to you once.

[ramuhs]

[No fun—but he just grins and takes the spoon with a nod.]

I'll be sure to treasure this rare memory.

[Another teasing grin before he tries the dessert—


And have a similar reaction, though he's more open and doesn't try to hide it.]

Wow, you really tried hard to not say how good this was.

[garudas]

[He should already know by now that she wasn't planning on making this easy for him, and that includes the spoon as well as her verdict on the dessert.

But she's already digging in for herself again from the other end of the cake.]

I tried no such thing. ... It's just... nice.

[Not too sweet. Extra fluffy.

Aaaannnd nom.]

Though, I would not be opposed to trying more of their desserts. [She breaks her eyes away from him and stares out to the distant skies.] ... Another time.

[ramuhs]

[Hmmm. He catches that meaning, and for a moment there's a slightly brighter shine and quirk of his lips before he dips his spoon on the other side of the tiramisu.]

I'll keep that in mind—though I may have to come up with another alias.

[garudas]

Oh?

[Benedikta leans in just a little closer, as if he might have a secret to tell her.]

Are we expecting that something will happen to the Donnelley's after the night is over?

[ramuhs]

[An amused grin as he leans in a little closer.]

Let's just say... We may be returning from a vacation. For an anniversary. Assuming nothing happens out at sea.

[So if she's wondering why this particular balcony had some extra flowers and embellishments—yeah he stole their dinner.]

[garudas]

[She wasn't wondering about the flowers and fancy embellishments before, but she had been curious to who these fancy, rich people were. She's pieced it all together now, and she sits all the way back with a laugh, her foot twirling with amusement on his lap where it still rests.]

And I suspect you aren't looking for anything to happen out at sea?

[ramuhs]

I would rather we have nothing untoward happen.

[A knowing look.]

However should there be a stray breeze to send us somewhere to extend that vacation, well.

[A small shrug.]

More quality time for us, hm?

[garudas]

A stray breeze...

[She echoes the words as if she has to think about it first, buying herself a moment to scoop a bite of the tiramisu, and she lets it melt on her tongue.]

I'm sure I could figure something out. [Before he can say anything more, she adds with a light roll of her eyes:] And don't worry. I'll be gentle.

Next time, you only need but ask, Cidolfus.

[ramuhs]

[He might have thought to say something, but he just grins as he scoops another for himself.]

But it's more fun this way.

[And a more mischievous grin as the hand that hadn't left her leg slowly traverses up it once more.]

Sending coded messages...subtle hints to anyone but us.

[garudas]

[Her eyes do flutter just a bit at his touch, but she otherwise keeps her demeanor unchanged.]

I didn't say we couldn't keep things quiet.

[She prefers them that way anyway. Lips quirking, she pokes at the cake, but doesn't take a bite yet.]

Simply that should you ever require another set of names, a stray breeze could always find its way.

[ramuhs]

Then I will keep that in mind.

Alternatively, we try to make new ones for ourselves, but I fear we're not quite as established for that yet. Something to consider for the future at least.

[And he's taking another scoop—]

[garudas]

New ones for ourselves?

[She's going to sneak in with her spoon and scoop some right off of his instead, and she quickly takes the bite before he can protest.]

And if those names get themselves into trouble? We just keep finding new ones? Or...?

[Does the infamous outlaw have another idea on his mind?]

[ramuhs]

[There's just the arch of his brow at that stolen bite before he just rescoops another and quickly puts it to his mouth. Nyeh.]

Then we just don't get in trouble.

[A grin and a wink.]

Unless you prefer we gain a more infamous notoriety.

[He's lived that once, he's not really so bothered to do it again, really.]

[garudas]

[It's fine. She got her bite, and she is enjoying it immensely.]

There is something to be said about a little bit of thrill.

[Not that she would mind either way, but it should be remembered that—]

But subtlety is my specialty. There will be no getting caught, at least. Or have you forgotten all that training?

[ramuhs]

[A low chuckle.]

Not at all.

[And he's going to look at her before he's reaching out with his spoon to actually brush it over her lips, swiping some cream that was on her before he pulls it back to lick it off. Yum.]

Something to look forward to for the future then.

[garudas]

[She doesn't flinch, doesn't back away, doesn't even move except for the subtle part of her lips when he brushes the spoon over them, and there's a very small peek of her tongue as she licks away what he didn't get on the insides of them.]

You've made quite the outlaw and businessman of yourself.

[There's one bite left of the cake, and she has no shame in taking it before she sets her spoon down and washes it down with her wine.]

I admit, I am intrigued to see what you come up with.

[ramuhs]

[And he will let her have that scoop, having already received his final taste—for now. So he just sets down his spoon and lifts his own glass, swirling the remaining contents for a moment.]

Have a bit of experience, that's all.

[A wry grin before he finishes his glass.

Whether one should take pride in it is another matter, but such is the way of needing to survive and accomplish one's goals of rebellion against social norms. Granted here...he's just being a thief, plain and simple. But since he was never a fan of nobles, he's not bothered by it.]

And now—

[He glances at his watch on his wrist.]

I think it's about time we made our departure if we want to catch that showing.

[garudas]

[She'll finally set her leg down as she throws back the last of her wine.]

So soon?

[Except she's already adjusting the fur scarf around her shoulders, looking towards the door.]

We haven't even been brought the bill yet.

[ramuhs]

[And now there's a more devious gleam as he starts to grab his gloves and put them on, pulling out a slip of paper from the inside of his suit jacket pocket before he stands.]

I have it covered. Just play along.

[And then a ring ring of that bell~]

[garudas]

[Her brows arch at him, curious as he rings that bell, and taking that as his signal, she rises to her feet, adjusting the bottom half of her dress so that it falls back over her legs again before the waiter comes rushing in.

"Yes, sir? Is everything alright?"

And oh, Benedikta is going to play along alright, as she moves towards Cid, grabbing his hat on the way and plopping it on his head before she's slipping an arm through his.]

[ramuhs]

[An amused glance when she gets his hat and plops his head, but he'll be holding her arm snug against his side as he looks at the waiter.]

Dinner was great, but time slipped past us and we're now running late for another engagement.

["Then the payment—"]

Just send the bill to this address.

[And he will just lightly smack the paper against the young man's chest, who is a bit startled and flustered by the sudden turn of events.

"But—"]

Appreciate the fine work, by the way. Hope the clean up won't be too hard. [Clap on the shoulder as he starts to tug Benedikta forward, signaling for her to walk, and with purpose.] We'll come again another time.

[And he'll give her one final signal—a small buzz of his levin as he circles his thumb against the palm of her hand, and old one to have her subtly use her wind. Hopefully with that and his words she'll get the hint.]

[garudas]

[She lets him do all the talking for once, Benedikta listening and watching the waiter through sharp eyes. She tries not to laugh at his confusion, but as she's dragged out, the paper slapped against the poor boy's chest, there is the slightest hum.

And he really should not tease her with his levin like this, but she takes the hint, and she understands. As they leave the waiter behind on the terrace at a very clipped pace, they can hear his shout as a wind blows right through the hallway and to the doors that then slam shut behind them, leaving him outside.

Whether that was his intention or not, what's done is done, and her laughter echoes through the corridor, drowned out by the slam and the sound of the breeze.]

Clever. And so the Donnelley's will receive the bill for the anniversary dinner they never had.

[ramuhs]

[Cid just laughs as her idea is more than what he expected, but also just exactly what they needed.]

A bill that won't be paid for or sought after for a while, so we'll have some time yet to enjoy their "perks." Such as that opera.

[And quickly down the hall they go towards the lift.]