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open 🪶 the world owes me a debt, and i've come to collect.
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
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?]
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
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They leave the restaurant and out into the cooler air, and the streets have grown a touch more crowded as the night goes on, more people filtering through the fancy, almost gaudy, buildings to go wherever they need to be, most of them couples dressed in clothes nicer than hers.
She doesn't care about any of them, though.
With his hand squeezing her waist, the chilly night air brushing against her lips, and the feel of his body beside hers, some things simply cannot be helped.
So, when they are a few buildings down, he'll feel himself suddenly being pulled into the shadows and pressed up to the wall, sandwiched between it and her, as she crashes her body and her lips to his, bringing him into a kiss that is certainly not suitable for public. And definitely not the posher streets of Elah.]
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Granted he's by no means as nefarious as true brigands, his little "dine and dash" fairly tame all things considered. But certainly not something she's likely used to seeing, not with how he once held a commanding position with discipline. Yet here he is, doing just that, and it's something that he is accustomed to. While always wanting to pay his fair share to those who can't afford to lost their profits, when the needs call for it, well... This would be one of those "exceptions" he allows.
So he does wonder what she thinks...but any of those thoughts are blown away when he's suddenly pulled to the side, back slamming into the wall as her lips take him as if she means to devour him right then and there. It's surprising for sure, and for a moment he can only stand there wide-eyed in surprise, stunned. But that moment is brief, and his arms encircle her as he returns it in kind, pushing her back with as much vigor and force. Regardless of her reasons, that tension and want between them had been growing for quite some time. He was ready to wait a little while longer, but who is he to refuse such eagerness?
Eventually they part for air, their breaths a faint steam as he looks down at her with a smirk and slightly arched brow.]
Now where did that come from?
[He is also very not much minding the looks they're receiving.]
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As deep and as hungry as it is, it doesn't go on for very long before Benedikta frees him to allow him to breathe, but she doesn't dare wander far. Not yet. Her forehead presses to his, his hat all askew, and if it weren't for it being in the way, she could have run her fingers through his hair.
Alas, that will have to wait, and instead, she pulls back from him, just far enough that he can see the heated gleam in her eyes, and she can see the red lipstick smudged across his lips.]
Nowhere in particular. I just felt like it.
[She casually shrugs off his question, not feeling like giving a straight answer.
As if he doesn't already know, she thinks. He probably has her figured out already. She's been holding in that kiss since he had grabbed her by her chin and kissed her at their table. Perhaps even before then, as they overlooked the ocean from the edges of the terrace, his arms around her like they are now.
And then, he'd gone and done all of those other things that led them here. She didn't think he was capable of such things, and then he proved her wrong.
Her eyes rove over his face, and she leans back just a little further, running a cold finger over his bottom lip.]
Clean them off.
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[Just a low hum as he eyes her. Looks at how the dim lighting sharpens her curves, that gleam in her eyes, her lipstick smudged and smeared as much as his.
He leans in then, his lips brushing against hers.]
No... You do it.
[A low voice before its his turn to take her lips, roughly kissing her as he pulls her back in. His tongue will swipe over her lips, tasting the lipstick as he licks it off before he pushes between her lips for an even more heated, hungry kiss.
Perhaps this should be done elsewhere, but... To hell with it.]
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She lets him take her, lets him devour her lips just as she had done his, a soft, gentle moan keening out of her and into his mouth as she invites him in as her hips give a slight but deliberate shove against his. He tastes of coffee, wine, and himself—a tantalizing mix that she is sure now that she could never grow tired of.
And one that she might never get her complete fill of either.
It's with a forlorn sound that she leaves his lips, her hand pressing to his chest to nudge him back against the wall just one last time before she's forcing herself to step back. There's a hunger in her eyes as they move over him again, first lingering on his lips and then... lower...
She swipes a finger over her lipstick, and whirls around with only a slight pang of regret, because now it's left her flushed and hot, but it was worth it for that look on his face. And the kiss that followed.
Whoops. There were definitely some people staring.]
Come, my dear. [Her voice is oozing with a thick sweetness as she takes his hand instead to pull him along.] You did say we were in a hurry, didn't you? Wouldn't want to be late.
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No... Though now I'm considering changing plans.
[He lets her pull him, falling step beside her before he pulls her arm to him so that they're once again looped together, hands still entwined as they walk towards the carriage stop.]
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[She tut tuts at him, taking pride in the fact that she could make him even consider it. That she could still have that effect on him. And maybe some part of her is glad that she could rub it in. Remind him of what he left behind all those years ago.]
We wouldn't want to let the Donnelly's hard earned money go to waste.
[To be honest, she doesn't know which way they should be going nor how far this opera house even is, so when he takes her arm and loops it together with his, she lets him lead her down the street, her eyes taking in the sights of the town.
It is, admittedly, very nice, like a more upscale version of the nicer parts of Oriflamme where the wealthy lived. She'd only been there a couple times, though never for long enough that she could enjoy it. And this was five times better.
Ten, if she counted the view right next to her in her peripheral.]
Where to anyway?
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I suppose. But just to that carriage stop over there. Bit of a walk so thought this would be better.
[As he makes plans to make her regret that decision—
Curious as he is himself about the opera and wanting to let Benedikta experience something new, something he himself hasn't really done himself, either, it's not something so important to him so he wouldn't actually mind skipping to the real highlight of the night...
But fine, he'll be patient.
And so he leads her to the carriage stop where people come and go and a few empty ones stand waiting on reserve. And it will be one of these that he goes to, greeting the coachman and showing the reservation slip.
It's an open carriage with the roof completely pulled down at the moment, and once the door is open Cid will hold his hand out to help her step up like a proper escort.]
After you, my dear.
[A cheeky smile as he looks at her.]
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...
Before she simply climbs in on her own, flashing him something of a smirk before her back is to him.
And once she's seated, she pats the spot next to her.]
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And here I am trying to spoil you a little.
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You don't think the dinner was enough?
[And there's a gentle lurch of the carriage as they begin to move once the coachman is sure that they are both safely settled in.]
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Not when I planned for the whole night.
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I thought it was just dinner and the opera?
[—and grabs his arm so that she can slide it around her shoulders, bringing no attention to the fact that she would like him to keep her warm besides that single gesture.]
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Still one more thing.
[...And takes her hand.]
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...
... but rather than do that, she simply lets it be, her fingers tensing only slightly before they relax in his hand as she watches the buildings pass them by.
One more thing...? She has a feeling she knows where it will all lead, and while she can't say she protests to the idea when her skin is tingling under the heat of his body—]
If this is just the first, then you'd better be ready for these raised expectations for the next.
[A pause.]
You won't tell me what it is, will you?
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I can tell you that it's the last one and not so extravagant.
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[She turns her gaze to look at him, the glint in her eyes playful.]
I hardly think anything will be as extravagant as that. Except perhaps this opera, if this part of town is anything to go by.
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The opera may best the dinner. But that is precisely why I think something a little more relaxing is in order to help balance things out.
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There is no such thing as "relaxing" with you.
[Teasing? Or the truth? Yes.]
So we will see.
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I'm sure we'll have some relaxing time later.
[Just a smirk before he laughs. And it's a careless laugh, one that sounds lighter, as if he's really enjoying this time right now.
Because he is.
It's a simple thing just them riding through the streets in his carriage and not really doing much, but it's nice and exactly that: simple. He can only hope that she might be feeling some of that, but at least for him there's that little light feeling that lingers throughout.
And so they continue, the opera house just a few more blocks away and coming into sight as they turn onto the street that leads right to it. They can see it at the very end, the building as extravagant and boasting elegance as one can imagine for one, especially in Elah where the arts and theatre are favored compared to any other place here, perhaps even in their own world. The streets are brighter and bustling here, the stores lining the streets a mix of luxury goods and souvenirs for those who visit. It takes them a bit longer due to the slow down, but they eventually reach the stop. The coachman opens the door, and Cid hops down. At first he looks up at Benedikta with a wry look for a moment before he extends his hand out to her to help her down. And with her hand still in his, he'll reach in his suit pocket to produce the payment for the fare.
What, he can pay for at least something on this otherwise outlaw date.
From there they follow the stream of people entering the building, the tickets handed to the staff taking them. Upon noticing they were in private box seats, the rabbit woman's ears perk up and she smiles, telling them to follow the heron who would guide them to their seats. As they walk through, they are able to take in the sights and decor of the opera house, which is as elegant and luxurious as one expects.
Again they will take a lift until they reach the top floor, where it is much quieter. There are only a handful of box seats here, with some already occupied and others not but reserved, until they reach the very end. It's not the largest, with a short hallway leading to the only two seats at the balcony overlooking the stage and the a small bench behind with a tray of light refreshments, including a pitcher of water and glasses. Once settled in, the heron bows his head and pulls down the large, thick dark curtains, allowing them some privacy.
Stepping up to the railing, Cid can't help but look over. Although they were on the topmost floor, they were somewhere in the middle on the side, which still made for a good view.]
...This is a lot more than I expected. And these aren't even the most expensive seats.
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For all the teasing and taunting and back and forth that they have done tonight, it's hard not to notice the rising tension between them. An invisible hot coil that is being pulled tight, and with his body pressed to her side and his arm around her, and fuck, his hand holding hers, it feels like it could snap at any moment. Especially in this silence.
It is also hard to ignore the way that her heart continues to beat like it's searching for an escape. Or how his scent carries and clings right to her. Hard to ignore that heavy feeling in her chest, or the light one in her stomach, the butterflies fluttering nonstop since he showed up on the overlook.
It's why she has been relentless in her teasing. It gives her an out. A way, and a reason, to ignore all of those things before they rear their heads again.
Just as they are now.
At some point, her eyes grow more distant, her mind elsewhere than on the fancy shops and stalls and the extravagant opera house at the end of the street. It's only when they lurch to a stop that she snaps back, Cid's voice rumbling in her ear before he's hopping out, that lack of warmth felt immediately that she pulls her scarf tighter around her shoulders.
She does arch a brow at the payment, having expected that this was another one of his schemes. No, it was a legitimate ride paid with legitimate coin. Well, at least he has some money, she muses to herself, as he leads her in through the doors. And she has to admit, the building is nothing short of impressive—its lobby boasting high ceilings with golden trim, the floors lined with plush velvet all the way up to their seats, and even those are soft, as she runs a finger over them once the heron is gone.
She glances at Cid at the edge, and she sneaks up beside him, her fingers looping over the rails to look out at the auditorium across, below, above... There's still so much to see that she's feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all... in a strangely good way.
Strange because it's uncomfortably unfamiliar. And she never liked the unfamiliar.
Granted, she's never seen anything like this in all of her travels, so could anyone really blame her for being in a bit of awe at such architecture?]
A shame.
[Her voice is low, languid, with a hint of teasing edging it still because she needs it there.]
The night is ruined.
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Unfortunately not even my talents could pull something to that caliber.
[He leans in closer to her so that he can lower his voice for only her to head before he nods to said seats that are filling in with their proper occupants.]
Councilmen and the top members of Elah's society right there, and all of them never missing a proper showing like this.
[He then tilts his head slightly towards her, grinning a bit before he reaches up to take that fur shawl of hers.]
Besides, it's better this way. They may have the best seats, but not the most privacy.
[Indeed, the walls are much shorter there, as if to encourage socializing between them.]
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Already, he might be able to smell her perfume as her neck is finally freed, a floral scent mixed with hints of vanilla—something softer and more subtle than what she normally wears. A new one, no doubt, that she had "bought" specifically for tonight... but he doesn't need to know that.]
Whatever do we need the privacy for?
[Benedikta lowers herself onto the loveseat made for two, surprised at how soft the cushion is under her that she almost sinks right into it before she catches herself.]
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In case we become interested in something else other than the performance.
[Said with a playful gleam in his eye.]
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Because he's said something far more interesting—]
And what's that? [She tosses her head back, her hair tumbling away from the sides of her face and her neck.] I did see some drinks back there, if that is what you mean.
[No, she knows perfectly well what he means, and there's a very not-so-subtle heat that sinks between her legs.]
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