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

Entry tags:

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

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Another thoughtful hum as he eyes her before he reaches up to pluck that cigar right out from her fingers to extinguish in the nearby tray on the sill next to the bed.

His arms then encircle around her, hands sliding over her back and sides, teasing her chest and hips.]

Well when you put it like that...

[He leans up, lips brushing against that exposed neck of hers, sweetly kissing it...

...

..........

Before his fingers dig into her sides, tickling her.]

[Well. She likes where this is going already, a laugh turning into a sigh when his lips find her throat again...

...

....

But then her whole body jolts suddenly and violently in his arms with a scream when his fingers dig into the more ticklish spots in her sides. Her legs kick and her arms flail, one hand struggling to get his hands out from around her while the other presses to his cheek and pushes.]

Cidolfus—! Stop!

[And when that doesn't work (before she even finds out if it works), she'll yank the pillow out from under him and smack him right over his face with it.]

[He busts out laughing when she screams and starts kicking and flailing.]

Told you you wouldn't like it!

[Even when she grabs that pillow he just laughs beneath it, but he will finally let go as he feebly makes an attempt to push the pillow back.]

[She's going to smack him with it one more time before she allows him to move it, her face creased with displeasure when she comes back into view again.]

That isn't what I had in mind.

[And he's still laughing about it!? She stares down at him in disbelief before grabbing both sides of his face, grumbling—]

Shut up.

[—and kissing him to make him stop.]

[And he knows it is, which is what that smirk will say before she's grabbing for that kiss. He will still chuckle against her mouth, but his arms will go around her for a proper embrace, a hand sliding up against the back of her neck and threading through her hair as he finally gives her a proper kiss in return.

But there is still some breathless mirth when he pulls back slightly.]

You said, "try me." So I did.

[And there is still some ire when she pulls back slightly, despite the fact that she remains close.]

And I thought you meant carrying me out of bed anyway. Not... that.

[Tickling.

Why did the thought of saying it out loud feel so strange to say?]

I see you haven't forgotten where.

[A bit of a smug smirk.]

There's not a place I have forgotten.

[As if to prove his point, he deliberately runs his finger over a sensitive spot on her back near her shoulder blades where her wings usually form and releases a strand of levin to dig into her muscle and nerves.]

[Her shoulders tense one second at the feel of that tingling heat and then relax the next with an exhale, as if all of that ire had been chased away by a single ribbon of his lightning. She allows herself to bask in the feeling for as long as it lasts, feeling it burrow right into every thread of her nerves. If she had any tension before, it's certainly gone now, and she falls away from him to lie against his side again.]

You owe me that drink now.

[She'll unhook her leg from his finally and give it a light nudge with her foot, telling him to get up.]

[His eyes watch her as she reacts, that ripple of satisfaction tempting him to do more. But then she's rolling onto his side, and in turn turns to face her, not quite leaving yet.]

Allowing me leave now, are you?

You had better move quickly... Before I change my mind.

[She traces a finger down his chest and his abdomen, allowing her nail to scrape over his skin in a gentle line.]

Besides... I will not let you go very far.

Well you've certainly made yourself convincing.

[A light grin before he drops a kiss on her cheek.]

Just be a mo'.

[And he will finally move to get out of bed, taking a moment to roll his shoulders when he stands (and giving her some free fanservice) before he saunters over to the desk. Specifically the space between the back of the chair and the wooden frame that serves as a bench of sorts against the large windows, the moonlight casting fully down on him so he can see fine enough to slide back the door of the compartment that serves as storage within that bench and pulls out two fine wine glasses.]

Red or white?

[He already has a guess, but never hurts to be sure.]

[She stares up at his figure anyway when he stands, watching how his muscles ripple and flex all across his back as he stretches out his shoulders, taking full advantage of the deliberate show.

But a "mo'" is too long for her, she thinks, and so at his question, she kicks the sheets away from her legs and drags herself out of bed, her knees still a bit wobbly but not enough that she can't pad after him and wrap her arms around his waist when she reaches him at his desk.]

You should know by now. Always red.

[He should have expected she wouldn't wait, but he glances at her in pleasant surprise all the same, barely containing the amused huff of laughter.]

I thought so, but never know. Might change your mind.

[He then pulls out the bottle he had already prepared and sets on the desk with the two glasses....

Before turning to grab her by the waist and set her on top of the desk. It's completely barren, as if deliberately kept clear of even his pens and paper that would otherwise normally be there.]

[Well, that surprises her, but she is light and easily placed down on the desk all the same, and its lack of any organized mess does not escape her notice. She does wonder if it was a deliberate choice, knowing that they would be returning here, or if it's because it's simply new enough that there was not much of a mess to make yet...

She just gives him an arched brow in response first before her gaze moves away to follow as her fingers run over its polished surface, the wood feeling thick and heavy and rich beneath them. It reminds her of the desk he had in his Lord Commander's chambers that she so loved to stretch across as he tried to work.

...

Yes, the cleared desk was definitely deliberate, she thinks.]

Not even a single scrap of paper. I'm shocked, Cidolfus.

Still new enough.

[A wry grin as he watched her, noting how she observed it all. Now whether he actually really did have plans or just planting ideas to tease her with, who's to say... But he's always been open minded.]

Haven't had much time or need to do much work overseas.

[And pop goes the cork as the sound of the rich, deep red liquid pouring into the glass soon fills the air.]

[She'll snatch up the first glass for herself the moment he's through with pouring it, but she'll be polite and wait for him to finish with his.]

Really... What with that nose of yours always stuck in your parchment or in books? [She tosses her head back.] Always did annoy me.

Perhaps I just wanted to tidy up before your arrival.

[Once he finishes pouring his glass, he moves so that he's in front of her, one hand leaning against the desk as the other holds his glass between them.]

We can always make a mess of it later.

Mm...

[She raises her glass to his and taps them together gently, her eyes returning to meet his.]

We need to break it in first before we can do that. Maybe after this glass, if I'm still feeling generous.

I'm sure I can find ways to encourage that generosity.

[At this point he's just cheating with this card, but his hand near her leg turns to slowly slid down from her rear to her hip, brushing her with some levin as he takes a sip of his wine, eyes never leaving her.]

[Oh, he is definitely cheating right now, and right as she goes to take that first sip, she instead has to brace herself with a hand on the desk, fingers curling as she leans back upon feeling it. Fucking Founders, he is going to wear her out...

... And she isn't going to mind.

It still won't stop her from giving him a pointed stare over her glass as she brings it to her lips again, using the drink to hide the way he'd snatched the air straight from her lungs.]

Put that lightning away. I am trying to enjoy my drink. And I would at least like to see the ship before you do any further encouraging.

[A low chuckle as he just lightly slides his finger over her inner thigh before he does a little playful tap of his fingers and finally pulls away, giving her a break.]

Think you have enough patience for it?

[Smirkity smirk smirk before another sip of his wine.]

I don't think you do.

[Considering he's the one doing all the teasing.

But when he pulls his hand away, she reaches out to take it back, a slight look of displeasure on her face as she firmly sets it back down where it had been on her thigh.]

You really don't want to show off your fancy new vessel to impress me?

[He's just going to arch a brow at her as he looks at his hand and then to her.

Uh huh.

Uh huh.]

I do. But I can always give you a private tour...and just seems a waste when I already have you right here.

[Just teasing her more.]

[She's going to pretend she doesn't notice that dubious way he's looking at her and drink her wine.]

What exactly does one of your "private" tours involve?

No one on the ship for one. Perfect for exploring secret places only we would know.

[A wink before he takes another sip of his wine.]

But you can see whatever part you wanted.

[There's nothing really to hide nor anything she couldn't find out on her own if she wanted, so might as well just show her. Especially since he has her as listed as a member of the crew.]

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