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

[vermilloci]

[ She worries her bottom lip for a few moments after, and then lowers her hands. It seems Benedikta is... amused? At least, she appears not too concerned. Perhaps such an injury would not have killed her.

Rem isn't sure if she should be relieved that she's fine or allow herself to feel pride with Benedikta's praise. ]

I guess I didn't pass that round, I didn't. [ Her smile is apologetic and shy. ]

[garudas]

[Benedikta stares down at her, watching with some scrutiny masked beneath her smile.

But soon enough, Rem will feel her finger tapping gently beneath her chin to lift it.]

Confidence.

[She cants her head the other way.]

That is what you are lacking. Had I been a real enemy, would you have managed a strike?

[vermilloci]

[ Her chin lifts with the other's touch beneath it. Impossible not to meet her gaze, now. ]

You're not an enemy.

[ --Not as judged by the Dominion, not as judged by Class 0's dear "mother". Not as determined by the Crystal. And so, it's not stubbornness with which she says this, but rather conviction. Although in terms of missing the point, she's doing it intentionally to skirt around an actual answer. ]

[garudas]

[Benedikta clicks her tongue, her hand coming to rest on Rem's shoulder briefly before she pulls away.]

Hypothetical, my dear. If I was...

[Taking a step back, she brings her sword up and gives her the lightest poke in her stomach.]

I'd have gutted you into next week by now if I were with my blade. Why hold back?

[A pause.]

Don't think I could handle it?

[vermilloci]

[ Rem keeps her free hand raised, palm open, even as the tip of the other’s blade indents into her abdomen.

”Don’t think I could have handled it?”

… ]

…It takes more than that to subdue a Dominant, it does?

[ With “that” meaning a knife to the thorax. ]

[garudas]

A Dominant?

[Benedikta's brow arches, her sword dropping back down to rest in her opposite hand. There is a sudden change in her demeanour then, like someone has taken her edges to a whetstone and sharpened them.]

We are humans, just like anyone else. Poke us in all the wrong places and we bleed. It is our Eikons that people must worry about subduing.

[An uncomfortable shift of her weight between her feet.]

Granted, if one can control it, then there would be no need to try.

[vermilloci]

[ So the vessels of the Eikons are no more or less human than anyone else.... is what she's taking from this. The shift in Benedikta's stance doesn't go unnoticed.

But with the other's blade withdrawn from her stomach, Rem finally lowers her hand. ] I, ah, definitely don't wish to fight your Eikon, I don't... [ Still looking at Benedikta, she crouches down to pick up the knife she'd dropped. ]

[garudas]

[She relaxes a bit—as much as she needs to given their situation—and sighs.]

I pray that you will never have to.

[For everyone's sakes.

The last time Garuda had awakened, Benedikta could not control her, and she'd destroyed an entire section of the Aery... among other things. As much as she thinks her powers necessary to survive, she has plenty of reasons to want to keep the Eikon chained down as tightly as possible here... lest she lose control of her and meet the same fate. Again.

There's something melancholic in her eyes as she takes Rem's hand again, adjusting her grip gently on the dagger. Not because she is holding it wrong, but because it's something to distract herself with, to stop her thoughts from straying too far out of her reach.]

Garuda does not discriminate.

[vermilloci]

[ In which case, Rem would not want to test her. That, and she's learned that it takes a toll on the dominant's life each time they prime. Best to avoid such scenarios outright.

With Benedikta's assistance, Rem's fingers curl around the handle of the dagger, holding it more securely, and this time, in a way that speaks to having held a dagger countless times before. ]

I'd rather be on your side than fight you, I would.

[garudas]

[Satisfied, Benedikta frees her hand.]

I very much doubt she would give anyone a say if it came to that.

[The sound of her nails on the steel of her sword can be heard, but there's a pause, her grip loosening just so as she cants her head.]

Why did you ask?

[vermilloci]

It's good to know who I'm up against, isn't it? [ A pause. ] And it goes beyond knowing another's strengths. There are things in this world that can change our personalities, making friends attack friends. Up against a Dominant... I'd have to run, I would. [ Rem looks away. ]

So... I yield.

[garudas]

[Sharp eyes are locked on Rem's, ears trained and listening carefully. This girl...]

And that is why we've no choice but to strengthen ourselves. In the event that any one of us prime, there are few places that you could escape to where an Eikon might not find you... should they be so inclined.

[It isn't even just about them, though.]

Not to mention the hundreds of cowards and cutthroats who reside on these islands.

[She gives a pointed look to the men fighting nearby.]

You should not have to yield to me. Or anyone.

[vermilloci]

[ Her shoulders rise and then fall with a breath, and guilt briefly flashes across her expression. Benedikta sounds so... earnest. Had Rem any pride in her abilities, she would insist that she isn't as weak as she's letting on. But. She's also not here to prove anything in a world where she has no natural enemies, and it's not as if she wants the other, random people in this tavern to also know she's adept, either. Underestimation is as good as any tactic for survival.

Maybe... she can try to prove to Benedikta that she doesn't have to worry. It's never good to have another worry after her. ] I can protect myself. And I... can become stronger. That's all I'm trying to do.

[ Rem meets her eyes again. ] Let me at least show you. I'll challenge someone else to this game.

[garudas]

[...

That draws the slightest quirk of Benedikta's lips after several beats of silent thought over Rem's declaration.]

Well. If you're sure you're ready.

[She won't stop her or stand her Rem's way if she is, and she'll even step around and give her a light, encouraging nudge between her shoulder blades as she looks around the crowd.]

That one there seems like he might be a good target.

[It's a younger man, taller and more lean than some of the other larger brutes. Easier to snipe with a dagger rather than a sword that Benedikta points to.]

1/2

[vermilloci]

[ At the tap upon her back, Rem stumbles forward a bit out of surprise. It's been a while she's had an encouraging pat on the back! It reminds her of... her classmates, and the encouragement they've often give each other before combat. Reassured, Rem turns her head, giving the other a small smile.

But now it's time to choose her victim sparring partner. Looking to the young man that Benedikta indicates, she nods. ] Him...? He seems eager, too.

[ It won't take much convincing to challenge someone who looks like he wants to prove himself, too. Without another word, Rem walks over to the man. From across the room, Benedikta won't be able to see Rem's expression as her back remains turned, but she will be able to see how his head dips and raises as he gives her a once-over and a casual smile, clearly assuming she's approaching him for another reason.

The smile fades as Rem's arm raises to the side, gesturing as if inviting him away from the wall against which he leans, and the man's eyes widen in surprise before he bursts into laughter. Rem's arm returns to her side, then disappears as if crossing in front of her, her stance stubborn, but-- exaggerated. The young man continues to laugh, but there's a brightness in his eyes, attention completely charmed. Rem appears to say something else, and, reaching out to him, her hand lifts to touch his forearm, fingers sliding down his arm to grasp his hand, giving it a playful tug. Now amused, and more than a little intrigued, the man's eyes roll as his shoulders rise with a shrug, and, at last, he acquiesces to her request with another chuckle.

Finally, she turns. She's smiling as she leads him by the hand to the edge of the circle where two more contestants finish their spar. Another is dragged away.


Rem releases the young man's hand, and the two turn to face each other. Rem lifts her small dagger. The man has a similar weapon. A bystander calls the beginning of the match.

The man twirls his weapon in his hand. Rem keeps her distance, stepping back. ]

[vermilloci]

[ ...and she throws her dagger into the top of his knee.

The round ends as he howls in pain, dropping to the ground. The round ends, and Rem steps back to Benedikta's side. ]

Um, I... don't want to stick around here.

[ One spar is more than enough. She doesn't want to give away anything more than that. ]

[garudas]

[Benedikta watches Rem approach the boy with intrigue, but the look on her face shifts to what can only be seen as disgust as the boy gets the wrong idea. How he teases her, charmed as he is, because she can only guess the sorts of things he's thinking in his head. That a girl as small and timid as her would be an easy win, and perhaps she's reading it all wrong... or perhaps not. She's half tempted to blow him off his feet when all this is said and done. Or before, but she'd rather let Rem have the victory all on her own.

So, she shoves her way to the front of the crowd, pushing people aside so that she can get a good look at what's going on. And she's glad that she does, because it starts and ends quickly with a dagger right over his knee. And when he yowls and falls to the ground, while many of the people stand there shocked, Benedikta barks out loud with an echoing laughter.

When Rem returns to her side, she sets a firm hand on her shoulder.]

Excellent work. He didn't see that coming at all.

[She preens with pride, never thinking that she would ever be impressed by the work of another girl... but here she is, encouraging her, and feeling oddly protective as she sweeps a wind over the boy, as if he hadn't suffered enough. All manner of dust kicks up as he searches around for Rem, forcing him to close his eyes, and the two of them can make their quick escape through the crowd.]

That was quite the aim you had.

[Once they are away from the audience.]

[vermilloci]

[ She... hadn't know what to feel when the spar would be over, but regardless of its outcome, when Benedikta places a hand upon her shoulder, she feels-- not... comforted, no, that's not the word. Assured. Similar to receiving praise from a CO, but far more personal. She did good. She did good, and someone acknowledged it. Had she continued to feign weakness instead, it wouldn't have resulted in praise. Proving herself by this much, however, did.

Maybe she needn't pose as demure, after all...?

Despite herself, she smiles shyly as they walk out. ] A-ah... thanks. [ AW SHUCKS THIS IS WHAT COMPLIMENTS TO DO HER. ]

I, ah, don't think I have what it takes to be a true 'corsair'-- [ If poke-n-prance is actually supposed to be fun. Which Rem doesn't think it is. ] --...but it was nice to prove myself in this way.

[ A pause, and then she adds a bit more quietly, sincerely: ]

It was nice to know that you were rooting for me.

[garudas]

[...

It is one thing to receive these sorts of words from Cid, and even then, they often render her speechless. It is a whole other thing to hear them from, well... anyone else. It was nice? Benedikta had done something that someone else thought was nice? Those are words she has not heard in a long time from the likes of another human being. Not her King, not Cidolfus, not even her men in the Intelligencers would say something like that to her.

So, it's her turn to awkwardly fumble with her words, her cheeks flushing and her clearly not knowing what to do with herself.]

It was nothing.

[It's grumbled under her breath, her lips pressing together in a forced frown, as if she has this certain image to uphold. In a way, she does. She can't go about getting soft around these parts.

Clearing her throat sharply to rid herself of the lump that grows there, she straightens out her figuratively ruffled feathers.]

I think you make a fine Corsair.

[vermilloci]

[ It's not so much the words themselves, but the manner in which Benedikta says them that causes Rem pause. Rem glances at the woman, catching the other's expression just before she looks away. She may grumble, she may sound reluctant, but there is no dismissal, no abrasive tone. Understanding is reflected in Rem's eyes-- because she's familiar with this sort of reaction, the kind that comes from an experienced warrior with a hardened heart. She hopes, however briefly, that one day Benedikta will allow herself to fully accept the gratitude others offer her for her help.

For now, Rem allows herself to cherish the warm, proud feeling that wells in her chest from this interaction. ]

Thank you. Coming from you, that means a lot, it does. [ She replies quietly as they walk.

It's late, though, and the street is becoming more crowded with the residents of Nogard hopping between taverns for their next drink and dangerous games. Rem looks off to the side, then back to Benedikta. ] Until next time, then?

[garudas]

[Once again, she finds that her face has grown too warm, and she can't bring herself to look at Rem. What does she even say to that? She has no idea. Any compliments she might have been showered with came from the mouths of lecherous men, not from a girl who reminds her far too much of herself when she was that age.

Small and hopeful and so very underestimated.

So, it's something of a relief when she offers the parting words, and Benedikta gives a little nod.]

Yes. Until next time. I'll see to it that your prize gets delivered.

[What will Rem do with that much coffee? Who knows.]

And... [A pause. A very awkward pause.] Do be careful on your way home.