closed 🪶⚡ darling this is love, not war

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: Elah, around and about.
What: Cid & Benedikta attend a gala to steal a music box, event stuff tba later. Also NEGAAAA wisps and sad moogle friends.
Warnings: :)

Comments

music box 🎵💀

[ramuhs]

[As they approach the private estate dressed to the nines, Cid glances at Benedikta.]

This "date" of yours seems a bit unusual, Mrs. Havisham. What did you say the occasion was again?

[There is a quirk of his lips, the arm looped around hers tightening to pull her a touch closer to him.

Truthfully, he knows what her little "plan" is—or at least that there is something more to it. Earlier in the week she had told him to keep his schedule open for the weekend for a "date" she had in mind, and not thinking much of it, he gladly accepted. However, it would be later that he would happen to notice the invitations on her desk—invitations that certainly did not have their names on them. That already made him curious, but when she later brought out the formal outfits and coyly revealed they would need to use "false names" as part of the "party's theme" that happened to be on Elah, his suspicions only deepened further. Especially when this rang very familiar.

Of course, he did not question it. Whatever little scheme his wife was up, he would gladly follow along to support (and do damage control if necessary). So now they are walking up the well lit paved walkway having just been dropped off by the carriage that brought them out to the skirts of the leviathan's main capital. Ahead of them the estate was brightly lit, the chatter of guests and faint music already filling the air to give it the social ambiance befitting what is surely a grand occasion. Cid could of course have tried to look it up himself, but to allow his wife to maintain that element of surprise and control, he decided not to.]

[garudas]

[Benedikta flicks her wrist and the invitation appears in her hand as her shoulder bumps into his.]

It is a musical gala, Mister Havisham, by one of Elah's most renown music collectors.

[She shows him the invite, and it reads just that on the front, except not with their names, but with someone else's. Regina and William are who they are tonight, though she's almost slipped up a few times already. Good thing they have only just arrived.]

He wishes to show off his collection to all of his rich friends, apparently.

[ramuhs]

I see, and we've become one of those rich friends. Which begs the question why are "we" so interested in such a thing?

[garudas]

What?

[She flutters her lashes at him innocently.]

Can we not simply go to a nice party with nice music and in a nice dress and suit? Must we have any more interest than that?

[Yes.]

[ramuhs]

Knowing you?

[A knowing look before he leans in closer.]

Now, what are you plotting, my dear? I would think it would work better if I also knew what you were looking for.

[garudas]

[She gives a soft groan of frustration because how does he always know? And for some odd reason, she felt almost compelled to say that aloud before she stopped herself from that strange impulse. She brings them to a stop just short of the doors where there are men taking the invitations from those entering the party.

She steps closer, sliding a hand up his front to adjust the lapels of his coat, and she lowers her voice.]

There is a rumour that one of those music boxes is here. The one that Turo spoke of.

[ramuhs]

[There's just a sharp rise of his brows at that before he practically hisses—]

And you only think to tell this important detail now?

[No, she was actually not going to tell him until much later—]

[garudas]

I did not think it mattered right now.

[She nods to the large house in front of them.]

It is still a party. With dancing and drinks. And perhaps some other valuable things that this man does not need.

[ramuhs]

[That's not what he meant!! But he'll just release a small sigh and shake his head with a rueful grin.]

All right, tell me more once we're inside. I'm quite curious how you even learned of this.

[garudas]

[A click of her tongue as she steps closer when a few passersby look at them on their way to the door, and she sighs.]

I will explain more once we are inside, yes, but can I not just have a bit of fun with my husband at a nice gala before getting down to business? There is free food and drinks, and dancing.

[ramuhs]

Who says you can't have fun first?

[A gentle squeeze of her arm.]

Me learning what my dear wife has been up to wouldn't change that.

[garudas]

[She picks off a piece of invisible lint from his coat, casting her gaze aside with the slightest pout.]

I just did not want us to treat this like a mission from the very start. We first ought to take advantage of all the things our gracious host is offering.

[ramuhs]

[A quiet laugh as he brushes his lips to the top of her head.]

Love, even if you had told me before, if what you wanted was to enjoy the party first then all you would have had to do is say so. At least this way if we happen to see it we can make note of it later.

[garudas]

[She takes his hand and sets it more firmly on her waist.]

Please, you and I both know that once we set ourselves on a task, we see that we get it done.

[As more people start to filter in, she looks to the door and grins at him.]

Now, shall we? Before the real Havishams appear and claim that they did not already hand theirs in.

[ramuhs]

[He chuckles as he starts guiding her back down the path. At least they look like the very affectionate couple that they are.]

Hopefully knows the real ones and tries to speak with us. What did they do again?

[garudas]

He is a jeweler and she is his fancy lady wife. As in she does not do much of anything.

[She shrugs as she fans herself with the invitation.]

Just wealthy folks doing wealthy folk things, I suppose. Must be nice, hm?

[ramuhs]

[He just snorts.]

Sounds boring.

[As much as he likes to relax, he still prefers to keep his mind and hands busy with something.]

But all right, at least between the two of us we should be able to pull this off.

[He then smirks a bit as they near the men checking the invites, a bored peacock who holds out a wing.]

[garudas]

[She, too, takes all the opportunities to relax, but like him, she cannot sit still for long. Perhaps later down the line, they can, but right now, they have parties to attend and research to do. Music boxes and jewelry to steal.

When they come to the door and Benedikta sees the peacock—]

Dear gods, the idiots could at least try looking like they wish to be here.

[The peacock cocks his brow, and Benedikta gives him a strange look because where did that come from?

"I beg your pardon, Mrs... Havishim?"

It takes her a moment to get over her initial surprise before she finally answers.]

I said that we are all so very excited to be here!

[ramuhs]

[Cid will also arch a brow at the sudden comment while the peacock just staares at her before returning the invite.

"Enjoy the party. Hope you rich freaks choke."

Now it's the peacock's to stiffen as Cid's brows rise even higher.]

I beg your pardon?

[The stork that was helping with the invitations squawks and quickly grabs the peacock to drag him to the side.

"Our apologies!! Please just go inside and enjoy the party!"

Cid will just stare before tugging Benedikta forward before something else happens—]

What was he on about?

[garudas]

[It is a good thing he does, too, because Benedikta's mouth is already opening to shout a retort back at him, her hand curling into a fist before the peacock disappears behind the door. Even then, she still looks confused and offended because what had she said, and why? She had thought it, but then she'd gone and said it out loud like some stupid seagull.]

I've no idea. The fact that this man is hiring birds like that... I've never had any be so rude.

[But she straightens herself out, not wanting to let that get in the way of her having a good time, especially when they enter the foyer which is hardly a foyer but a very, very large room.]

He is not going to ruin our night, though. I may have something to say about it later, however.

[ramuhs]

Certainly, it was no way to treat guests regardless of one's personal opinions.

[A shake of his head as he continues to guide them further in the room, people already gathering around the numerous paintings and instruments on display.]

But this is quite...

[He looks up to see more instruments hanging down from the ceiling.]

...Something.

[garudas]

[Her gaze follows his up, and then up even further to... what in the world? She tries to keep her expression neutral, but there is the slightest crinkle on the bridge of her nose.]

I knew he was a music enthusiast, even a musician himself, but... that is a bit much? Why hang them?

[What good are they up there!?]

[ramuhs]

Perhaps that will be explained in due time...

[And then a low mutter under his breath—]

Or he's mad.

[Was it said on purpose? Hard to say and Cid himself doesn't notice as he continues to lead her further towards where most people are being directed towards a large ballroom further in the mansion. The hallways are similarly decorated with various treasures on display, guests stopping every so often to admire and talk amongst themselves.

While everyone is more distracted as they walk, he leans in closer to her.]

But what was that about earlier, were you really that annoyed by the guard?

[garudas]

[She thinks nothing of it because yes, she agrees. He very well could be mad. Plenty of these wealthier types with too many belongings and too much money lining their pockets enjoy showing off to their friends, and apparently, their friends enjoy looking at their things. It is a very odd cycle, narcissists patting the asses of other narcissists to make themselves all feel better. It's quite sickening, and—]

That is precisely why they make such great targets.

[Again, she did not mean to say that aloud, as she is staring up at some intricately carved violin that spins from its place on the ceiling.

Shaking the thought away with a confused frown, she drags her eyes down to him.]

I... well, I was, but I had not meant to say so. He just looked very bored. After what he said, though, I might have been ready to pluck every one of his feathers had you not stopped me.

[ramuhs]

[There's another slight confused look because where did that come from?]

You seem to be speaking your mind quite a bit tonight.