escordvi | closed ⚡🪶 i've landed next to you

[Benedikta is hardly ever one to pass up on the opportunity to dress up these days and, of course, with Cid with her, she would not pass up dressing him up either in this supposed theme that the casino has taken on. Some "western" thing, as they called it, though this is far from what people west of Valisthea might have worn, she thinks. All the plaids and the belts and the hats... Not that it is a terrible thing. Really, this is more for her own enjoyment. Seeing the men walking around in those outfits only made her want to see him in them instead so that she might savour that particular view when she had no interest in the others.

And might as well blend in while they are at it.

So, after splitting up to pick something out, she heads back to the ship to get changed. And perhaps to touch herself up a little more. Or, a lot more. If there is one thing she enjoys, it is surprising him and making an entrance, if only to see his reaction. That, and she is absolutely dying to see what he had chosen for himself... after she'd dropped several hints on the sort of things that she likes.

They agreed that they would meet again in an hour at the entrance to the casino, and she is not a minute too late. She is dressed in a light green "saloon" dress with a purple rose accent, as they called it, with her corset tied up and the top buttoned just far enough to hide her pendant beneath her collarbone. One side of her hair is neatly held back with the red hairpin he gave her, with matching red lips.

She stuffs her pocket watch back into her dress, the chain draping down her front, as she searches around for him in the lobby, which is far more crowded than it had been when she left the place. Much, much more crowded. Now that more ships have docked, people have begun filtering in to see the sights. It does not help any that so many of them seem to blend in, making it harder for her to spot a man—her man—in clothes she has never seen before.

Already, she's starting to get a touch frustrated, and as she walks closer to the edges of the hall, shoving her way through the people, she begins to grumble under her breath.]

... I said one hour, Cidolfus.

[Just as she's grumbling under her breath, a familiar but low rough drawl will reach her ears.]

Now what's a fine, young lady like you wandering around here all by your lonesome.

[That's a mouthful.

In any case, she will see a man with his head slightly lowered, wide brimmed cowboy hat obscuring his face with a cigar hanging loosely from his lips as he leans against the post of what is supposedly a "saloon," or tavern for this Western themed part of the casino. But there's the slight tilt of his head up, bright green eyes gleaming with amusement as he looks over at her.]

[At first, her frustration gets the better of her, and as she keeps walking, she turns to snap at the man.]

I am looking for—

[But it is a voice that she recognizes for the shiver that it shoots down her spine only moments later, as he lifts his chin, and she spots that familiar glint in his eyes. The gall of this man, one day he is going to get himself blown off the edge of a leviathan, but today, her breath catches as her gaze slowly roams down and then back up, only to do it again as she drinks in the sight of him.

She is all for making an entrance, but he certainly can, too.

When he is not spouting cheesy pickup lines at her. He is so going to get smacked for this later.]

... A handsome fellow of my own.

[There's just that quiet rumbling chuckle as he pushes off from where he stands and saunters over to her.]

Then perhaps I can make an offer?

[He'll hold out his hand to her, his normal gloves replaced with fingerless ones made of lighter leather.]

Edited 2024-08-20 14:53 (UTC)

[Her eyes flit down to his offered hand with a quirk of her lip, and for a moment, it looks like she isn't going to take it...]

I should like to hear the offer first.

[... before she slides her fingers over his, the leather of her full gloves brushing over his, and she curses the fabric for getting between them as they curl around his hand.]

[Once her hand is over his, he firmly takes it to pull her roughly closer to him.]

Well I fit the "handsome fellow" requirement, wouldn't you say?

[She had been busy staring at him still when she stumbles into him, not prepared for how rough he pulls her in. With a small sound of surprise, her free hand splays across his chest, fiddling with the button of his shirt, and her eyes move up to his hat, lingering, before they meet his.]

Mm, I would. Far more than what I was anticipating.

[A reference to his choice of clothes, as she now straightens out his scarf. She knew he already had good taste, but this is doing things for her.]

But surely you have something else to offer me as well?

[Just a mischievous smirk as he leans in closer to her, his eyes briefly trailing down that dress of hers before back to her eyes and lips.]

Quite. All of which requires a more private setting.

[And then that cocky quirk of his brows before he chuckles, pulling out his cigar to offer to her.]

However, should the fair lady wish to partake in other activities first, perhaps a walk around to see what there is to offer along with a meal and wine...?

[She is so very hard-pressed to take her eyes off him, but they wander briefly to the cigar as she takes it, pressing it to her lips and being sure that they grab his attention as they wrap around it. All the while ignoring the people glancing at them as they pass. The smoke billows out between them, filling the small space with the scent of cloves and cherry, as she breathes out a laugh.]

I could be convinced, yes. When a handsome fellow makes an offer, how could a lady refuse?

[And now is where she will break character, if only so that she can finally kiss him—]

You look very handsome indeed.

[—and then smack him lightly on the arm.]

[It's only at the smack does he laugh, his arm now draped around her waist as he sways them a bit to move them a little more off to the side and out of the bustle.]

And you look quite lovely, my dove.

[Still not done with his teasing, nope.]

[Of course he's not. She takes one more puff of the cigar and shoving it between his lips again before he can flatter her with more cheeky lines.]

I know.

[A click of her tongue, as she works on straightening his already-straight scarf again before she runs her fingers over it.]

I had my expectations, but you have soared far beyond them as usual.

Edited 2024-08-20 17:42 (UTC)

[Just another amused grin before he speaks through the cigar.]

Have I now?

[Only after another drag does he take out the cigar to speak more properly.]

I don't actually mind the style—fits well, too. Did debate about the scarf but the stylist insisted.

You have. It all fits quite well.

[Her other hand slips around him so that she can shamelessly pinch his rear.]

But I do like the scarf, and the style suits you strangely well. [She pulls back just a little to get a better look at him.] An outlaw... what is it they called them? Cowboy? I could get used to it.

[He's actually surprised by that little pinch and his body jolts a little in surprise as he looks at her wide-eyed before laughing. This bold little—]

Not sure I am fond of the term, but if you do then I suppose I could as well. Only other complaint is that it's a might stuffy.

[A light tug at the scarf and vest which are appropriately buttoned, unlike how he usually moves around with his open shirts and vests.

[She only smiles sweetly at him, stifling a laugh, at his reaction. And her hand will not move from where it remains hooked on his back pocket.]

We could fix that, if you'd like.

[A tilt of her head to one side, then the other, as she eyes his shirt.]

And I am not fond of the term so much as the look. It suits an outlaw perfectly fine.

Should I add it to my wardrobe?

[Though so far she seems to have like everything he's worn so far.]

Would it hurt to?

[She definitely would have a hard time finding something she did not like on him. As that hand in his back pocket pulls him closer. The other hand, however, goes to brush along the brim of his hat.]

Even if it is just for me...

[It'll be his turn to have his hand slide down, fingertips brushing over those ruffles and soft, satin fabric...]

Depends.

[...before discreetly slipping beneath the front to firmly grab her behind, pulling her roughly up against him.]

Will I receive the same favor?

[It is a good thing they are not the only couple appreciating each other in this place, because beyond a couple of passing stares, people hardly bat an eye at them where they hide in the shadows.

So when his hand slips beneath and her hips bump against his, she just laughs softly into his ear, and she pulls that hat of his down a little over his eyes to hide them.]

Of course. I would not ask it of you and not do the same.

[A press of her lips to his neck where she leaves a perfectly shaped red lipstick mark.]

Do you like it?

Quite so.

[A low voice with a smile against her ears.]

Almost would rather no one else could see it.

[Especially given how much could be seen.

But then he pauses, his nose brushing against her hair as he catches a different scent from what she usually wears.]

Is that a new perfume?

[The how-much-could-be-seen was for him. And it's not as if she was going to wear it for very long outside of his company... but his words in her ear do make her heart flutter just a bit in her chest. As if they could not move any closer, she finds a way, hooking her ankle around the back of his, sliding his hat down a little further.]

It is. I bought it not long ago, but I was saving it for a special occasion.

Hmm, you chose well.

[A brush of his lips and light nip of his teeth as if in reward as his hand at her hip slowly trails up, fingering the lace hidden within.]

Any other little surprises I'll find later?

[She is going to immediately regret this, but she swats his hand away.]

Yes, but they would not be surprises for later if I told you what they are now, would they?

[Instead, she takes it into her own.]

I thought you were going to take me to see the sights, and wine and dine me?

Perhaps I've set my "sights" on something else and feeling peckish to "dine" on something else.

[Just a roguish smirk as his hand shifts so that he can firmly grasp it before pulling it out to bring it up between them, lips raking over her knuckles as his eyes hold that dark, heated gleam as he stares at her with that clear look of intent.]

[Her breath catches when his lips graze over her hand, and oh, she wishes she were not wearing gloves right now, if only so that she could feel the breath of his. She silently curses to herself as she meets his eyes, her own intent shining through that attempt at subduing her own simmering heat. If she could just rip this gods damned shirt off of him—]

An appetizer would not hurt...

[They are playing a dangerous game, though, as she leans in to bring her lips to his, brushing over them lightly.]

Would not want our pretty clothes to get ruined so early in the day.

life's a gamble — diamond dust. 🎲

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