escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[He just accepts that kiss, returning it in full. Normally he really isn't a jealous man, and he has the confidence and security to not feel much of anything with her flirting with others to get things done—certainly not where they are now, anyway. That doesn't mean he doesn't feel a bit possessive at times, nor would he really want to "share" all her charms away.

So there will be one last little nip against her lips with a smirk.]

You're always welcome to my arms should you need any comfort.

[A playful tease suggesting if she should fail he'd always be here.]

It will be you who will be needing my comfort when I devastate you with my prowess.

[One last lingering kiss, as if to remind him of who she truly belongs with, before she bumps his hips to walk past him. She grabs his wine glass on the way.]

Make sure you are watching closely.

[A low chuckle as he turns to watch her, leaning against the table.]

I will.

[Very close.

And since she took his glass, he'll just take hers that she left behind.]

[She smiles sweetly at him over her shoulder and sidles past the people at the next table, shoving them unceremoniously out of her way. There's a very pointed sway of her hips, knowing that he is watching her, as she approaches the heron. He will have to lean a bit if he wants to see, some of his view blocked by the crowds milling about and socializing nearby.

There's a small but sharp cry from her as she suddenly "trips", spilling her wine all over the front of the heron's jacket.]

Oh, dear—! Silly me.

[Her voice takes on a completely different cadence, higher pitched and clumsy. And thus, the "let me clean that for you" scenario ensues. She had several ideas up her sleeve if this one did not work, but it had never failed her before. It would seem that high society falls for it just as easily as the lowest and worst taverns in Valisthea. Of course, it is that much more effective as she pulls out a handkerchief from the front of her dress, making eyes at the heron as she does.

With a press of her body to his, she cages him against the door that he is guarding and starts to dab the front of his jacket with the napkin.]

What lovely feathers you have...

[She watches as the heron's skinny throat bobs as he swallows when she slips her hand over one of his wings and around his hips where she thinks the keys might be hidden. There is a fleeting glance over her shoulder to Cid, and she smiles at him, a light breeze brushing past his cheek as she does. Is she trying to make Cid a little jealous? ... Maybe.]

Oh, does that tickle!?

[She lets out an uncharacteristic giggle when the heron squawks in amusement and pulls his wing away from her hand, but his eyes light up with curiosity at what she says next.]

I should have known, my own wings tend to be quite sensitive, too.

[He does have to lean over a bit, sipping on the wine that has traces of her lipstick, but his arch will brow subtly as he watches. Is that how she enters, hm?

At first he watches a bit amused, wondering how the heron will react. The world is certainly a very "openminded" place where while similar races and species tended to pair together, it also was common for them to mix. And she clearly attracts other birds, as evident by how the heron continues to try and not appear flustered or interested, but from his vantage point he can see those eyes drifting.

Typical.

As was her "antics," her attempts to frisk the heron before that glance back at him. Feeling that breeze, he couldn't help but chuckle, that brief moment where their eyes meet only reflecting that amusement and silent challenge—Is that all?

So he just continues to watch, now nibbling on a kebab as if watching an entertaining performance.]

[Is he challenging her? Very well, then.

Her fingers touch something cool and small. The telltale sign of keys tucked into his back pocket. She doesn't go for them right this second, and instead she plays it her innocence a little more, trying to convince him that she is genuine when, in reality, she is rolling her eyes where he cannot see.]

Ah, I'm afraid that I might need some extra napkins to clean up.

[She runs her hand along the entire length of his wing, and she feels his body shudder against hers. Men really all are the same...]

Would you be a dear and fetch me some fresh ones from the kitchens? Little old me keeps getting lost.

[The heron clears his throat, his eyes shifting. "But my boss—"]

Oh, I am sure your boss wouldn't mind it if you helped a lady. Perhaps I will even reward you when you return?

[She tickles his wing again, making him jump with a loud, flustered squawk. Cid will see him start to walk away then, and Benedikta lets her hand slip back and away just as quickly and delicately.]

Thank you, my dear. I will be waiting... Oh, my poor dress...

[He walks away, and Benedikta turns to flash Cid another grin, and once she's sure that he won't see, she'll lift the ring of keys subtly to show them off.]

[Is she tickling that bird again? Really...

...She's never tickled him—

Thinking all that tickling may be a little unnecessary, he'll have finished off that kebab and taken another sip of wine when he sees the heron leaving and Benedikta turning to him, keys in hand. Well, he can't deny she got them, and so with a light chuckle, he'll subtly raise his glass to her as if in a toast before he takes one last drink to finish it off, sets down the glass, and makes his way over.]

I see you had some fun.

[A low voice as he discretely moves himself to obscure her from view.]

[She is already working on unlocking the door when he comes over. Trying one after the other while she lets him hide her from view before the heron returns with her napkins. Fortunately, no one else seems to be paying attention, as is the way with the rich—always more concerned about themselves than a woman trying to break into a room in one of the fanciest houses on all of Nogard.]

It was far too easy.

[She whispers back, a smile over her shoulder at him, and there's a satisfying click of the lock before she's pushing it open—]

Men are far too easy.

[—and shoving him inside, slamming the door shut behind them, bringing them into a large, dark room filled with books, the only light that of the moon shining through the tall arched windows on the other wall across from them.]

[He had looked over when he heard the lock, but was a little surprised when she suddenly shoved him in before he could register much else. But he finds himself looking around the room for a moment before he turns to look back at her amused.]

Truly, how could one resist those charms? Especially when you just tickle them?

Truthfully...

[She leans against the door, hooking the ring of keys around her finger, and in the dim light, he'll see her lips and a brow both quirk.]

I was not expecting it to be that easy.

[He steps back towards her with a smirk.]

Perhaps I should have had you go for that cat.

Not that I am complaining. I think he liked the idea of my feathers.

[She brushes her lips against his for a moment before she pulls back.]

You are not jealous, are you?

Jealous? Of a straw necked bird like that?

[Psssssssh, please.

...]

Now what do you mean "feathers"?

[The keys jingle as she brings her arms around his own neck, her fingers rubbing a small circle against the back of it.]

That is precisely what I mean. I think he was convinced that he would have the honour of seeing them. If only he'd brought me my napkins quicker.

[Uh huh.

There's just a low raise of his brows as he looks down at her.]

And if he had he would have been sorely disappointed.

[She pretends to look affronted.]

What is that supposed to mean? Disappointed in my feathers?

[She knows that's probably not what he meant, but if he would like to remind her, she would not be upset about it—]

[There's just a light chuckle at that as he leans in closer.]

No...

[And yes, his eyes do rove down towards her cleavage before he smirks and looks back up at her.]

Only that it wouldn't be your feathers he sees.

[She definitely does not miss the path his eyes take, and it only makes her preen all the more. Even in the dark, she so does love when he looks at her like that.]

And will it be thanks to you?

If you don't get to it first.

[She's careful not to let her laugh echo too much, lest someone on the other side of the door hear them. The heron could be back and looking for her, after all. At least she thought to lock the door from the inside.]

I don't know, I quite like seeing you fight in my honour. That would be quite the battle to see...

[A light snort.]

Battle? I'd fry that bird for dinner before he'd have a chance.

And miss the chance to see you pluck all of his feathers out?

[She clicks her tongue at him and impatiently looks past him into the room beyond with a pretend sulk.]

You are no fun.

[He laughs as his hands pull her at her hips to him.]

I thought you would have enjoyed that.

[She allows him to guide her closer, and she gives her hips a little teasing wiggle.]

I never said I wouldn't. But at least have the courtesy to de-feather the bird before you cook it.

[Her eyes shine with amusement as she moves them further into the room together and away from the door. She leans in to kiss him on the way.]

So you are jealous...

[He lets her lead them further in, as well as meet her for that kiss.]

Jealous? Hah. I just thought your little performance amusing, tis all.

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