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

[He's also not so quick to pull away, her scent, taste, and warmth, so very tempting, so he is quite eager to return that kiss that he owes. Eyes gleam for a moment as he answers not with words but with rougher kiss, pushing her back more against the wall. As if in reward, his tongue will find hers, paying that debt along with a bit of interest and promise for more before he pulls back just enough so he can answer.]

Well enough.

[A light tease with a smirk before he steps back to look at her.]

[She rewards him with a soft moan into the kiss, a keen as her body arches into his when he parts her lips. If they did not have more to do, it would have been a no-brainer. She would have been happy to just find an empty room, and she is so very tempted with all the doors surrounding them, but perhaps a victory will make it all that much sweeter when they are finished.

When he steps back, he'll find her looking just a touch dishevelled, her dress askew and her hair a bit of a mess. Her chest rises and falls with stuttered breaths as she looks him over, his own clothes a bit out of sorts from where her hands had roamed earlier, the sight of it making her eyes darken.]

You'd best be careful.

[As if she is not the one who had started it all. Pushing herself away from the wall, she reaches over to straighten his jacket for him.]

We've a job to do, Cidolfus. Do try to keep that in mind.

[He in turn will straighten her dress...though he ensures that his touch leaves traces as he does, even when it goes to her hair to brush it out.]

Oh I haven't. In fact I thought I was doing quite well.

[A smirk, implying she was the "job."]

[It's her turn to brush back and straighten out his hair, and her hand comes down to rest against his cheek when she's finished.]

You are ever the expert, as always.

[A knowing grin before she looks around, the keys jangling lightly around her finger.]

And now it is a game of which door will be the most fruitful...

Well we know the servant came out from that door and then went through that one, so I'd say no to either of those.

Should we take the obvious?

You mean the big, fancy double doors at the end of the hall?

[She closes the distance between them until their hips touch. ... Just in case someone else comes out of any of the half a dozen doors they are surrounded by.]

I think we should. A bedroom, perhaps?

[Her hand slides into his, taking it.]

Mmm, I'd wager the bedrooms are on another floor so they can better see their property.

[When she takes his hand, he pulls them so that her arm loops through his to bring them even closer and better allow them to speak quietly.]

But there must be something grand if they make it so extravagant.

Pity. [A dramatic sigh.] I would have liked a bed...

[As they walk together down the hall quietly, she eyes the other doors that they pass.]

Could you keep watch while I try to unlock this one? [She eyes the keys in her other hand, doubt pulling her brows tight.] I may need to try the old traditional methods...

[He glances at the keys before giving a nod.]

Do what you need. But if it takes too long we should try elsewhere.

Please. As if I would take long. Have you so little faith?

[She reaches up into her hair and pulls out a pin that had been holding some of it back behind her ear. It falls free, tumbling into place as if it had never left it, and she hands it to him. It may look like a pretty pin, but it is most certainly a lockpick as well.]

I always come prepared.

[A slight arch of the brow before he takes it, examining it.]

Should I start buying you lockpicking hairpins as gifts instead of the fashionable kind?

[Said in jest...but also serious contemplation.]

Who says that they cannot be both practical and fashionable at the same time?

[She motions to the one that she's placed in his hand. Case in point.

But she'll start working the keys into the lock, trying them one at a time. Some fit and then don't turn while others do not work at all, and so she'll eventually beckon to him with her fingers.

Meanwhile, there are footsteps approaching, and Benedikta nods to him, and then down the hallway.]

Nothing, but it would mean I'd have to go to a different store for it.

[A quiet chuckle as he glances down the hall and then back at her to watch for a bit. But seeing that she's having difficulty, he quickly hands her the hairpin while stepping out to see if he can get a better view.

She'll get one warning tap when those footsteps closer. Unfortunately, there's nothing for them to hide where they are, so they'll either have to feign ignorance if caught or she has to get the door open before someone comes by...!]

Shit—

[She shoves the pick into the lock and starts to work it, her ear pressed to the door to listen for telltale signs that it's working. With some jiggling and prodding, and perhaps a bit of magic to help, she finally does get it unlocked, the click loud as it echoes through the hall. She throws it open just far enough for them to fit through and slips inside first, but...

"What are you doing? Guests shouldn't be sticking around in this hallway."

A woman's voice comes from down the hall as she stares at Cid. A maid of some sort, if the way she is carrying some laundry is any indication of it. Fortunately, she is oblivious to the fact that the door is open behind him. Even luckier that it is not the same one that had passed him before.]

[As Cid shields Benedikta by subtly stepping in front of her and turning his gaze towards the maid, he gives an exaggerated sigh of relief as he hurries over to her.]

Thank heavens! I got a bit lost trying to find someone who could help me. You see, my lovely wife has been wanting peach flavored drink, but unfortunately everything here is alcohol...

[A subtle glance at the maid. Hint hint.]

Edited 2024-12-15 05:24 (UTC)

[He'll feel Benedikta nudge the side of his leg that is out of view with her foot before he departs.

What does he mean by that? Is he implying that she wants juice like some kind of child!? Of course she wants peach wine.

"Oh..." She looks at him, confused for a moment, before it dawns on her. "Ohhhhh. I see. Well, in that case, I could show you our selection of teas that will certainly help her with any discomfort she might be feeling. And they say it is very healthy for babies."

Benedikta nearly chokes.]

Edited 2024-12-15 05:47 (UTC)

[His smile just widens.]

Aye, that'll do nicely. And perhaps some food that would be easier on her. Still in the early stages, you see, so she is a bit...sensitive.

[And just going to walk closer to the maid who will turn back around to walk down the other end of the hall.]

[She wishes that she had a drink right about now to wash down the sputter that she feels coming, threatening to give her away before Cid can get the woman far enough that she won't hear her disbelief. There is a scoff, however, and she has to bring a hand to her mouth to stifle the urge to hiss at him. Well, at least it's working—she won't notice if Benedikta closes these doors, but she can't bring herself to.

If Cid looks back, he'll see her blonde head poking out from behind instead of hiding, her eyes narrowed at him in warning as a light wind brushes past his cheek.

"Ah, that is so sweet of you." The maid does blush a little as she leads him out into the hallway. "Is there anything that she does like?"

And as they approach the end of the hallway, the door creaks slightly as she pushes it further open. She waits until they've gone around a corner before she quietly steps out to follow them, her feet as light as feathers wisping across the floor.

Benedikta peers out from around the corner, and she hopes that he cannot sense her presence lingering.]

[Feeling that wind, he glances back and just tosses her a wink before focusing back forward.]

My darling has particular tastes these days. Cherry tomatoes, small fruits, crackers, and tiramisu are mostly what she can stomach.

[He's really making her sound like a little bird.

And yes, he knows she's following but he's going to pretend otherwise, finding this all so amusing.]

Edited 2024-12-15 05:59 (UTC)

Why must you always make me sound like a bird...

[She grumbles under her breath, turning the heads of a couple nearby that she ignores as she walks past them.

As they are led through the people mingling and passing in the hallway, Benedikta uses them to shield her as she walks, leaning up against the wall when she thinks they might glance back, and then continuing to pursue them.

"Oh, how delightful. We do have some tiramisu as well as some other desserts available. Some crackers will certainly help settle her stomach, too." She motions around a corner where she will guide him, the hallway opening up into a smaller dining area, and the kitchen is just on the other side.]

That would be greatly appreciated, thank you. I tried to tell her we could skip this grand function, but she insisted that we appear.

[A low, resigned sigh.]

You see, I'm a bit new to the business world here, and we thought it would be a good opportunity to meet and make some connections...but I didn't want to push my love to something that could be stressful for her. And yet she was so adamant, encouraging me and not wanting me to fall behind.

[A wistful, fond smile as he can feel the maid's eyes looking up at him with admiration.]

Truly she is too good for me, so I only wish to offer the best comfort I can while we're here.

[She continues to follow, her ire being stoked as he makes her out to be some sort of delicate little lady. As if!!! And yet, in spite of that, she feels her heart fluttering and her chest growing warm at his words, because even if so much of this is a lie, she knows that there is some truth to it, because she has heard it before.]

You...

[Muttered under her breath as she wanders around the table in the next room while they wander into the very spacious kitchen.

"That is very sweet of you. She must know how lucky she is..." Colour tints the maid's cheeks. "But I wondered why I did not recognize you. You seem like the sort of person I would if I have seen you around before."

As Benedikta peeks around the corner again, she makes a face at the woman, only to hide away when they stop.]

[A quiet laugh.]

You flatter me. I'm still trying to work the ins and outs of it. In fact, if you don't mind, do you think you could spare some help? Tips or things you may have heard that I could use?

[He gives her an innocent yet charming smile, one that looks so friendly and perhaps even a little hopeful.]

[Stop flattering him! That is her job!

More peeking around the corner though, because she heard his question, and is interested in the answer.

"Well... I have worked for this household for a while now. I know most, if not all, of the people at the party tonight. What exactly are you looking for?"]

Then if you don't mind...

[Cid will proceed to ask a few basic questions, such as how the host was able to earn his own wealth and business. This is always a good start as a loyal servant would be happy to share such flattering stories, even if they don't spill any secrets. Which is fine for Cid, that's not his real target. With the maid's guard lowered, he continues with his questions. Who are some guests he should consider speaking to leads him to a number of names—including Danos and his wife. He asks for more information about them and their appearances, mixing Danos in with the group.

This leads to the topic of trends, Cid seeding in the idea that his business is related to shipping, and while not much, the maid does mention that certain products are popular nowadays. A new line of perfume in particular, and she refers back to some of the names mentioned earlier, including Danos.

With the food now prepared and armed with more leads and something to work with, Cid bids her thanks for the assistance. She asks him if he needs help returning, and he waves her off, saying he knows exactly where he left her. And there's perhaps good timing as another servant is calling for her.

So with a friendly wave, he'll slowly turn around to start walking back....]

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