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

[garudas]

Who: Cidolfus Telamon & Benedikta Harman.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around places.
What: Cid and Benedikta follow a lead and sneak into a fancy holiday party. Event stuff TBA.
Warnings: it's them, what do you want from me



🥂 🎄 ❄️

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[garudas]

[She lets her lips part, a soft purr escaping her at the sweet, warm trail that it leaves behind...

Only for that heat to suddenly cool when he calls her out. She straightens slightly, her gaze flitting away and then back.]

What plants? I was here the whole time waiting for you, as I said. Why in the world would I follow?

[ramuhs]

And yet you heard everything that wasn't discussed until after we left that hall.

[He leans in closer.]

Come now, Benna, you think you can hide from me?

[garudas]

[Her face twists, her frown going through several different emotions one after another in the silence before she finally breaks—]

I only wanted to be sure that you would not get into any trouble...! Or that she would not try anything funny.

[She bristles again, trying to shake off that pesky heat rising into her cheeks.]

I was not expecting you to start sharing with the world your feelings for me.

[She's being dramatic.]

... Did you truly mean all of it?

[ramuhs]

[His smile only widens as she sputters about, the change in her emotions quite amusing and pleasing to see. His hand now gently brushes over her cheek, as if to try and soothe and cool that heat that's grown.]

Of course I did. I have no reason to lie or make up anything about us.

[Well except for the pregnancy thing.]

[garudas]

[She leans into his touch with a weary sigh, but her heart flutters quietly in her chest.]

Are you going to be like this when all of it is true?

[ramuhs]

Oh, no.

[And then a roguish grin as he leans in close enough for his breath to ghost over her lips as his voice lowers.]

I am going to be far, far worse.

[There's a playful gleam in his eyes, but there is also something else. A kind of expectant hope, an anticipation that while he isn't really thinking or planning any of the sort to happen quickly, when the thought does come to mind it makes his own heart race and smile. A flutter of hopeful joy that is hard to contain at times.]

[garudas]

[She should have known. She should have known and yet, there's a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she's tapping her palm against his cheek in a light "smack", if one could even call it that.]

You are going to be the most insufferable man in the world, aren't you?

[She leans in, kissing him, and when she pulls back, she has a tomato in her fingers that she replaces her lips with against his.]

[ramuhs]

You mean I'm not already?

[A quiet laugh before he takes that tomato from her fingertips, lips brushing against them before he rolls the tomato around his mouth to one side.]

Suppose I need to try harder.

[And then a bite after he closes his mouth with a more mischievous grin.]

[garudas]

No, but you are going to be hard-pressed to follow tonight, that is for certain.

[She moves onto his lap, draping herself over his legs and wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a single and practised motion, forgetting or not caring where they are or that anyone could try to unlock the doors at any moment to find them where they should not be.]

I ought to be sure to punish you later for spreading rumours about me, though.

[ramuhs]

Come now, as if we'll ever see any of these people again. And we could always make it not a rumor...

[With his arms already around her waist, his lips tease her as his hands tease around her dress.]

[garudas]

[She chuckles, teasing him in return, but she does gently swat at his hand before she takes it, threading her fingers through his. She brings it up, letting her lips brush over the ring on his finger.]

In some rich man's guest room? I would very much like to attend these parties again...

[ramuhs]

Would you really?

[He watches her for a moment, eying the way her lips move over that ring that he wishes wasn't for pretend.]

Perhaps if I play my cards right we could get a formal invitation.

[garudas]

[She peppers it with soft kisses, the metal cool against her lips, before she moves along his finger.]

Your cards?

[Her eyes meet his, intrigue sparking within them even in the dark.]

And what cards might those be?

[ramuhs]

You heard my conversation with the maid.

[He grins a little.]

Suppose I actually do make some business connections here? Of course... I am not so enamored at the idea of joining hands with just anyone, and the guest list is dubious, but perhaps there could be a few names worth noting.

[garudas]

[Her cheeks flush again at the reminder of how she snuck after them like some curious, nosy mouse, but there is something to be said about those connections...]

It is not with "just anyone". It would be people with a lot of money, and even more connections.

[She huffs a laugh, and she presses her cheek to the back of his hand.]

Do not tell me you feel guilty about taking their coin?

[ramuhs]

Not guilt, more caution.

[His gaze turns a touch more serious.]

Given who all is here, I doubt you would enjoy much if I were to associate with someone like Danos or worse. The last thing we need is unnecessary complications just by association.

[garudas]

[And now she kisses the corners of his eyes, seeing that change in his expression.]

Could I not just kill them for you after we have taken their coin?

[She knows it's likely a touch more complicated than that, but... the offer still stands.]

[ramuhs]

[He can't help but laugh at that and lightly kisses her in return.]

If it were necessary.

But no, I am afraid I am done with dealing with the shallow elites and would rather not cast my lot with them if I can.

[garudas]

[She sighs dramatically.]

I suppose we could always find other ways to run them dry of their money... Still, it would not hurt to make those connections, as you said. Even with our host, who has been most gracious to let us use his rooms.

[ramuhs]

Aye, especially since we're already taking some "interest."

[A wry grin before he glances around.]

However speaking of rooms... I suppose this is some sort of guest room.

[garudas]

[She returns that grin with one of her own, though there is some warning to it. Because that is his fault—

Hard-pressed to tear her eyes away from him, her gaze lingers, as do her lips along the underside of his jaw before it follows after his. She sends a ripple of her magic through, enough that it offers them a few seconds of light before it fades like the wind that the light rides on.]

An occupied guest room, from the looks of it. Some good friends, perhaps?

[ramuhs]

[Now what did he do?? He brought her food like the doting husband he is! But he will just hum in some amusement at her affections until that kiss tinged with her aether. It sends that usual warm thrill that stirs his own, and he is sorely tempted to continue this further...

But he does not, having actual restraint as he just eyes her for a moment.]

Given the location and the furnishings, they must be esteemed guests indeed.

[And then a more serious thought occurs to him.]

Could even be the friend we're looking for.

[Danos.]

[garudas]

[Back to work, she supposes, but that means there is just never a dull moment for them, is there? Still, she isn't so inclined to get up from the warmth and comfort of his lap, but she does anyway, rolling her hips once over his to tease before using the momentum of it to crawl off of him. All with a cat-like grin.]

You suppose he would be stupid enough to leave his things lying about if it were?

[ramuhs]

[Terrible tease she is, his eyes following her before he has to stand after her.]

Perhaps not the important things, but anything may prove useful.

[garudas]

[She chuckles quietly to herself, preening under his stare.]

Or perhaps we will get lucky enough.

[Maybe he really would be stupid enough to do such a thing, she doesn't know. They've been lucky so far. But she'll cross the room from where they sit, grabbing a piece of cheese on the way to nibble on, towards the bed. There are some bags that have been left open at the foot of the bed with clothes folded neatly into them.

She takes one out, and it unfolds into a long silk dress.]

Whoever this is, they have impeccable taste.