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



🥂 🎄 ❄️

Comments

[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.

[ramuhs]

[As she goes to the bed, he moves over to the wardrobe, glancing at the dress as he passes by.]

Not going to take it for yourself, are you?

[A light smirk as he opens the doors and finds more clothes hanging along with the luggage bags within. It would be too obvious if he were to open and rummage through them, so he tries to see if there's anything looser stashed away in here.]

[garudas]

[She holds the food between her teeth and lifts the dress to herself to show it off and test the length.]

Not unless you think you could fit it into one of your pockets?

[ramuhs]

[He laughs at that.]

Fair enough,and it would look strange if you walked out with it on. But you do look quite fetching in it.

[garudas]

Don't I? I bet I could wear it better than whatever woman owns this.

[After a twirl, she haphazardly tosses the dress onto the bed and continues to look. It is mostly clothes, though she does pluck off a nice set of cuff links from one of the suits and stuffs them down the front of her dress for now. Nothing else of note besides some clothes that she could see either herself or Cid wearing and wishes that she'd brought something to carry it all out in. Maybe she'll come back later...

She moves on to the vanity nearby, where they have laid out several pieces of jewelry and makeup, likely for the party. Some necklaces and bracelets made of gemstones, a few pretty hair pieces, a beautiful shade of lipstick... She gathers those up in her hand, only for something to fall out and clink against the surface.]

What is this? A badge?

[ramuhs]

On that I won't argue.

[Because she could indeed wear anything better than most, if not anyone. Or maybe he's biased, but does it matter?

As she goes through the jewelry, he rifles through the pockets of the suit jackets and pants, feeling very much like a thief yet not feeling that conflicted about it. It's not until he reaches a large coat that there is a soft crinkle of paper and he pulls it out. Of course he thought it might be rubbish, but his brows furrow...

Especially when she speaks up at the same time. Turning to her he walks over.]

What kind?

[garudas]

[Setting down her stolen treasures, she lifts the badge so that it shimmers in the soft moonlight shining through the large windows, trying to get a better look at it. In the shape of a shield, silver, with shades of blue...]

It looks like one of the Officer badges... Not unlike the ones that we had to wear for that disguise.

[ramuhs]

You're right.

[His brows furrow deeper as he's now alongside her, eying the badge.]

That is a Paladin's officer badge, and a not low ranking one, either. Which would explain this little note I found.

[He holds it up, and although at first glance it might not see much, it has a date, location, and names. The date is just a day before today, and the location is this very mansion.]

How much would you wager the names are aliases of this "esteemed" couple?

[garudas]

[Her own brow furrows with a nod, mirroring his expression as she leans over to take a look at the note.]

But what are high-ranking Paladins doing at a party like this? And why do they get the fancy guest room?

[ramuhs]

Not sure... Another possibility is if these aren't aliases, then they could also be their target. The names ring a bell with you from the notebook?

[garudas]

I don't know... I didn't look through the entire book, but...

[She pulls out her phone from her dress and, after some trouble finding them, she starts to flip through her photos. Her hair bobs about with a shake of her head.]

None on the pages that I have seen. But do not toss away that thought just yet. There could be a dozen reasons why they are here, one as innocent as they are simply good friends with the man.

[Though, judging from what she has seen of people in this world so far, she has little faith.]

[ramuhs]

[Indeed, it could be a myriad of reasons, from innocent to suspicious. For now, he takes a picture of the note and the badge before moving back to the wardrobe to put it back.]

At the very least, it seems this party has gotten a bit more interesting. If we happen to hear the names let's see if we can't speak with them.