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]

[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.

[garudas]

[Her eyes narrow at him as she sets down the badge where she'd found it.]

You don't want to use your charms to woo the information out of another maid?

[ramuhs]

[A wry chuckle.]

I think we're ready to move on to our real targets.

[garudas]

[She sweeps her hand over the vanity, picking up everything that she had chosen to take along with it, with all sorts of jewelry and knick knacks in her hand. She approaches him and searches his body in the dark for his pockets.]

Very well. I was not looking to kill anyone tonight anyway.

[ramuhs]

[He knows very well it's not just his pockets she's searching, but he just watches her amused.]

That would be preferred, aye...

And if you make me carry too much they're going to wonder what racket I'm making when I walk.

[garudas]

[She's allowed to touch her man!! And she does, pressing the flat of her palm against his stomach and his chest, feeling him through his shirt, before she's stuffing the jewelry into the inside pocket of his jacket. All while gazing up at him innocently.]

It's just a few jewels.

[She shows off the lipstick and slides that in, too.]

And I like this shade. Besides, no one is going to notice with all the noise they are making.

[ramuhs]

[A slight roll of his eyes before he eyes her dress again.]

I should get you a purse for yourself.

[garudas]

[She responds to his eyeroll with one of her own.]

And make me carry it around? No, I think I much prefer it this way.

[Why bring a purse when she has a perfectly fine man to tote her things for her? Besides... she quite likes this arrangement, as her hand moves around to his back, and down to squeeze at his behind before she slides a bracelet into the back pocket of his pants.]

Did you find anything else over by the wardrobe?

[ramuhs]

[That actually surprises him for a moment and he can only give her a slight look, wondering if she really does see him as some kind of arm bag to carry everything around yes.]

Not much unfortunately. Well, and their wallet.

[He pats the front of his vest where he has an inner pocket inside. ...He really is like some kind of arm bag—]

Other than that, they were quite thorough.

[garudas]

[Would that be a problem? Someone needs to start making women's dresses with proper pockets—

And one more necklace going into the front pocket of his pants.]

Too bad... They've some nice things, but perhaps they've kept the rest well-hidden. Shall we head back to the party, then?

[There is a bit of a whine to her voice at that.]

[ramuhs]

[He feels like he's gained a pound or two...]

Is my little dove getting restless?

[His hands have moved to her waist, pulling her a little closer.]

Just remember we'll building a little "nest."

[Smirk.]

[garudas]

[She presses a finger against that smirk of his when he pulls her closer, though she has to bite back her own.]

No, your little dove is hungry and would like a snack, but cannot pause to eat right now.

[ramuhs]

Should we take the food out from here?

[Although he has a feeling she's thinking about "eating" something else.]

[garudas]

[...

....

She laughs softly under a breath, and she leans up to nip at his bottom lip. His assumptions would be correct.]

That food is not what I had my eyes on. ... But yes. It would be a shame to waste it.

[ramuhs]

[And he just gives her a playful look and kiss in return as he yes, he thought so but is feigning ignorance.]

I'll grab it then.

[But as he passes, his hand slides around her waist to her hip—]

Just save room for dessert later.

[—before there is a little smack to her own cute little rump before he smirks as he walks over to the table.]

[garudas]

[She lets out a delighted squeal of surprise when his hand lands, the sound turning into unabashed laughter as her eyes follow him like a cat stalking its prey.]

Oh, I've plenty of room for dessert now.

[She picks out a tomato and presses it between her lips, resisting the urge to drop everything and kiss him instead.]

Now, let us go hunting, shall we?

[ramuhs]

[With one hand holding the tray, he holds out his arm for her to take.

After listening carefully to ensure no one was outside, they quietly exit the room and quickly make it down the hall just before a servant turns down into it. Posing as the loving couple that they are (although is it really posing when they just act naturally?), they make their way back into the main hall. As they walk they quietly discuss their plan while masking it as if they are whispering sweet nothings to each other and for now they decide to stick together and feel out the guests before eventually separating.

Not wanting to stand out too much just yet, they find a table that has another seemingly doting couple and with a quick glance at each other they move over and ask if they could join. Although surprised, the couple happily oblige, allowing Cid to put down the tray of food he had been carrying. This of course prompts a question as to where they got such a selection that seemed different than what was offered at the food tables and before Benedikta can answer, Cid responds that she is currently feeling rather sensitive due to the strong smells and such.

The husband doesn't quite catch on, but the wife's eyes widen as she also notices the glass is not wine but something else. But she is polite and just smiles happily, wishing Benedikta to rest and not push herself too much. It's a "delicate time" after all (the husband still just looks confused, poor sod). But already from this brief exchange it seems the couple is at least perhaps more "honorable" than most here. They seem to be on the older side, the wife perhaps more mature than her more rotund husband, and while their attire seems on the more simple side compared to the glitz and glam of other younger and clearly affluent members, there is an almost elegant sophistication. The wife has pearls and diamonds as her jewelry, and the husband has a gold chain pocket watch hinted on his front vest pocket, the fabric of the suit and dress clearly high end.

Of course looks can be deceiving, so they'll need to probe more as to what they do...]