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
[Cid had hoped there would be a smaller number of "dark haired" or "blue dress" couples, but it's as if there was a secret theme tonight. After speaking with a few (and actually getting along with at least one other merchant that he may consider some connection with), Cid sips his wine with some quiet exasperation. Should they just quit and call it a night? For all they know Danos and his wife might have already left...
But a ripple of laughter makes his head turn out of idle curiosity and he pauses. Come to think of it, the party is a mix of the usual animalfolk and humans, and while he has spoken with a variety of both, he didn't pay much attention to the dresses the animalfolk were wearing. That is because "dark hair" and the rest of the descriptors made him assume they were human.
However, when his eyes notice the blue dress on the slender feline's body and the fact that her and her partner were both dark colored fur, it was as if realization struck like a bolt from the blue. Could it actually be...?
With a smile he walks over, and it doesn't take long for him to catch a few notable words, such as talks of the "whale hunters" and some lamenting how the whole thing as disrupted shipping of their own goods and such. He could see the gleam in the male feline's eyes, the way that smile reminds him a coeurl ready to strike.
By the time he makes a more deliberate approach the couple has separated and were just idly chatting together. Using what he heard about "shipping" and the talks with the Havershims, Cid puts on the business smile to greet and introduce himself. It's a risk, but given his name is already out there and he's already set up precautions, there doesn't seem to be any point in lying.
Especially when as he thought, they had actually heard of him already from those who talked to them before, their eyes shining at the prospect of better ways to ship their wares. Seeing that interest does make his stomach sink a bit. He knows it's impossible to not have anything be makes be used for ill purposes, but the idea the pair before him could already be thinking of ways to pervert even an innocuous cooling systems rankles his pride.
But he makes no show of it, especially when outwardly Danos and his wide lend no reason for him to suspect anything beyond normal shipping means. If not for his knowledge he would been completely unaware. But this could be a good in for them, so he plays along with his usual friendly manner.
And so by the time Benedikta comes out, she will find him by the two felines, with Cid being surprised when he feels two tails brushing up against his leg.]
Well, you two are friendly, aren't you.
[They just laugh, the wife practically purring as she assures him they are just playing, pleased with his ideas. He takes it as a good sign? He's reminded of Ash, anyway...]
[She does spot him—she could pick him out of any crowd—but from the looks of it, he only seems to be looking still, sipping on his wine. She clicks her tongue, hissing at the sweetness of the juice, wishing that she could share in his tastes, but she wouldn't want to raise questions now should any of the other couples find her again. Seems he is having as little luck as she is. So, she continues her search.
It will be some time before she comes back around to check on him again, if only because it has been a while since she has heard from him. He hasn't shouted or called for her, hasn't even given a signal. Nor has he made an appearance at the spot they had promised to meet at should they not be successful. So, this time, she does go outside, brushing her hair back as the brisk night wind hits her as she comes down the steps.
She picks out his voice first, and when she sees him talking to the two felines, it all clicks into place. She is wearing a dark blue dress yes, but the dark hair that the maid had mentioned was quite literal. They are dark-haired felines, their entire bodies covered in smooth, silky fur. She can't help but scoff in admonishment at that maid. She was likely too distracted by Cid to pay much attention to her wording—not that she can blame the girl.
As she comes closer, however, it's the sight of their tails brushing up against his leg that ruffles her feathers all out of sorts. She feels her expression twist from something haughty to angry, but she is quick to school it as she approaches Cid from behind, subtly knocking away their tails with her leg as she loops her arm through his.]
You did not call for me, my love. What are you doing all the way out here?
[As she shoots a look of warning at the Danos couple.]
[In some ways he senses her approach before she's there, but not soon enough to not be completely caught off guard when he feels her arm around his and her leg knocking away theirs. The feline couple looks at Benedikta with some curiosity as Cid inwardly chuckles, pulling her in close.]
My apologies, my dear, I was so caught up in our discussions I didn't realize how much time had passed.
[Seeing this, the wife's expression changes to one of keen interest.
"My, is this the beloved wife you spoke so much about?"]
[She would give him a look of warning if she did not feel the feline eyes fixed so keenly on her. Both pairs. She swears to every god in existence, if she so much as sees a twitch of their tails—]
[She looks between the three of them, wondering what it is that they have heard about her, but she doesn't press.]
And has there been interest in said connections?
["We are certainly thinking about it," Sebastien Danos tells her, and Benedikta arches a brow at him, trying to keep her expression as neutral as possible. She throws on a smile.]
[Sebastien answers with a brief summary of their two main line of businesses—luxury fragrances and wine. They own their own vineyard and they may even have heard of the brand of wine, which is indeed a well known high end line that they've seen before.
"But you must have a sample, dear," the wife says with a shine in her eyes, pulling out a small perfume bottle to spray on a piece of sample paper she carries with her in her purse. It's clear they were ready to introduce their new perfume by having others here exposed to the scent. And as she hold out the paper to Benedikta, they will both be able to catch a whiff of a familiar sweet scent, one that's been refined to something soft and gentle.
Truly, if they did not suspect the source it would have made for a popular scent as it wasn't intrusive at all, almost like a fresh flower.
As Cid lets Benedikta take a whiff, he leans a little closer to her.]
It seems like everyone else we've spoken with, transporting goods over long distances has become more of a hassle these days when it comes to preserving the freshness and longevity of certain goods.
["For our wines it's not an issue, but we do also sell the grapes and other fruits that we grow," Sebastien added. "If your husband's innovation truly works, it would help all businesses dealing with produce."]
[There's a sideways glance at Cid when Tatiana offers the perfume sample, and it is difficult not to let her face twist with disgust as she takes the paper she's sprayed with it. She lifts it to her nose anyway, to be polite, and were it not for the implications of it, she might have actually enjoyed a scent like this. It's sweet and floral, nothing like the other high-end perfumes that make her nose want to bleed. She offers an equally saccharine smile, shaking off any of the stiffness that she had.]
Oh, it is lovely.
[Gotta play it up for the sake of the job, and she folds it up and curls her fingers over it for now, and she turns a proud smile on Sebastien, happy for the distraction.]
I've no doubt that it will. I've had personal experience with all of them myself, traveling plenty out at sea for days at a time. They keep all sorts of things fresh, from fruits to freshly caught fish.
[Not entirely a lie. It's a half truth.
"Oh? What is it that you do?"
Benedikta's arm stiffens around Cid's, but neither of them seem to notice. She hadn't really thought this far, but it is a good thing she's a practised liar.]
Oh, I... am in between jobs at the moment. [Her other hand pats at her belly.] With our first child on the way, I do not want to spend too much time from home.
[Cid gently strokes her hand, a clear display of affection but it's also a touch of reassurance for her.]
While I am happy to have her with me at all times, I do regret that I can't have her travel as much as she used to. She's the one who helped find a number of materials I use in my inventions.
[Half truth, half lie.
Sebastien eyes him for a moment before he smiles. "And with a growing family, it's no wonder you seek more clients."
To that, Cid just raises a sheepish hand.]
Caught me.
[Just playing along with the farce since it, too, is half truth, half lie.
But this is also better. Putting him in a "weaker" position may hopefully lower their guard.]
[She glances at him, surprise masked by genuine fondness, and she reaches up to run a hand over his cheek when she sees Mrs. Danos eyeing him with interest, that tail of hers swishing in his direction.]
Yes, he is working so very hard for me. To be sure that I am comfortable and healthy at home. Though, I do miss sailing from time to time.
[She presses a kiss to his cheek, and that tail retreats.]
Did you all exchange business information, my love?
[She catches on quickly to the meaning behind his question, and that concern.]
Oh, I would not want to interrupt a business exchange.
[She huffs a sheepish laugh.]
Would it be possible to know where you might be selling these perfumes, though? I know some who I might be interested in gifting them to for the upcoming holiday.
[Tatiana smiles at the question, clearly eager to spread the word.
"Because it's such an exclusive product, you'll only be able to buy them in these select stores in Nogard and Elah," she says before listing off top of the line stores that neither would have ever set foot into if they ever even heard of it.
But whether they have or not, Cid just feigns interest and lets Benedikta continue this particular line of conversation.]
[She casts a sideways glance at Cid, a silent bid for him to remember the names of these shops. They could be potential leads into their more secretive dealings, as well as worth looking into for vendor connections. Whether they are involved in it or ignorant. Though the realist in her highly doubts the latter...]
I will be sure to pay a visit. I do hope to see you there.
[ "Well, with Winterstide coming, I will be visiting our main shop on Elah in the coming weeks, so do be sure to stop by. I'll show you the rest of our line of products, too!"
A shame. If it were not for their illicit activities, Benedikta thinks she might have enjoyed something like this. Even her old self might have, but damn Cid for making her give a shit about things...
With that, Benedikta presses a hand to her stomach.]
[He is certainly keeping a mental list of those names, especially she the one she mentions. But at Benedikta's signal, his brows furrow in concern as his arm immediately goes around her back.]
We'll be sure to try to visit if we're able. But until then, I thank you both for your time, and I hope we'll be able to discuss this potential project further.
[A charming, friendly grin as he starts to lead Benedikta away, the Danos couple smiling after them with those calculating feline eyes. With their own parting farewells, Cid and Benedikta will continue two walk until they round past the fountain. It's only then that he'll let out a long exhale.]
[She swears she can still feel their eyes on them even after they leave, and she shivers at the thought, her expression falling into a displeased frown.]
They might as well have been, but a good thing we can be a pair of them ourselves.
[She does not dare glance back to check, however. Instead, she presses her face to the side of his, making it look as though she is whispering sweet nothings into his ear.]
Even if they didn't, it won't be difficult for them to look up my business to confirm what I am. If it weren't for the fact they already heard about me I would have been a bit more wary about exposing my real identity, but it was bound to happen.
Regardless, it gives us a better reason to meet with them again.
[Another light but playful swat on his arm. They can "make it true" later.]
Why is that?
[That part is a little surprising to her, considering he's been doing this for the better part of a year now. Longer than he hasn't been in the time they've been here.]
You have been at it for a while, and you are quite good at it.
[A low hum as his gaze shifts to the ground as they continue their slow, casual pace.]
But only since being here in this world. If we consider how I spent most of my life fighting in some military command, it was easier for me to envision my life continuing that same path until I either died doing so or manage to leave and settle away somewhere.
[The latter of which he really didn't envision much at all after a certain point.
But that kind of life he just spoke of is a common one, arguably standard for anyone who becomes a soldier of some sort. Once you're in, you stay in until you no longer can. It's uncommon for one to switch "careers" unless they retire in some capacity or proven unfit for it.]
I certainly never expected to run any kind of business.
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But a ripple of laughter makes his head turn out of idle curiosity and he pauses. Come to think of it, the party is a mix of the usual animalfolk and humans, and while he has spoken with a variety of both, he didn't pay much attention to the dresses the animalfolk were wearing. That is because "dark hair" and the rest of the descriptors made him assume they were human.
However, when his eyes notice the blue dress on the slender feline's body and the fact that her and her partner were both dark colored fur, it was as if realization struck like a bolt from the blue. Could it actually be...?
With a smile he walks over, and it doesn't take long for him to catch a few notable words, such as talks of the "whale hunters" and some lamenting how the whole thing as disrupted shipping of their own goods and such. He could see the gleam in the male feline's eyes, the way that smile reminds him a coeurl ready to strike.
By the time he makes a more deliberate approach the couple has separated and were just idly chatting together. Using what he heard about "shipping" and the talks with the Havershims, Cid puts on the business smile to greet and introduce himself. It's a risk, but given his name is already out there and he's already set up precautions, there doesn't seem to be any point in lying.
Especially when as he thought, they had actually heard of him already from those who talked to them before, their eyes shining at the prospect of better ways to ship their wares. Seeing that interest does make his stomach sink a bit. He knows it's impossible to not have anything be makes be used for ill purposes, but the idea the pair before him could already be thinking of ways to pervert even an innocuous cooling systems rankles his pride.
But he makes no show of it, especially when outwardly Danos and his wide lend no reason for him to suspect anything beyond normal shipping means. If not for his knowledge he would been completely unaware. But this could be a good in for them, so he plays along with his usual friendly manner.
And so by the time Benedikta comes out, she will find him by the two felines, with Cid being surprised when he feels two tails brushing up against his leg.]
Well, you two are friendly, aren't you.
[They just laugh, the wife practically purring as she assures him they are just playing, pleased with his ideas. He takes it as a good sign? He's reminded of Ash, anyway...]
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It will be some time before she comes back around to check on him again, if only because it has been a while since she has heard from him. He hasn't shouted or called for her, hasn't even given a signal. Nor has he made an appearance at the spot they had promised to meet at should they not be successful. So, this time, she does go outside, brushing her hair back as the brisk night wind hits her as she comes down the steps.
She picks out his voice first, and when she sees him talking to the two felines, it all clicks into place. She is wearing a dark blue dress yes, but the dark hair that the maid had mentioned was quite literal. They are dark-haired felines, their entire bodies covered in smooth, silky fur. She can't help but scoff in admonishment at that maid. She was likely too distracted by Cid to pay much attention to her wording—not that she can blame the girl.
As she comes closer, however, it's the sight of their tails brushing up against his leg that ruffles her feathers all out of sorts. She feels her expression twist from something haughty to angry, but she is quick to school it as she approaches Cid from behind, subtly knocking away their tails with her leg as she loops her arm through his.]
You did not call for me, my love. What are you doing all the way out here?
[As she shoots a look of warning at the Danos couple.]
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My apologies, my dear, I was so caught up in our discussions I didn't realize how much time had passed.
[Seeing this, the wife's expression changes to one of keen interest.
"My, is this the beloved wife you spoke so much about?"]
Aye, this is her, my beautiful dove.
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[She would give him a look of warning if she did not feel the feline eyes fixed so keenly on her. Both pairs. She swears to every god in existence, if she so much as sees a twitch of their tails—]
What have you told them?
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[She looks between the three of them, wondering what it is that they have heard about her, but she doesn't press.]
And has there been interest in said connections?
["We are certainly thinking about it," Sebastien Danos tells her, and Benedikta arches a brow at him, trying to keep her expression as neutral as possible. She throws on a smile.]
What sort of business do you run?
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"But you must have a sample, dear," the wife says with a shine in her eyes, pulling out a small perfume bottle to spray on a piece of sample paper she carries with her in her purse. It's clear they were ready to introduce their new perfume by having others here exposed to the scent. And as she hold out the paper to Benedikta, they will both be able to catch a whiff of a familiar sweet scent, one that's been refined to something soft and gentle.
Truly, if they did not suspect the source it would have made for a popular scent as it wasn't intrusive at all, almost like a fresh flower.
As Cid lets Benedikta take a whiff, he leans a little closer to her.]
It seems like everyone else we've spoken with, transporting goods over long distances has become more of a hassle these days when it comes to preserving the freshness and longevity of certain goods.
["For our wines it's not an issue, but we do also sell the grapes and other fruits that we grow," Sebastien added. "If your husband's innovation truly works, it would help all businesses dealing with produce."]
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Oh, it is lovely.
[Gotta play it up for the sake of the job, and she folds it up and curls her fingers over it for now, and she turns a proud smile on Sebastien, happy for the distraction.]
I've no doubt that it will. I've had personal experience with all of them myself, traveling plenty out at sea for days at a time. They keep all sorts of things fresh, from fruits to freshly caught fish.
[Not entirely a lie. It's a half truth.
"Oh? What is it that you do?"
Benedikta's arm stiffens around Cid's, but neither of them seem to notice. She hadn't really thought this far, but it is a good thing she's a practised liar.]
Oh, I... am in between jobs at the moment. [Her other hand pats at her belly.] With our first child on the way, I do not want to spend too much time from home.
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While I am happy to have her with me at all times, I do regret that I can't have her travel as much as she used to. She's the one who helped find a number of materials I use in my inventions.
[Half truth, half lie.
Sebastien eyes him for a moment before he smiles. "And with a growing family, it's no wonder you seek more clients."
To that, Cid just raises a sheepish hand.]
Caught me.
[Just playing along with the farce since it, too, is half truth, half lie.
But this is also better. Putting him in a "weaker" position may hopefully lower their guard.]
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Yes, he is working so very hard for me. To be sure that I am comfortable and healthy at home. Though, I do miss sailing from time to time.
[She presses a kiss to his cheek, and that tail retreats.]
Did you all exchange business information, my love?
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[And then he looks at her with more (feigned) concern.]
Are you feeling tired?
[Subtle question whether it's about time they head out.]
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Oh, I would not want to interrupt a business exchange.
[She huffs a sheepish laugh.]
Would it be possible to know where you might be selling these perfumes, though? I know some who I might be interested in gifting them to for the upcoming holiday.
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"Because it's such an exclusive product, you'll only be able to buy them in these select stores in Nogard and Elah," she says before listing off top of the line stores that neither would have ever set foot into if they ever even heard of it.
But whether they have or not, Cid just feigns interest and lets Benedikta continue this particular line of conversation.]
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I will be sure to pay a visit. I do hope to see you there.
[ "Well, with Winterstide coming, I will be visiting our main shop on Elah in the coming weeks, so do be sure to stop by. I'll show you the rest of our line of products, too!"
A shame. If it were not for their illicit activities, Benedikta thinks she might have enjoyed something like this. Even her old self might have, but damn Cid for making her give a shit about things...
With that, Benedikta presses a hand to her stomach.]
Ah, I think it might be time to go, darling...
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We'll be sure to try to visit if we're able. But until then, I thank you both for your time, and I hope we'll be able to discuss this potential project further.
[A charming, friendly grin as he starts to lead Benedikta away, the Danos couple smiling after them with those calculating feline eyes. With their own parting farewells, Cid and Benedikta will continue two walk until they round past the fountain. It's only then that he'll let out a long exhale.]
Like dealing with coeurls.
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They might as well have been, but a good thing we can be a pair of them ourselves.
[She does not dare glance back to check, however. Instead, she presses her face to the side of his, making it look as though she is whispering sweet nothings into his ear.]
Do you suppose they bought it?
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Regardless, it gives us a better reason to meet with them again.
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[She gives him a pointed look through the corner of her eye and pulls him closer as they walk around to the other side of that gaudy fountain.]
They didn't seem suspicious of us, at the very least. And genuinely interested in your services.
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[A more mischievous gleam as he looks at her, and with their faces so close it will be even more meaningful.
But no, he wouldn't dare do such a thing.]
I am hopeful about the rest, truly. I do need to expand the business so it should be start.
[And then a quiet laugh.]
Honestly, a bit strange to consider myself a businessman of any kind.
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Why is that?
[That part is a little surprising to her, considering he's been doing this for the better part of a year now. Longer than he hasn't been in the time they've been here.]
You have been at it for a while, and you are quite good at it.
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But only since being here in this world. If we consider how I spent most of my life fighting in some military command, it was easier for me to envision my life continuing that same path until I either died doing so or manage to leave and settle away somewhere.
[The latter of which he really didn't envision much at all after a certain point.
But that kind of life he just spoke of is a common one, arguably standard for anyone who becomes a soldier of some sort. Once you're in, you stay in until you no longer can. It's uncommon for one to switch "careers" unless they retire in some capacity or proven unfit for it.]
I certainly never expected to run any kind of business.
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But you seem to enjoy it now...?
[Trying to focus on the good rather than wishing for a past they cannot go back to.]
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More than I imagined. Keeps me busy at least.
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[With a wry smile, she kisses his cheek.]
Even if this was partly a job, getting out and away from your desk tonight was good...
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[Said with a wry grin as he squeezes her arm closer.]
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💚💜 fin.