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
[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.
Yes, and you still do. You are going to be a very, very busy man in the near future, Cidolfus. And I do not mean work. So I hope you've someone to cover for you.
But for what should have continued as a joke and have an easy answer, he's actually quiet as he stares at her, his steps slowing to out them to a halt. By now they had walked past the entrance and no one was around, the dim light of a nearby lamppost the only thing illuminating the area and the din of music and chatter from the mansion so distant that it is easily drowned out by the night bugs buzzing and chirping around them.
When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet and low.]
[The silence from him has her pulling back with some surprise, even more so when he draws them both to a stop in the quiet of the outer gates. Yet, despite there being no one here, the silence feels so much louder than it is beneath that look in his eyes. It’s striking and shocking, and at his words, she feels as though she’s been struck by a warm flash of lightning. Her heart feels like it’s nearly beating out of her chest, and her breath catches at his question.
Silence reigns in those seconds that follow, though they are anything but tense. It’s a soft and sweet sort of silence, one that is comfortable enough to stay in it for longer.]
If you were...
[She repeats it softly, fondly, a cant of her head as her eyes travel up to meet his.]
We have not even wed yet, you know.
[It’s not a yes, or a no. It’s nothing really. Just a statement.]
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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.
no subject
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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Is that so terrible? Someone has to be sure you are taking breaks. Besides...
[A nuzzle of her nose to his cheek.]
You owed me.
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[He says playfully, pretending he has no idea what she's talking about.]
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Yes, and you still do. You are going to be a very, very busy man in the near future, Cidolfus. And I do not mean work. So I hope you've someone to cover for you.
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[He leans in close to her ear a hand pressing against her waist.]
Busy making a little nest?
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If that is your idea of a date, then by all means... I will certainly not object to it.
[Her voice lowers.]
But are you certain you want to do that now?
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But for what should have continued as a joke and have an easy answer, he's actually quiet as he stares at her, his steps slowing to out them to a halt. By now they had walked past the entrance and no one was around, the dim light of a nearby lamppost the only thing illuminating the area and the din of music and chatter from the mansion so distant that it is easily drowned out by the night bugs buzzing and chirping around them.
When he finally speaks, his voice is quiet and low.]
What if I were considering?
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Silence reigns in those seconds that follow, though they are anything but tense. It’s a soft and sweet sort of silence, one that is comfortable enough to stay in it for longer.]
If you were...
[She repeats it softly, fondly, a cant of her head as her eyes travel up to meet his.]
We have not even wed yet, you know.
[It’s not a yes, or a no. It’s nothing really. Just a statement.]
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💚💜 fin.