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
[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.]
[Even if not a yes, the fact it's not a protest or rejection is already answer enough.
So he only leans in closer, his voice lowering to a quiet murmur against her lips.]
And if we were to wed tomorrow?
[Is he even seeking an answer? Or is he just wanting to know how she would really react? If she said no, would it still have that hint of "not now but one day"? After all he knows full well that they can't right now.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't still want it.
It doesn't mean he hasn't started to want it even more.]
[Her eyes flutter closed at that light touch of his breath over her lips, as a tingling heat ripples its way through her. Her hand searches for his, and he'll feel her fingers trace over that ring before she lifts it so that the metal shimmers under the lamplight.]
... Is that your wish?
[She cannot say for sure that she is ready, but by that same token, she cannot say that she isn't. She is scared, yes, but not for the same reasons that she used to be. Merely because it is a big step, and every time that they have tried to take those bigger leaps into this new life of theirs, something had come in to stop them.
And her wings...
But she would be lying if she said that she did not wish for it, did not want it... Has not wanted it for a long time. Tonight had only made that clearer, as the ring around her own finger weighs heavier suddenly, the metal cooler than it has been against her skin, as if to remind her that it is there.]
[His gaze moves down to the rings on their fingers, fake in their material yet the symbolism is as real as ever.]
It is.
[A soft, quiet whisper as his eyes find hers, filled with that overwhelming love and meaning that's grown by leaps and bounds within the past few weeks and months. But the quiet smile that forms is gentle as the light, brush of a kiss that follows it.]
But it is a wish worth waiting for.
[He does want it all. Their marriage, their children, their life. But he wants it done right. As much as that fear of her disappearing at any moment still lingers in those shadows, he doesn't want to be too hasty either.
He's content enough to know that it will be something to look forward to, something they both want and can work towards. So long as she knows how he feels, how he thinks, it's enough for now.]
[She knows. It is something that is important to them both, and she knows how much they both want it, but what they want more is for it to be special. They could wed and it would not change a thing besides the fact that their names are scribbled on a piece of paper and they share rings together, but it is the meaning behind it that matters. After everything that they have been through, it is less about the rings and the legalities, but more about showing and proving to the world that they have come back stronger than ever together into this new chapter of their lives. That is not something one should simply rush into.
Even if tonight, just like all the other nights that came before it when they've had to pretend, she wants it just as much.
She captures his lips with hers, dragging him into a sweet, soft kiss that sees to silence the rest of the world for those precious seconds that it lasts.
Silly that tonight is the night they have both been feeling some sort of way.]
I thought you were getting impatient.
[A teasing whisper, as she nuzzles her nose against his, and she runs her finger along his ring again.]
That is true. You still have not asked me again...
[There is a twinge of disappointment that is gone as quickly as it had come in the sound of her voice, letting it be chased away by the feel of his arms around her. She could stay like this forever and be content...]
Though, I suppose this was not the time or the place. A proper date will do.
[The fact that she brings it up at all is already hint on its own, but little does she know how tempted he had been to ask her just a few minutes ago when the top of marriage came up. He only did it because of that very fact she just stated—right time, but not the right place. Especially when now he doesn't want to ask for the sake of asking, but for wanting a real answer.]
And that will come soon, too.
[His hand turns so that he can properly hold hers.]
Quite a bit, really, more than I expected. I'll have to see if I can't make some kind of appointment or meeting with Danos, but suppose would depend what we want to do after that.
[His expression then softens a little.]
Or would you rather I turn this information in to someone else and step aside?
[She understands why he is asking, and she smiles at him, grateful.]
As much as I wish to be free from our obligations for a while... would it not be more suspicious if we were not the ones to follow up on it?
[How she wishes for a vacation. A chance for them to rest and relax together after everything... but she also feels partly responsible for all of this entanglement, and she wishes to see it through to the end. Damn those whales for finding a way into her cold, dark heart.]
Besides, you've already found an in with the mister as well. If we are lucky and are good at this, then he would not suspect a thing.
Then we'll carry on. However it would be good if we did inform someone else should something happen or we need support. But otherwise, we'll keep it as reconnaissance, see whether Danos is just a buyer or something more.
[If just a greedy buyer, then that's easier. Just call in the authorities and have them arrested. But if there's something deeper to this and it's more complicated, well... He hopes not so they can be free of this operation sooner.]
I very much doubt that it is as simple as that... with the perfume business and all.
[Given what they found in that warehouse, and how that was a name that had come up several times. She has a terrible gut feeling about it. But it's not something that she is going to worry over for now.]
For now, we can set up meetings with them and see where that leads. Dig a little deeper if we must, or even can.
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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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So he only leans in closer, his voice lowering to a quiet murmur against her lips.]
And if we were to wed tomorrow?
[Is he even seeking an answer? Or is he just wanting to know how she would really react? If she said no, would it still have that hint of "not now but one day"? After all he knows full well that they can't right now.
But that doesn't mean he doesn't still want it.
It doesn't mean he hasn't started to want it even more.]
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... Is that your wish?
[She cannot say for sure that she is ready, but by that same token, she cannot say that she isn't. She is scared, yes, but not for the same reasons that she used to be. Merely because it is a big step, and every time that they have tried to take those bigger leaps into this new life of theirs, something had come in to stop them.
And her wings...
But she would be lying if she said that she did not wish for it, did not want it... Has not wanted it for a long time. Tonight had only made that clearer, as the ring around her own finger weighs heavier suddenly, the metal cooler than it has been against her skin, as if to remind her that it is there.]
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It is.
[A soft, quiet whisper as his eyes find hers, filled with that overwhelming love and meaning that's grown by leaps and bounds within the past few weeks and months. But the quiet smile that forms is gentle as the light, brush of a kiss that follows it.]
But it is a wish worth waiting for.
[He does want it all. Their marriage, their children, their life. But he wants it done right. As much as that fear of her disappearing at any moment still lingers in those shadows, he doesn't want to be too hasty either.
He's content enough to know that it will be something to look forward to, something they both want and can work towards. So long as she knows how he feels, how he thinks, it's enough for now.]
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Even if tonight, just like all the other nights that came before it when they've had to pretend, she wants it just as much.
She captures his lips with hers, dragging him into a sweet, soft kiss that sees to silence the rest of the world for those precious seconds that it lasts.
Silly that tonight is the night they have both been feeling some sort of way.]
I thought you were getting impatient.
[A teasing whisper, as she nuzzles her nose against his, and she runs her finger along his ring again.]
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[A low whisper in return as he takes her lips once more, pulling her in closer.]
I just have good restraint.
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[There is a twinge of disappointment that is gone as quickly as it had come in the sound of her voice, letting it be chased away by the feel of his arms around her. She could stay like this forever and be content...]
Though, I suppose this was not the time or the place. A proper date will do.
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And that will come soon, too.
[His hand turns so that he can properly hold hers.]
Shall we head home, then?
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[She smiles against his lips, letting them brush over his, as she turns her gaze briefly to the party.]
And before someone realizes that all of their nice jewels and money are gone.
[A peck to his cheek before her smile fades a bit.]
At least we have managed to get something out of tonight besides that.
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Quite a bit, really, more than I expected. I'll have to see if I can't make some kind of appointment or meeting with Danos, but suppose would depend what we want to do after that.
[His expression then softens a little.]
Or would you rather I turn this information in to someone else and step aside?
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As much as I wish to be free from our obligations for a while... would it not be more suspicious if we were not the ones to follow up on it?
[How she wishes for a vacation. A chance for them to rest and relax together after everything... but she also feels partly responsible for all of this entanglement, and she wishes to see it through to the end. Damn those whales for finding a way into her cold, dark heart.]
Besides, you've already found an in with the mister as well. If we are lucky and are good at this, then he would not suspect a thing.
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Then we'll carry on. However it would be good if we did inform someone else should something happen or we need support. But otherwise, we'll keep it as reconnaissance, see whether Danos is just a buyer or something more.
[If just a greedy buyer, then that's easier. Just call in the authorities and have them arrested. But if there's something deeper to this and it's more complicated, well... He hopes not so they can be free of this operation sooner.]
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I very much doubt that it is as simple as that... with the perfume business and all.
[Given what they found in that warehouse, and how that was a name that had come up several times. She has a terrible gut feeling about it. But it's not something that she is going to worry over for now.]
For now, we can set up meetings with them and see where that leads. Dig a little deeper if we must, or even can.
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💚💜 fin.