an ill-advised venture (for sarcaskick)

[sunseeker]

[ It's another frigid night in Ishgard, and M'ahina finds herself arriving somewhat earlier than the appointed hour. She's content to order some wine to at least warm herself as she waits, but in spite of the good drink, she grows bored almost comically fast. Left to her own devices she would probably strike up conversations with other patrons or the like, but in this case, there's a fear it may be somewhat counterproductive to make friends of everyone.

So she simply waits obediently at her own table, idly tracing the rim of her goblet with a gloved finger and a small sigh. Seeing her, one might think she's waited ages rather than several minutes. Keeping to herself is not her forte, it would seem. ]

Comments

[sunseeker]

[ That was not a question she was expecting. She leans a back a bit, lifting her gaze to stare out at the mountains. ]

I'm beginning to think it's the most violent ones you can find, and they're not always good. [ The signs are there--she doesn't forget that he originally called her out to bash some heads in, as it were. The scars, the bruises. The way he sometimes alludes to the underworld. She may not be great at examining herself, but she isn't stupid.

Or bothered. She doesn't feel like she knows enough to make any sweeping judgments. ]

But... That doesn't mean our paths can't always align. Here we are, after all.

[ That's good enough for her. She would like to think she meets the people she does for a reason. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ The most violent ones. Not always good. ]

Well, you're not wrong.

[ Though he'd point out that "good" is subjective. Even then, he knows that most of the jobs he takes would definitely not fit most people's moral compass. He does dirty work for dirty money. Such is life.

She saves the world. He tries to survive in it.

But her saying that is... almost something of a relief, if only because it really seems that she has no illusions as to what it is that he does - and yet, as she said, here they are after all. ]

But maybe we keep this thing we have separate from our... professional lives.

[sunseeker]

[ Well... It is a fair request. And oddly, quite the relief. She was worried for a moment that things might take some strange kind of turn, but mayhap the tension was solely in her mind.

She takes some of her drink and stands, wading a little a deeper into the water to settle back into his side, where she was before. ]

I understand--no mixing work and fun. It's a good practice.

[ She does follow her own version of it, so perhaps helping was a stupid suggestion to make. Or maybe it's so much a habit by now she forgets to think it through.

She sighs, and... Places a small kiss at his temple with a small smile. She's uncertain why. Mayhap she feels like being an annoyance again. ]

[sarcaskick]

I have a good idea from time to time.

[ Things might have gone in quite a few directions, based on her responses - not all of them good. But she isn't as naive as he thought she might be, and she didn't seem to judge him for doing work that she described as not being "good". That's... rare. He's used to the judgment. Almost thrives purely out of spite against it.

He doesn't have to spite her.

So that's... new.

He doesn't resist her claiming her spot at his side again, though the light kiss earns her a look. Not an angry one, or even annoyed - in fact, after a moment (and with a visible roll of his eyes) he stretches one arm up and around her back, letting his hand drape lazily over her opposite shoulder.

He's stretching his arm, okay, it's not cuddling if it's practical. ]

[sunseeker]

[ The rolled eyes she views as an encouragement; it means he's not going to put up much of a fight. The arm around her, however, she was not expecting, and she can't stop the laugh that escapes her lips. Honestly, she can't figure out why this is ao difficult--especially when their current scale is... well. What happened the other night.

Still, it feels like victory, and for once, she doesn't want to ruin it by saying too much. So she simply curls into him a bit more, looking entirely too pleased with herself. This this the kind of silence she's actually willing to enjoy for a bit. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ The difference, of course, is intimacy. What they did in the tavern the night prior was extremely physical, wants and needs being satisfied in an almost primal way. It wasn't... this. Gentle touches just to enjoy one another's presence, a soft kiss to show affection with not ulterior motive, closeness purely for the sake of closeness.

He's thought himself allergic to it for a long time. Even now, with their state of undress and their proximity, his mind can't help but wander to just what else they could do in this tub.

But he's not doing it.

Why the hell isn't he doing it? ]

Laugh again and you're going to be wearing your drink.

[ A truly vicious threat when they're basically sitting in a bath already. ]

[sunseeker]

[ If he's going to put things like that, of course she's going to laugh again. An arm around her shoulder is a strange thing to feel a sore winner about, and yet... ]

Not if there's no drink left, you aren't.

[ She's going to choke back the rest as quickly as she can, in defiance. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ Well, shit. That actually got a laugh out of him.

What has he become. ]

Damn. I've been outsmarted.

[ ... but he'll pick his glass back up to follow suit, just because. ]

[sunseeker]

[ Huh. That's quite cute, actually. It's not a thought that she was expecting to have, but that's okay! She can go along with it.

She sets up her cup back up on the ledge above them, still with a faintest of chuckles on her lips. ]

Think we should get more? [ It sounds fun. Though on the other hand. ] I'm so comfortable... Getting up sounds terrible.

[sarcaskick]

"We"? I already told you I'm not moving an inch.

[ He turns his head to look around, a bit of a scowl creasing his brow momentarily. ]

Place like this doesn't have someone to bring drinks to you? Seems like a wasted opportunity.

[ He says, not moving his arm or otherwise indicating that she should get up instead. ]

[sunseeker]

I believe we're not actually supposed to be drinking in these.

[ Hence the lack of waiters. ... Not that it stopped her. Though she doesn't have much intent on leaving while they're like this. ]

I suppose we'll have to make due without them.

[ Ah well. At least for her, it's stronger than what she was drinking last night anyway. Especially after downing the majority of it in one go. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ He offers a blatantly fake gasp of blatantly fake horror, cupping his free hand against his cheek. ]

What? Surely you don't mean to tell me... we broke a rule?

[ He swoons dramatically as if falling half-faint against her. ]

We'll be put away for life!

[sunseeker]

There, there...

[ She puts her own arm around him, as if to catch to him. ]

This must be quite hard for you, since I doubt you've ever done anything wrong, ever, in your entire life. Whatever are you going to do with my corrupting influence?

[sarcaskick]

[ He heaves a sigh, shaking his head. ]

I just don't know. You're bad for me.

[sunseeker]

True. Next thing we know I might have you against the wall in a crowded tavern. Could your poor heart take it?

[ She clutches at her chest in horror. ]

[sarcaskick]

Stop, stop.

[ He turns to look her dead in the eye - and ah, yes, there it is. The smirk is back. ]

You'll make me blush.

[sunseeker]

I've... difficulties picturing that.

[ For many reasons, most of which are readily apparently. She turns her head to meet his gaze, however, finding herself unable to turn away from it. She wonders why--then realizes she doesn't actually care. Does it matter? They're having fun. ]

[sarcaskick]

That just means you're not trying hard enough.

[ A pause, before he leans in, just close enough that their noses very nearly touch. ]

Go on. Try harder.

[sunseeker]

Well, if you're inviting...

[ Then she certainly does not mind closing the gap. It's quite different from the previous night; this she feels like it's okay to laugh into, to take her ease, not particularly worrying about where it leads. Not that their sudden strange, magnetic attraction the night was bad--quite the opposite, in fact--but this...

This, she likes. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ This is still new, really. Last night there had been an undeniable hunger when their lips met - and that's not to say he doesn't still feel some of it even now. But the kiss itself isn't terribly aggressive or demanding, or fervent. Their lips touch warmly, fondly even, and it's safe to say he's never actually had a kiss quite like it.

It's not bad. But then again, maybe that's the booze talking.

But his hand grips her shoulder properly to pull her just a little closer, lips parting slightly to deepen the kiss at a much slower pace than he would normally allow himself. Maybe that's the hot spring affecting him, making him lazy, unhurried.

The drink, the springs, he's content to assume any external force is at play here rather than something internal. ]

[sunseeker]

[ It feels good to be pulled forward like that, for his lips to part so easily. The pace might be deliberate, but it's also more intimate, with an affection and easy closeness she's been hesitating to put forward. It's what she's wanted, hinted at, even, but parts of the way the previous night occurred had her afraid he'd put a stop to it immediately. It's precisely the kind of thing she could get lost in; she'd do this all day, if she could.

Though she does pull back after a while. Far enough to catch a breath, but close enough her lips still brush his as she speaks. ]

... Think I'm trying hard enough?

[sarcaskick]

[ It's not something he wanted. Or at least, it wasn't something that he ever thought to consider wanting. It's not like he didn't enjoy the base level of coming together to scratch a proverbial itch, so why worry about anything that requires slowing down? Isn't it better to just get to the good part?

Apparently, he might have been mistaken with regards to when the "good part" begins.

Her question makes him crack an eye open, peering at her mischeviously. ]

Do my cheeks look red yet?

[ they don--




actually

just a little. ]

[sunseeker]

[ Oh. Oh, that's good.

She bursts out laughing, unconciously hugging him closer, even resting their foreheads together. He once expressed curiosity in what she was like drunk, and this is it--an unapologetic sort of affection. Strictly speaking, she's not actually there, but she could almost feel it, and she was never the sort to begin to question her own actions. No need to ruin a good thing. Even so... ]

This is not at all what I was expecting.

[ In a good way, if her expression is any indication. ]

[sarcaskick]

No?

[ It's not what he was expecting, either. Not just today, but... well, ever. If anyone had told him he'd be anywhere near this sort of state he would advise them to go get their head checked, yet when she presses her forehead to his he barely even thinks of backing away (and, in fact, doesn't). Maybe it's the drink. Must be the drink. That is some drink.

The hand by her shoulder slides along her back to tease the back of her neck with his fingertips, nails dully scraping against her nape. ]

Well, if you want to change gears and go bang in the middle of the road, just say the word.

[sunseeker]

Hmm.

[ She exhales into the touch, a noise of pure contentment, and shakes her head, her forehead rolling against Mercury's. ]

Thank you for the offer, but I believe I'll have to pass on the 'middle of the road' bit. Last night was more than exciting enough.

[ And then some. ]