[ the way he practically purrs out that pet name sends a barely concealed shudder down her spine. were it anyone else at this soiree speaking that word to her, the temptation to cause a scene would be real. at least she knows jim, knows why he's playing this part and that she asked him to.

something else buried in the depths shifts like something shuddering under desert sand, but she kicks it back down.

trusting him fully, she swerves as he directs, grateful that he saw the incident before it even happened. it allows her to avoid even glancing at the potential offender and her lips curl upwards with amused disdain at the annoyed sound he makes behind her. she gladly continues parading him about, letting her pet be the lower star to her constellation, the fascinating distraction to her main attraction. ]

Could work. Wouldn't be too hard to find a match in the right spaces.

[ her voice remains mildly disdainful, slightly interested in the conversation or something attached to the conversation. they move a little farther away from the crowd and she dips back into the deeper conversation. ]

Likely both. A magister backed by the gods. You know how it is. [ her smirk turns a little annoyed, like a proper magister who's feeling ignored and dislikes it. ] Couldn't be easy. If this is our relic, we'll want to grab it before the hand off. If it's not...

[ her head tips slightly. theoretically, they could take the relic after the pass, but that would be harder to pull off. worst comes to worst... they make a scene. as a couple. ]

Either way, they'll have it under guard. Likely by a nasty spell in a safe room or on the host's person. Let's see if we can stir up some more rumors. There's a couple in the corner looking surly. Want to try our luck there?

I know what you mean.

[ if either of them drop their guard or their acts, that may well be the last thing they do. they can't take that chance, not here, not with venatori practically breathing down their necks. so he keeps his smile plastered on and she keeps her chin lifted and her smirk in place. ]

Hmm. Might be hiding it for an opportune moment, but at least that means there's no darkspawn.

[ because at this point, she wouldn't be surprised to have those crash the party. but he's right to expect things to go sideways. they always do for her. ]

Not sure. I'd say the woman, but you might make her partner jealous. Worth a shot. Maybe they can both be flattered into giving up secrets. Let's swing a little wide, see if we can't make it look like an offhand comment as we walk by.

[ she turns them a little, setting them up to walk by in half a minute so their path gives jim a direct line to the pair and whichever one he thinks might be more responsive to a little more-than-harmless flirting. ]

They're odd about what they will and will not agree is acceptable attention, but we are in public.

[ so jim's likely right on the money there. better not to risk causing too much fuss too early. as he slips more into the act they've both been playing, she steps into the other side, giving the couple a disdainfully appraising look, like she can't agree with her companion's assertion. ]

Which is why I brought you out tonight, [ she points out with the air of someone who is annoyed at having to share a prize. ] Thought you could use the enrichment.

[ her eyes follow his to the pair he has "chosen" and her chin rises slightly. the woman's head tilts almost imperceptibly, as she looks them over. curiosity perhaps. the man's eyes narrow. jealousy? hmmm... ]

Come now. Don't give me that look. Let's make a game of it. You find me someone worth your time and I'll bring you out more often.

Handsome companion you have there, [ the woman's voice rings out. not loudly, but pointedly, enough for jim and neve to hear over the crowd but not enough to draw extra attention. ]

Isn't he just? [ neve's possessive smile flicks to their two targets as the pair rise and meander over. ]

Pity, really. If he were altus... [ the woman gives jim another appraising look. neve, still playing the part despite the way her hair stands on end, shifts to hold jim's arm a little tighter. possessive but also comforting for them both. ]

If any of us were altus enough, would we be at this soiree? [ neve gestures around at the gathering. it certainly has the look of high society, but given the relic she and jim are here to find, and what she suspects it's here for, well... ]

Oh, we're all here for the same thing, [ the woman purrs, her eyes back on jim. ] Connections. So, tell me. How can I help your socializing today?