[Neve's perfectly manicured nails have been filed into near points. Each one presses creases into Jim's perfectly fitted formal wear to make her grip seem even more vice-like than it is. She knows that her pet looks good, knows that his manners show he's well trained. This 'Venatori Magister' is unwilling to lose her plaything to some rival or worse--someone she's never even heard of before.
Jim spies one of the other Venatori moving to try and bump into Neve 'on accident', no doubt to start a fuss. Jim pulls her out of the way at the perfect moment, his eyes sparkling with interest for a particular opulent sculpture on display.]
Look, Amatus, I've been thinking of something that would go well by the side courtyard. What do you think of this Style? We'd need something that would match of course...
[He doesn't have to look. The 'tch' behind him tells him the man would have been trouble. He defaults back to Neve leading. All charming smiles when he's introduced icily. Perhaps too charming since the jealousy in Neve's voice is palpable. Her touch though, that's telling him he's doing just what they practiced.
'Tiberius' is charming, but not seemingly bright. To be expected of a mere pet soporati but my he must be quite enjoyable entertainment to be showcased on her arm out here. If nothing else he does clean up remarkably well, doesn't he?]
I dont know...when they say esteemed backer Here I've no idea if they're talking about the gods or just some other more powerful magister.
[ 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 do, but I wish I didn't. This whole place makes me feel on edge, like I've clipped a tooth against another.
[Jim doesn't dare drop his wide eyed and handsome smile even when his voice drops to more normal tones. Alert. On guard. Paying attention to Everything around them. He's out of practice in watching People quite the way Neve does, but once upon a time Jim knew this dance. He's only been on guard for Darkspawn for so long lately, is all.]
I'm not....sensing any Taint nearby, at least. If our relic is going to turn up tonight, it's not been brought topside Yet.
[Could be good news for them. Could be very bad. With Neve's jobs, it's never obvious how sideways things will go before the night's over.]
Which one looks more amenable to flattery? I don't mind playing the flirt if it'll help.
[ 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. ]
Mmh, if it's Venatori me flirting with the man might be taken offensively too. Magisters need their blood lines...
[Which makes the woman the safer bet. Though Jim's not above giving the man an obvious up and down sweep with his eyes as though he's very pleased by what he sees before shifting to his date and pulling up a charming smile that's a little more full of intent than the wide eyed demure date he's been plaything all evening.]
Now, I'm not sure this has been a waste, dearest. There's so much.... [Another not-so-sneaky glance at the pair.] ...to admire about the evening. Ah, the Venue, I mean. You never take me out to socialize anymore.
[The barest of put upon pouts in his tone. Not that he would Dare complain to his patron, of course.]
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?
no subject
Date: 2025-05-01 11:06 pm (UTC)Jim spies one of the other Venatori moving to try and bump into Neve 'on accident', no doubt to start a fuss. Jim pulls her out of the way at the perfect moment, his eyes sparkling with interest for a particular opulent sculpture on display.]
Look, Amatus, I've been thinking of something that would go well by the side courtyard. What do you think of this Style? We'd need something that would match of course...
[He doesn't have to look. The 'tch' behind him tells him the man would have been trouble. He defaults back to Neve leading. All charming smiles when he's introduced icily. Perhaps too charming since the jealousy in Neve's voice is palpable. Her touch though, that's telling him he's doing just what they practiced.
'Tiberius' is charming, but not seemingly bright. To be expected of a mere pet soporati but my he must be quite enjoyable entertainment to be showcased on her arm out here. If nothing else he does clean up remarkably well, doesn't he?]
I dont know...when they say esteemed backer Here I've no idea if they're talking about the gods or just some other more powerful magister.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-06 07:59 pm (UTC)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?
no subject
Date: 2025-05-08 06:27 pm (UTC)[Jim doesn't dare drop his wide eyed and handsome smile even when his voice drops to more normal tones. Alert. On guard. Paying attention to Everything around them. He's out of practice in watching People quite the way Neve does, but once upon a time Jim knew this dance. He's only been on guard for Darkspawn for so long lately, is all.]
I'm not....sensing any Taint nearby, at least. If our relic is going to turn up tonight, it's not been brought topside Yet.
[Could be good news for them. Could be very bad. With Neve's jobs, it's never obvious how sideways things will go before the night's over.]
Which one looks more amenable to flattery? I don't mind playing the flirt if it'll help.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-11 08:43 pm (UTC)[ 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. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-05-19 04:05 pm (UTC)[Which makes the woman the safer bet. Though Jim's not above giving the man an obvious up and down sweep with his eyes as though he's very pleased by what he sees before shifting to his date and pulling up a charming smile that's a little more full of intent than the wide eyed demure date he's been plaything all evening.]
Now, I'm not sure this has been a waste, dearest. There's so much.... [Another not-so-sneaky glance at the pair.] ...to admire about the evening. Ah, the Venue, I mean. You never take me out to socialize anymore.
[The barest of put upon pouts in his tone. Not that he would Dare complain to his patron, of course.]
no subject
Date: 2025-05-22 07:08 pm (UTC)[ 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?