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[ungovernable]

WHO: Benevenuta Thevenet, Dorian Pavus, Zevran Arainai, Nerva Lecuyer, Taashath, Rafael Viteri AND THE OTHER ONE. I don't know how to spell that and I already looked up Rafa's name.
WHAT: Pretty much what it says on the tin. And by tin I mean subject line.
WHEN: Covering a span of several weeks, after puppies and before showing up late to Emprise du Lion.
WHERE: Nevarra, mostly.
NOTES: Plotting post; original sign up post. Get at me at matriarchal or via PM if you have needs.

Having taken Ayse's information to the Inquisition leaders, Benevenuta is dispatched with a small group to handle the matter in Nevarra. Feel free to do individual closed threads within the subheaders of anything you want to achieve in Nevarra, and we can work out amongst ourselves how best to do plot elements! We will try to spread out plot contributions so that we don't get bogged down in a ten thousand person thread for any one part.

Comments

[ombranera]

"We are entering a country quite close to my native Antiva- and there are more than a few Crow cells here." He shrugs, adjusting the lay of the stays about his waist. "I wish to not be found by crows. They are looking for a blond, antivan, male elf."

If he is none of these things? it makes him that much more difficult to find.

"Aside from that, I am to be your handmaiden, yes? Yours and Lady Thenevet's."

[keeperofmagi]

That got a deeper frown, and she paused while doing the laces - pulling a little too tight but not enough to cause pain or injury.

"I need no handmaiden. I've heard of no mercenary that travels with a handmaiden." There was a sharp sound of the next bracket of laces being pulled tight against the fabric of the corset, cinching closer.

[ombranera]

"Ah-" Breathe, he needed to remember to breathe. "Were I human it would be called into question, yes. I am not human."

He reached back to pat at her hands. "Next set down, please."

[keeperofmagi]

She tsked lowly, but did as he asked, and lowered her hands to the next set, and at least tried to be a little more gentle with the next few laces, even though she pulled them tight enough to be as efficient as possible.

"So the idea is meant to be less ludicrous because I have employed an elf, instead." She grunted as she pulled the cord taut. "I think you had best keep your service to Lady Thenevet, who will at least know what to do with it."

[ombranera]

"More that she is lending me to your service so you will be prepared and dressed appropriately- Mercenary you might be in this ruse, but-" A faint, cut off gasp at the yank- subtly obscene, before he continued. "A lady wishing her guard to be adequately dressed is not so strange a thing."

[keeperofmagi]

That made her stop. Not the slightly erotic gasp (which she was doing her absolute best to completely pretend didn't happen, even though it had made her very, very aware of what her hands were doing), but the idea of being dressed appropriately--

"I am dressed," She replied, a not of almost panic to her voice. "I even left my templar armour--"

[ombranera]

"We will be in a noble's house, invited to noble dinners and perhaps a ball. What you are wearing is well enough for travel, but for that? No. You will need a corset of your own." At the very least. "Possibly something ought to be done with your hair, I will need to speak to Lady Thevenet on what is most in fashion in Nevarra."

[keeperofmagi]

Nerva very very rarely blushed, and it could hardly even be called that now - but her hands did drop to her sides, leaving Zevran's corset half completely as a strange blotchy colour rose to her pale cheeks.

"I -- I do not see how that is-- A corset would not be--"

[ombranera]

"Exposed collars and nipped waists are what is in fashion-" He reached back again for her hand, tugging it to the laces. "And likely what you must wear. I shall also need to do something about these nails of yours."

[keeperofmagi]

Her hands obeyed, at least, going back to work as ordered, even as the rest of her tensed up, far more flustered than she should be. She had promised herself that this elf would never fluster or frighten her again.

"My nails are fine," She replied, her voice pitched a little too high. "I assure you that I - it would only look awkward and ungainly--"

[ombranera]

"Through no fault of nnh-" He'd forgotten how the breath could be pulled from him in this, forced out in another obscene moan. That she was flustered only gave him all the more reason to continue. "Mine. I shall make you the envy of every woman in the ballroom."

[keeperofmagi]

He was doing it on purpose. He had to be doing it on purpose, and she was not going to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Or, at least, she was going to try not to, and still end up having the blush darken. Worse was, that his words had a very real appeal to them, which made her think about it, and then made her remember how every time she had tried for herself she had always failed, and it had been more awful than before.

So the more she thought about it the more flustered and embarrassed she became.

"You'd be better off putting Taashath in a dress," she grumbled instead.

[ombranera]

The corset rendered his breath shallow enough for him to take a moment or so and pant to catch it again; which, of course, was meant to sound terribly sensual. She made it so easy, how could he not? High and faintly strained between the odd gasp (truly playing it up) He managed. "I think you shall be our best bet. Besides- I have something far better for him in mind."

[keeperofmagi]

"Could you stop that," She finally reprimanded him, though it came out more like a sharp plea than anything else. She began lacing him up as quickly as she dared, if only to get the ordeal over with faster.

"And I am fairly sure I dare not ask what you are planning with him."

[ombranera]

"Stop what?" He peered back over his shoulder, brow quirked, eyes hooded. "I am attempting to breathe."

What crime was that? A particularly sharp pull had his head lolling forward, a low moan rolling past his lips- one he played up of course. "Honestly I plan to walk over with a tiny waist and see if I cannot entice him into a quick dalliance before I finish changing- there would be room for one more if you like."

[keeperofmagi]

"I don't appreciate being made fun of," Nerva replied tightly, pulling perhaps a little harder on the laces than was strictly necessary, that time.

"If you go and manage to get all of these undone, you can ask him for help with them." It wasn't a joke. It was a firm warning, with absolutely no humour in the words, as if she not only took him completely at his word, but was disgusted by the truth she saw there.

[ombranera]

"Ah- now that is too much." It isn't, but it's close- and that may calm her somewhat. Or frustrate her more. "Who is making fun? If he is of a mind an you are of a mind, the offer is sincere. If you are not? You are not."

Someone was taking all of this a bit personally.

[keeperofmagi]

The flustered heat that raised to her cheeks made her face twist in ways that were probably hilarious to anyone who could see them, so she was glad that no one else could.

"Do you usually go from threatening people in their beds to inviting them to yours?" She finally answered, which wasn't an answer, and therefore the safest thing she could think of. Because she also wasn't dead, and it wasn't like she didn't have an imagination, or curiosity.

Or horror.

[ombranera]

"I've gone from actively attempting to assassinate someone and inviting them into my bed. I have also done the opposite as well." He shrugged, reaching back to tie off the laces. "You are a lovely woman and while I would not say I precisely like you- there is an allure to angry, angry love making. And with you it would be quite angry I imagine."

[keeperofmagi]

She steps back when he goes to tie them off, which saves her the disgrace of allowing him to see the way the confusion, embarrassment and anger shift across her face.

"I will pass." It still felt like mockery, to her, and she is fairly sure that it would come to haunt her, if she even looked like she was considering it.

"I am sure I can find more pleasant ways to occupy my time," She can't quite stop herself from sniffing, a little insulted. Not that he didn't like her - that she was far used to - but the idea that she would be so angry, in bed.

Even if it was true, there was a small, quiet part of her that found that sad.

[ombranera]

"Then I shall not bother you further on the matter." He can take his teasing to someone else. Flustering a chaste woman is one thing. Greatly discomforting one that would snap back without seeing the humor? Is trouble he does not need to borrow. "Conversing with Dorian, perhaps? Or with Benevenuta. She seems quite taken with you."

[keeperofmagi]

"Does she?" Nerva raised an eyebrow.

"She is an excellent chess player, I will give her that much. And she made me a gift of a dog." She says it as if she's a little confused as to how or why that happened in the first place, but she's glad for the change of topic.