[ The answer isn't enough to confirm the identity of her masked companion, but it's certainly enough to make her think of a certain red head that she had been avoiding. The thought of being in a maze with Sylvain prompts a sprout of discomfort that she's been trying to knead out of her since their spa date. She doesn't enjoy feeling that way, but the knee jerk reaction still lingers all the same even if she tells herself some time and space will remedy it.
The maze comes to its first fork in the path and she guides him to the left, for no rhyme or reason other than instinct. As she pulls him that way, she strides ahead to lead him this time. Briefly her gaze flits over her shoulders towards him before turning back towards their path. If she misses a beat, she hopes it doesn't show as she goes to lightly chide him. ]
You either think too highly of me or think too little of yourself. I barely know you. I can't call you an idiot yet when the night is so young.
[ He opens his mouth to retort back, before realizing that what he'd been about to say would have definitely given him away, especially to someone who knew him well. So he interrupts himself before he can give the game away. ]
Oh, it's definitely thinking highly of you. And from where I stand, I see little problem with that.
[ She takes the lead as she chooses their first direction and he watches her with an indulgent smile. ]
Are you just guessing right now or do you have any idea of where you're going?
[ Hilda can't help but laugh, and there's a lightness, a hint of genuineness that flavours it. While it's said with the same chiding from before he might be able to conclude that she's welcome to it.
As much as she's shed the vain young thing that could be won over with pretty words that she was five years ago, there's something appealing about all of this - the masquerade, the dashing masked stranger giving her attention - that makes her feel like the flirty, bubbly version of herself that she hasn't been for the last several months. That version of her has felt so far away from where she is now. She pushes aside the kernel of worry from before, trying to remind herself that she's here to enjoy herself and she deserves that as much as the next Summoned. There's a cheekiness to her voice even though she doesn't turn to look at him. ]
To quote you earlier, both. [ The roses bushes that line the greenery are vibrant and red, and the butterflies that flit between them are luminescent. ] I thought you'd enjoy the adventure of being lost together with a stranger. Unless I read you wrong?
Is it working? Hard to tell, with the shadows and so much of your pretty face hidden away.
[ The words are said with a grin as he bends over her hand, still clutched in his own. His lips whisper a trail of kisses against the back of her knuckles before he straightens again, stepping closer to press in behind her. ]
And you read me right, no worries there. In fact, I cannot think of a single thing I desire more right now. At least, in this particular stranger’s case.
[ There's a hum that is neither in the affirmative or negative even as she feels his lips brush against he knuckles and then press into her. She does however sound amused, pleased even, as they come to halt. ]
I'm going to out on a wing then [ Her wings stretch outwards between them without actually creating space due to their magical nature - but it's too good a pun to resist. ] and assume that you enjoy the chase and mystery. I wouldn't want to take that away from you. You'll just have to wait and see.
[ With him pressed close to her back, she can feel the warmth emanating from their body and it feels familiar to her in her bones. But she doesn't want to dwell longer about what that could mean - the sight before her is far too enchanting not to take a moment to admire it. The long corridor of roses, foliage, bobbing lights and butterflies before them is a sight to behold, even if it's shared with a masked somebody.
Part of her relaxes into him, lapsing into silence momentarily before amusedly asking, ]
Do you make it a habit to go on adventures with complete strangers?
[ He gives a quiet hum, smile in his voice as his arms snake about her waist, pulling her back snug against his chest. His head bends, lips brushing against the curve of her ear as he counters her question with one of his own. ]
Would you think less of me? Especially since you’re not wrong. I do, at times, very much enjoy the chase.
[ The brush of his lips against her ear sends a shiver down her spine. It's a stark contrast to the warmth against her back and the arms now curled around the small of her waist. Years of practice means that her voice remains remarkably steady in its aloof amusement. The slight squirm of her body from before however is impossible to hide how she had felt when he had brushed against the shell of her ear.
Her arms go to wrap around his in turn, but not before lightly dancing her claws across his hands. ]
Not at all. It would be hypocritical of me because I enjoy the chase too.
[ And that is true even without her masked persona present. The chase and all that it entailed was fun, so long as everyone else was having fun too — but it had felt like ages since she'd really done that in earnest. Not since, well... She brushes the thought away before it can go too far.
A butterfly floats towards them, and Hilda offers up a clawed hand. Remarkably it lands on her finger, perching there with its wings flapping lazily. ]
What do you usually do if you've caught your prey?
[ The 'if' is purposeful, teasing. Like an unspoken challenge. ]
[ His smirk grows beneath his mask at her question, the purposeful challenge in it. His finger splay against her stomach, a light pressure there as he holds her against him, even as his other hand traces its way up one of her arms, following the line of it up to her shoulder and then across the outline of her collarbone. ]
Considering you seem pretty caught at the moment, perhaps I should show you instead.
[ There’s no room for ‘if’ left in those words, even as his lips trail down the line of her throat, kisses blazing a hot trail against soft skin. He adds the faintest scrape of teeth in response to the earlier bite of her nails. Two can play that game. ]
[ The places where his fingers dance feels like they ignite sparks across her skin. The thin fabric covering her arms which already feels like it's barely there provides little guard from the feel of his skin barely gracing hers. It's tempting to let out a blissful sigh at the feel of his lips and teeth against her throat, but there's a certain level of control she tries to wrest back. Her fingers dig lightly into his hand.
It's a partially successful attempt. A sharp intake of breath swallows her sigh causing the butterfly to take flight. Unexpectedly however, she catches the scent of woods layered underneath the roses around them. Her mind immediately jolts; it's not pine needles, that much she can be certain of, but it is something she's smelled before. Plenty of people smelled like the woods though. It didn't have to be Sylvain. And besides - even if it was, he was still avoiding her, wasn't he?
Disguising the whirl of questions in her mind as if she's thinking about his question, Hilda takes the moment to collect herself - even if that looks like purposefully rolling her hips against his and chiding him. ]
You're not holding me that tightly.
[ To prove her point she turns so that she's now facing him, encircled in his arms. It's punctuated by one of her hands rising up to trace lightly against the shape of his exposed cheek with a claw. Her golden eyes keep a steady watch on his. ]
If I didn't know any better, I'd feel like you were encouraging me to keep running before we had anymore of that kind of fun.
[ His voice is a thoughtful hum as he lets her turn in his arms until she’s facing him. His arms remain twined about her waist but one hand slides to trace along her spine.
He pulls back enough that he can gaze down into those golden eyes of hers, his own a similar hue as they gleam in the dim light of the garden maze. ]
How badly do you wish to be chased? And are you prepared for what’s in store when I do catch you?
[ His words hold a dark, teasing promise in them. And there is no ‘if’ about it. ]
[ The implication is loud and clear but she wants it to linger there in the air between them along with the anticipation of it. Her arms drape languidly around his neck, back arching so she can lean into him while savoring the feel of his fingers brushing up and down her back. Her claws scrape lightly against the name of his neck in abstract shapes.
Beneath her mask an indulgent smile curves onto her lips that reaches her eyes. Truthfully she hates running; it takes far too much effort not to mention the inevitable sweat that came with it. But she isn't playing herself tonight. And if the running was for fun then... ]
You mean you can't tell?
[ Her eyebrow raises, as her hands slowly slip away from his neck with an answer to both of his questions. She captures his chin between two clawed fingers examining him with a curious tilt of her head from side to side before trailing back down his arm. Reaching behind her, she catches his hands in hers, pulling them apart with a gentle force. ]
I thought those keen fox eyes of yours would be able to.
[ When she's made just enough room, she floats through his hands, allowing them to trail against the shape of her waist. Even as she continues to back up, her gaze doesn't waver from his. There's the clear sound of a smile in her voice, wings flaring out behind her for effect. ]
If you want your answer you'll just have to catch me to find out.
[ There's a sly knowing in his gaze as he watches her back away, clearly rising to the challenge she offers with eager anticipation. He takes a step closer to her, challenging in his own way. Daring her to turn and run like she'd threatened. ]
Because I have no intention of letting you escape my grasp tonight.
[ Her steps backwards are practically skips, the fabric of her jumpsuit flowing around her giving the appearance like she's floating. With her hands clasped behind her back, she looks very much like herself to anyone who knows her well enough but that thought is the farthest thing from her mind as she continues to back up, holding his gaze with smiling eyes that shine in the light.
She'd blow him a kiss, but even that felt too on the nose for her. Instead, she holds her gaze as long as possible until she whirls around at the last moment in a whirlwind of black and gold. Taking off down the path, her wings angle themselves, not unlike how a wyvern's would when they're speeding off. Mentally (and despite herself), she knows she's at a disadvantage thanks to his long legs but her slight form has always made her more difficult to catch.
Not that she intended to escape his grasp. But she wasn't going to make it easy for him now, was she?
The maze twists and turns, but it's all down one continuous path. When she comes to a fork in the road she peers just over her shoulder spotting him; and while she doesn't stop, she doesn't jolts to the right until the very last minute calling - ]
[ His laughter rings out behind her, dark and amused, as she evades his grasp at the last moment, darting off down a new direction to continue the chase. He pursues, because of course he does, his longer legs indeed giving him an advantage here, but she’s nimble and fast, he’ll give her that. But he keeps her in his sights, his focus unwavering as he reaches out to grasp her again, but feels the softness of her wings as she evades him once more at the last moment. ]
Only enough to give you a head start. That’s only fair in a hunt, is it not?
[ The modulator doesn't mask her amusement as she begins to dart down this other winding path. Small glowing lights bob low overhead but they pose more of an obstacle for him as she simply brushes just underneath them. They make the gold in her skeletal bones wings glow. Somewhere off in the distance, perhaps several hedges over, she can hear other voices and the laughter of others also trying to find their way out of the maze. ]
That seems new to me. Or maybe I've just had the fortune of meeting a kind hunter.
[ The laugh that follows is more playful growl than amusement. He puts on a burst of speed, dodging to the side to cut off one of her avenues of escape. It had led in the direction of those laughing voices and he has no intention of letting their hunt be interrupted.
No, he fully intends to keep her to himself for a while longer. ]
I’m not sure ‘kind’ is the right word here. But perhaps I want it to be a challenge in truth.
[ Her eyes widen a fraction at his sudden move to cut her off, but something like determined defiance rears in her gaze. The corners of her lips lift beneath her mask as she gracefully pivots to rush in the other direction. ]
I'm sorry, dear Lief. [ There's laughter in her voice despite none actually leaving her mouth. ] Is there a better word I should be using?
[ The path he chooses for them seems to stretch impossibly far but it does the job. The voices she'd heard grow fainter and fainter until they're simply background noise. Her voice seems to bounce off the edges and the topiary around them depicting creatures of the feywild. ]
And if it isn't a challenge - will you be disappointed?
[ The direction she darts leads them deeper still into the maze, but he’s alright with that. He keeps up his pursuit - sometimes chasing, sometimes herding. Often, she almost seems to be almost in his grasp but then she manages to evade or dart away again, laughter in her voice as she teases and taunts.
His grin just grows as he pursues her, but his gaze grows darker with intent, with anticipation. Finally, he sees an opportunity and takes it - a series of sharp turns before opening into a small open space in the maze, where a small marble gazebo sits nestled among the roses. As she hits the opening, he puts on a burst of speed once more, this time with intent, and swoops in to wrap arms around her waist, dragging her abruptly back against his solid chest.
His lips once more find the curve of her ear, a sharp grin in his voice. ]
[ She would have happily given up the chase soon if he hadn't taken the initiative to catch her. Her earlier stance about running still very much rings true; at least here the running is a means to an end.
Hilda darts up the low steps to the gazebo when strong arms wrap around her pulling her close. His touch feels electric around her - but maybe that has more to do with the built up anticipation that is still cresting. Already catching her breath from running, her laugh takes on a similar, airy quality. Leaning into him to steady herself, her hands go to grasp his arms. ]
That's a high expectation.
[ For once saying that doesn't fill her with as much dread as it might normally. Maybe it's because there's masks hiding their identities so there's less weight that comes with it. Or perhaps she already decided during the chase that all she wants this evening is to forget, have fun, and fall back into old habits she hadn't partaken in a long time now. ]
I have every confidence that you’d meet any expectations I have.
[ His voice is still a hum of dark pleasure as he lets his teeth scrape lightly down the line of her throat for a moment before he spins her in his arms. With her facing him now, he backs them up the last several steps until he can pin her back against one of the gazebo’s thick marble pillars. Looming over her, he cages her in with his body, even as he lets his fingertips trail up her throat and along the mask that keeps the lower half of her face hidden from him. ]
Although this may be an inconvenience. Will you allow me to adjust your mask, my lady? I promise, I will keep your identity concealed. I’d hate to spoil our air of mystery now, after all.
[ A subtle intake of breath accompanies the scape of his teeth. She allows herself to be lead towards the pillars and soon enough she's faced with him once more. With the distance closed between them, the faint smell of the woods is more obvious now. It seems strange to think that the smell brings her a level of comfort and trust that she normally wouldn't give to a complete stranger. Her hands trail up his forearms before settling on his biceps. Despite how he looms over her, there's a sense of safety there and she tips her chin up for him.
She knew that the mask wouldn't be so practical for things like eating and drinking but it was a small sacrifice she had been willing to make. Kissing however isn't something she had accounted for when she had donned it that evening. ]
Don't ruin it.[ She says by way of acquiescing to his request, the sound of a smile in her voice. ] I worked hard on it.
A temporary change. You have my word that I will not alter it irrevocably. [ His voice is soft but there’s a purr of promise in it as he slides his hands back along the fastenings of the mask that covers the lower half of her face. ] Close your eyes for me.
[ He waits until she does so, before he casts the temporary spell to alter it’s shape. Instead of the ornate mask that hid half her face from him, he shifts it into a thick fabric that swirled with intricate patterns, almost like lace. But it wasn’t at all sheer - it was soft, however, like silk against her skin as he slides it upwards.
The full features of her face are never revealed in the process, but instead of covering the lower half of her face, he slides the swathe of fabric upwards as a temporary blindfold instead, refastening it in place and making sure it’s tight enough to remain where he placed it. It covers her eyes, her brow, resting atop her cheeks and the bridge of her nose now.
Once he has it in place where he wants it, he lets his fingers slide free, and then downwards to trace the fullness of her parted lips, a whisper-light caress against soft, lush skin. ]
Beautiful.
[ The word is quiet, murmured against the curve of her ear once more as he keeps her pinned there, blindfolded now and forced to rely on senses other than sight to track what he does to her. He knows it will make everything more intense as a result, and he smiles against her cheek, letting her feel it. ]
[ There's a beat where she doesn't immediately does as he says. It's a small act of defiance, but one that she thinks he might appreciate if layered in the right way. Eventually golden eyes slip closed and she's at his mercy.
Hilda isn't certain what to expect but when she feels the weight from her jaw lighten, followed by the smooth coolness of fabric slip from her lips, to her nose, to her eyes. A spark alights in her belly as a small exhale escapes her lips. Once her mask-turned-blindfold is in place, her eyes flutter open only to be met with with the opaque fabric that only betrayed his bare outline. Without the mask to hide her lower half, it reveals to him pretty pink lips curved into a smug smile and flushed cheeks from running. Feeling the brush of his fingers against her lips she presses a soft kiss to them before a quick nip; a small reward for catching his prize and for the compliment.
With her mask transformed, it also means that the voice modulator is gone too, leaving nothing to disguise her voice either. Being self conscious about it now won't help so she leans into it instead. Using his arms as a guide, she follows the shape of them upwards before draping her arms around his neck. Her clawed fingers tangle in his hair. ]
Have you practiced that trick before? Or was that just for the masquerade?
[ His voice remains low and husky as he slides his fingers back along her jaw, tipping her face back and giving him the perfect angle to dip his head and kiss her. It’s slow and deliberate, tiny nipped kisses along the line of her lips. It’s a chaste start, but that fades quickly when a moment later he claims her lips in truth.
And then it’s everything their hunt had promised. Hungry and sharp and impatient. There’s a demand behind the way his lips crash against hers, claiming all he can. All she will allow.
And still challenging her to meet him in the middle. To give him even more. ]
[ A shiver of pleasure rushes from her belly up her spine at the declaration. The moment their lips meet, she savours the feel of his lips, his mouth, his tongue. The chasteness takes her aback - but not in an unpleasant way. It's sweet in a way. But she's lying if she says that she doesn't want more.
Either he's a mind reader or the chasteness had been a ploy of some sort. A thrill rushes through her again as he pursues her in earnest practically tasting the challenge like a thrum in the air around them. Responding in kind, she fists the hair at the nape of his neck in an effort to bring him closer to her, to close whatever space is left between them. Deepening the kiss, she allows herself to indulge in his taste and the smell of him. She pulls away for but a moment, tugging roughly on his lower lip with her teeth. ]
Just for me? Aren't I special?
[ She maps the curves of his face with her lips before finding his jaw. More kisses are peppered along his jaw line as she offers her own breathless words between kisses and another challenge. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
The maze comes to its first fork in the path and she guides him to the left, for no rhyme or reason other than instinct. As she pulls him that way, she strides ahead to lead him this time. Briefly her gaze flits over her shoulders towards him before turning back towards their path. If she misses a beat, she hopes it doesn't show as she goes to lightly chide him. ]
You either think too highly of me or think too little of yourself. I barely know you. I can't call you an idiot yet when the night is so young.
no subject
Oh, it's definitely thinking highly of you. And from where I stand, I see little problem with that.
[ She takes the lead as she chooses their first direction and he watches her with an indulgent smile. ]
Are you just guessing right now or do you have any idea of where you're going?
no subject
[ Hilda can't help but laugh, and there's a lightness, a hint of genuineness that flavours it. While it's said with the same chiding from before he might be able to conclude that she's welcome to it.
As much as she's shed the vain young thing that could be won over with pretty words that she was five years ago, there's something appealing about all of this - the masquerade, the dashing masked stranger giving her attention - that makes her feel like the flirty, bubbly version of herself that she hasn't been for the last several months. That version of her has felt so far away from where she is now. She pushes aside the kernel of worry from before, trying to remind herself that she's here to enjoy herself and she deserves that as much as the next Summoned. There's a cheekiness to her voice even though she doesn't turn to look at him. ]
To quote you earlier, both. [ The roses bushes that line the greenery are vibrant and red, and the butterflies that flit between them are luminescent. ] I thought you'd enjoy the adventure of being lost together with a stranger. Unless I read you wrong?
no subject
[ The words are said with a grin as he bends over her hand, still clutched in his own. His lips whisper a trail of kisses against the back of her knuckles before he straightens again, stepping closer to press in behind her. ]
And you read me right, no worries there. In fact, I cannot think of a single thing I desire more right now. At least, in this particular stranger’s case.
no subject
I'm going to out on a wing then [ Her wings stretch outwards between them without actually creating space due to their magical nature - but it's too good a pun to resist. ] and assume that you enjoy the chase and mystery. I wouldn't want to take that away from you. You'll just have to wait and see.
[ With him pressed close to her back, she can feel the warmth emanating from their body and it feels familiar to her in her bones. But she doesn't want to dwell longer about what that could mean - the sight before her is far too enchanting not to take a moment to admire it. The long corridor of roses, foliage, bobbing lights and butterflies before them is a sight to behold, even if it's shared with a masked somebody.
Part of her relaxes into him, lapsing into silence momentarily before amusedly asking, ]
Do you make it a habit to go on adventures with complete strangers?
no subject
[ He gives a quiet hum, smile in his voice as his arms snake about her waist, pulling her back snug against his chest. His head bends, lips brushing against the curve of her ear as he counters her question with one of his own. ]
Would you think less of me? Especially since you’re not wrong. I do, at times, very much enjoy the chase.
no subject
Her arms go to wrap around his in turn, but not before lightly dancing her claws across his hands. ]
Not at all. It would be hypocritical of me because I enjoy the chase too.
[ And that is true even without her masked persona present. The chase and all that it entailed was fun, so long as everyone else was having fun too — but it had felt like ages since she'd really done that in earnest. Not since, well... She brushes the thought away before it can go too far.
A butterfly floats towards them, and Hilda offers up a clawed hand. Remarkably it lands on her finger, perching there with its wings flapping lazily. ]
What do you usually do if you've caught your prey?
[ The 'if' is purposeful, teasing. Like an unspoken challenge. ]
no subject
Considering you seem pretty caught at the moment, perhaps I should show you instead.
[ There’s no room for ‘if’ left in those words, even as his lips trail down the line of her throat, kisses blazing a hot trail against soft skin. He adds the faintest scrape of teeth in response to the earlier bite of her nails. Two can play that game. ]
no subject
It's a partially successful attempt. A sharp intake of breath swallows her sigh causing the butterfly to take flight. Unexpectedly however, she catches the scent of woods layered underneath the roses around them. Her mind immediately jolts; it's not pine needles, that much she can be certain of, but it is something she's smelled before. Plenty of people smelled like the woods though. It didn't have to be Sylvain. And besides - even if it was, he was still avoiding her, wasn't he?
Disguising the whirl of questions in her mind as if she's thinking about his question, Hilda takes the moment to collect herself - even if that looks like purposefully rolling her hips against his and chiding him. ]
You're not holding me that tightly.
[ To prove her point she turns so that she's now facing him, encircled in his arms. It's punctuated by one of her hands rising up to trace lightly against the shape of his exposed cheek with a claw. Her golden eyes keep a steady watch on his. ]
If I didn't know any better, I'd feel like you were encouraging me to keep running before we had anymore of that kind of fun.
no subject
[ His voice is a thoughtful hum as he lets her turn in his arms until she’s facing him. His arms remain twined about her waist but one hand slides to trace along her spine.
He pulls back enough that he can gaze down into those golden eyes of hers, his own a similar hue as they gleam in the dim light of the garden maze. ]
How badly do you wish to be chased? And are you prepared for what’s in store when I do catch you?
[ His words hold a dark, teasing promise in them. And there is no ‘if’ about it. ]
no subject
Beneath her mask an indulgent smile curves onto her lips that reaches her eyes. Truthfully she hates running; it takes far too much effort not to mention the inevitable sweat that came with it. But she isn't playing herself tonight. And if the running was for fun then... ]
You mean you can't tell?
[ Her eyebrow raises, as her hands slowly slip away from his neck with an answer to both of his questions. She captures his chin between two clawed fingers examining him with a curious tilt of her head from side to side before trailing back down his arm. Reaching behind her, she catches his hands in hers, pulling them apart with a gentle force. ]
I thought those keen fox eyes of yours would be able to.
[ When she's made just enough room, she floats through his hands, allowing them to trail against the shape of her waist. Even as she continues to back up, her gaze doesn't waver from his. There's the clear sound of a smile in her voice, wings flaring out behind her for effect. ]
If you want your answer you'll just have to catch me to find out.
no subject
[ There's a sly knowing in his gaze as he watches her back away, clearly rising to the challenge she offers with eager anticipation. He takes a step closer to her, challenging in his own way. Daring her to turn and run like she'd threatened. ]
Because I have no intention of letting you escape my grasp tonight.
no subject
[ Her steps backwards are practically skips, the fabric of her jumpsuit flowing around her giving the appearance like she's floating. With her hands clasped behind her back, she looks very much like herself to anyone who knows her well enough but that thought is the farthest thing from her mind as she continues to back up, holding his gaze with smiling eyes that shine in the light.
She'd blow him a kiss, but even that felt too on the nose for her. Instead, she holds her gaze as long as possible until she whirls around at the last moment in a whirlwind of black and gold. Taking off down the path, her wings angle themselves, not unlike how a wyvern's would when they're speeding off. Mentally (and despite herself), she knows she's at a disadvantage thanks to his long legs but her slight form has always made her more difficult to catch.
Not that she intended to escape his grasp. But she wasn't going to make it easy for him now, was she?
The maze twists and turns, but it's all down one continuous path. When she comes to a fork in the road she peers just over her shoulder spotting him; and while she doesn't stop, she doesn't jolts to the right until the very last minute calling - ]
Don't tell me you're going easy on me.
no subject
Only enough to give you a head start. That’s only fair in a hunt, is it not?
no subject
[ The modulator doesn't mask her amusement as she begins to dart down this other winding path. Small glowing lights bob low overhead but they pose more of an obstacle for him as she simply brushes just underneath them. They make the gold in her skeletal bones wings glow. Somewhere off in the distance, perhaps several hedges over, she can hear other voices and the laughter of others also trying to find their way out of the maze. ]
That seems new to me. Or maybe I've just had the fortune of meeting a kind hunter.
no subject
No, he fully intends to keep her to himself for a while longer. ]
I’m not sure ‘kind’ is the right word here. But perhaps I want it to be a challenge in truth.
no subject
I'm sorry, dear Lief. [ There's laughter in her voice despite none actually leaving her mouth. ] Is there a better word I should be using?
[ The path he chooses for them seems to stretch impossibly far but it does the job. The voices she'd heard grow fainter and fainter until they're simply background noise. Her voice seems to bounce off the edges and the topiary around them depicting creatures of the feywild. ]
And if it isn't a challenge - will you be disappointed?
no subject
His grin just grows as he pursues her, but his gaze grows darker with intent, with anticipation. Finally, he sees an opportunity and takes it - a series of sharp turns before opening into a small open space in the maze, where a small marble gazebo sits nestled among the roses. As she hits the opening, he puts on a burst of speed once more, this time with intent, and swoops in to wrap arms around her waist, dragging her abruptly back against his solid chest.
His lips once more find the curve of her ear, a sharp grin in his voice. ]
I doubt you could ever leave me disappointed.
no subject
Hilda darts up the low steps to the gazebo when strong arms wrap around her pulling her close. His touch feels electric around her - but maybe that has more to do with the built up anticipation that is still cresting. Already catching her breath from running, her laugh takes on a similar, airy quality. Leaning into him to steady herself, her hands go to grasp his arms. ]
That's a high expectation.
[ For once saying that doesn't fill her with as much dread as it might normally. Maybe it's because there's masks hiding their identities so there's less weight that comes with it. Or perhaps she already decided during the chase that all she wants this evening is to forget, have fun, and fall back into old habits she hadn't partaken in a long time now. ]
Hopefully I don't disappoint then.
no subject
[ His voice is still a hum of dark pleasure as he lets his teeth scrape lightly down the line of her throat for a moment before he spins her in his arms. With her facing him now, he backs them up the last several steps until he can pin her back against one of the gazebo’s thick marble pillars. Looming over her, he cages her in with his body, even as he lets his fingertips trail up her throat and along the mask that keeps the lower half of her face hidden from him. ]
Although this may be an inconvenience. Will you allow me to adjust your mask, my lady? I promise, I will keep your identity concealed. I’d hate to spoil our air of mystery now, after all.
no subject
She knew that the mask wouldn't be so practical for things like eating and drinking but it was a small sacrifice she had been willing to make. Kissing however isn't something she had accounted for when she had donned it that evening. ]
Don't ruin it.[ She says by way of acquiescing to his request, the sound of a smile in her voice. ] I worked hard on it.
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[ He waits until she does so, before he casts the temporary spell to alter it’s shape. Instead of the ornate mask that hid half her face from him, he shifts it into a thick fabric that swirled with intricate patterns, almost like lace. But it wasn’t at all sheer - it was soft, however, like silk against her skin as he slides it upwards.
The full features of her face are never revealed in the process, but instead of covering the lower half of her face, he slides the swathe of fabric upwards as a temporary blindfold instead, refastening it in place and making sure it’s tight enough to remain where he placed it. It covers her eyes, her brow, resting atop her cheeks and the bridge of her nose now.
Once he has it in place where he wants it, he lets his fingers slide free, and then downwards to trace the fullness of her parted lips, a whisper-light caress against soft, lush skin. ]
Beautiful.
[ The word is quiet, murmured against the curve of her ear once more as he keeps her pinned there, blindfolded now and forced to rely on senses other than sight to track what he does to her. He knows it will make everything more intense as a result, and he smiles against her cheek, letting her feel it. ]
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Hilda isn't certain what to expect but when she feels the weight from her jaw lighten, followed by the smooth coolness of fabric slip from her lips, to her nose, to her eyes. A spark alights in her belly as a small exhale escapes her lips. Once her mask-turned-blindfold is in place, her eyes flutter open only to be met with with the opaque fabric that only betrayed his bare outline. Without the mask to hide her lower half, it reveals to him pretty pink lips curved into a smug smile and flushed cheeks from running. Feeling the brush of his fingers against her lips she presses a soft kiss to them before a quick nip; a small reward for catching his prize and for the compliment.
With her mask transformed, it also means that the voice modulator is gone too, leaving nothing to disguise her voice either. Being self conscious about it now won't help so she leans into it instead. Using his arms as a guide, she follows the shape of them upwards before draping her arms around his neck. Her clawed fingers tangle in his hair. ]
Have you practiced that trick before? Or was that just for the masquerade?
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[ His voice remains low and husky as he slides his fingers back along her jaw, tipping her face back and giving him the perfect angle to dip his head and kiss her. It’s slow and deliberate, tiny nipped kisses along the line of her lips. It’s a chaste start, but that fades quickly when a moment later he claims her lips in truth.
And then it’s everything their hunt had promised. Hungry and sharp and impatient. There’s a demand behind the way his lips crash against hers, claiming all he can. All she will allow.
And still challenging her to meet him in the middle. To give him even more. ]
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Either he's a mind reader or the chasteness had been a ploy of some sort. A thrill rushes through her again as he pursues her in earnest practically tasting the challenge like a thrum in the air around them. Responding in kind, she fists the hair at the nape of his neck in an effort to bring him closer to her, to close whatever space is left between them. Deepening the kiss, she allows herself to indulge in his taste and the smell of him. She pulls away for but a moment, tugging roughly on his lower lip with her teeth. ]
Just for me? Aren't I special?
[ She maps the curves of his face with her lips before finding his jaw. More kisses are peppered along his jaw line as she offers her own breathless words between kisses and another challenge. ]
What other tricks do you have just for me?
CW: heading into NSFW territory!
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