Abraxas: NSFW Threads

[philancer]

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Feywilds Masquerade

[philancer]

( from the maze prompt )

[ He'd spotted her a few times throughout the night, but still wasn't entirely certain his guess was right. he hadn't had a chance to get close enough to look deeper into his guess, either. At least, not until he spotted her slipping out a side door in the direction of the Rose Maze.

Finishing off his wine, he excuses himself from the conversation he'd been halfheartedly taking part in and moved to follow her, slipping silently out onto the patio and moving to her side.

Just as her hand came out to latch onto his with a surprising grip and his golden eyes flit to her masked face, even though it gives nothing away, especially since he can't currently see her mouth - which tended to be one of the most obvious tells of what she was feeling.

And he still wasn't entirely certain he'd guessed correctly in the first place.

The offer, however, gets a quick and easy grin from him, lips curving to reveal teeth as he bent over her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of her knuckles. ]

I'm not afraid of your claws. Even if they are sharp. In fact, that might just add to the allure.

[ His voice is low and husky, playful, but there's a deeper lilt, the faint traces of an accent that isn't normally there. Something he's adopted for the evening to help and hide his identity further. He doubts there's anyone here who might recognize the Srengi lilt to his words except for maybe Claude, and even that's doubtful. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ A throaty laugh purrs from her lips and through her mask as she takes in the sight of the person whose hand she's holding. The words are honeyed and sweet, a common trend amongst the guests that she had been mingling with throughout the evening. There's something else about the low rumble of the fox's voice that rings some familiar bells, but the accent isn't one that she's heard before making it more difficult to place. ]

Flattery won't get you anywhere.

[ There's a hint of a chiding somewhere in her voice, but it's only a light one, meant to add to this more serious persona of hers that she definitely hadn't been sticking to as faithfully as she had intended. Golden orbs linger on their masked features before pulling hand away slowly. ]

Anemone. And you are?

[philancer]

Leif, my lady. A pleasure.

[ He lingers over her hand a moment more before straightening. Although he doesn't release her, keeps her fingers twined with his now that he had them. He does smile down at her, however, playful and knowing. ]

And I'm not sure I believe that's true. The flattery bit. Are you so certain?

[theidlemaiden]

[ When her hand is stopped short of being pulled away, her eyes flit down towards their now intertwined fingers. Normally that wouldn't be cause for concern for her; she's a tactile person by nature, and holding hands, even if it was with a supposed stranger, isn't awfully offensive. After all, she had done it first.

But she almost forgets where she is for a moment, and after a beat raises an eyebrow before looking back up at Lief. ]

Why wouldn't I be?

[ There's a curious tilt of her head as she registers the look he's giving her. Her mind ticks through the list of people that she knows and it could be any number of them. A knowing look doesn't immediately rule anyone out however. ]

Are you implying that I don't know myself?

[philancer]

Oh, I wouldn't ever imply such a thing. Perhaps you just don't know me. But there's still time to change that.

[ He gives her a wink from behind his mask before he gives a slight tug on her hand, leading her towards the entrance of the maze. ]

But you did want to do a little exploring, did you not? Get some fresh air?

[theidlemaiden]

Or maybe I do, and this is all some elaborate plot to string me along until you pin a butterfly pin on me.

[ Despite the put on sigh, the banter is batted back and there's the unmistakeable tinge of jest to her voice. She doesn't provide any resistance as she's lead along by the handsome stranger further into the depths of the maze, keeping her gaze curiously on affixed on the back of his head before lengthening her stride so she can walk alongside him. ]

Are you speaking for yourself and projecting onto me? [ He's not wrong in his guess which she admits as much. What is purposefully left out is why she had reached for his hand in the first place. It's better not to think about the reason at all, really. ] As stunning as the festivities are, I'd be remiss not to take in the rest of the grounds too. Experiences are best enjoyed in a balance.

[philancer]

Would that really be so bad?

[ He's pretty sure he could stop and pin a butterfly on her right now, but he doesn't think that will prove the point he wants to make. So he lets it go for the time being. His lips stay quirked in fond amusement as he tugs her through the entrance of the maze and into the massive warren of rosebushes beyond.

Although he does cast a glance back over his shoulder at her at that comment. ] Balance? I'm pretty sure experiences like this are meant to be indulged in, actually.

[theidlemaiden]

If the goal of the masquerade is to fool those around you, then yes, one could conclude that it would be bad.

[ Of course, bad is relative. The likelihood of her throwing a tantrum if someone were to figure out her identity is rather slim. There are few people that she would truly be agitated if they guessed correctly. At most she might be a little miffed, but it was unlikely to result in it ending a friendship. They were important to her despite what she might allude to. And factors that would lead her to ending friendships had only come to light until recently.

She loses herself in thought, eyes narrowing in frustration for a moment only to catch herself when she realizes Lief has asked her another question. ]

Spoken like someone who has indulged. How have you indulged exactly?

[philancer]

I think answering that question would definitely damage my own air of mystery.

[ There's laughter in his voice as he winks at her again, turning to walk backwards into the maze, still leading her by the hand. But this way he can watch her better. He'll leave watching the maze to her for the moment. ]

I'm also fairly certain you could make an absolute fool of me whether I knew who you were or not.

[theidlemaiden]

Would it though?

[ Hilda tempers the interest in her voice; if she hadn't been curious before, she definitely was now. There was the possibility that Lief was pretending. But there was also the possibility that facets who they were were also folded into the persona. An answer to her question wouldn't reveal anything in full, but based on the list of people she knew, it might at the very least narrow it down. This carefree attitude, the confidence in assuming that she wouldn't let him trip - that had to count for something too.

While she succeeds in tempering her interest, some of it slips through her facade as she raises an eyebrow. ]

What gives you that impression? Or does that speak more to who you are?

[philancer]

Why can't it be both?

[ The reply is lighthearted and flippant, but he doesn't turn around still, content to keep his gaze on hers as his lips curve into a grin beneath his mask. ]

Are you denying your skill at making a fool of all the ready idiots around you? That seems unlikely. Although I suppose if you were trying to be polite, but where's the fun in that?

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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.

[philancer]

[ 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?

[theidlemaiden]

More flattery? You're trying to make me blush.

[ 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?

[philancer]

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.

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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?

[philancer]

And if I do?

[ 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.

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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. ]

[philancer]

[ 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. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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.

[philancer]

I suppose that depends.

[ 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. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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.

[philancer]

Then you'd better start running now.

[ 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.

[theidlemaiden]

We'll see.

[ 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.

[philancer]

[ 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?