(1304) Asa & Twist

[Asa]

Asa nodded in acknowledgment to those that had greeted them in some form or fashion, smiling at some of the costumes. The red gowns were striking, but two others particularly caught his eye. @Ciara Maskelyne 's was exquisite. It was always a pleasure to see her take on themes, and he gave her a smile. The lingerie costumes were expected, and made him think of Alice Brown -- it would have been something she would have enjoyed.

He turned to Twist with a smile.

"Did you have any doubt?"

Of course she didn't. He loved the idea of the theme -- it was why he'd wanted to do it again when she'd first told him it was one she had done years ago.

The other that had caught his eye had apparently caught Twist's as well, and the smile turned a bit more mischievous.

"Oh? Whatever do you mean?" he asked with feigned innocence, wondering if she'd recognized the shirt.

[Twist]

Twist laughed, a satisfied smile on her face, the classic cat with cream look, though it was unlikely that she would recognize the phrase if someone mentioned it. He knew her well.

Her smile turns wry and reaching behind him lays a finger at the base of his neck and draws it downward and to the side. Repeating the motion, but this time to the other side she then traces a horizontal line just shy of midway down his back. Looking up to him, the look in her eyes matching his, she watched to see if he recognized what she was doing.

"You added the C this time."

[Asa]

Asa's head tilted backward and his shoulders moved up slightly as his neck tingled.

"Stop that," he protested quietly... but weakly.

He gave her a sidelong smile that suggested she could do it again, later. He was being Princely right now. Despite the theme of Court, exploring the seven deadly sins during it -- or at least one of them -- seemed a bit much.

Asa was mildly surprised she remembered, but given the themes that were explored, maybe he shouldn't have been.

"Not by design," he admitted. At least, the extra letter wasn't. Form followed function, and both means were tailored to the individual.

He leaned downward, lowering his voice.

"It's so much easier to win when the other person doesn't mind losing."

Of course, she was Daeva. She knew that.

[Twist]

Letting her hand fall away from Asa’s back, Twist gave a low throaty laugh, clearly noting his reaction and storing it away. Catching his smile, she mirrored in and laughed again, idly wondering what he would say if she told him that she had originally been considering skipping the body suit of her costume and gone just with the gemstones and glitter.

.

Tilting her head so that she could catch his words clearer, she grinned, a mischievous and dangerous grin. “Oh most assuredly,” she whispered back, “And when they come back for more…” she trailed off, her eyes sparkling with wicked delight. Clearly she had no intention of hiding which realm she belonged in… not that she ever did of course.

[Asa]

"You should know," he replied, slipping an arm around her and catching her hand in his.

He dipped her, as if dancing; and they were, with words.

"I lament the lost innocence of the newly minted Ventrue Priscus I was, before being seduced by the Seneschal of the Domain."

"You're such a bad influence," Asa answered with a grin to match hers.

At least he had the satisfaction of knowing that he was probably just as much of a bad influence on her. It was an ongoing delight how well they complemented one another.

[Twist]

Twist followed Asa’s lead, falling back into the dip with a bright laugh, ”I only lament that I cannot do it again.”

Twist makes a scoffing sound though with a smile it lacks any real bite, “Says the one who has taken it upon himself to help me in learning so many new skills.” Even when it was done unknowingly on at least one end…

[Asa]

"Maybe I should stop by the theatre and we could revisit that," Asa answered. He arched an eyebrow and brought her back upright.

"Sans the mandragora, of course."

He gave her a long look, shaking his head slowly, thinking of another time at the theatre and lost opportunities.

"I still owe you for that other visit," he said softly.

[Twist]

Twist grinned in delight at the very idea of revisiting early days. It wouldn’t be quite the same, permissions once obtained removed the flickers of risk and knowledge once known could not be retracted. But it would be fun nonetheless and she would surely not complain. “Most certainly without,” she said with a laugh that Asa would be able to tell was slightly forced. Some days it was hard to make light of things.

She met his gaze easily and with an openness reserved for only him and 2 others. As his mood shifted, she arched her eyebrow, “Sei veramente pensate che mi devi nulla?*” she said just as softly, her hand shifting from where it rested to seek out his hand, her smaller fingers slipping through his and intertwining.

*translation

* Do you truly think that you owe me anything?

[Asa]

Asa noticed the laughter, but there were far worse things that had happened. Still happening. As his thoughts turned toward their third, he squeezed her hand lightly, glad of it's cold comfort.

"Credo che stiamo pensando a cose diverse. Io sicuramente vi debbo per la serata con Elle."*

His eyes crinkled in amusement as he explained. It was one of the few times he'd exercised any sense of self control.

"Per quanto riguarda la tua domanda, sempre. Sempre."**

The decades before had been spent alone, and he couldn't have imagined them any other way. Now, he couldn't imagine returning to such. He raised her hand and kissed it.

"First, you tease me, now you've gotten me all sentimental. Your name is well deserved, my lady."

Translations

* I believe we're thinking of different things. I definitely owe you for the evening with Elle.

** As for your question, always. Always.

[Twist]

Twist smiled at the squeeze, and then at the mention of Elle, the memory of the specific evening Asa was talking about came to mind. Realization dawned across her face and an almost wicked smile appeared and her eyes sparkled at the memory, “Yes, different things indeed.” Laughing she looked up at him through her lashes, trying to look innocent though coming on the heels of her previous look, it was assuredly a fail. “I did feel terrible for you having to go through that if it makes you feel better?” She wasn’t lying… much. She had felt terrible for Asa that evening, but it had only been for a moment until she had gotten caught up in Elle. If that eve occurred tonight, it would have gone down differently, but time changes much and back then things were different.

Her wicked smile fades, replaced with a softer one, but one that is no less full of passion and emotion. If it were so, then it was a mutual debt.

She chuckles slightly and drops into a curtsey at his words, “Thank you my Prince. I would so hate to disappoint.”