(closed to hoasen)

[robindarich]

[It was precisely the type of place he didn't want to be. Bigwigs, everywhere. People boasting about themselves and their accomplishments, small talk nobody really cared about filled the air. Everyone was dressed to the nines, as well. Men were in sharp suits, women were in formal gowns and were heavily laden with any jewelry they owned. He spotted a diamond necklace on one woman that would have fed an entire town with provisions before glancing away.

Even Robin, who usually wore his muddy boots and ragged mantle was in his own suit to blend in. He must have looked nice because more than once he caught a woman or two, even a man, looking after him as he strolled around aimlessly. At one point, he took a glass of champagne from the tray of a waiter to kill time and wait for his date.

They decided to meet here to draw less attention instead of walk in together. It was easier to sneak himself in on his own than worry about another person. Besides, his "partner" had her own means of infiltration. He just hopes she hasn't already gotten caught and he's left to complete this mission on his own.

In the middle of lifting his glass, he can hear a couple of older birds whispering at each other. "Who is that? I've never seen her before?" He turns in his spot to look at the top of a staircase and nearly drops the clear crystal glass.

His "partner" is here, finally, but he almost didn't recognize her. Similar to him, she was usually found in her simple style. But now she fits right in with the rest of the woman here. Only... classy? He doesn't know.

All he knows is he's staring at her from the bottom of the staircase like an idiot.]

Comments

why is this happening

[hoasen]

[So his date. She's generally a humble soul, self-critical (not as bad as him) and figures her appearance is nothing to write home about. And yet, when it comes to settings such as these, playing the grand game, she knew what to do. After all, Sen was known for her being part of circles of politics, with being what she is and all.

So she dresses up, her hair adorned with flowers and her dress elegant. She comes just a little bit late, fashionably so, but not so much that you would upstage the finest guests. It's just a little bit, only so that she would be forgotten as soon as she came, as they will have to tend to the guest after that, and the one after that.

But she stalls, for a minute, on top of that staircase. Staring down to see Robin, all dressed up in a suit, looking more than just "he cleaned up well". He was as handsome as he claimed, even if she can tell that he probably felt uncomfortable in such garments. This was not his scene. And yet he looked better than any of them.

Trying to stop herself from looking like an idiot (wait) she makes her way down, hovering her hand over the railing and picking up her skirts until she reaches the bottom of the stairs.]

So... [Is that all you can say.] Ah, I hope you were not waiting long? [God.]

what do u mean why WE AGREED ON THIS

[robindarich]

[Continuing his idiotic persona, he watches Sen descend the staircase gracefully. Likely the most graceful he's ever seen her. Normally she's clumsy and kind of awkward. He half expects this to be another woman that will just pass him by.

It's not. She stops right in front of him and his shoulders straighten subconsciously.

... Man, it really is the Sen he's known. The awkward greeting is all he needs. It's a little funny but he's still very much thrown by her appearance. The dress is a big change. It follows curves he's never noticed, sweeps and compliments her shoulders and neck. Her hair is even up and

he's starting to stare again.

Clearing his throat, he dips into a bow for her.]

I would wait lifetimes for you, my lady.

[Look. LOOK, they agreed on this act. After he says it, he feels embarrassed. His cheeks burn a shade redder as he straightens out of his bow. He's said lines like it before, many times, but because it's Sen...

He wants to change the subject. The untouched champagne glass is offered to her.]

Uh, here.

HEH

[hoasen]

[How can she help it, she's clumsy and awkward around him, just because...well, because it's him. She has not yet figured out why she's like this to Robin Hood, just that it happens more often than she would like, and he flustered her more than she would admit to. If at this very moment, she's able to have on up on him? She's taking it.

Well, so she thought, until he had to say what he did. It's all part of the act, but she can't help it when her chest beats wildly and her ears start to burn. She clears her throat, trying to stop herself from fanning herself.]

M-my lord. [It came out a lot more naturally than she thought, but she was happy to take that drink, trying her best to maintain eye contact. But her cheeks flush when she sees how handsome he is!

QUICK, just take a sip.] Thank you...it's good. [Hopeless. Utterly, hopeless.]

playin the fool

[robindarich]

[It takes all his willpower and then some not to facepalm. Lord. He's a lord!! There's no denying he looks like one. It's against his very nature to be called anything like "my lord".

But it's a part he has to play to make this work. He has to go along with it. No matter how much he doesn't want it.

Besides, her blushing is distracting enough for him to muse on. She knew he was just acting, right? Something she needs to work on. So close, yet so far. Sen certainly looked the part of high-class lady of importance but her attitude...

He sidles a bit closer to whisper to her under his breath, his arm slipping around her small shoulders.]

Relax. Try to loosen up. [Champagne should help, at least.] The only pointer I can give you to blend in is to act like you own the place and everything in it. Including the people. That's how most rich people are.

[The only problem with being this close is he can smell her damn perfume. Who dressed her? Who did this?! They did a great job but it's almost too good.

She is. A lady.]

shhhhhh what foo

[hoasen]

[Look, it's part of the play, okay, just go with it, lord! He's rich now and completely not a rogue.

AND SHE KNEW, but stop it, Robin. Why is it Robin. Maybe she should just knock him out and be done with it, then she can do this job all by herself (no).

No, she has to do this properly, even with his presence. Even with him up close, arm around her shoulders (ah), and whispering...is he worried? The last thing she wants is for him to be worried.

Act like you own the place...it's not quite her thing. She can have a commanding presence (around men, especially), but she often was much more humble. What now? Will he stop worrying? And also, he's so close, she can just see how well his clothes fit on him. DILEMMA.

She takes another sip of the champagne, her free hand resting on his waist.]

I'll be okay...but thank you for looking out for me. [Come on, you know who dressed you. He'll be disappointed if you didn't play the part of a wonderful lady. Francis taught you so much.]

My lord. [She looks up, her eyes clearer now, before the notes of her voice hit a slight, amused tone.] The young ladies are looking at you. How should I break it to them that you are mine for tonight? [And she has switched.]

i pity da foo

[robindarich]

[He is what he hates...

Oh. Wait.

The hand around his waist is just for show, too, he knows. Still, he can't help the strange warmth that travels up his spine and stretches across his shoulders. What's more embarrassing is her calling him out for looking out for her.

He just wants the mission to be a success, okay!! It's for the mission success, not her specifically.

Robin almost doesn't catch that he's being addressed with how she continues to call him my lord, but he glances down at her with a slightly nonplussed expression. Especially when she looks amused. This is funny to her, isn't it? God damn it.

What young ladies? He was pretty sure most of the birds here are at least in their forties and he isn't into cougars.

How indeed...]

I could've sworn you were a swinger and wouldn't mind sharing a little.

[Yeah, right.

But he could use their interest to an advantage and try and gather intel. Besides, it's fun flirting. Except why in the hell would he approach those girls when Sen is twice as attr--

No, he can't have those thoughts.]

I'll have to break it to them aaaand break their poor hearts.

[That's all he says before leaning in. At this angle, it might look like they're kissing, but Robin just barely brushes his lips on the corner of her mouth to fake one.]

LOALSKASLJK MEL

[hoasen]

[But now he can eat everything for free just to make a statement. She knows she's going to do it.

Is it even for show? It feels so natural that she's beginning to wonder if she did want to gesture something small and intimate. Maybe it's just because she felt affected by his kind words. Kind words that he would deny, but still.

And also, look, they're trying to be charming! Pretend the crade snatchers are beautiful young ladies. Maybe. Alright, she is probably the youngest here.]

Mmm...I respect you and your choices, I do. [She knows it's very much part of the game for him to at least flirt a little to get information, so she doesn't mind it. But for the sake of appearances...

When he leans in, with the illusion of kissing, and she feels his lips just gently ghosting over the corner of hers, she blushes slightly. Which, alright, is probably the correct reaction considering the others will see this.

Her hand reaches round to the back of his neck, almost like pulling him, and she kisses him back on the corner of his lips, a little more visibly so.]

If you do something like this, how can I not help it but be selfish?

[Das right, Rich Sen saying how she's going to keep him all to herself. But it seems they're turning a few more heads with that display.]

i pity da foo who takes a full month to tag back holy fuck

[robindarich]

[Respect -- now that's new. Here he is saying fuckboy things and she tells him she respects those choices. It's part of the show they're putting on, but it still surprises him enough that he goes silent and his smile slacks.

It's enough to catch him off guard that he falls a bit more into her when she pulls him in and kisses back. A wayward thought of something like he could tilt his head just a little and their lips would be touching.

Instead, he eases back as he hand keeps settled on the back of his collar. His thumb rubs at the spot she kissed, an eyebrow quirked down at her for being so bold.]

You──

[He feels eyes on them and takes a quick look around. Uh.

Being the center of attention is bad. Very bad.]

Ah, haha, you vixen. [He changes his tone and wraps an arm around her waist, guiding her away.] Let's find someplace more private, shall we? Maybe there's a closet we can squeeze into.

[While the tone suggests innuendo, Robin just needs to get them out of the spotlight before they're approached by someone they shouldn't be noticed by.]

Come on.

look wat lyfe did

[hoasen]

[She respects most of his decisions anyway, aside from the ones where he's clearly making a mess of himself, in which she tries to stop him before he wrecks himself. Still difficult, but she's going to try! So seeing him a little surprised, this close...well, she'll remember it.

As for now, it seems by playing the game, at least she's allowed to be bolder than usual, which goes along with his flow. And so they've done enough, she's sure, and follows his lead in getting them away from all this attention. They've made enough of an impact to look like a bunch of socialites anyway.

So with her hand on his hand after he places it around her waist, she moves along with him--]

You'll have to be careful of the dress. [--implying that she may have something hidden in it, as they keep going. Not because they may have some unfortunate "accident" with it in the closet.

She does press close enough whenever anyone passes, her hand now sliding behind him and up his back, making it look like she can't get her hands off of him. Now to get to their new base of operations.]

it fought the law and the law won?

[robindarich]

[wherein all the choices he makes a mess of him, it's just nobody knows it because he's good at burying things. burying bodies, burying emotions. one more frequenting than the other.] I doubt there's any way to be careful in a broom clo... [she presses closer. somehow. he was pretty sure they were close as is but she finds the empty spots and occupies them with her hips and waist. all against his side. he steadies his breathing and it's a fucking effort to keep from stuttering a step or not having his fingers flex on her side. they make it outside to a balcony. sorry, no closet. it's secluded and as soon as he realizes nobody is watching, peels himself away and runs a hand through his less-messy-than-usual hair.] That was close. [he sighs, and fidgets with his collar as he levels a look at her. and quickly averts his eyes.] There's such a thing as overacting, you know.