synflux | OPEN / CLOSED

[ The mission is a simple one, sure. Infiltrate the auction, do whatever's necessary to interrupt it, capture the specimens and the auction holders, and bring back anything that seems relevant for the investigation. And, of course, coordinate with a partner to better implement the plan. It'd be too suspicious to go in alone, after all!

That's the plan. Simple. She's carried out numerous assassinations before following a similar plan, so normally she'd have no issues. It's good timing too since she's gotten a tailor to fashion a dress near identical to the one she typically wears when assassinating targets. Gloves, shawl, and all. Everything should go smoothly. That is, except for the partner part. But with other members of LILITH as partners, it should be fine, right? Hypothetically.

The biggest snag in this simple mission is that Toji is her designated "date" for the auction. The man she shoved to the ground to make his nose bleed and whose back she swore she broke at their first meeting. The silence between them has been polite on her end but endlessly terse as they entered the auction hall, and not even a full meal laid out in front of them has been able to lighten her mood.

She traces her fingertip over the rim of her wine glass, eyeing Toji with uncertainty. She hasn't touched her own meal yet in favor of just...sipping at her wine. It'd be a shame to waste it, she tells herself. When else would she get to try filet mignon with all expenses paid?! ]

Is the steak alright, Mr. Fushiguro?

_{[ It’s been odd since he and Yor have spoken. Toji hadn’t messaged her since their little … actual date got interrupted and he really thought it was for the best. She’s such a happy and positive person even if she’s rough on herself; he feels like someone with his gruff demeanor and negative outlook deserves nobody, really. It’s not like he even felt any feelings for her, right? Toji really didn’t know, because while she’s just “another girl” for him to try and distract himself with, he couldn’t help but feel really bothered that they hadn’t gotten time to properly get to know one another.

Needless to say, he also feels awkward when he finds out they have to be paired together and.. act like a couple. He’s not really good at playing a part like that. He had been taking the lead while coming here, dressed in a simple suit with some futuristic flair to it, but for the most part it looked like an average formal attire even if he wanted to take off the tie that was around his dense neck. It was killing him having to be proper like this; it reminded him too much of the Zen’in estate.

He’s not said a word to her this whole time, but finally, he gives in and turns to her. ]}

Don’t “Mr. Fushiguro” at me. It’s Toji. Toji.

_{[ … why does he feel bad like.. right away. ]}

It’s fine. It’s free, so it’s the best kind.

[ Only in the dead of winter has the air around her felt so icy cold. She's certainly glad she brought the shawl to cover her shoulders, or else the chill that runs over her shoulders and down her spine would be impossible to hide.

Yor doesn't meet his gaze right away but she does nod slowly. ]

Right. Sorry, Mis- Toji.

[ Why is it harder to call him that now than it used to be? She really needs to get it together. They're on a mission! If something goes wrong because she couldn't keep herself focused... ]

That's good to hear though. [ She finally smiles, though faintly. ] Did you want to order anything else before the event starts? We still have time.

_{[ Of all the people he could get paired with, he gets paired with her. It reminds Toji painfully that they were supposed to have some real kind of date-- something that he was actually looking forward to considering it was involving looking at weapons. There's things about Yor that keep surprising him.

Little does he know that she will be further surprising him tonight once she gets enough alcohol in her system to cause a scene.

She's right, though. It's free, so he should order more. ]}

Another steak and dessert. And whatever else you want... dear.

_{[ He's so bad at this. It sounds like he is having a horrible time. Toji's style of assassinating very rarely involved infiltrating by masquerade like this. ]}

[ To her, that "dear" might as well have been a slap to the face. Despite seeming to enjoy himself, he's so...is he still mad about before? That must be why he's been so terse. He hasn't spoken to her unless it's necessary, as if just looking at her rubs his nerves raw.

He must truly hate her. More than she ever thought. ]

Of course. I'll flag the waiter.

[ Another steak and another dessert. She can't think of anything else she could want, though. Her own dish didn't taste very good with the general atmosphere going sour from the first minute. What she does order, however, is a whole other bottle of wine. He didn't seem to like alcohol, so with the still mostly full bottle she's got, that should help things. Maybe. Or at least she'll remember less of the in-between of this moment and whenever the auction starts. ]

[ Once the second bottle is set on the table, the first goes right into her glass and...well, right into her mouth. It's a wonder she didn't just drink it straight from the bottle itself, but she has some semblance of manners even when tipsy. Sort of.

Another long sip, and her cheeks are a brighter shade of red as she swallows and takes a breath.

Ah, that's better. The sudden warm wash of alcohol, melting away the tension. ]

Meg'mi is a nice boy. Must be proud of 'im.

_{[ It's times like these that Toji really wishes he could get drunk. He hates alcohol mostly because he can't, so what is the point? There's not judgment when Yor orders more to drink and he continues eating his second entree. He's nearly finished and heading for the dessert when his body senses.. a little more warmth coming from Yor now.

What she says next.. it doesn't surprise him (after all, it makes sense Yor would meet Megumi since he's also here) but it just.. catches him off guard. ]}

Haaaa, what for? What did he do?

_{[ Seriously. What did he do? Toji barely knows anything about Megumi. _]}

[ She's not quite hiccuping just yet, but already her tongue isn't moving right when she talks. ]

Alwaysh real nice, helpful. Shurprised me tho...he looksh just like you. Didn' notish before.

[ Another drink, and her train of thought just abandons Megumi at the proverbial station. ]

Do you hate me, Toshiguro?

_{[ Toji has never experienced the bliss of being drunk, but he knows it when he sees it. He hadn’t expected Yor to even really be a drinker, but she really keeps him guessing with all these surprises.

The question she asks, though, causes something in his chest to twinge. It shouldn’t matter. He shouldn’t care. It’s for the best that she thinks that he hates her because that way they can go their separate ways and he can stop thinking about her because he knows he’s not good for her; just like he said.

But he has a hard time just out right saying, “yes, I hate you.” Because it’s not true. He doesn’t hate her. He hates the fact he’s feeling this sort of way and deflecting it onto Yor is the easiest.

It doesn’t color on his face, but he can feel a little bit of heat reaching his cheeks. He cannot remember the last time he felt that. ]}

You’re drunk. Don’t ask stuff like that when you’re drunk.

[ He does. He absolutely does. Why else would he avoid the question like this? They're on a mission and she shouldn't be asking anyway! She must look so ridiculous. ]

M'shorry.

[ Her voice lowers some. She'll just...have to complete this mission. Once it's over, she'll just have to be more professional. Stick to her routine before becoming a Forger, she supposes. Just working her cover, completing LILITH's jobs assigned to her, then going home. Repeating it all over and over and over again. Nothing extra to her coworkers except a weapon who occasionally greets them pleasantly. ]

Yuri 'n Loid alwaysh forgave me, but...'m just good't kil- [ She hiccups, her whole body swaying from the effort. She doesn't look right at him either but instead just watches her wine swirl in her glass. ] 'm no good at normal thingsh. Can't be a good shister, good mother, good anything. Jusht...Thorn Princessh.

Edited 2024-03-03 19:33 (UTC)

_{[ Oh my god. She is sad drunk rambling. This cannot be good.

Toji has already established in his head he is going to have to handle all of this himself. After all, if she’s this drunk, how much of use is she going to be? He even considers just leaving, but he can’t leave her like this, right? He would have to take her with him.

The way she talks about herself, though. It reminds him of himself in ways. His clan always has such high expectations for all of their family members, and Toji could never meet them with his lack of cursed energy. Who was Yuri? And Loid? But most importantly.. ]}

Thorn Princess?

[ Oddly, hearing him say "Thorn Princess" seems to jolt her at least a little bit back into the same world as everyone else. He's not her usual handler, but he's her partner for this mission, isn't he? Different situation, similar effect. The business side of her understands that much, at least. ]

My title. When I gotta take care'f a "client."

[ Another glass of wine, this one from the second bottle. Her eyes seem both alert yet not. Impaired, yet focused on the stage where the auctioneers are slowly filtering in. ]

Ah...the auction'sh'tarting.

Yeah. I've got one of those too.

_{[ "Sorcerer Killer" or whatever. It's not like Toji really cared about it. The auction is starting and Toji tries to pay attention to it, but something seems a little... off about Yor right now. He can sense it. ]}

You're not going to have another sip of that, Yor.

[ A pout purses her lips the moment he gives that order. Her hands tighten their grip on both the bottle and her wine glass, and she tears her attention away from the stage to instead fix him with a betrayed look. ]

Hmmm? Why not? Ish'mine.

@assassinsgreed | Sapphire Room (03/05)

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