alnifolia | OPEN POST;

[ When she sees Peter approach the city gates, she steps out of her hiding spot as she honestly just takes a moment to compliment herself on the great ensemble she put together for him. She doesn't readily approach him, however, opting instead to use his being distracted by his sleeves to find a spot along the wall to lean against, and right as he walks past her, she comes out of her invisibility and says, in a low voice but immediately recognizable, ]

You're looking rather dapper tonight, Star-Lord.

[ JESUS FUCKING CHRIST WHY

is what he would be thinking, had he jumped out of his skin in surprise.

Which he did not.

He absolutely did not. ]

Holy hell, Goto. That was not cool.

[ because you doubted her sneakiness!

In any case, she cocks her head to one side with grin that, without her veil, is now clearly visible. ]

Sorry, were you expecting anything else from me?

Like, how about a hello, and not popping out of thin air right beside me? Goddamn.

[ Now that his heart isn't about to explode in his chest, he can appreciate how good she looks. Even better without that veil, too -- Goddamn, indeed. ]

Okay. Let's start over.

Hi, Goto, you look gorgeous.

[ She folds her arms and quirks a brow at him. ]

Try and keep it professional tonight, will you, Quill?

[ He splays a hand on his chest, looking scandalized. ]

What, a guy can't pay his partner a compliment?

[ She reaches over and straightens out one of the lapels on his suit jacket with her hand, her eyes cast downward at his get-up. ]

I'm afraid that from this moment until we finish the job, I'm your boss, Mr. James McClain. So you can call me by Ms. Gunn.

[ And then she grabs a loose hold on his tie, and runs her fingers down the length of it, letting it slip through her fingers. ]

Alison if we're alone.

[ His smile has a flirtatious edge to it, though he doesn't move to stop her as she runs her hands along his clothing. ]

That seems highly disrespectful and untoward, Ms. Gunn. I'm supposed to be your assistant after all, right?

That you are. Let's get going then, shall we?

[ The estate where their party isn't too far out from the city, but it's almost large enough that it could be its own little settlement, which is downright shameful. But at the very least, Kasumi can appreciate the architecture and aesthetic of the place. From where they'd stepped off of their transportation and started continuing on foot, there's a gate, beyond which a grand garden courtyard lies, hedges and topiaries trimmed to perfection and fountains flowing rebelliously as though the sands of the dessert on the other side of the estate's outer walls didn't exist.

But they have to get through the security, first, which involves the pair playing their parts, the details of which Kasumi had briefed Peter on their way to the estate. Alison Gunn is a businesswoman on the rise for one Altai Mineral Works company, based in a more distant settlement. Kasumi had taken the liberty of fabricating some news stories and rumors about the company and the successes it's enjoyed under Gunn's direction, enough that although the sudden appearance of her name on the guest list might have been a surprise to the host (one Mr. Mereeri) at first, she settled into the idea; Kasumi had kept it all just humble enough to be believable, after all.

As they approach, Kasumi quietly asks Peter for his arm, and she hooks her arm around his when he obliges. The man that stands to let people through is tall, almost taller than Peter, and Kasumi whispers to her companion that he would be the host's right-hand man, who tended to be of more use for his intimidating looks and stature than his actual competence at administrative duties, which says a lot about how Mereeri chooses to run his business of building settlements. ]

Name, please?

[ He directs the question at Peter, but Kasumi is the one that responds. ]

We're with Altai Mineral Works. The name should be "Gunn."

[ The man looks through his list, and eventually nods, again, at Peter. ]

Ah, yes. Welcome, Mr. Gunn.

[ Figures, Kasumi thinks, before she clears her throat. ]

That's Ms. Gunn to you, my good man. This fine fellow here is my associate, Mr. McClain. I don't suppose there are any problems with me brining him along?

[ The guard looks only barely embarrassed when he realizes he'd made a poor assumption, and he steps aside and spreads an arm out in an extra welcoming gesture. ]

Certainly not, Ms. Gunn. My sincerest apologies.

[ Kasumi merely gives him an indifferent little smile as she leads her and Peter through the gate, and once they're a safe distance away: ]

Told you that guy's a dud.

[ Peter's expression is one of disinterest, though he remains attentive enough through Kasumi's informational asides. And he has to admit, Lurch is intimidating indeed with the extra inches he has over Peter.

At Lurch's mistake, Peter merely quirked an eyebrow, expression remaining neutral, for the most part. When they pass, Peter ducks down under the guise of offering instructions of his own (as any well-meaning assistant would do). ]

Careful. He might be dumb as a brick, but he probably hits as hard as one, too.

Oh, I'm not worried. If things go south with the guy, we'd just need you to bat your eyelashes at him.

[ Ah yes, the truth comes out. Kasumi could very well have asked someone else--a certain commander she knows, perhaps--to be her associate on this particular heist, but after observing the host's second-in-command more thoroughly, and in particular where his other... interests might lie in case that played into the job, she realizes she was going to need a handsome man to be her partner in this.

She grins at him. ]

Just saying.

[ --what?

-- Oh.

Peter sighs. ]

I shoulda known you were gonna have me waggle my hips at someone. Again. And here I was hopin' you just wanted to enjoy my company.

Edited 2015-04-27 07:13 (UTC)

Hey, I didn't say you were gonna for sure. Just that you might have to.

Besides, I am enjoying your company, Mr. McClain. Very much so.

[ She flashes him a quick little smile as they continue on through the gardens, where some guests have congregated, but most making way to the main hall just as Ms. Gunn and Mr. McClain are. Kasumi uses the opportunity to begin scouting, pinpointing where guards are stationed, just in case they run into trouble on their way out. ]

Now, now, Ms. Gunn. Your flattery will get you nowhere.

[ Peter does much the same, scoping out guards and exits -- as much out of habit as anything. Best to know how to make a quick getaway and figure out whose eyes are the most watchful. ]

Now, then. Persons of interest?

[ When a server approaches them to offer drinks, Kasumi graciously accepts one and motions for Peter to do the same, mostly for show than for actual drinking (on her part, anyway). She takes a sip as he walks away, continuing to glance around as she speaks in a low, quite voice against the rim of her glass. ]

Depends. We can go about this two ways. They've done a great job of hiding just where in this place the vault is, so trying to find it ourselves will be too risky. But we can... ask someone.

[ And by that she means trick or coerce, of course. She tugs lightly on his arm to turn them in the direction of a well-dressed man--possibly the most well-dressed out of everyone attending, as his ensemble just screams "worth more money than your life," somehow. ]

Mr. Mereeri. He's the one throwing this party. His business is putting up buildings, especially in new settlements, but he pushes a few things around on the side when no one's looking. [ Drugs. She means drugs. ] He loves parties, live music, and beautiful women, so. I suppose I could take the lead on that.

But we could also ask the help. I'm sure there's someone we can... convince to tell us where the vault is.

[ He takes the glass as directed, watches the crowd as she speaks. When she directs his attention to Mr. Mereeri, Peter does his best to keep himself from wrinkling his nose in distaste. He had no idea one guy could wear so much gold. Gross.

At any rate, he listens carefully as she goes through their options, and at the last bit he levels a sort of flat look at her. ]

By "convince," do you mean-- convince? [ By which he means through violence, as evidenced by the sharper tone. ] Or convince? [ By which he means sex, as evidenced by the way his voice smooths out. ]

[ She quirks a brow at him. ]

Convince.

[ So, violence. ]

I tend to use convincing only as a last resort, I'll have you know.

[ And that has likely only happened on so few times that she can count them on one hand. When it comes to jobs, of course. Outside of work? Different ballgame. ]

Alright then. It's so hard to tell with your jobs.

[ he says it teasingly, though there's a grain of truth there -- what with him first being brought to "entertain" a certain woman's sister, then Kasumi admitting he had been brought to this job in case he needed to "distract" the second in command. ]

Don't think we need to resort to anything drastic. Guy like that, he's sure to have some servants who'd spill the beans about anything if given the chance. Just need to talk 'em up.

[ She tiptoes a little to whisper into his ear, not at all worried about how it might look to others. After all, at a high society party, it's not entirely out of place to be whispering secrets. In fact, it's almost a celebrated sport. ~~And now they are in Orlais.~~ ]

Hey. I have no problems with using sex appeal on a job. Actual sex is different. Okay?

[ And then she stands down and begins to lead them further through the gardens. ]

But I agree. I'm sure the servants would be more than willing to assist us, right Mr. McClain?

[ He doesn't comment on what she whispers -- for now, at least. Instead, he nods politely, as any ass-kissing assistant might. ]

Absolutely right, Ms. Gunn. Should we have a look around, for now?

[ She takes another tiny sip from her glass and flashes a cordial, diplomatic smile. For the other guests who might be watching them, for sure. ]

Yes, why don't we do that? Perhaps we can make some connections while we're here, yes?

[ We can scope out more people to target in the future. ]

Of course. Networking. [ There's a teasing edge to his voice. ] Why not simply enjoy yourself, Ms. Gunn? At a guess, I'd say you've already got enough on your plate.

[ She puts on an intrigued expression, quirking a brow at him. ]

Are you suggesting that I work too hard?

Depends -- is that too impertinent of me to suggest, do you think? If so then, of course not.

[ Kasumi can only really respond with a soft chuckle, as soon enough they're approached by another guest of the party, a man who appears, for lack of a better term, "sleazy." Although Peter may not recognize him, Kasumi certainly does--this man runs a rather well-loved house of companions in town. It doesn't surprise her at all that he would be here, considering his clientele consists exclusively of wealthy businessmen and politicians. As for those under his employment--well, Kasumi respects them enough, but the rumors about what goes on behind the closed doors behind more closed doors are worrisome enough that Kasumi gives Peter's arm a light squeeze, as though to signal him to pay attention.

This guy could definitely be a connection in the future. ]

Ms. Gunn, is it? It's so nice to see new faces around these parties. I was beginning to get bored of these people.

[ Kasumi feigns a bashful but coy expression. ]

Sorry, I'm afraid we are in need of an introduction, Mr.--

Please, my dear, call me Tibelius. Everyone around here does.

Very well, then, Tibelius.

[ In a fluid motion, he grabs the glass from Kasumi's hand by its stem, then with his other, takes her hand and bows down to kiss it. ]

❖
OPEN RP POST ① Pick a character ② Pick a prompt (or DIY) (shamelessly and selectively pilfered from bakerstreet's Random Scenario Meme) ③ Do the thing!. table code by betterdolphin

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