alnifolia | OPEN POST;

[ He waves a hand dismissively. ] Ah, the enjoyment of fine art, perhaps?

Did you have a more immediate arrangement in mind, or were you merely leaving your options open?

[ She responds with a rather noncommittal shrug before taking a quick glance around the room. ]

I would hate to disturb the other guests with our irrelevant chatter.

Perhaps we can take this conversation elsewhere, outside the gallery?

[ He nods, then offers his arm. ] Have you seen the gardens yet, by chance? They're lovely.

[ she quirks a brow at his gesture, at first. You know, if she weren't still a wary that he would pull a gun on her once they're in a more secluded spot, she would be enjoying this charm very much. Still, she plays along, hooking her hand around his arm and giving him a smile. ]

Oh, I've heard the flowers are in bloom right now. Sounds like the perfect place.

[ He does, in fact, have a blaster holstered beneath his jacket and a blade concealed in his sleeve, but as it stands, she's given him no reason yet to use either.

Leading her through the crowd, he leans down occasionally to make small remarks on the artwork as they pass through the gallery, then through a side hallway. The gardens aren't quite as crowded as the gallery had been, thanks to the space; the plants are carefully and artfully arranged, with winding pathways and delicate marble statues dotting the paths. ]

I meant it when I said I said this was a coincidence. [ His voice stays low, his posture impeccable, though he drops the soft-spoken, rich boy accent. He sounds more like he did when they first encountered one another as Star-Lord and Kasumi Goto. ] I'm on the clock, but I promise I'm not goin' after you this time.

[ Kasumi, meanwhile, has her omni-tool at her disposal. And if things really go sour, her pistol is holstered against her thigh beneath her dress (which would explain her strategic selection of a dress that flares out a little as opposed to the silhouette-hugging pieces that have been in style for a while--that and she'd never been one to blend in that much when it came to fashion).

In any case, once they've reached a more private place in the gardens, hedges creating a little room of sorts around a rather sculptural-looking bench, she loses her socialite voice, too, although her movement and posture retains that natural grace that she just carries herself with in general. She lets go of his arm, walking forward and taking a seat on the bench. ]

Good to know. So, what, you just wanted to come and say hi and thanks to me, then?

[ Her tone is light, maybe even flirty, but there's an edge or skepticism to it. ]

[ He remains standing, hands clasped behind his back once again. ]

More or less. I take it you believe I shouldn't have.

[ She leans forward with a smile, resting her elbow on her lap and her hand on her chin. ]

Oh, it's alright. I apologize if I seem rude, but you understand why I might have been a little apprehensive, yeah?

Besides, I imagine you'd be better company than any of the fellas in there. Better looking, too.

[ He can't help but smirk a little. ]

You're apprehensive, and yet you wander out here with me to a far less populated area of the grounds. You'd think the moment you saw how empty the gardens were, you would've steered us right back around.

[ She smirks right back. ]

I wouldn't be the best at what I do if I didn't take risks now and then.

And what can I say? I'm attracted to danger.

[ He chuckles softly at that. ]

Alright, fair enough. I take it your plan is to acquire something tonight, then.

Like I said, I'm here on business, just like you are.

[ He holds up a hand, as though to interrupt her. ]

The less I know about it, the better, I'm afraid.

[ she quirks a brow. ]

Really. What about that potential agreement I mentioned?

Depends on who owns the item in question.

[ The majority, as he understands it, is owned by the hostess -- and his current employer -- though some pieces had also been loaned over for tonight's event. ]

'Fraid I'll have to cite conflict of interest on this one.

[ She hums thoughtfully at his response. ]

Fair enough.

[ Kasumi isn't typically one to readily divulge details on her old heists, especially ones that she considers close to her heart, but Quill's already been present for arguably one of the most personal of her heists yet, so she figures she has nothing to lose by talking about this particular instance. ]

One of the paintings on loan tonight is a piece by a dear friend of mine. Girl I saved from slavers a while back. The man who owns the painting, though, is a total scumbag--I'm just gossiping now, aren't I? Anyway, I think he might even be the ex-husband of the woman hosting this party?

[ He quirks an eyebrow, then, and though he doesn't quite smirk, there's a hint of amusement in his face. ]

Should've mentioned something sooner, Goto. Might be able to lend a hand, after all. Have something in mind?

Oh? What happened to conflict of interest, huh?

Conflict of interest became conflict with interest.

[ She whistles, having caught on to the target, although she's not sure if he's been hired to kill the ex-husband or his new girlfriend (the drama between the hostess and her ex-husband is, apparently, not a big secret). ]

Lucky us. How about we help each other out, then? Need a distraction?

[ Peter's expression changes briefly from mild amusement to slightly incredulous-- ]

Do you really think I need a distraction?

[ --and quickly back to amusement when he continues. ]

Anyway. It would be unseemly to take care of my business in the middle of a function like this. Too many eyes, for one. Total party foul, for another.

Oh, but think of the drama that would unfold. This would be the party of the year, for sure.

[ she's joking. Kind of. ]

Afterward, sure. But until then, it'd mostly be a lot of noise and confusion and a whole lot of mess I just really don't want to deal with. And I sort of like the canapés they're serving, so I'd hate for things to end early.

[ She nods. ]

On that we can agree. Did you try the one with smoked salmon on it? To die for.

[ Ha ha... get it... 'cause he's an assassin... ]

[ Deadpan, ] Ha.

[ He glances around idly, ensuring no prying eyes and ears are listening in on their conversation. ]

When are you planning on making your move, anyway? Can't imagine you're planning on taking the painting in the middle of the party.

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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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