[His mouth tightens, just a little. As casually as he'd asked, he wants an answer. Her evasion means if he wants to know, he will have to ask, directly. Discreet. But she's not pulled away from him, as he tucks her hair into place. He leaves his hand there, fingers pressed gently to the side of her head. It is strangely intimate, for being next to nothing.
Brief severity is erased as a little smile curls at Darraws' mouth, too. He can't help it.]
Don't think you did tell me that one, no. When was this, and for what reason?
Years ago, before we met. [ The shake of her head dislodges his hand, but she reaches up to catch it, drawing it down from her head to hang between them and keeping her fingers clasped around his. ]
I snuck in through a party like we'll be doing this time, pretending to be the mistress of an Antivan dignitary. I stole some papers from the office of one of the Archon's advisors, and had to hide on this tiny little ledge just outside the window when he came back unexpectedly with his own mistress.
[ She measures the width of the ledge with her hands, a smile still lingering around her mouth. ]
I balanced on that for ten minutes, in heels, and a forty foot drop in front of me. And then walked right back out the front gate with the papers and no one the wiser. I'll be back before you know it.
[Despite himself, despite the situation--a grin jumps to Darras' face. He catches Yseult's hand again, once she's through measuring that narrow windowsill, and swings it back into a hold that bridges the distance between them.]
Oh, well. That's quite a story. And I'd be more disappointed that you'd not told it to me before, if it wasn't a good story as well.
Though I dunno if you could be back before I know it. It's really a party you'll be sneaking into? In a disguise, I'm assuming?
Yes, as guests. Or servants, but I'll be a guest. And then I just have to steal a key and we'll walk the captives back out while everyone is distracted. [ She squeezes his hand. ] It will be fine.
I should go, I don't want to keep them waiting. I'll send word when I return.
[ They both know she could easily slip his hold if she wanted to. She doesn't, even as she sighs, soft, faintly exasperated. But it's her own fault he's so nervous. ]
I'll be fine, [ she says again, but even if wishing can make it so there's no knowing until the worrying's been done anyway. She relents and steps closer instead, in until her other arm settles around him and her forehead leans against his jaw. ]
[Teasing. He squeezes her hand, light pressure, nothing that will really keep her there. She could pull away without even trying. She could disappear around the corner, or forever, and Darras could out word out with everyone he knows, looking for her, and she could never be found again.
One minute hardly seems enough. When she steps in close, time, at least, seems to slow.]
I've heard about this sort of thing, y'know. In stories. [He rearranges so he can get arms around her, too, holding her. Apropos of nothing, he goes on:] "Time seemed to stop". It's poetic. Comes off sound like a spell.
That would certainly be useful for work. [ says Yseult, failing at poetry. ] A whole mission run in an instant. A whole career.
[ Her breathing is soft against his throat, and she lets her eyes close just for the rest of this minute and imagines them somewhere else and something other than they are.
She draws back slowly as the time runs down. ]
Be good while I'm gone. [ Joking, sort of. ] Go and get Rosana, she must miss you. And when I'm back maybe we can talk.
[Darras, whose general version of being good would only sometimes be to Yseult's liking, chooses not to respond at all to that bit. He reaches instead to cup her cheek in his hand before she properly pulls away, gentle.]
She put ashore but the ferry wasn't to her liking, and I've not been able to track her down since. When you're back, you can help me track her down. Yeah?
If she doesn't want to see you, she certainly won't want to see me, [ Yseult points out, but it's not a no. Instead she nods, more a slow blink than any movement of her head that might dislodge his hand, at least not until another beat has passed and she steps back altogether, putting a couple feet between them. ]
When I'm back, [ she re-confirms unnecessarily. She backpedals the first two steps, and then turns and disappears into the crowd. ]
[Wait: he wants to request it of her again, keep her stood in front of him for a moment longer. The moment feels stolen, like something he needs to work to keep alive, extended, lasting beyond these few seconds. Time is not stopping, does not stop, and moment later she has slipped free of him and has moved away into the crowd, lost to view.
And Darras is alone in the alley again. He stares after Yseult, like he can will her back.
Then he gives up that vain effort, too, and turns to go back into the tavern for another drink.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2018-09-19 09:10 pm (UTC)Brief severity is erased as a little smile curls at Darraws' mouth, too. He can't help it.]
Don't think you did tell me that one, no. When was this, and for what reason?
no subject
Date: 2018-09-19 09:48 pm (UTC)I snuck in through a party like we'll be doing this time, pretending to be the mistress of an Antivan dignitary. I stole some papers from the office of one of the Archon's advisors, and had to hide on this tiny little ledge just outside the window when he came back unexpectedly with his own mistress.
[ She measures the width of the ledge with her hands, a smile still lingering around her mouth. ]
I balanced on that for ten minutes, in heels, and a forty foot drop in front of me. And then walked right back out the front gate with the papers and no one the wiser. I'll be back before you know it.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-20 06:51 pm (UTC)Oh, well. That's quite a story. And I'd be more disappointed that you'd not told it to me before, if it wasn't a good story as well.
Though I dunno if you could be back before I know it. It's really a party you'll be sneaking into? In a disguise, I'm assuming?
no subject
Date: 2018-09-20 07:10 pm (UTC)I should go, I don't want to keep them waiting. I'll send word when I return.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-20 10:06 pm (UTC)[Darras tightens his grip on her hand, holding to her. Holding her there, for the moment, at least.]
Not yet. Just a moment longer.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-20 10:25 pm (UTC)I'll be fine, [ she says again, but even if wishing can make it so there's no knowing until the worrying's been done anyway. She relents and steps closer instead, in until her other arm settles around him and her forehead leans against his jaw. ]
One minute more, and then I really have to go.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-21 03:27 pm (UTC)[Teasing. He squeezes her hand, light pressure, nothing that will really keep her there. She could pull away without even trying. She could disappear around the corner, or forever, and Darras could out word out with everyone he knows, looking for her, and she could never be found again.
One minute hardly seems enough. When she steps in close, time, at least, seems to slow.]
I've heard about this sort of thing, y'know. In stories. [He rearranges so he can get arms around her, too, holding her. Apropos of nothing, he goes on:] "Time seemed to stop". It's poetic. Comes off sound like a spell.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-21 10:38 pm (UTC)[ Her breathing is soft against his throat, and she lets her eyes close just for the rest of this minute and imagines them somewhere else and something other than they are.
She draws back slowly as the time runs down. ]
Be good while I'm gone. [ Joking, sort of. ] Go and get Rosana, she must miss you. And when I'm back maybe we can talk.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-24 01:13 am (UTC)[Darras, whose general version of being good would only sometimes be to Yseult's liking, chooses not to respond at all to that bit. He reaches instead to cup her cheek in his hand before she properly pulls away, gentle.]
She put ashore but the ferry wasn't to her liking, and I've not been able to track her down since. When you're back, you can help me track her down. Yeah?
no subject
Date: 2018-09-24 01:31 am (UTC)When I'm back, [ she re-confirms unnecessarily. She backpedals the first two steps, and then turns and disappears into the crowd. ]
no subject
Date: 2018-09-25 06:50 pm (UTC)And Darras is alone in the alley again. He stares after Yseult, like he can will her back.
Then he gives up that vain effort, too, and turns to go back into the tavern for another drink.]