Jubilation is heard among those gathered.
Music plays in the air and conversations are lifted to the very ceiling, drowning the sound of the fountain.
She was a woman who had little desire for grandiose events, leisure time always was sought elsewhere, away from this supposed jewel of the desert. But, her assignment required her presence here, among the denizens, among those who wore familiar faces. Her husband could not become an asset, but another would play the part of companion this eve -- and his part was perfected. Rivienne hung off his arm, this midlander male, a serpent like herself by the name of Ivaan, a man whose iron demeanor melted whilst standing at her side. In this crowd, they were invisible, hardly noticed, for she was but another figure among the many, and he was an unknown with those present. The Commander chose the pairing well; his twin serpents with deadly venom.
Pleasantries were shared, dutiful to her facade, Rivienne gathered information unknowingly from those present. She heard the rumors of this man's taste in women, long legs were preferred. It came as no surprise to the agent when she noticed her target charming several women far taller than he. Golden eyes were narrowed, peering behind dark lashes, to those present before her. A smile painted her scarlet lips, laughter bubbled from them, but her attention remained to the whispers coming from the pearl in her ear. She was camouflaged among these joyous citizens, the woman in dark rouge.
This merchant was no fool, though he appeared alone, after the ladies he failed at claiming for the eve left his side, Rivienne was given information that there were shadows that breathed nearby. Ivaan had eyes on the man, now left to his own devices, then turned his gaze to the corridor North of him. The information gathered became crucial to their task. This particular piece of scum was providing trade routes to Gridania and packing the contraband, in several shipments, to the very sanctuary of her woodland. The serpents moved among the crowds gathered, like true snakes in tall grass, to position themselves using this gathering as their cover. While a grand act was on display, a true drama was unfolding underneath their noses. The play continued below them, but these actors would not put on a mock performance.
She excused herself from her friends and turned off the world around her. A proposal was blatantly ignored, laughter was drowned out, she was focused simply on the task at hand. Golden tresses danced along naked shoulders as an arm extended out and fingers gathered the thin stem of a wine glass, on display, 'pon a server's tray. Ruby lips were glossed with the caress of her tongue and her expression softened to a woman already falling under the power of alcohol.
That is when he saw her approach, this temptress in red, who wore wet lips eagerly awaiting to meet his own. A vixen among these wallflowers, who went straight for him. He could smell the perfume upon her sun-kissed flesh, how it came from her bare clavicle and the bounty neatly wrapped in fabrics. His head swam already from the wine he had, so much that his vision was clearly on her. It was pathetic how simple this became; Rivienne pulled the strings of this weakness, he was but a marionette, easily manipulated. This puppet was unaware that Ivaan had already slipped into the cool shadows and used the information they gathered, about their corrupted Wailer, to good use. Their attentions were drawn, figuring that he was sent from Gridania to expedite their next shipment.
The serpent provides the distraction within a few minutes of her engaging with the merchant; it is then that Rivienne quickly uses the words that would mark the end of the man's existence. Her venom sank into his ears, an ambrosia he delighted in.
"Let us find somewhere quiet -- to talk."
His excitement caused his eyes to light up and he hurried to take her by the hand. Her giggling melted into the air, and here, among the many gathered, under the sworn, under the blades, Rivienne slipped away from view with this man in tow. The agent was easily forgotten, and made little to no impression of ever being present. Corridors were crossed and the ball became a distant memory as the alley was presented to them and night blankets the area. In the quiet, she found a corner away from view, where their bodies could fit in the crevice of the wall. There, he leaned to whisper lewd words, it was here that his hopes were shattered.
Just like the wine glass in her hand.
His face was grabbed and the back of his head met the cold, unforgiving stone wall behind him with force. The jagged edges of the glass pressed to the center of his chest and Rivienne's demeanor changed before his eyes. His choking was a plea, but it fell upon deaf ears. Even in his dizzied state, as the serpent hissed her demand of information in his ear, he provided a name, and that was all she needed. The glass was shattered down to the very stem, and using that, she made sure that his last breath would be taken.
While everyone danced, laughed and drank, this body was being placed in a crate, his gil purse taken and his dirty money fell upon him like rain. While people enjoyed themselves, his blood spilled into the gutters. While they took the night, she took a life to make Gridania safer.
Music plays in the air and conversations are lifted to the very ceiling, drowning the sound of the fountain.
She was a woman who had little desire for grandiose events, leisure time always was sought elsewhere, away from this supposed jewel of the desert. But, her assignment required her presence here, among the denizens, among those who wore familiar faces. Her husband could not become an asset, but another would play the part of companion this eve -- and his part was perfected. Rivienne hung off his arm, this midlander male, a serpent like herself by the name of Ivaan, a man whose iron demeanor melted whilst standing at her side. In this crowd, they were invisible, hardly noticed, for she was but another figure among the many, and he was an unknown with those present. The Commander chose the pairing well; his twin serpents with deadly venom.
Pleasantries were shared, dutiful to her facade, Rivienne gathered information unknowingly from those present. She heard the rumors of this man's taste in women, long legs were preferred. It came as no surprise to the agent when she noticed her target charming several women far taller than he. Golden eyes were narrowed, peering behind dark lashes, to those present before her. A smile painted her scarlet lips, laughter bubbled from them, but her attention remained to the whispers coming from the pearl in her ear. She was camouflaged among these joyous citizens, the woman in dark rouge.
This merchant was no fool, though he appeared alone, after the ladies he failed at claiming for the eve left his side, Rivienne was given information that there were shadows that breathed nearby. Ivaan had eyes on the man, now left to his own devices, then turned his gaze to the corridor North of him. The information gathered became crucial to their task. This particular piece of scum was providing trade routes to Gridania and packing the contraband, in several shipments, to the very sanctuary of her woodland. The serpents moved among the crowds gathered, like true snakes in tall grass, to position themselves using this gathering as their cover. While a grand act was on display, a true drama was unfolding underneath their noses. The play continued below them, but these actors would not put on a mock performance.
She excused herself from her friends and turned off the world around her. A proposal was blatantly ignored, laughter was drowned out, she was focused simply on the task at hand. Golden tresses danced along naked shoulders as an arm extended out and fingers gathered the thin stem of a wine glass, on display, 'pon a server's tray. Ruby lips were glossed with the caress of her tongue and her expression softened to a woman already falling under the power of alcohol.
That is when he saw her approach, this temptress in red, who wore wet lips eagerly awaiting to meet his own. A vixen among these wallflowers, who went straight for him. He could smell the perfume upon her sun-kissed flesh, how it came from her bare clavicle and the bounty neatly wrapped in fabrics. His head swam already from the wine he had, so much that his vision was clearly on her. It was pathetic how simple this became; Rivienne pulled the strings of this weakness, he was but a marionette, easily manipulated. This puppet was unaware that Ivaan had already slipped into the cool shadows and used the information they gathered, about their corrupted Wailer, to good use. Their attentions were drawn, figuring that he was sent from Gridania to expedite their next shipment.
The serpent provides the distraction within a few minutes of her engaging with the merchant; it is then that Rivienne quickly uses the words that would mark the end of the man's existence. Her venom sank into his ears, an ambrosia he delighted in.
"Let us find somewhere quiet -- to talk."
His excitement caused his eyes to light up and he hurried to take her by the hand. Her giggling melted into the air, and here, among the many gathered, under the sworn, under the blades, Rivienne slipped away from view with this man in tow. The agent was easily forgotten, and made little to no impression of ever being present. Corridors were crossed and the ball became a distant memory as the alley was presented to them and night blankets the area. In the quiet, she found a corner away from view, where their bodies could fit in the crevice of the wall. There, he leaned to whisper lewd words, it was here that his hopes were shattered.
Just like the wine glass in her hand.
His face was grabbed and the back of his head met the cold, unforgiving stone wall behind him with force. The jagged edges of the glass pressed to the center of his chest and Rivienne's demeanor changed before his eyes. His choking was a plea, but it fell upon deaf ears. Even in his dizzied state, as the serpent hissed her demand of information in his ear, he provided a name, and that was all she needed. The glass was shattered down to the very stem, and using that, she made sure that his last breath would be taken.
While everyone danced, laughed and drank, this body was being placed in a crate, his gil purse taken and his dirty money fell upon him like rain. While people enjoyed themselves, his blood spilled into the gutters. While they took the night, she took a life to make Gridania safer.
