Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

Comments

[dendarii]

[ Miles doesn't mind, anyway; it's all one and the same to him, as deep in his cover as he is. ]

A few extra snacks?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She looks at the lean-to with doubt. ]

That's all? No fireworks or sparklers hidden in there?

[dendarii]

[ Miles laughs a little at that. ]

Alas, I wish I had now.

[failureisntachoice]

Would have looked good over the water. [ Wine in one hand, she adjusts herself so she's leaning towards him. ]

We could go out and find a few. After we finish eating. [ How hard could it be? ]

[dendarii]

[ Ah. He can't help but swallow a bit at that, leaning in as well. ]

Finish off tonight by blowing something up?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She doesn't glance over when their shoulders touch and takes a sip from her glass. ] It'd be a good way to end it. Unless you want to save it for next time.

[dendarii]

[ He can't help but shiver lightly. Up until now he's been relatively smooth about all this; this is the territory that he gets a little more nervous about. ]

And do something else instead?

[failureisntachoice]

[ It's hard not to notice the shiver when they're this close together. Somehow, it's comforting to know she can have that effect on people other than Church. ]

I'm guessing you picked somewhere private for a reason. We're on a beach in the off season.

[dendarii]

[ He extends a hand, palm open. ]

I thought it wise to remain open to the full range of possibilities. [ A pause. ] Not - as any sort of expectation.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She rolled her eyes. ]

If I thought you were expecting anything, you'd be taking a cold bath far, far away. [ The threat is accompanied with a jerk of her thumb towards the water to make her meaning crystal clear. ]

[dendarii]

Should I take that as hopeful sign, then? The fact that I am not currently bathing.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She nudges his shoulder with hers and teases, ] Hell, I might even let you live long enough for a second.

[ If he even wants one. This is uncharted territory for her beyond her own, biased experiences with Church. ]

[dendarii]

[ That was the right answer. Miles immediately brightens at the thought, a stupid grin running from ear to ear. ]

I would be delighted.

[failureisntachoice]

Only if you promise to bring explosives next time. [ There's another flash of a smile as she lifts her glass. ] And more wine.

[dendarii]

I can certainly arrange both of these things. Plentiful amounts thereof.

[failureisntachoice]

You won't hear me complaining.

[ He's not her usual physical type. Not by a long shot if Church is the benchmark. But he's one of the more interesting imPorts that have arrived recently. First one she's gone on a date with and he's put more work into it than she can recall anyone doing for her, without expectation of something in return.

She watches him out of the corner of her eyes as she waits a beat as she drains her glass and sets it out of the way. Her fingertips brush against the hand closest to her before she rests hers gently over it. They're not making a trip to the ER or one of his healers because she accidentally squeezed his hand too tightly. ]

[dendarii]

[ Another sharp little intake of breath at that. He's absolutely nervous now, not having done this since a disastrous relationship at sixteen, on Beta Colony. (He'd delighted at first when she'd taken joy in his physical form rather than dread. Then, despaired as he realized that that was all she'd enjoyed. Would that be all he was ever good for in a relationship, to be a twisted physical novelty with no personhood of his own--)

Breathe, dammit. Tex hasn't shown any signs of that. He squeezes back firmly, in defiance of any risk it might pose to his bones. ]

Then ... what about tonight?

[failureisntachoice]

[ Dryly: ] It's not over yet.

[ Beyond showing up here for their date, she hasn't planned any part of this out. Instinct is all she has to go by and while she has hard limits of how far she'll go... Her gaze goes from their entwined hands to his lips. How different would it be kissing someone else? She knows at least Miles isn't programmed with some underlying obsession with her and couldn't give a damn that she's an AI herself.

With her free hand, she reaches to cup his cheek and turn him towards her. It'd make it a helluva lot easier to kiss him. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles' heart practically leaps into his throat. Excited, terrified, exhilarated - he decides immediately that he likes tall women very much. With a quick apology and reassurance to Gregor - everything's okay, not sure you want to feel this - he leans up to meet her. An enthusiastic kisser, for sure, and attentive. Trying to sync up with her response to him, to ensure he's doing something she likes. (Reaching his hand up to rest gently on the side of her face is mostly for him, though.) ]

[failureisntachoice]

[ Her hand has long left his face now that he's got the idea, instead resting on his shoulder. He's eager, she'll give him that, and she's smiling as she sets the tone. Her lips, firm and forceful against his, pull back after a long moment with a parting nip at his bottom lip. It's strange having this much height difference between them, but she'll make do.

The tips of her fingers trail across his collarbone and play idly with the collar of his shirt. His bones might need delicate care, but his skin can't be the same way. ] I can leave you a souvenir.

[dendarii]

[ Forceful is good. He loves the feeling of being wanted - can't really say no to it, in fact. If she asked him to strip out of his clothes right now they'd be off in a flash. As it is a thrill goes through him just from her suggesting that. He finds the height differential to be rather thrilling too, if a bit awkward. ]

Generous of you. By all means, as many as you like.

[failureisntachoice]

You're really giving me a blank check? [ There's amusement in her voice and she's moving into a more comfortable position for this. Rather than twisting to towards him, she rests a knee on either side of him so she can simply lean down over him.

And since he doesn't seem to mind her plans, she traces a finger over her chosen slot - where his neck meets shoulder. Fabric is pulled back as her mouth zeroes in on the spot, all teeth and hard pulls. She intends to leave a good mark there, the only gentle part about it the kiss that she leaves when finished. ]

[dendarii]

[ In return, Miles lies back against the blanket. Horizontal like this the height differential isn't quite so awkward (or exhilarating, alas). He shivers as her mouth makes contact - shivers more the rougher it is, Miles adores physicality on so many levels - and skates his hands up her back in response. Resting here at the small of it, fingers digging lightly into her spine. ]

Yes - yes. Paid in full upon receipt.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She arches her back into his touch and briefly wonders what the hell she's even doing. No one's here but them and that privacy adds to the moment. What it adds exactly, she still hasn't pinpointed. She reaches up to run her hand through his short hair.

Lips hovering just above his new mark, she murmurs, ] Don't think you're going much farther than this.

[ It's more a light warning, should his hand decide to feel too adventurous. ]

[dendarii]

[ Warning taken and heeded. He keeps his hands right where they are, though his breathing continues to hitch and heave. He risks leaning upwards briefly to kiss the hollow of her neck, through clothing if he must. ]

I leave the decision entirely in your hands. [ But he can't help but add - ] You are - amazing, thus far. I admire your spirit.