Another Day, Another Abomination of Science

[argentmarteau]

[...Or perhaps not. Because for some reason, there's just smoke billowing out the tower.

We're sure there's a reasonable explanation for this.]

Comments

[argentmarteau]

No, that's not what I meant. But...most people don't care what happens to me beyond superficial courtesy. I haven't had someone be worried about my well-being since I came here.

...[She looks down at the ground because suddenly her toes are fascinating.] You wanted to know why what you said mattered so much. I don't really know why it's like this, but...I might as well be honest.

[thefightisall]

[He'll crack his eye open again to look at her, when she says that.]

So go ahead and say it. I'm not going to laugh at you, Maxwell.

[argentmarteau]

It's not really that easy for me. [Deep breaths. Deeeep breaths.

It...that is to say, I believe, without any regard for taste, that I might have come to...be attracted to you, in a romantic sense.

[thefightisall]

[..Sitting up again, leaning his elbows on his knees, and looking flatly at her.]

You. Have a crush on me. You. Eiriol Maxwell. Little Miss Perfect.

[Blinking a few times.]

You honestly mean to tell me you suddenly have a thing for bad boys?

[argentmarteau]

I think we already established I only bother with the rules so they don't watch my work that closely.

[Crossing her arms.] Did I stutter? I thought I was perfectly clear.

[thefightisall]

[Well, now he's standing up to get a closer look at her. Grabbing her chin, looking her over like he's trying to determine if this is something the explosion did to her or not.]

Sorry, it's a little surprising. I thought you'd be all into some other genius or something.

[argentmarteau]

[Well, she's still impressively red, but since she's still giving him a flat look right on back, that's still Eiriol in all her snarky glory.]

The proclaimed 'geniuses' here I'd as soon strangle than have more than superficial contact with. I don't want to bother with someone who's bought into their own hype.

I'm as surprised as you are, believe me.

[thefightisall]

Well, then. If that's how you feel...

I guess to the victor goes the spoils.

[Since he's already got a hand on her chin, he'll just pull her in for a none-too-gentle but very thorough and intimate kiss.]

[argentmarteau]

[She's startled and off-guard, but she's quick on the recovery, reaching up to get a hand in his hair to pull him a little further into that.

She is also apparently more experienced at this than her image would imply, because once she recovers, she's giving back as good as she gets.]

[thefightisall]

[Well, after thoroughly exploring her mouth with his tongue, he'll pull back from her and smirk.]

I guess little miss scientist's more worldly than she acts.

[argentmarteau]

Little miss scientist did say she didn't want to be a notch on someone's belt again. It is amazing how many people ignore the implications.

[thefightisall]

Do you have any other fun surprises for me, then?

[That grin is wide and sharp enough to cut someone on.]

[argentmarteau]

Hmm...[She'll wrap her arms loosely around his waist and smiles downright wickedly.]

Wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, would it?

[thefightisall]

Well make something out of you yet, then... Come on, my room isn't far from here.

[And it isn't, if she follows him. Turns out he's got his own little private quarters with everything he needs and a rather fixed up interior, since, well. Good to be the king.]

[argentmarteau]

[She whistles a little, looking around.] Got yourself one hell of a set-up here, don't you, Hadrian?

[thefightisall]

Of course. Certain things come with being the man in charge, after all.

[It's actually pretty tastefully decorated. He's got an eye for art, it looks like, though almost all of it is local.]

[argentmarteau]

I'm more impressed by the sense of interior design. I didn't take you for an art connoisseur.

[She's paused to look around the room, since she's actually pretty curious about he lives.]>

[thefightisall]

I can appreciate things that aren't violence, thank you.

[Well, aside from the one corner clearly designated for working out in, he's got things rather tastefully minimalist. The only real stand-out pieces are the previously mentioned paintings, most of which are landscapes or populated scenes, and few intricate rugs.]

[argentmarteau]

Didn't mean to imply you didn't. [She stops after a minute or two of inspection, and turns to face him.]

You know, I don't think the lad who made this knows what a selkie's dress is for. I can't imagine he'd want me in front of his beloved leader in something made specifically to lure ships and men to their doom on the rocks.

[Just. Casually putting that out there.]

[thefightisall]

I was mostly wondering how they knew you were a selkie.

[He does look her over, up and down, for a good long moment, though.]

I guess we're fine as long as we avoid water.

[argentmarteau]

I have no answers for that one.

[Smirking faintly.]

Yeah? More than one way to lead a guy to doom.

[thefightisall]

I'm not worried about it.

[He grins.]

You'd be far from the only person who's tried to kill me.

[argentmarteau]

I was kind of referring to a little death, but I suppose you're all about the challenge that gets there?

[It is amazing how well she pulls off that innocent tone. Either way, she's ending up leaning on the wall near...something flat and horizontal-ish, it doesn't really have to be the bed, and pulling her hair over one shoulder to leave her neck exposed. It is a surprisingly long and delicate neck.]

I still owe you a rematch, don't I?

[thefightisall]

[He'll smirk and step a little closer, hands brushing his coat back to rest on his hips.]

You do, though I don't think you'll fair much better this time.

[argentmarteau]

No? I don't intend to just let you win that easy, Hadrian.

[She reaches out, not to grab his collar but to simply...slide a finger alone his jaw to under his chin.]

I like to think I'm pretty good at improvising.