fandomhigh | Practical Diplomacy, Friday, February 17, 2017

Today the class was meeting in the Danger Shop, and the scenario was set up to look like a busy open air city market. "When you are acting as a diplomat, you aren't working in a vacuum," Anakin said. "There are numerous other groups who are invested in making you fail in your operation, or even just knowing what you're doing. Today we're going to have an exercise about being aware of your surroundings, dodging a tail, and tailing a target yourself."

"One would think this is an easy exercise, but it is not," Obi-Wan said mildly. "There is a veritable treasure trove of ways in which people can keep track of not just your movements, but your communications. You may also wish to consider leaving your communications devices at home."

Anakin nodded. "Even on this primitive planet--" ANAKIN, "--there are hundreds of phone apps designed to look like one thing that are really serving as recording devices. Flashlight applications, for instance."

"So do make sure to check your cell phone," Obi-Wan said. "The sim may make use of it as well."

The sim would definitely make use of it because Anakin was a cheating cheater. "Remember that your appearance can be changed--so can the way you walk, how you hold yourself, and so on and so on. Your job is to not be noticed."

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Ignore the narrative, Ada, and keep looking.

Hyacinthe, feeling eyes on him before the activity began, looked up and caught Ada's eye. "Hello, rinkeni," he said, giving her a slow smile. "Do I pass muster?"

"Only if'n you pass th' test," she teased, fidgeting with the sleeves of her 'I'm a yuppie hipster parent at the market' suit for a moment before going back to braiding her hair. "That's what'll tell us if'n it's convincing."

Yes. Totally. She was not going to complain about the view while they waited.

"If I may be so bold as to say, I far prefer your usual attire," Hyacinthe said, giving her a slow up and down. "This seems far too staid for you. I'm sure I'd not know how to approach you in something like that."

Which meant it was effective for the lesson. But he already missed glittery and colorful Ada.

"You'd approach me t' liberate m' wallet, maybe," she laughed, "--not that I'd ever know it."

It was boring. And it was stiff and restrictive. She hated it.

"I don't know," he mused, tapping his chin. "I might wish to see if there was a woman beneath that stiff attire. If I could pull down your hair and heat your blood." Beat. "While stealing your wallet."

"Incorrigible," Ada accused, but she was still laughing. "You'd try t' seduce a plain an' boring miss, just t' see if you could get her hair down?"

"Just to see if she is always boring," Hyacinthe corrected with a merry grin. "It's possible that she's not, but she doesn't know it yet!"

And Hyacinthe would be right there to show her. With his--personality.

Of course. A thorough personality matching.

"Maybe some people are just always boring," Ada said, shaking her head. "Stuck up, prim an' proper an' don't got no joy."

"Maybe so," Hyacinthe said with a shrug. "But some of them may have excitement just simmering underneath the surface. Hard to know for sure without trying. And if all else fails..." He leaned close, his lips almost brushing against her ears. "I'd still have the wallet."

It was cheating, getting in close like that, and Ada couldn't help a little hum of amusement. "I do approve of multiple goals," she purred in reply. "Just make sure she isn't busy taking yours."

The hand brushing against his hip was totally about the wallet.

Absolutely it was.

Actually, Hyacinthe's hand dipped down to cover hers just because he had no doubt Ada would snag his wallet if she could. It was one of the things he liked about her.

"If she's reaching for my...wallet..." he said, "then we already know she's far more interesting than she appears."

Aw, no wallet for her.

"Guess I ain't so good at bein' boring without motivation," she replied sadly. "I just don't got no insight into bein' coaxed t' let m' hair down..."

Because you don't need coaxing, Ada Miller, now stop flirting in the middle of class.

He knew you, Ada. And it was exactly the kind of thing he would do.

"You know, I'd be willing to work with that with you," he offered out of the goodness of his heart and no other motives, truly. He reached up to run a finger down the pale column of her neck exposed by her bun. "See if together we might find some way to coax your hair down?"

Ada couldn't help a shiver when his finger slid along where skin met scale, and she nervously pulled a few strands loose to distract the casual observer from anything that might sparkle.

"Well, I do gotta take it down eventually," she replied. "An' I was thinkin' up wearin' up for th' dance... I could use help decidin' up or down..."

Which might mean taking it down a few times...

"I shall have to see all the possible options," Hyacinthe said, trying to look helpful and not at all like he was still stroking those sensitive baby scales at the back of her neck. "But t'would be my honor to offer assistance in that regard. In Terre D'Ange, I am well-regarded in matters of...taste."

Was drawing that out really necessary, Hya? Really?

Dammit, Hyacinthe, playing with her scales like that was cheating and you knew it.

Somehow she managed to keep from squirming, though Ada's eyes danced mischievously. "Good thing I happen t' like your...taste."

ADA MILLER. GO TO YOUR ROOM.

If she went, could he go, too?

"Not as much as I like yours," he breathed. "So, after class? Let me get my fingers in your," he grinned and it was filthy, "hair?"

"I got one more class after this," she said regretfully. "But I'll come find you when 'm back in th' dorms?"

She did not yet know her next class was going to Carnival. Hyacinthe was going to get SO MANY PICTURES.

"I could wait for you in your room," Hyacinthe teased. "Less need to go searching."

"Oh, I like that plan," she said approvingly. "Think you can keep from fallin' asleep outta boredom while you wait?"

Though if he did, she'd just climb in and nap with him.

"I'll be thinking of you, rinkeni." And getting pics from Carnivale. "How could I get bored?"

Practical Diplomacy, Friday, February 17, 2017

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