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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Aug 21, 2019 0:39:20 GMT
“Oh psh, you don’t know good music when you hear it,” Seth quickly retorted, dismissing her taunt with a mock arrogant wave of his hand. “Singing actually HAS been my day job,” he added with a raised eyebrow, still managing to keep his ‘offended’ expression up in spite of the amount of alcohol he’d consumed.
“And NO,” he added, the corner of the smirk coming through, “No, I didn’t lose that job because of my singing,” undoubtedly anticipating her next jest. He took another drink of his margarita - or tried to, as he had already managed to finish it without realizing it. Making a face at the bottom of his glass, he quickly looked about for a refill, although he was already past getting tipsy.
---
As the cabin’s speakers dinged with the captain’s notice of approaching their destination, Seth managed to stay steadily asleep, having crashed not too many hours after the drinks and disturbed sleep. Not that this sleep was entirely restful, either, evidenced by little moans and uneasy shifts in his chair. But Nima would grow accustomed to this by sheer exposure.
Whatever it was that had bothered him in his sleep didn’t seem to affect his waking moments, rested well enough for his mask to slide back up easily in front of Carter as they disembarked, heading through customs and out to the pick-up area of the airport.
Surprisingly enough, Seth actually behaved himself through the whole process, although it could have been simply because he’d managed to make Carter so paranoid he assumed something was wrong even though Seth was able to legitimately claim innocence the whole time. It was quite an amusing show… for Nima and Seth.
In spite of the embarrassment of suspecting Seth of anything through customs, Carter was quick to take the lead when heading outside, being the first to greet one of the three men who were waiting for them, with the codename “Smith” written on the driver’s sign. “Mr. Carter,” the first man said, his accent heavy but clean, clearly accustomed to dealing with foreigners by his firm handshake and avoidance of a typical bow in greeting. Yao and Carter quickly followed the greeting up with the expected passcode, to ensure there was no confusion as to who each was, although it was down to Yao to make the whole thing look natural rather than something out of a comedy spy movie.
As much as it would be in character for Seth to make some remark about Carter’s performance, his attention was drawn to the side, tilting his head a little as he considered something in the distance… or someone amongst the crowd. He seemed to come out of near daze as he was directed to sit in the car, keeping quiet for once and allowing Yao to handle Carter for once. Instead he watched out the window, clearly reminiscing, but also clearly thinking a thousand miles a minute. It would be a natural assumption that he’d be planning his escape in a familiar location… but it would also be an incorrect one.
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Post by Kelathi on Dec 26, 2019 23:56:18 GMT
Nima had not had a hangover in years, and the next morning, she remembered why she didn’t usually drink. The rest of the day had been spent with a short-temper, getting more annoyed at Carter’s mannerisms and assholery than was usual, her foul mood only eased by Seth’s mischievous antics directed at said agent. Whether he was putting on a show because he just enjoyed it, or was conscious of the way she was feeling, Nima didn’t know, but she appreciated Seth’s actions regardless of the intention.
The small party met with Yao, as was expected, and were ushered politely into one of the two cars, with little time to admire their new surroundings. This meant that Nima was seated in the same one as Seth, Yao and Carter in the other. Carter had understandably been hesitant to let Seth out of his sight, but had also desired to talk to Yao, so he had reluctantly left their prisoner to Nima.
Nima, whom had been watching Seth closely, and had seen the way his attention had been caught by something. Foreboding flooded her. “What are you thinking?” She tried to ask casually as they strapped themselves in. Would he really try to run, after what she had threatened? She wished she could just touch his hand or something and find out exactly what he was thinking, but it would hardly be subtle… and besides, he might get the wrong idea.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Dec 27, 2019 0:23:46 GMT
Fortunately for Nima, touch wasn’t something Seth shied from. Although he’d probably find some way to tease her about anything she initiated.
Nima’s question brought him back more easily than it seemed was likely, his mask so firmly in place he seemed to go from daydream to flirting in a heartbeat. “Wondering if I can see the Great Wall from here,” he grinned, knowing full well that they were nowhere near enough to see. “Also saw a rather festive looking shop down a few alleys back, maybe we can get some food soon? I’m starved,” he went on, then picked up Nima’s hand to give it a quick kiss, flirtatiously adding, “Perhaps… private dining?”
His flirting and lack of local knowledge was a lie; the shop he was thinking of hadn’t even been visible from the car, a well known stop from his youth. The face he thought he had seen in the crowds was familiar, the last tie to something good he had before… something really bad. Even his own subconscious didn’t like to dwell on it. But Cheng hadn’t seemed to age a day, the bodyguard’s quiet presence in sharp contrast to his size and power. Had Tai Yang and the others known Seth was on his way over? Perhaps… or were they there for some other reason? The memories brought back a painful reminder of a past given up, one that had led him from the United States to China, to France and England, then…
Then Egypt.
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Post by Kelathi on Sept 21, 2020 22:36:10 GMT
She might have believed him, swayed by his misdirection and charm, however put on… had he not grabbed her hand. Instead of pulling away immediately, as might have been expected, a strange look came over her. Something like… understanding? Her eyes fixed on his, searchingly. “This would be easier if you didn’t lie to me.” She spoke softly, clearly so that only Seth would hear her words. A face recognized… and the feelings that came with it. Foreboding? Who was it that he had seen?
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Oct 3, 2020 18:49:49 GMT
Seth paused, if only for a heartbeat; Nima’s response wasn’t at all what he had been expecting, so different from the norm, and… well, it was hard to say it wasn’t a little unnerving the way she seemed to know he was lying. Of course he’d be lying about something. But she almost seemed to know about what.
But the pause was used constructively, again a hand dramatically clutching his chest, although the slow pace didn’t hint at heart issues this time as it did before. “I’m hurt,” he began, managing to keep his expression and tone deadpan, “That you think I wouldn’t want to have dinner with you.”
His entire facade fell when there was an annoyed retort to ‘settle down’ from the front seat, shooting an irked pout at Carter as the man continued his conversation with Yao, as if handling a child. Seth leaned in to Nima, still keeping his expression in the pout. “I forget. Did I leave the straw on the plane, or did we bring it with us?”
That reminder earned another annoyed glare towards the back seat.
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The plan, apparently, had been to settle the agents and ‘ward’ in to recover from the long trip, with a tour of the museum the following day. The curator would meet them for dinner at the hotel, although this was where things ended up becoming more complicated without Seth’s intervention, for once.
Two rooms had been booked, with clear intentions that it would be two men in one, but Carter had been the one the key cards were passed over to, and he had snagged the single room. Although from the obnoxious way he had been handling the situation, Seth couldn’t say he wasn’t happy to not have to bunk with the snob. Nima was harder to read on her preference, particularly since Seth was going to be stuck with someone anyway.
Sitting on and thus claiming the bed closest to the window, Seth surveyed their room. It was a two-bed suite at least, with a small kitchenette and bathroom in the corner, and a balcony that looked out over the city from its twenty-floor height. Somehow, they’d ended up in more of a luxury hotel, as evidenced in the pamphlets scattered about in Chinese and English offering room service and chauffeur services. A far cry from any place he’d stayed in before, but the worry about the theft of the red jade dragon seemed to bring out the generous side of the museum hosting them. The room mapped, Seth watched Nima instead, lips quirking at the thought of what pajamas she had brought. While he’d tease and try to compliment with suggestions of silky satin and lace, he was actually hoping for the cat print he’d first seen her in. That seemed to be her style anyway.
With another wary look shot his way, Seth finally raised his hands, one on his heart, again managing to keep a straight face. “I promise I’ll behave in here,” he solemnly noted, even if he seemed amused that he needed to reassure her of the fact. It also, however, kept things open ended about not necessarily behaving himself outside of the hotel room.
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Post by Kelathi on Mar 22, 2022 20:34:23 GMT
Unbeknownst to Seth, Nima had not accepted the bedroom arrangements without a fight, but Carter had pulled rank, and the woman at the front desk had seemed unable, or just unwilling, to help procure another room. Nima had thought Seth would have his own room, heavily guarded, of course, but instead it seemed she was expected to be the first line of defense against any attempt of his to flee.
It was certainly a better deal for Seth, in more ways than one. Not only did he not have to suffer Carter’s unlikeable presence, but the man would have certainly have had Seth cuffed to something, to avoid both his possible escape, and also any attack Carter might imagine the man may spring on him. Nima, on the other hand, knew better than to expect Seth to attack her, but although she knew he was indeed likely to attempt escape, she was loathe to cuff him. It just didn’t seem… right.
So, despite his flight risk, she decided she would just have to remain vigilant. And that meant she intended to stay awake all night, something she was not looking forward to.
It also meant, disappointedly, no cat pajamas for Seth.
Nima too had mapped out the room, much for the same reasons as her charge, for any possible escape routes she might have to foil. At his words, she sighed, responding wearily beneath her breath, “I seriously doubt that.” As she turned she flicked the kettle on, to make her first of many coffees that evening.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jul 23, 2022 17:22:46 GMT
Rather than the usual look of feigned insult, Seth simply pouted at her weary reaction, tutting with disappointment.
“I thought you knew me by now,” he chided, as if hurt, grabbing the brochures before flopping back on the bed, crossing one ankle over the other upraised knee and acting for all the world like a moody, grounded teenager. Pawing through the brochures quickly and casting each aside once done, he then drummed his fingers on his chest, and proceeded to jump up again, opening the door to the balcony and leaning over the railing, flinging himself about as if just bored out of his mind after only about five minutes.
“So are we dressing up for the dinner or is it business casual tonight?” he finally asked, stepping back into the room to go after his suitcase. He made no effort to reign in his cringe at a few of the items that were packed in, obviously added in by a staff member who was concerned how he would seem to their contacts. Instead, Seth dug down and was elated to find a fishnet long-sleeved shirt, modeling it for Nima with what was essentially duck lips.
“Yep, going with this,” he said after seeing her reaction to the shirt, quickly yanking off the t-shirt he was wearing to don it instead. This made the little silver ank bounce against his chest, but what also couldn’t be missed were the tattoos that now stood out plainly, and how relevant they all seemed to be in the moment. The red Chinese character on one shoulder with a matching dragon outline beneath, the brown Celtic circle on the other with a solid golden dragon wrapping around his bicep. There was also a small blue character that hadn’t been so visible before on his neck, just behind his right ear, its placement distinctive and intentional. He didn't even notice their presence anymore, so much a part of him anymore, that it didn't even occur to him that they might bring up even more questions.
The new “shirt” in place, Seth resumed his rummage through his bag, a few other shirts and pants sent spinning off to land wherever they pleased as he went. "Nope... nope... definitely not... nope - would this even fit? Sheesh - nope... nope..." While it was obvious he wasn’t going to be let into any official meetings in such attire, he seemed very unconcerned about what impression he was about to give to anyone.
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