2022-05-19: The villains go shopping, and nobody dies
- Log: The villains go shopping, and nobody dies
- Cast: Yuliana Dispersal, Elisa Kafim
- Where: Zilkhstan
- Date: 2022-05-19
- Summary: Yuliana and Elisa go dress shopping, and imply an awful lot while saying little outright. They're just a normal couple getting ready for a party, surely.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
They always meet on stop-overs. That's the consequence of a life led worldwide, isn't it?
Zilkhstan is on the way back to China; officially speaking, her trip to Saudi Arabia was her own personal business. (Unofficially speaking, there were some cutting-edge pharmaceutical deals Yuliana had to make for the Major's sake, to appease some of the other ranking officers he deals with, who have their own projects. Yuliana has no head for medicine -- so she doesn't entirely realise some of them are applicable to her project, too.) Having collected her own personal bribes and made her own personal contacts, she's heading to home shores again. But after hearing that a certain someone is in the area, Yuliana quietly adds a short stop in Zilkhstan to her itinerary --
As she tells Elisa, eventually, she has an assignment tomorrow night. A fancy assignment. Parties like this are always such a pain, aren't they? (It's hardly a PRIVATE party, of course -- it's a Federation event.) Apparently, the only thing worth a damn about these events is the opportunity to dress up, but it's hardly as if she has time to swan about in a boutique given everything --
Belabouring Zilkhstan a moment: it is a very RICH nation, slaked on blood and bones. The world knows it as a source of mercenaries and the suits they use, but the well-defended Gralbahd Capital City has a residential zone alongside its stark military steel. These roads are filled with historic sandstone and modern storefronts, a civilian existence which enjoys the safety of living an unassailable life. Hung cloth glitters in the sun, with shaded awnings inviting patrons into establishments which can afford to trade in such a lucky country.
And, yes, it has fancy boutiques. Obviously it does.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
A fancy assignment. Dr. Kafim is not unfamiliar with parties of this sort, and does not object to a bit of time to dress up... Not precisely. But it would be a pointless distraction from her research if not for the opportunities it affords, not least of which is the simple opportunity to spend a bit of time with dear Yuliana. So this rich, blood-soaked nation finds Elisa walking its streets, looking to hung cloth, to fine establishments...
She is in her smaller stature, of course, dressed in white for the moment, especially against the heat. And she enjoys the lovely area.
"So have you been here many times?" she wonders. "It is quite... pretty."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Yuliana is in a dark suit, as she usually is, all midnight blue -- today's shawl is green and yellow, tied loosely about her neck, hiding the necklace hanging under there. Perhaps she values the chance to dress up because she so rarely does.
Does she even own clothes which aren't some variation of dark-coloured suit? Doesn't she have a military uniform!?
(Yes, but that's the privilege of being special operations: plain clothes are easier to operate in.)
"Oh, not too often," Yuliana admits, as they step inside. "But places around here are terribly nostalgic, so I like visiting, now and then."
She stops by the assistant, with a quiet word and some subtle bills passed from hand to hand; mysteriously, they're not bothered, after that.
"Besides that," Yuliana says, once she's swanned back to Elisa, "the Zilkhstani people understand discretion, which is a wonderful trait for anyone to have." She does not, particularly, point out the fact that this is the point of the exercise, as she goes to flick through the dresses.
"Find some likely suspects," she offers, cheerfully, "and we can head back to the booths to investigate."
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Elisa often favors dark suits, but not always. She has much wider a variety of clothing than some, labcoat preference aside. ...But she does favor a particular color...
"Yes, this makes sense," Elisa answers. A quiet word, some subtle bills; Elisa doesn't so much as acknowledge that anything has happened except for a smile, and then she listens to Yuliana speak of discretion. "Ahhh yes, of course." A valuable trait indeed. It hardly needs to be stated how much of it is the point. But Elisa, on heels, clicks her way to the racks, and likewise begins to flick through. She does not even pretend to examine anything that isn't in green.
She knows what she's about.
"Hmmm, yes..."
Click, click. Hangar against rack. Look, look.
Eventually she'll find some, of course.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
With a glance to Elisa, Yuliana actually takes some dresses of a colour outside green, though certainly she favours the shade -- but there's some purple in there, too.
Call her sentimental.
Yuliana does not wear heels, day to day -- she can, certainly, but her work so easily involves running about at a moment's notice. Flat dress shoes are fancy enough to pass for normal while serving that purpose. They're spotless, of course. Even if she has to step in blood sometimes, what kind of barbarian doesn't keep their shoes clean?
Once they've gathered up their likely suspects, Yuliana leads them back to the booths -- where they will, mysteriously, not be disturbed. It's fine.
Disappearing behind the curtains, there's a short period of waiting before Yuliana appears again, in an emerald, form-hugging dress which falls over one shoulder and flares out at the calves. Her hand rests at her hip, as she turns around, surrounded by mirrors.
"Hmm," she remarks. "I'm not too sure about this one. A dress this tight is bound to betray a lady's straps, don't you think?" And surely she's talking about a bra, except for the way her hand drops down to brush at her thigh, in precisely the area one might strap a holdout pistol.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Purple is good. Purple is nice. Perhaps it's sentimental, but...
Elisa does stick with heels day to day, though she is rather better than most at running and jumping in them. Not that she generally has to, of course. The fact that she doesn't have to is part of the statement of wearing them.
Back to the booths....
"Hmmmm," Elisa reflects on the first one, looking Yuliana up and down. "While it is lovely," she says, "it would be rather scandalous to go without, wouldn't it?" A beat, "Yes, I do think. Not this one." Elisa also disappears behind curtains, and emerges in another green, this one longer with sleeves and bare shoulders. It is a bit... imperious.
"Hmmm..."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"Quite so," Yuliana agrees, settling back on a plush seat as she waits for Elisa to emerge from her own cocoon. She lays a curled hand against her own cheek when she does, tilting her head against her extended index finger, smiling as she examines Elisa -- and her choice of dress, of course.
"The imperial look suits you," she decides, after a moment, "but there's something missing in this one, I think. You have lovely arms, really -- you ought to show them off." Yuliana's arms have a few little scars, here and there, the sorts of things one collects after so long in the service; she doesn't seem at all bothered by revealing them.
As Yuliana rises up to disappear back behind the curtains, she trails a hand along one of Elisa's sleeves, as if to demonstrate the point. Rustle, rustle, and out she emerges --
This dress has much more body to it; it's a lighter shade of green to the first, and while it still hangs over one shoulder, it hangs loosely with a hundred folds, all cinched in the middle with an empress' waist. Sheer material hangs over the matte, making everything seem a little fuller.
Yuliana turns in the mirrors, only for her fingers to come up and brush her bare shoulder. "Hmm," she starts, "I wonder..."
Something about the presentation bothers her. She can't quite put her finger on it. (She is putting her finger directly on it.)
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"Ah, so?" Elisa considers, eyeing herself in the mirror. "That's true." Lean and toned muscle, obvious even at the shoulder, and there is something to have the imperial look. She has fewer scars--no scars visible at the moment, in fact. But Yuliana makes her point and... hmmmm....
"Yes," she agrees after a moment, and considers. She disappears back into the curtains for a little while and emerges back out to look at Yuliana's. Hmmm.... Body is one thing; she regards again, noticing the fullness of the dress and the folds...
"I think you need something with a bit more mystery," Elisa declares. "Particularly about the draping. That would suit you best. We can't have the whole game given away, after all."
Her own is a sleeveless with a sharp waist, but as she looks at it in the mirror, it isn't quite what she wants either.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"Mystery, you think..?" Yuliana brushes a hand along her face, disturbing the hair which settles there as a matter of face. "Hmm, I suppose I do lend myself to a presentation like that..."
She steps up behind Elisa, slipping her hands about that sharp waist in a loose embrace. When Elisa's in heels like this, she has even more height on her, which means it's a bit harder to look over her shoulder to meet her gaze in the mirror -- but she manages. "You've an acrobat's grace, Elya," Yuliana purrs, as she indicates the horizontal nature of the dress's waistline. "You'll have so much more luck with things which emphasise your length."
With this outrageous suggestion laid out for her, Yuliana releases Elisa to disappear behind the curtains again. Rustle, rustle...
It takes her a little longer to come out, this time -- and this time she doesn't come out in a green dress. It's a deep, dark purple, with a glittering starry black-silver waistband and a high neck; sheer draping hangs off of each shoulder, falling down to the ankle like the loose dress itself.
"Do you like it?" Yuliana asks, turning around in the mirrors. "It's something of a departure from the usual, but..." Well, maybe it's obvious why she'd add another colour to her wardrobe.
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"Indeed. A question, a wondering... That is one of your allures."
But Yuliana steps up behind her, and sure, it's not easy to look over her shoulder, but Yuliana does it. She considers, though... The acrobat's grace--of course, of course. "Yes, length..." She considers that a little more. "That may be the key. I so rarely get to go nice places these days, do I? Always work work..."
Elisa waits for a moment on Yuliana, as she looks over her other dresses, thinking of each in turn, holding them up against herself to look inthe mirror. Eventually she moves into the curtains again herself, changing, but before she's quite finished she peers out at Yuliana when she hears her step out. "Ah...?" She retreats again, finishes adjusting the shoulder, and steps out in something that very much with a high slit emphasizes her long, muscled legs. At least one of them. And she looks over Yuliana with a delight and hunger that is familiar.
"Yes, yes... The very picture of the night," she says. "I do. You are beautiful."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"The work never ends," Yuliana agrees, mildly, "but that doesn't mean we can't have some fun with it, now and then, yes?"
Elisa may well catch Yuliana mid-spin, as she peeks out. She turns to the taller woman, when she unveils herself, starting from the bottom to look up, entirely endeared, entirely intent.
Her cheek colours -- one hand, grasping her veil, rising to cover her smile with curled fingers. "Ah, you're too kind...!" She exclaims, with precisely the tone of someone who doesn't think it's too much in the slightest. "And you -- you are simply enchanting, Elya. Oh, you'll command all the attention of the room, I'm sure."
Without a magic spell, even!
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"True! We certainly can!" And Elisa knows where to make her fun! ...Does she find it fun? It's hard to say; she's so pleasant most of the time that it's difficult to say when she's actually enjoying something sincerely. Well, that's probably fine and nothing to unpack later.
But Elisa does seem to smile naturally and easily at that spin, giving Yuliana the same treatment--until she sees at the top, that colored cheek, a smile under curled fingers. Her own spreads across her face like the moonlight through the clouds.
"Never," she says of being too kind, and whirls lightly under the attention herself, slowly and pleasantly, letting her skirt fall back down again once she has.
"Like a binary star," she decides. "I am glad. ...Yes, this will be awfully fun, won't it?"
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Yuliana could write a book on engaging with the world without sincerity. It's not as if she has much of a choice, when she is the one shred of reality in a world made fake and dull. But there is plenty of fun to be had enjoying the script, according to her.
And life is so much brighter, now Elisa's shining here. Like moonlight...
(And the light the moon reflects is --)
Yuliana is so openly pleased, to hear Elisa deny her deferring. Her hand goes to her cheek, head tilting into it, as her eyelids lower over her satisfied smile. "We are so much brighter," she agrees, low, and the 'them' is silent.
"It surely will!" Yuliana says, with cheer. Her smile gains a rueful shade, though, as her veiled shoulders lift in a shrug. "Of course, we'll need to act with some discretion -- if nothing else, my team will be there, and they love nothing more than a sordid mystery. Let alone the ever-grasping arm of the Federation!"
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Elisa in theory has more choice, but does she? But there is plenty of fun to be had, and Elisa also enjoys this particular brightness, this particular light...
"Yes," she answers, and indeed 'them' is silent. But with cheer they continue, and with cheer Elisa regards that shrug. Hmmm. Discretion....
"Well," she says, "If I do more than watch you work I risk spoiling the show," she says, "So I could stand to... stand back, a bit. But I confess I'm dreadfully curious. I, too, enjoy a sordid mystery now and then."
A laugh, "Though the Federation concerns me rather less."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
"Dismiss them at your peril," Yuliana remarks, lightly. "It's a tremulous union, but each component part is perfectly competent." She would know, after all; she's operated against most of them.
She steps over, threading her long fingers between Elisa's, with ease and confidence. "Still, far be it from me to deny you a spot of curiosity, mm? I'm sure we're both practiced enough at covering our tracks that it won't cause us any serious injury..."
A particular emphasis, on that word. Yuliana can make no such guarantees for anyone who puts their nose in their business.
Her thumb rubs against the side of Elisa's hand, as she adds: "... though, do try to leave my men more or less intact if they ask too many questions, won't you? Really, most of them are delightful -- I'd hate to have to find a replacement in a hurry." Most of them?
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"Hmmmmmm," Elisa says in turn. There are many ways to play that one; Yuliana would know quite a bit. "I'll keep it in mind," she says, rather than dismissing the idea further. Does she take it to heart, or does she simply not want to muddy matters with brushing away a concern? One can only guess, because her feelings do not broadcast as some do.
"We are," Elisa agrees. "And I am quite curious. A little indulgence should be fine."
Oh, others could be injured. That's always true. But then, that could happen regardless. And well...
Elisa curls her hand within Yuliana's, and smiles. "Most, hmmm? Well, even the not delightful ones, then. I'll be good. The easiest way to handle an impertinent question, after all, is simply to decline its answer."
She won't mess with them too much. Or at least, not in any ways that will break them. Probably.
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Yuliana certainly has no hope of intuiting another's feelings; she relies on the physical world, Elisa's tone, her expression, the way she typically responds.
It certainly doesn't matter to her enough to belabour the point. While Elisa does come up against the Federation in their mutual hobby, Yuliana supposes that a scientist has less reason to know the details of their capabilities. If it were at issue, she would certainly warn Elisa about the capable spycraft of the OCU which remains an eternal pain in her side, or the way indoctrination strengthens Britannia's soldiers.
(Would she mention the way the REA is so much more active than they seem, under their stable and unmoving exterior? Maybe... maybe. She does love her country; the question, then, is whether she loves Elisa more.)
But it is not, presently, at issue. Right now, the only issue is their curiosity!
"Oh, you are always good, my dear," Yuliana smiles, which could even be a true statement, depending on how one reads good. Elisa is certainly good at what she does, after all. "But... thank you for your discretion." She's the one acting on Elisa, cradling her hand like this, but -- is she?
There's a certain assumption, hanging over it all. An invitation presumed, prima facie.
Don't look directly at it.
"While I can't say I care for the brass sending me sensitive souls, even they have a use, to me. One must always mind her resources, wouldn't you agree?"
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
As it happens, Elisa... does not worry about very many things. She feels destiny more than anxiety. But if it were at issue, it would be at issue. it is not. It's fine! They're just... curious. And surely that is all it will be, and it won't be tested anytime soon.
"Ahahah," Elisa says, basking in the good attention for the moment. She is 'good' yes. But... discretion... yes. "Of course, darling. You are more than welcome."
And that is the key, isn't it? Welcoming. An invitation presumed...
Yes, best to look at the moon, not the sun.
"Oh, yes. I quite agree."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Yuliana, of course, thinks of herself as someone who utilises resources. That's part of why she resents this latest appointment, logical as it is; whenever she's assigned to go and visit the sensitive souls of the REA to keep them on the right track, it's an unpleasant reminder that she is a unique asset.
But... that's the way the world works. Using people, or being used. It's a simple fact of life. It's easy to accept.
A road is a road.
She steps in and rests her cheek against Elisa's bare shoulder, looking at her through those long, fancy mirrors which line the walls. "You really are captivating," she purrs, with low appreciation.
Perhaps it's something of an amusement, to use descriptors like that; Yuliana knows perfectly well how Elisa minds her resources, after all.
(But not her. No, never her.)
"How tragic that the subject of this get-together is so dreadfully droll... there's little talent we could divert, from bridgemakers and gardeners." Power plant engineers, presumably. Very important people when running a country, but when it comes to changing its fate..?
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
A road is a road. Yes.
Elisa's shoulder is warm, despite the chill that could be considered to pass through her at all hours. The long, fancy mirrors reflect a certain glow to her skin. Indeed... 'captivating'. "Ah, Yuliana..."
Elisa smiles. Of course, never her. It is only in this way, yes? It must be. And Elisa minds those resources that aren't her so well.
"Ah, well," Elisa says. "But a boring assignment is still an opportunity to see you work. Though..." She considers, thoughtfully. "I could use a gardener."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
Well, you know what they say about warm hands and cold hearts.
"Oh?" Yuliana queries, with a rising tone of interest, tilting her cheek to look up at Elisa directly -- rather than her reflection. "I'm surprised your pet mechanic doesn't have those capabilities under her belt." Just a little derisive. Surely she's always spoken of her this way.
"Well, then... perhaps you'll find something of use on the night, mm?" Yuliana asks, straightening up to place her other hand on Elisa's shoulder, instead. "Just leave my assignment alone, if you please -- it would get rather complicated if babysitting duty involved actual peril to the genius brat."
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"Hmm. Ahahah," Elisa laughs, thinking of darling, dear Shari. "Perhaps she could pick it up. A hobby is good for a young girl." She grins. A little derisive. it's fine. It clearly doesn't hurt anything.... right?
But perhaps so. "Indeed." Elisa places her hand overtop Yuliana's, and smiles down her way again. "Certainly," she says. "I wouldn't want to complicate things in an uninteresting way."
And she already has one of her own...
"I'll be very subtle."
<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.
There's a comment to be made, perhaps, on the open vitriol in Yuliana's tone as she describes the girl she's escorting, compared to the way she talks about Shari Loom.
Was it ever said? Could anyone tell?
Yuliana doesn't. Perhaps she's distracted by Elisa's movement, the way she captures Yuliana's hand in just the way she thought she'd captured hers. Her pique is interrupted by the warmth of Elisa's fingers, and her cheeks colour in spite of herself, a smile spreading over her face as she gazes up into her eyes.
It's fond, certainly.
And absolutely ravenous.
"You always are," she agrees, easily. "I do so love that about you, Elya. You've a spymaster's grace about you... and such an eye for detail."
Her gaze lids, as she tilts her head, bangs fanning over her face.
"It will be very, very interesting..."