This crew depends on me...

[chaos_magnet]

As long as we're living and breathing, there's more we can do. We just have to be strong enough. captain . earther ACTION TEXT HANDWAVE

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[chaos_magnet]

I saw it when I did a tour of everything. If it works and it's not harming anyone. [ His shrugs reads 'who am I to judge?' because Jim certainly does not. At least, not where consensual sex is concerned. He saves his judgement for those deserving to be tried.

He too takes a sip, curious about the taste and finds that it's decent enough. He can do this. Once upon a time, flirting was second nature. How hard can it be slipping back into that skin? ]

You're welcome to find out.

[chaos_magnet]

Nothing that can't be set aside. What's going on?

[cleptes]

That's fair. [ She nods, not disagreeing with him. Bela just preferred a lot more privacy when it came to things like that.

When he responds to her teasing in a positive way, she thinks about the best way to approach this. There's been a hint of flirting in their previous conversations, but she wants to be careful, and not push too hard. ]

I am? [ Her smile widens as she sets down her drink, more focused on him than anything else. Bela moves a little closer into his space, brushing her fingers along the inside of his wrist of his free hand, testing the waters. She watches for his reaction. ]

Because I would really love to find out.

dw at the notif, my apologies!

[minuteofangle]

[ Gabe's eyebrows go up. You serious? ]

People use it against me when they know.

[chaos_magnet]

[ James also prefers privacy, never having been one for exhibitionism. It's at least one reason to avoid the place to thus avoid the risk of involuntarily publicly displaying himself. And his, ahem, affections.

Coffee eyes dart to the touch, and without realizing it, he's licked his lips. James looks back up at Bela, head still lightly downturned, and he gives her a belated, albeit impish smirk. He nods once and adds his drink to hers. Using the proximity opportunely, he stamps a kiss on Bela's cheek and reaches for the hand that touched his wrist. ]

You mentioned dancing...?

[cleptes]

[ He's saying a lot without actually speaking. Between the lick of his lips and the smirk, Bela gets the impression that he's on board. She's holding her breath when he leans in to kiss her cheek, remembering when he did it before, after their trip to the library. After clearing her throat, she glances down at their joined hands before nodding. ]

I did, yes. I'm used to a more formal setting, but I'm sure we'll work it out between us.

[ Taking the lead, she guides them towards a free spot on the dance floor and reaches for his other hand, looking up at him with a smile. ]

D:< Dee Dʌbəl.juuuuuuuu! No frets.

[chaos_magnet]

[ The answer is all too glaringly obvious now and James takes a moment to eat more breakfast. Possibly, he was in denial, because of how draconian and fucked up that is. Rather lamely, he promises with a tone of conviction -- ]

Well, you don't have to worry about that with me.

[ Even if they have a fallen out, a friendship breakup, Holden is never going to lord that over Gabriel, nor will he spread the secret like plague fleas on rats. And if the sharpshooter needs more proof than just words, James will make it a point to spend more time with Rodriguez in order to solidify their bond. ]

[chaos_magnet]

[ A song that Holden is unfamiliar with conveniently beings to play, and as it seems like it will more or less be on the slower side, James mentally says 'fuck it' and decides to take a plunge of sorts and freely gives her both appendages. ]

Formal as in ballroom?

[ If Bela can lead, James can attempt to follow, seeing no reason to accommodate both of their dance styles. And it gives her an opportunity to show off. In the sexy little outfit. Against him. ]

[duderaider]

I need to get out of my [head. he needs to get out of his own head] room for awhile. You wanna go grab a drink or something?

[chaos_magnet]

Sure. Drinks at an establishment or grab-and-go somewhere else? I think we have bourbon and maybe beer?

[duderaider]

Uh.

How good are you at, like, running, jumping, climbing trees?

[possibly literally, as he has this sudden need to be as far away from the hotel as possible. his first thoughts are either finding a nice, quiet cliffside in Cabeswater or, perhaps a little closer and a little less dangerously, climbing up onto the roof of the theatre]

[chaos_magnet]

I'm great in zero-g?

[ Lame joke is lame, but it's also not a joke, because it's true, just, uh, yeah. ]

I'll let you know if I can't do any hardcore parkour, how's that work?

[cleptes]

[ The song is unfamiliar to her as well, but when in Rome. She wants to dance, so she's going to dance, and have fun with it. ]

Yes. I've been to numerous fancy parties.

[ Maybe she will teach him something new with her style, despite it being a while since she's done a thing like this. Before she does that though, she listens to the song to figure out what kind of moves would work. Then she slips her left arm around his back, moving in close against him and keeping her right hand where it was. ]

We can start with a step forward, then a step to the side with the right foot, then one back and repeat, starting with the left foot next time. [ Simple, right? ] You'll need to put your arm around me though.

[duderaider]

Worse comes to worst, I can probably help you out.

You know where the theater is? Or what's left of it, anyway.

[it still won't be an easy climb, but it'll be better than, say, a cliff face]

[chaos_magnet]

[ He unfocused his gaze only for her explanation, seeing the moves in his head and nodding afterward with an air of determination. Though the closeness was evident, it still manages to make James react physically, lower abdomen muscles tightening before relaxing.

Even though he's doing as told, speaking through the motions, he can't help but tease. ] Do I need to do that?

[ He keeps the placement on Bela's lower back at a polite enough height, but the pressure is ever so slightly possessive. ]

[chaos_magnet]

1/2   Yeah. I can be there in less than ten minutes.

2/2   Am I bringing the bourbon?

text » action

[duderaider]

Yeah, bring the bourbon.

[and ten minutes later, Nathan will be waiting outside the theatre, a backpack slung over one shoulder. he figured they could put the bourbon in it, so they'd have their hands free to climb]

[either way, when he spots James, he moves to join him] Hey, man.

[can you tell there's something off about him?]

[cleptes]

You do. [ Bela replies firmly, though it's all for show as she is smiling a moment later. ] Once we've done a few more steps, you can give me a spin.

[ Her arm rests about half-way down his back, very aware of what moving it lower could mean. She's being respectful, though she isn't objecting to way he's holding onto her now – it's bold and it makes her skin tingle a little, but she likes it. ]

Just try not to let go, yeah?

[ A smirk. ]

[chaos_magnet]

I have no intention on letting you go tonight, Bela.

[ Maybe something is in the air, maybe something was in that drink? Maybe James just wants to replace shitty memories with more fulfilling ones, but regardless, he's said it and James gives her hand a squeeze for emphasis, unable to stop smiling. He's keeping his movements loose to follow hers, accommodating for their height difference along the way. He only forgets once, yet manages to not crush her toes. ]

Was the ballroom dancing part of the thief life? The better to blend in, or something else?

[chaos_magnet]

[ James went with joggers and a flannel button up with their activities in mind, and he holds up the bourbon by way of greeting first. ]

If this turns into a date, I could have at least brought candles or something.

[ There's been not even a hint of interest between them, and so it's likely he's just trying to open with a joke, because he's a little uneasy with Nathan's demeanor. ]

[cleptes]

[ That was the right thing for him to say.

Bela practically beams at his words, the smile meeting her eyes as she squeezes his hand in return. She can't remember the last time when she allowed herself to be this carefree and to have fun. The more they dance, the more relaxed she becomes, quickly forgetting about having to be so formal with the steps. ]

Pretty much. It's easier to lift from a pocket when you're distracting people with a dance, able to get closer to them than usual. And, I had to blend in too. Look the part.

Disarm them with my charm.

[duderaider]

[the good news is that that earns James a laugh -- the bad news is that it's a mostly bitter sound, and as he takes the bottle from James, he raises it in a sort of mock-toast] Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm swearing off dating, at this point.

[never mind the fact that he doesn't open the bottle, doesn't drink from it. it's still the principle of the thing]

[he also apparently not keen on explaining (yet). instead, he exhales a breath, the life seeming to run out of him with it, and he tucks the bottle away into backpack before turning away] Anyway, uh. C'mmon. I think I saw a good place to climb from, over here.

[chaos_magnet]

[ He spins whenever it feels appropriate and tugs with slight earnest to bring her back. ]

And that smile.

[ Bela had a smile that could be charming or alluring, depending on their curvature, and he subconsciously looks at them now. When he realizes it, however, James doesn't remove his eyes at first, not until he asks -- ]

What was your success rate?

[chaos_magnet]

[ And here he is, harboring interest for two or three parties. But there's no reason to share either, not yet, and as Jim falls in line beside his distressed friend, he sets the jovialness aside and easily slips into concern. ]

Sure you don't need a hug first?

[cleptes]

[ The song changes to something else, but Bela pays it no mind. She'd much rather focus on the person she is dancing with. After the spin, she laughs. ]

You've got a nice smile too.

[ There's plenty more compliments she could give. His smile is one thing she noticed not long after they met. Well, that and his eyes.

As for the question? It has Bela laughing again because firstly, no one has really asked her and secondly, it's something she hasn't thought about for a while. Stealing was like second nature to her now.]

Terrible, in the beginnning. With practice, I got better over time.