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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Twinsies!

[chaos_magnet]

You could, though. There are factions that ask for "special taxes" to pass through ports and other places.

[ James makes an indication that he means to dip her, and though it brings their heads closer together, he doesn't bridge the gap by way of a kiss. But he does wait to see the sort of reaction it draws out of her. ]

Maybe we could do target practice some time. Just to stay on top.

[cleptes]

[ The dip means she has to hold onto him a little tighter, and Bela can't help a momentary glance at his lips when they're this close. She lets out an audible breath before looking at his face again.

Then he makes that suggestion so she does answer. ]

We could do that, yeah.

[ Maybe it was the closeness, the not quite kiss and the heat coming from his body, but she can't help herself when she speaks again, her tone playful. ]

In my experience, staying on top has its benefits.

[chaos_magnet]

[ Though it's effortless holding her so, James convinces himself to pull Bela up at last, deliberately bringing their mouths a breathswidth away before settling back into their dance positions. ]

Stealth and disguise; what else do you stay on top of, Bela Talbot?

[ It's fun, having this two-conversations-at-once game, and the flash in Holden's gaze conveys as much, coupled with the perpetual upward curl of lips his mouth keeps conforming to. ]

[cleptes]

[ Oh, he's good.

Normally, she would be the one to tease and charm, but he's got her hooked. She'll do this dance (as well as the actual dancing) with him, keen to find out how it plays out. ]

Hm. Evading the long arm of the law so I don't get caught.

[ Bela would agree, and she's more than happy to keep it going for a while longer. It makes her smile, forgetting about any negative experiences she's been unfortunate to go through here. ]

I prefer to choose when to be placed in cuffs.

[chaos_magnet]

[ And there you have it, Miss Talbot. The mental image is conjures brings a faint pink hue to his cheeks, and he's trying to conceal his laugh, but it's only making him smile harder and sound like a wheezing snake. ]

Noted. I'll try remembering that if this place has me believing I'm an officer or turns me into a cowboy.

[cleptes]

[ That pink hue in his cheeks signals a victory for her. She actually found something that made him blush, and apparently, almost choke on his laughter. Bela grins, looking absolutely pleased with herself. ]

You know, if you're into roleplay, you could've just said so. [ She might be trying to deepen that blush. ] But hm - maybe you'd suit the cowboy look. Plus, you know how to shoot.

[chaos_magnet]

There hasn't been a natural moment to approach such topics.

[ But knowing that there's mutual interest now. Well.

When a more upbeat song replaces the last, James know it's only a temporary save from Bela's directness. His hand leaves the small of her back and gives her hip a squeeze on the way past. ]

You mentioned wanting to see a twenty-fourth century dance style?

[cleptes]

[ Given the opportunity, she'd be more than happy to discuss such topics with him. Wherever and whenever he pleased.

The song isn't familiar to Bela, though it's not unpleasant to her ears. She could probably move along to it in some way, but she may need a little guidance from her dance partner.

She does her best not to react to the squeeze of her hip, but it felt nice. ]

I did mention it, yes. Show me what you've got, James.

[chaos_magnet]

[ He clearly needs to add a glowstick to the routine, and Jim's only warning to Bela of what he's about to do is to point at said accessories before leaning down and taking one with this teeth. If his tongue overextended and caught a slip of a flesh, well surely that was just a miscalculation of depth perception?

James attempts to replicate the Belter moves Naomi demonstrated for the crew once, thinking it a fun example though they're peppered with Earther eccentricities - not that Bela would know the difference. He encourages her by repeating them more slowly, so that she can commit them to memory and dance as well. ]

[cleptes]

[ She was expecting him to take a glowstick with a hand, which Bela was fine with and really, it was what she prepared for until he uses his teeth. A small sound of surprise leaves her when he does that, and she keeps still, just letting it happen. And yes, she feels a slight brush of a tongue, accidental or not.

Bela just removes the remaining glowstick with a hand, holding it in the air. Now that he's started to dance, she spends some time watching James as he moves, not quite sure what to make of it first. But she's game, following along with the moves after he slows down to show her again.

Hopefully, she's making it look good, glowstick and all. ]

[chaos_magnet]

[ Like the place probably wanted him to, Jim heard that, and it has him smiling wickedly. It's after a few moves that he cheekily asks without explanation -- ]

Does that mean the score is one to one, now?

[cleptes]

I guess it does mean that.

[ Bela counters his smile with one of her own, though she's a little breathless from the dancing. Or maybe it's because of what he did. ]

Should I up my game, then?

[chaos_magnet]

[ He does a thorough once over on Bela, even prowls around her in a circle. Conclusion drawn, James continues to bounce in place while using the glowstick to add emphasis to his challenge. ]

I don't see any pockets that might be hiding handcuffs.

[cleptes]

[ There's not a lot that Bela can do, because they're in a public space. He's also still moving about so she has to take that into consideration before meeting his challenge.

She takes a step in close, sliding her free hand up his chest, making sure to give it a firm feel. Bela tilts her head at him before leaning up to bring her mouth to his ear, speaking quiely into it. ]

That's because the handcuffs are in my room.

[chaos_magnet]

[ He expected an answer like that. Hell, he practically set it up to expect something like that. It's the combination of sensory overload that heats his now goosefleshed-skin and makes his cock twitch ever so subtly. James places his free hand on Bela's torso where the skin is exposed between top and shorts, and nuzzles her hairline. ]

How many more dances you have in you, Bela?

[ It had been her activity and lure to get him out after all, so James won't cut the fun short if she isn't ready to leave. Assuming that was an invitation at all. ]

[cleptes]

[ The hand on her stomach and the nuzzle makes Bela hum softly, her hand continuing to caress his chest. If she had to be more blatant about what she wants, she'll do it. Spending time with him like this only made her want it more.

She presses a light kiss below his ear before pulling back to look at him, smirking. ]

More than a few, darling. Here or somewhere else. I don't mind.

[ Bela gives him a once over. ]

How'd you feel about getting a little closer?

[chaos_magnet]

[ James tightens his grip on her, brings their bodies more flush together and cups his other hand behind Bela's neck. His thumb slowly circles the skin beneath her hairline. ]

If it means having you dance up on me, I can do that.

[cleptes]

That's the right answer.

[ If he didn't know that her neck was sensitive, he's bound to find out now. She hums at the light touch, closing her eyes for a few moments just to relish the feeling. The hand at his chest moves down to his hips, taking hold on one side, while her other hand reaches for the other, giving them a squeeze.

Then, she begins to slowly dance against him, keeping the moves gentle with no pressure, but just enough to tease. ]

[chaos_magnet]

[ James notes the reaction and intends on putting it use later. For now, he gives Bela's neck a light squeeze and hands his glowstick off to a passing demon. With a hand pressed flat above her lower back and the other at her tailbone, he matches Bela's pace and looks on her with a half-hooded heated gaze. ]

Tell me something else about yourself.

[cleptes]

I like cats.

[ It seemed odd to her to tell him that, especially when they were like this. It's not something she believes she could easily spin into a flirtation. Apart from that, his gaze was rising a small flush in her cheeks and she finds herself unable to look away from it. ]

In fact, I have one back home. Siamese.

Oh, I love that icon. So pretty.

[chaos_magnet]

[ Someone other than James would cleverly work in 'pussy', but James isn't that type, and though he's itching to take this elsewhere and see how well their skills flourish against the other's, there is genuine interest beneath the surface of all the lust and want. ]

What's their name?

ahh, thanks! The name of the cat has been my headcanon for the longest time, as her cat isn't named

[cleptes]

[ And Bela wouldn't be that crass to make a similar joke, preferring her innuendos to be much more clever. Though she does want to eventually go somewhere more private, she can hold on for just a little longer, until he's ready to go and explore whatever this was between them further. ]

Her name is Bastet. After the Egyptian Goddess.

o7

[chaos_magnet]

[ He nods, making a note about possibly asking for Bastet as a reward or some such for her in the future. James maneuvers a leg between Bela's own to apply friction through his twists and dips. With how short his swim trunks are, it's impossible for him to miss the heat radiating from Bela's groin against his exposed skin; it only fuels the building desire. ]

Who are your roommates?

[ With it being just Wuxian and Holden in their suite, it may be easier to to sneak off to the men's room instead. ]

[cleptes]

[ The sudden friction makes her gasp, though it's not unwanted. She's tempted to build up that friction, but Bela needs a moment before doing anything. Once it passes, she gently presses down against his leg, biting back a soft moan; the sound wasn't intentional, but it was unavoidable, given how much she wants him.

Then she realises that he's asked her a question so Bela pauses to answer. ]

I don't know, I haven't met them yet. There's only one other bed.

[ Her reply comes out a little more breathy than expected, and she's blaming him for that. ]

[chaos_magnet]

[ The proximity combined with the thin material leaves zero room for imagination, and if the friction weren't enough, then the sounds he's causing her to make begin to drive James wild. He presses his erection more firmly against Bela and speaks close enough that his lips brush along the curve of her neck. ]

It's only Wei Wuxian and myself, if you'd rather go back to my suite?