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En Passant [Cas/NPC][Armor Hunt]
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Post by Cross on May 1, 2018 5:14:16 GMT
There was a subtle and pervasive sense of wrongness that lingered in the back of Cas's mind as she set about the process of getting ready for the day. Cloak and Dagger dozed lightly on her bed still tangled amidst the covers even as the Doctor pulled on her long black turtleneck, gloves, and pants, and set about carefully applying coverup to the faded dark blue tattoo like stripe that crossed her right cheek. The marking so very similar to Baal....
The Doctor carefully cut herself off at that thought as her breath hitched in her throat as she fought to bury the bad memories of that day. Shoving the trauma and fear into a tiny box and locking it once more into the deepest depths of her mind as she ambled into her bathroom to carefully apply the blue contacts to her eyes to cover of the red demonic orbs that peered back at her from the mirror. There wasn't much to be done about her hair which had lightened a few shades and now cascaded down her back in a wild blonde mane. She settled instead for carefully plaiting it into a messy braid hoping that Cloak might be able to help her arrange it into something more seemly later on. Yet still the wrongness lingered leaving her feeling naked, exposed, and off.
It wasn't until she stepped out of the bedroom and spied a dark and familiar figure lounging before her open bay window casually tossing and catching her digivice with deft gloved fingers that she would realize why. Would realize the source of the wrongness as a shiver of dread clawed it's way up her spine making the hair on the back of her neck stand on end with the motion even as she kept her face impassive.
"Hello Cassius..." She murmured her voice soft as velvet as her words carried in the quiet morning air.
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Post by Ravenna on May 1, 2018 5:42:54 GMT
The life of a thief isn't always an easy one. They tend to make a lot of enemies along the way. One such thief has been unfortunate to get on the bad side of a certain doctor. As Cas walks out of the bathroom, she sees Cassius resting right there on her windowsill. He's leaning back against the wall, his right leg straight while his left knee points up. He casually tosses Cas' Digivice with his right hand, acting calm. His gaze turns to Cassandra as she says his name.
"Why hello there, Doctor Cross. Forgive me, but I let myself in."
It wasn't the first time Cassius has broken into Cas' office. Ever since she outsmarted him and emasculated him, Cassius has been obsessed with the doctor. Cassius slowly sits up and hops down, showing off his tall frame. Cassius keeps a straight face, trying to hide his emotions, before he finally cracks a chuckle.
"Let's play a game, shall we? What would you do to get this back?"
Cassius takes a few steps towards the much shorter woman. His roguish attire has been modified since the last time Cas saw him, with more buckles and leather bands. Still sporting an Oni mask on his shoulder and a chain around his left arm, displaying his allegiance to the Yokai. An allegiance that is questionable at best. His spiky blonde hair is starting to grow out, now slicked back with a short braid behind his right ear. The man towers over Cas, attempting to intimidate the woman with his broad shoulders and large pecs.
"Perhaps some payback is in order. Maybe you were looking to pick up where we left off. I didn't come here to fight, but I would love to give you one."
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Post by Cross on May 1, 2018 6:28:49 GMT
"I don't recall it ending in your favor last time we played." Cassandra murmurs her posture relaxed even as she watches the thief leisurely rise from his seat with all the elegance of a predator. Her face remaining impassive even as she arches one delicate blonde brow at him in a look that somehow encapsulates both disdain and sarcasm in a single glance, but her eyes are fierce. Burning as though made of liquid blue fire just like before, smoldering with her well controlled fury.
Yet as Cassius looms over her, her form appearing so very small and delicate next to his even more so without the bulk of her Doctor's coat, the little woman refuses to break his gaze. Her cupids bow lips twisting as she scowls at him, but any words that might have left her throat die in silence at the creak of the door. Her head snapping to the side to take in the sight of Cloak standing frozen in the doorway.
Dagger though does not freeze even if he knows what it is his twin is seeing. The figure of a different man looming over their tamer. Black hair instead of blonde, a broader build than Cassius's medium and dexterously slim figure, crimson glowing eyes rather than green. Cloak sees a monster rather then a man here in their home where their Tamer was supposed to be safe.
Dagger sees only a future corpse as the Zubamon lunges forward an ugly snarl ripping itself from his throat as he attempts to force Cassius back lest he find his leg sliced or impaled by the blade on the Digimon's head. Last time he head been too weak. Too slow. Not enough and look what it had cost him. His Tamer's safety. His twin shaking in the throes of a waking nightmare, and his own confidence. Never again the little Digimon silently swore even as the Kotemon finally snapped out of it leveling his Shinai at the intruder.
"The only payback that is in order is you settling your debt for trespassing here with the blood price ." Cloak growled out his voice a low threatening rumble.
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Post by Ravenna on May 1, 2018 10:39:06 GMT
Cas mentions that things didn't end well for Cassius the last time they had met. As much as Cassius tries to act like a predator stalking his prey, he couldn't gain that psychological edge over Cas. The look in her blue eyes told the story. A door creaks open, revealing Cloak the Kotemon. However, it was Dagger that the thief had to be weary of. The Zubamon saw him as a more fiendish creature than he already appeared to be. The Rookie level clad in shining armor and sharp claws charged towards Cassius with the blade on his forehead.
Not expecting Cas' partner to attack on sight, but prepared nonetheless, Cassius quickly jumps back. However, Zubamon's blade scratches his right leg as he dodges back. Cassius reaches towards his belt and takes out a small round device. He tosses it towards Dagger, and it splits open into two halves. An electric energy fence appears between Cassius and Dagger. The thief tries not to react to the leg wound, but his leg twitches as blood drips down his leg.
"Interesting, I wasn't aware you had twin Digimon partners. Like I said, I'm not looking for a fight. You have something I need, and now I have something you need."
Cassius raises Cas' Digivice in his leather-covered hand. He tosses it high in the air, a couple inches from the ceiling, before catching it behind his back with his other hand.
"Now, are you going to be a good girl, and hear me out? Or am I going to have to whip out Seadramon inside your little office?"
The teal and green D3 on Cassius' belt starts to glow. Cloak and Dagger might be able to take on the Champion level 2 on 1, but Cas' office would be destroyed in the battle. Before Cas has a chance to respond to his threats, Cassius takes the opportunity to open up about his time since they first met.
"I have been thinking a lot about what happened. The memory haunts me. It is a part of me that I can never rid myself of. I spent days locked up in a cell, inside the same one where I first saw you. Since then I have learned to control my hatred towards you, yet you remain tattooed on my mind."
This was the first time Cassius has spoken with Cassandra since that day. If he wasn't here for revenge, what other motive could Cassius have to try and barter with the doctor? He needs a psychiatrist, not a sew 'em up kind of doctor. Someone to sort out the tangled web of emotions Cassius had allowed Cas to weave in his mind.
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Post by Cross on May 1, 2018 21:27:42 GMT
Cassandra snatches Dagger, the Zubamon, by the back of his white cloak before he can skid into the electric fence as she hauls the snarling Digimon up into her arms even as the little weapon dragon snaps his fangs threateningly at Cassius. Cloak is little better as he slides in front of his Tamer his Shinai held before him in his sleeved hands in a bruising grip. The little swordsman still trembles minutely, his gold eyes the same shade as his twins glows with a piercing light from beneath his helmet. While it's clear it's not entirely Cassius he sees the Kotemon seems just as unwilling and viciously opposed to the thief closing in on his Tamer.
It's only when Cas shifts settling Dagger on her hip and reaching out with a gentle hand to rest it on Cloak's shoulder that he ceases to tremble. The low growl though that rumbles up from his throat mingling with his brothers snarl never stops. "Touch either of them and there's not a damn thing you can do that will stop me from killing you." The Doctor whispers and it's clear her words are a promise rather than a threat.
"Now what the hell do you want Cassius?" She snaps, her words as sharp and cutting as the scalpel she'd sliced across his face as she grips Dagger a little tighter. Her eyes darting towards his glowing digivice only once to belay her wariness before she catches his gaze once more with hard fierce eyes.
"On your mind or your face?" Dagger hissed out recognizing his Tamer's handiwork even as Cloaks breathing suddenly ceases in shock leaving the Kotemon deathly still in Cas's grip as he put two and two together. The finger shaped bruises from before around Cassandra's neck, the concussion, her busted lip.
"It was you..." Cloak snarled harsh and low as he tried to lunge forward to slice the machinery making the fence clean in twain in his fury not unlike his twin. Yet found his Tamer's grip on the back of his armor hard and sure.
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Post by Ravenna on May 2, 2018 5:03:45 GMT
Dagger is so aggravated, Cas has to hold him back. It's clear how unwelcome Cassius is after what he did to the doctor. The twins would remain hostile, Cloak on guard while Dagger tries to slash at the fence. Cas warns the rogue what will happen if he touches Cloak or Dagger. Cas asks him what he wants. The thief's expression turns to that of irritation at the warning. He paces back and forth from side to side, still focusing on Cas.
"Alright. We're both professionals here, so I will cut to the chase. I'm looking to get into a certain castle so I can plunder the royal vault, and I need your help to do it. The King is throwing a royal ball, and I need a halfway competent woman to play the role of a princess. Plus your blonde hair would be perfect for it."
Cassius turns his back towards Cas, listening for any sudden movements. He tilts his head forward and looks down at his worn leather boots. He then turns towards Cas, looking over his shoulder.
"Plus, it would give us the chance to work together. I'm really not such a bad guy. I just have different priorities than most."
Cassius steps forward and presses his foot down on his side of the fence. The electric fence collapses and the two half spheres reunite. Cassius walks towards Cas and her loyal partners, the look in his eyes telling a story of much pain and regret. He extends a leather-coated hand to the doctor.
"I am offering you a chance to redeem yourself in my eyes. If you do not accept, you might as well kill me right now, because one of us is going to die if we can't change our destinies. The Yokai will not hold off forever. They look at you like an object to acquire. He who controls the doctor, has the gangsters in the palm of his hand. I know you are so, so much more precious than that."
It is clear what Cassius' intentions are, but which factor is motivating him more? If it was just his greed, couldn't he find someone else for this heist? Is this an excuse to get closer to Cassandra? Whatever his game is, there's no way Cas approves of his methods. Just a few weeks ago, the thief was obsessed with making Cas suffer, and now he's trying to forge an alliance? Maybe Cassius couldn't even admit to himself how much he cares for Cas.
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Post by Cross on May 2, 2018 6:15:24 GMT
"Redeem myself in your eyes? I'd sooner pluck them from your skull." Cas murmured soft and low her voice just above a whisper like the scrape of a blade from it's sheath as she set Dagger down deftly shoving him and Cloak behind her as Cassius approached. The two little rookies made noises of protest, but did not fight after the Doctor sent them a sharp no nonsense glare and instead they settled for glowering at the tall figure of the thief from around their Tamer's legs.
"But let us be honest here~" She spoke her lilting southern accent giving the words a sweet and sensual sound as it curled over every syllable. The woman herself stepping forward with a predatory grace to match his own as she deftly batted his hand away with the back of her hand closing into his space as she leaned forward perching on the tips of her toes to bring them face to face.
"You need me because whatever two-bit blonde whore you might normally hire to play such a role can't think fast enough on her feet to prove more of an asset than a liability." Cas speculated with an arched brow already knowing she was right. "Because personal feelings aside I've proven more then capable of getting out of a difficult," and she poked him lightly in the chest for emphasis with one finger, "Situations and whatever is in that vault is worth more than whatever the Yokai are paying you to bring me in." She observed in a soft susurrus whisper raking her eyes over his form once more as if measuring him for such a task.
"Not," She added with a glance that said she clearly found him wanting, "that I believe you will find capturing me easy, but if it gets my Digivice back then I will reluctantly aid you in this endeavor."
"But if you try to double cross me..." Cas threatened in a low growl as she pushed off against his chest with one hand spinning on her heel to go collect her things only pausing to toss him a glare over her shoulder. "You'll regret it."
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Post by Ravenna on May 2, 2018 6:42:45 GMT
Even with Cassius trying to come to some sort of agreement, Cas puts the thief in his place. Pluck the eyes from his skull? A normal man would shutter at the suggestion, but Cassius flashes Cas a wicked grin. The scar on his cheek adding to the twisted smile. Cas swats his hand away, making her feelings known. While she agrees to go along with this charade, she warns Cassius not to double cross her. The tall thief waves his hand at Cas as if to say calm down.
"Alright. You are a very persuasive woman. If we pull this off, I'll take off with the loot and leave you to deal with the Yokai on your own, with your two little house pets, I mean, brave warriors... Mind yourself, Cassius, no need to provoke Digimon who hate you now."
Cassius trails off into exposing his inner dialog after insulting the twins. He scratches the back of his head and smiles.
"Sorry, force of habit. I'm not usually a team player. Just ask anyone in the Yokai. You can have a share of the loot to, if you wish, but I'm going to hold on to this for now, just to be sure. Lastly, the disguises."
Cassius takes Cas' Digivice in his hand and puts it into a pouch on the left side of his belt. He takes out a small rectangular cube that expands to the size of a box. He opens the box to reveal an elaborate princess dress and some accessories for Cas.
"Only the finest for royalty. I know a good tailor. It cost me a pretty penny, but if all goes well, the cost is irrelevant. Courteously of the Yokai. Those fools have no idea I help myself to the treasury."
Cassius' attempts to impress Cas with his cunning skills would probably fall flat. The thief has earned her disdain. But if working together meant getting her Digivice back, and getting Cassius out of the way for the foreseeable future, what other choice was there? Cassius takes a few steps back. He pulls out a chair and sits down on it backwards, propping his elbows up and resting his chin on his hands.
"Don't mind me."
Right, as if Cassius is going to see an inch more of Cas than what wouldn't be covered by the dress. If told to turn away or leave he would oblige, but it was worth a try just to mess with the woman.
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Post by Cross on May 2, 2018 7:02:28 GMT
While it was clear she was far from inclined to trust him that did not mean she was not impressed as she deftly caught the gown looking it over along with the small bag of accessories it came with with a measured glance. Lifting her eyes to pin Cassius to his seat with a considering look before she turned without a word and strode for her room. Intent on changing in the privacy of her own space heedless of the thief's teasing. Cloak and Dagger though would linger the two rookies taking up their posts in front of the door while their Tamer changed.
"We won't always be little..." Cloak warned letting the threat linger between them in the open air even as Dagger canted his head and considered the man.
"And while we're used to impersonating knights I doubt you could pass for anything more then a stablehand with your current get-up." The Zubamon taunted with a fanged sneer. If only they had their digivice they could evolve together. The thought of Cassius dealing with Deceimon was one that more then amused the rookie.
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Post by Ravenna on May 2, 2018 7:33:08 GMT
Cas seems impressed with the dress Cassius provides. The thief is too cold-hearted to admit that it made him happy he is able to do something nice for Cas, even if he had ulterior motives. Cas takes the dress to her room to change, denying Cassius both a peep show and the satisfaction of making her angry at even suggesting she would undress in front of him.
After Cas leaves, the thief is left alone with the twins. Cloak warns the rogue that they will not always be so little. Cassius chuckles at the Kotemon.
"Ah ha haha. Is that all you think about? Threats of violence? Just like your Human partner, I guess. You can't live your whole life focusing on the bad, y'know?"
Dagger mentions that Cassius wouldn't pass for much in his current attire. Cassius holds out his collar and takes a whiff of the leather.
"Ya, I guess you are correct. Never mind what I am wearing. I can change clothes just about anywhere I want at a moment's notice. I just figured I should give Cas the curtesy of changing here. We wouldn't want the good doctor to wind up in a compromising situation while getting dressed out and about."
Cassius thinks about Cas wearing the princess dress. Even with his hatred towards her for humiliating him, he could hardly hide his fascination with both her mind and her body. The thief reaches into a pouch and takes out a chocolate bar. He bites off a piece, then offers some to the twins.
"Would you like some chocolate? Though I don't expect you to trust me."
Maybe it was good the twins had this time with Cassius. Is he genuinely being kind, or is this all part of his con?
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Post by Cross on May 2, 2018 7:58:02 GMT
"Isn't taking candy from strangers like rule number one?" Dagger drawled out glancing between the candy bar and Cassius seeming to consider it for a moment before thinking better of taking any sort of food from the man. Cloak's eyes never leave the Thief's form boring into his head with a vicious intensity that is both disturbing and also heartwarming in the Digimons apparent devotion.
"I'd point out the bathroom down the hall, but I'm certain you're more then aware of the layout of this place." The Kotemon murmurs in soft derision, but any further comment is stalled as they hear the twist of the knob. The door opening to reveal their Tamer.
Cas herself is dressed in a long flowing gown the color of the night sky with small stars embroidered along it's hem and at the edge of it's heart shaped bodice which shows off the soft swell of her breasts. The drop sleeves of the dress leaving her shoulders mostly bare exposing the woman's delicate collarbone and swan like neck as well as the twisting burn scars that trail over the left side of it and down her shoulder and arm. The remainder of the damage hidden by elbow length dark blue velvet gloves. Diamonds, or really fake diamonds most likely, glitter in a platinum colored tiara that is pinned into Cassandra's hair which was still mostly undone matching the draping earnings that go with it. Slowly Cas spins for inspection revealing the low back of the dress which shows off the creamy expanse of her shoulder blades and back before she faces Cassius with a raised brow.
"I take it you brought more then one outfit if this ball isn't tonight?" Cas asks, her lips painted a rich red and eyes made smokey with dark blue eyes shadow, the winged eyeliner giving her a distinctly feline gaze. She's unsure if she wants to know how he got her measurements or if the tailor simply worked with whatever pictures Cassius had of her. She had little doubt he didn't have ample photos of her given the one he'd left for her to find within her book.
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Post by Ravenna on May 2, 2018 8:32:06 GMT
"Hmm, you make a good point. Dagger, was it?"
Yes, it was taking candy from a stranger, a thief, no less. Cloak mentions the bathroom down the mall, making a comment how the thief is probably familiar with the layout.
"Now what makes you think I would be familiar with this place? I haven't been here before, and if I have, then you haven't seen me."
Great, Cassius is stroking is ego again. His attitude changes when Cas walks out wearing a stunning gown the color of the night sky. Cassius had seen the dress before, but never did he picture Cassandra looking this radiant. It takes every bit of self control to stop his jaw from dropping. Cassius quickly stands up, starring wide eyed at the doctor. It was quite the contrast from their first meeting.
"Cas, you look, marvelous..."
When asked about more clothes, Cassius nods, still bewildered by the young woman.
"Yes, I have procured enough outfits to maintain the façade. Though, I doubt the other outfits could top this."
Cassius takes a few steps forward, captivated by Cas' new look. The thief takes notice of the burns running down her neck and arm. Cassius approaches Cas, his heart sinking upon seeing the scars. It's clear he doesn't pose a threat right now. Consumed with concern for Cas, the thief lets his guard down. He reaches towards Cas' arm, hoping to gently rub his covered hand down her scars.
"Cas, what happened to you? Who did this?"
It's uncertain how Cas will respond to the thief getting up in her business. There is no way Cassius could handle being this close to the doctor before he stole her book of fairy tales. If his feelings for Cas had not become warped into something else entirely, he wouldn't be able to control himself. He would lunge at Doctor Cross and attack her without mercy. But right now, all he can think about is what had caused these burns to that little girl he saw in the pictures. His desire to protect Cas was consuming Cassius.
"Sorry, I guess I'm overstepping my boundaries. I don't expect you to be comfortable around me. I'll go change now."
Cassius turns and walks back over to the box. He takes out some clothes and heads to the bathroom to change. Cas would have time to pack and get ready before they head to the castle. Was Cas' opinion of the thief changing after this encounter? Is he still the same twisted self-centered lowlife from before? For now, it was probably best for both of them to trust each other at least a little bit, holding back their true feelings until the heist is done.
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Post by Cross on May 3, 2018 3:13:16 GMT
Cassandra, for her part, did not flee from Cassius as he moved closer. Though the usually bold woman let her gaze drop to the floor to avoid having to witness the possible pity or surprise in the man's eyes. She didn't want pity anymore then she'd wanted to be seen because having others witness her scars...suddenly made the whole thing real. Instead the Doctor hardened her jaw and stepped neatly out of range of the Thief's grip lifting her head to gaze out the window with a distant and unseeing stare.
"Sometimes accidents happen..." She whispered quietly in such a way that made it very clear that whatever happened, much like his own attack upon her, was far from an accident.
"And no. I'm not comfortable around you." Cas murmurs her voice a little more sure as she moved aside to let him pass. It wouldn't be till his hand was upon the bathroom door that she would speak again.
"But I can work with you." She adds and supposes that is a start.
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Post by Ravenna on May 3, 2018 5:50:44 GMT
Cassius' concern only made Cas more aware of her scars. It is clear that it wasn't exactly an accident from her tone. As Cassius reaches out to her, Cas moves away, and he pulls his hand back. The thief may have a way with the ladies, but his charm would get him nowhere with the woman whom he once shared a sadistic moment with while attempting to recapture her.
As Cassius goes to open the bathroom door, Cas says that she can work with him. It would have to be enough for the thief. Cassius enters the bathroom, and takes out a small container of makeup. He tries to mask the scar along his right cheek, but it still remains somewhat noticeable.
After changing, he emerges wearing a teal vest with gold trim and black sleeves that would be suitable for a more whimsical setting than this part of the city. His long dark slacks show off his long legs, though it isn't quite a perfect fit. Fortunately the legs on the slacks are not too short. It would be quite embarrassing to attend a royal ball with a few extra inches of his socks showing.
The thief walks by Cas, returning to the crate and storing the outfit he was wearing earlier, before collapsing it down. He turns towards the doctor, not showing much emotion at all.
"Alright, if you are ready to go, I suggest that we leave now."
There wasn't much else he had to say. Cas would go along with this charade, but they certainly wouldn't be friends. Cassius rifles through a pouch and takes out a device that opens a light blue colored portal.
"Remember, try to act charming and respectful. Two things I wasn't when we first met."
Cassius steps through the portal, appearing outside of a castle in the Digital World. Other guests are already arriving. Once Cloak and Dagger join their Tamer in entering the portal, the group would be greeted by a duo of white PawnChessmon.
"Well, not such a bad looking crowd. Though I'd wager a small fortune that I'm the sharpest looking man here."
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Post by Cross on May 3, 2018 6:13:32 GMT
"Sorry about this, but I'll need you to mind our bag for now." Cas spoke or so she was explaining to Dagger who stood with a backpack thrown over his shoulder as the feminine Tamer sat carefully perched on a stool with Cloak standing on another behind her gently running a brush through her hair. The trio hadn't yet notices Cassius's return and for a moment the Kotemon carefully wove the woman's long locks into a delicate updo with enough ease to denote practice as he pinned the tiara back into his Tamer's hair.
"Don't worry I'll look after it." Dagger replied giving his Tamer a brief salute before he glanced over her shoulder spying Cassius and prompting the woman herself to turn towards the Thief. Eyeing his apparel skeptically she had to admit the man cleaned up well enough though he was clearly out of his depths when it came to makeup. Letting out a soft huff of annoyance Cas stood holding out her hand to Dagger who unslung the pack to allow her to dig through it before she pulled out a small pouch and turned to her forced partner in crime.
"I swear if society put half as much pressure on men to look acceptable as they do women you'd know how to cover up facial blemishes." She muttered striding into her kitchen to wet down a hand towel and wipe the cheap cream makeup from his face with a frown. For a moment she hesitated before seeming to steel herself as she reached out to grasp his chin with gentle, but firm fingers as she set about blending the makeup to fit his skin tone and covering the scar as best she could. Without actual prosthetic makeup she doubted she could fully hide it, but few could pick our the mar to his features at a distance as she released him and turned to put away the makeup.
At his comment about being polite and charming though she found herself having to strongly resist rolling her eyes at his attempted playfulness. Leaving her wondering once more how much of it was real and how much was aimed to earn his way into her good graces. "Offer me your arm. If your to be my escort you need to offer me your arm and announce who I am and my titles when they ask." She whispered quietly out of the corner of her mouth smiling politely at the two pawnchessmon as they approached.
"And you're the only man here." Cas pointed out in a near silently murmur seeing as the other guests were Digimon.
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