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 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 11:02 am
Yunan’s gaze was collected, his voice just as calm as he simply nodded and replied. “Alright.” He wouldn’t push the topic, it wasn’t his place to do so as long as it didn’t interfere with their work here. If anything it was a vote of confidence that he believed Aaricia could overcome whatever fears she felt in this place and come out stronger in the end. Even though he was slowly adjusting to the idea of relying on companions, Yunan still firmly believed that one had to face certain things alone to truly grow. It was simply how he was.
The pat was unexpected, Yunan raising a brow before simply letting out a soft chuckle. Well, it seemed she was able to try and comfort him where he couldn’t do the same for her. “You’re welcome.” He replied, after listening to her words with a hint of a smile on his lips as he reflected on things. “Though it’s probably best that you had the papers. Those are terribly important, I'll have to get them to our contacts so that we can be fully prepared for our wedding day.” Even Yunan didn’t know how he would take to someone throwing him into a cabinet, regardless of the situation. But those ledgers were truly worth it, they finally had gathered plenty of evidence on their side and passing it to Nyko would allow him to get a list of names for their invitation list. Still, he did appreciate the words and that no one had chased them from the study. For now that meant they were in the clear which kept them from being tossed into the dungeons. Not that they were completely safe just yet. He had the feeling that there would be a room sweep soon enough. Yunan waited patiently for Aaricia to bring over the supply bag, the hybrid not even flinching at the noises in the hallway. It was just a sign that they would have to work quickly. “I can handle it, trust me.” He assured her before glancing around, keeping his voice to a soft whisper as well. It was probably best Aaricia didn’t completely know what he was planning to cover up the wound. “However, take any of our newly acquired materials and hide them quickly. Afterwards I’ll need you to tousle your hair and whatever else you feel is fitting since we’ll need to look like we were occupied in other ways should they impose on us shortly.” There were no morals here, if anything others in the manor felt it was better if the hybrid got to spend his time with Aaricia to keep them both distracted while the event was still a couple of weeks away.
Now that he had the bag, Yunan took out what he needed to clean the wound with a small flask of cleansing solution and a cloth. He didn’t use them right away and instead walked towards a vase he had noticed earlier, the poor quality of the art and cheap wild flowers showing him how much they truly trusted the pair of them with things in the estate. The very thought nearly brought another chuckle to his lips, this one darker as the hatred bubbling up inside of his chest was hard to contain. Since others were sleeping, the man didn’t want to make a mess of things by causing a commotion just yet. He only broke a piece of the vase off, the top snapping in his fingers as he created a sharp edge and cut across the wound once more. It looked more like something caused by ceramic instead of splintered wood now, Yunan prepared to come up with a story if he couldn’t successfully hide the wound. Once fresh blood came across and stained the vase piece, Yunan studied the rest. He didn’t want to create too much noise at the moment, so he turned the sharp edge towards the wall and arranged the flowers to cover the sharper edge so that no one would be the wiser. For now he focused on tidying up his arm, cleansing the wound and covering it up with ointment shortly after. The ointment he rubbed along the injured area was scented like his favored oils, the hybrid making certain to use enough to cover up any lingering medical scents and then he quickly wrapped it with gauze. Though now that he thought about it, Yunan went to apply the oils to his skin and hair since he had opted to not do so earlier tonight with them sneaking around. After tugging on a new robe half-way just to cover his arms, the silk top still open as it flowed around his body, Yunan tucked away the bloodied attire and medical bag back into the depths of the wardrobe where no one could see it. There was a loose board he had worked with to act as a hidden compartment, with just enough space to hide such things.
“Time for bed, if you’re ready.” He whispered, finally focusing on Aaricia and seeing how close she was to being prepared for any late night visitors.
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:21 pm
Honestly, not every part of this experience was terrible. Yunan was proving to be a reliable partner in the mission.. but also outside of it. Aari hadn't expected herself to find actual comfort in the man's presence while in their quarters alone. Seeing that small but genuine smile was a light in the thick trains of false emotions they had to cloak themselves in while the sun shown. The man could be abrasive and cool.. but there was warmth underneath it. Maybe he really would be good for Nyko.. She nodded at the assurance and and stepped back from the bag. The directions to muss her appearance up brought up a wince and a long sigh. He was right. After all, they were supposed to be in a possessive relationship. ...Ugh. First, she went to the wardrobe and carefully slipped the papers into the narrow hiding space of the boards. Then she slipped off her robe to hang it and started fiddling with her braid to start on her appearance. "It's probably best that you just stay in the bed with me tonight," she stated matter-of-factly. "The guard will be confused about having fallen asleep. I wouldn't be surprised if he checks without even knocking first to make sure we're here." She climbed onto the bed and pulled the sheets around a little as well to sell the scene.
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:52 pm
"Agreed." Yunan replied quietly, grimacing even as he tugged at a couple of his tightly woven braids, causing the hair to look a little bit messy even though he despised such a thing. Cutting into his arm was one thing, but having to mess with something that could take so long to redo in the morning? It was a nuisance. He was a vain person after all regardless of any other changes in his icy personality. Still, he didn't take it out on Aaricia as he climbed into the bed next to her. "If they come in then I'll have to pin you down, making it look like they're interrupting something so that they leave us alone." He murmured against her neck, keeping close at an angle to try and keep some space in between their bodies under the sheets to respect Aaricia's boundaries as much as possible despite the situation.
Since no one had come in just yet, Yunan took advantage of their situation to whisper quietly to Aaricia. Anyone listening from the door would not hear much, just the rustling of sheets as Yunan made certain to move his body on occasion so that the noise would cover up his whispered words and leave only the faintest hint of mumblings in between movements. "We'll need to get this information to Nyko and another contact I have. I've scheduled us for a fitting at Madam Zayn's to get you some fresh air. While you're upstairs for the dress I'll go and speak with the Madam herself." Even with an escort it would be easy enough for Yunan to disappear into the fitting rooms, the secret passages covering for him while he was supposedly being put into an outfit. During the visit he would give the information to his aunt's friend and get her help in securing their safety during the event. She was a famous seamstress, her shop one of the best in Sulburi, but secretly she was on the side of the Matori during the Oban war and continued doing such work with her intelligence gathering that fought corruption even now. Her seamstresses could both sew and fight, something useful should Yunan get a couple of them to work at the event under the excuse that they could help with any final adjustments to attire "It seems we're almost there, just endure it a bit longer." Yunan added after a pause, the hybrid listening since it seemed more of the manor was waking up and he heard steps down the hallway.
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:51 pm
Aari nodded with a subtle wrinkle of her nose. It wouldn't be the first time they'd had to quickly cover their position there, and it probably wouldn't be the last. That, among everything else, made it nearly impossible to sleep at all. Even if she did have the bed to herself! Thankfully, she was trusting Yunan a little more with the passing time. She couldn't completely lower her defenses, but his presence actually made it somewhat easier for her to get at least a little sleep. Knowing someone had her back if things escalated... She tried to make her body relax as Yunan spoke further, though the hair on her neck prickled from the other's breath. Despite herself, the promise of a trip out of the mansion put a small smile on her lips. "Thank the gods," she quietly sighed. The chance to get out from the confines of these claustrophobic walls sounded like a piece of heaven. She might go insane without at least one break soon. As long as her father didn't interfere somehow... "Just don't let success tonight make you lax," she murmured back, more to ground herself than anything else. She didn't think either of them would start slacking at all. "The closer we get to the end, the more aware of ourselves we need to be." They could do this. They had to.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:44 pm
“Don’t worry. I’ll stay just as alert.” Yunan promised, keeping his body close to Aari and moving when the door finally creaked open, the hybrid posed above her so that the guard quickly closed it again and strode down the hallway. With that over he shifted to the edge of the bed, having the feeling that they truly would have to share it tonight even though he much would have preferred giving Aaricia more space after tonight’s antics. They would need to relax and rest up the best that they could, tomorrow would be another busy day especially if they were going to attend fittings soon. He would have to make up his lists so that he could pass copies to both Madam Zayn and Nyko within the next couple of days. The time was quickly approaching for everything to come to a conclusion, the very thought bringing a rare smile to the hybrid’s lips even as he acknowledged Aaricia’s warnings. It was hard to not be excited, not when they were this close but even Yunan knew better than to ever lower his guard. If anything it made him more cautious, not wanting to risk losing everything after so much work.
But for now they would need the rest. “Try to sleep, I’ll be here.” He whispered, rolling over on his side so that his back was towards Aaricia to give her whatever privacy that he could while they slept. Yunan would barely sleep though, keeping guard for them while only lightly napping whenever it was close to dawn when others would be busy preparing for the day on staff which gave them a shield against any potential trouble as the moving staff meant plenty of witnesses should something go amiss.
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