〖OPEN〗when we use our mind, take a step at a time

[petitvoleur]

WHO Emanuelle (petitvoleur), AU Kurama (yuukaihan), and you!!!
WHAT Exploring their new home and casing the joint, so to speak. Maybe you have the misfortune of becoming a victim of their thievery, or perhaps you think they look just a tad too suspicious for your own liking.
WHERE Highcrest
WHEN 3/5
WARNINGS None.



[They rise early, and with hoods raised over tousled heads that make them look more alike than usual, venture forth into their new surroundings. They've both done some small exploration, but it was mostly idle on Emanuelle's part, more for something to do than the more purposeful scouting trip they have planned for today. For her, at least, the hood has more to do with keeping the sun off her face than anything, though the mild sunburn she's acquired since running away has turned into a smattering of freckles on her nose and cheeks and chest.

Casually, they stalk the winding streets of Highcrest, arm in arm, two siblings staying close together so as not to lose each other. She's lost the sweeping stateliness of her walk, though it was a struggle, and her step has turned into a casual stride, more boyish than anything.

A gaggle of knights passes them by, and once they're out of earshot, Emanuelle turns to speak into her brother's ear.]

Does anything catch your eye, brother dear?

Comments

[yuukaihan]

[He can't help but give another approving smile where she can't see him, at how easily she does exactly what he would have done in her place. He extracts the lockpick from its place in the pouch at his waist and places it in her outstretched hand, watching her carefully.]

[petitvoleur]

[Her fingers curl around it, and with an absent smile on her face she goes to work on the lock, feeling for the pins the way he taught her to do. It takes her longer than it would have her partner, but it's still only the work of a minute or two before she cranks the hairpin to the left and pulls the door open.

Stepping to the side, she ushers him in with a free hand.]

After you, m'lord.

[yuukaihan]

[He gives her a little lifted eyebrow at that, but precedes her into the house anyway. He steps carefully, not particularly expecting a trap or an ambush, but knowing it never hurts to be prepared. His eyes sweep the room as he reaches up to fold back his hood.]

[petitvoleur]

[She follows him inside, shutting the door behind him. Inside, the cottage is guide dark owing to the closed shutters. Which suits her just fine. It's mostly empty, but a previous occupant left behind a double bed in a wooden frame, no doubt containing a straw mattress; a well-scrubbed wooden table with a lantern in the middle and a chair on either side, and a stack of firewood next to the wood-burning stove in the corner.

She perches on the edge of the table, legs swinging a foot from the floor.]

I think it's charming.

[Says the girl brought up in a palace.]

[yuukaihan]

[His eyebrow arches a little higher, half in disbelief - the girl grew up in a castle, how could she possibly find this charming? - and half because...well, she would, wouldn't she? He makes a quick round of the room, opening the shutters to allow more light in, checking for any obvious signs of damage or wear that might cause them trouble later.

It's dusty. That's really the biggest complaint he has about the place, as he pauses by one window and leans back against the sill, watching motes of dust dancing in the sunbeams.

He turns to look at her, watching him, waiting for his judgement, so he shrugs one shoulder carelessly.]

It will do.

[petitvoleur]

[She can't help the grin that splits wide across her face, despite the casualness of his assessment. Emanuelle reaches out with her toes and hooks her feet around his legs, pulling him closer so she can hug him from her perch atop the table. Into his shoulder, she muses aloud.]

I wonder if we needn't formally claim it. If we can just...move in.

[yuukaihan]

[He goes to her easily, holding her against him, resting his head lightly on top of her hair. He wants to shrug at her question, but doesn't want to jostle her from his shoulder, so instead he answers aloud.]

It seems it has been unused for quite some time. And if there's no use for money here, it's not as if we'll need to pay someone to stay. I think the fewer people who are informed we are living here, the better.

[He can't help but notice, somewhere in the back of his mind, that Emanuelle has he legs nearly wrapped around him, and that it would be easy enough to lift her skirts out of the way, but can he really be blamed for that kind of thing? He's only human, after all.]

[petitvoleur]

[She nuzzles against his neck under the guise of nodding, making a little affirmative noise.]

I thought as much. That was your original qualm, was it not?

[Emanuelle notices a little discomfort in her right calf, right where it's pressed against the side of his leg, and draws back, hissing as she sees the bruise already forming there, overlaid with freshly scraped skin. It must have happened when she fell back onto the roof tiles, but she didn't notice it until now. She scoots backward so there's room to rest her leg on the table, folded inward, and inspect it further. She mutters something, but the only distinguishable word is 'stupid'.]

[yuukaihan]

[He puts a gentle hand on her knee, well above the bruise and scrape, so as to avoid hurting her.]

You are not. You are new to this life, we are in an unfamiliar place, and you let your excitement get the better of you. It was a mistake - one anyone could have made.

[He leans in carefully to press a gentle kiss to her forehead, and then stands up again, smiling.]

Do you think we should tend to that?

[petitvoleur]

[She keeps her gaze turned downward, expression serious as always, but his reassurances do make her feel a bit better. Her eyes press shut briefly when he kisses her forehead, and then she nods. The scrape brought a little bit of blood to the surface of her skin—the whole area is a mess, actually.]

Mm. It should be cleaned, at least.