venice ♔ to remove the stain of my love

[romanticidal]

♬ My Confession - Josh Groban

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Kat, Gar, Buffy, Myri [closed]
WHAT || Invited to the home of the talented singer, the Knights attempt to learn more about his connection to NOVA Records.
WHERE || Rafael's villa, an hour outside Venice, Italy
WHEN || July 6, evening.
HOW || Actionspam, NO TAG ORDER

With Dumage MIA and not responding to her phone, the girls quickly got ready for an evening at the home of the exceptionally talented singer who had dragged them in front of the audience at Notturno. Gar looks nice, if subtly so, in a mid-length red dress and simple make-up (11 Disguise check which is what I use for people prettyifying up). Kat's own attempts to do her make-up when left unaided in the bathroom left her coming out looking like Rocky Raccoon, unhappily smeared in blush and metallic eyeshadows (crit fail :( ), but after the other girls helped salvage her (15), she looks really pretty, though still not wearing anything remotely close to a dress. Ever.

The girls take a ride outside of town, driving through Veneto at breakneck speeds, because someone let Kat drive (check 17). What should be an hour's journey takes them half that time, and they pull up to the impressive sight of a dual story white and red villa that all but screams luxury.

Comments

[romanticidal]

[ he raises a hand ] Say no more.

[ and then after a beat ] Have you gotten to see much of Venezia, in your time here?

[slay]

Saw a lot of the sky on our way in. [ it's a roundabout no. ] And the backstage of your venue, I guess. Very roomy.

[romanticidal]

Hmmmm. [ He chews on that for a moment. And then makes a sudden lane change. ] We will fix that, then. If your friends will not get too jealous.

[slay]

[ she grips the handle of the door, but not out of surprise or fear because her jerky driving is worse, just to stabilize herself because she doesn't have a steering wheel to do so. she shoots him a smile. ]

I think they'll live. Besides, I'm sure they're having oodles of fun with Hiro. [ but not with isabella. ] They won't miss us. [ and it will give her more time to CASUALLY TALK ABOUT NOVA ... ]

[romanticidal]

Oodles, si. [ He seems to enjoy repeating the word in his ridiculous accent. ] You cannot well visit Venezia without the most Venetian experience of them all.

[slay]

[ ... group sex? ]

Mm, and what would that be? 'Cause if we're looking at gelato here, I am way game.

[romanticidal]

You will see. [ group sex. ] But gelato too, of course.

[slay]

[ the last surprise buffy got involved a bug demon eating a homeless man. she's trying not to let it set her mood for how she approaches surprises, and focus on optimism that whatever rafael shows her can't be that bad. unless it's group sex. no, wait, she's been there too. ... IN THE BLOOD ROOM. NOT. PERSONALLY. ]

Is this the part where I stop guessing 'cause you're not gonna tell me 'til we get there?

[romanticidal]

Not much gets past you, it seems.

[slay]

I'm observant that way. And while this would normally leave you subject to more prying than usual ... [ she settles back into her seat, smiling and looking out at the dark scenery. ] I'll give my patience the exercise.

[romanticidal]

Then maybe I will exercise mine. What do you do, back home in America?

[slay]

What do I ... ? Oh! You mean, like, for work. [ she laughs. oh. work. well, actually, i don't live in america, i live in the u.k. at this big fancy castle and oh did i mention that i'm a knight? yeah. that one, not gonna go over so well. she cleared her throat. ] Well, I'm a -- [ she hesitates, working through an explanation nearest to what's accurate. ] ... I work security. You know. Body guard stuff. [ bluff check 17 ]

[romanticidal]

[ forget being suspicious. he just looks downright as if he thinks that's a joke as he glances over and... looks her tiny girl body up and down quickly. and just stares at her with a raised eyebrow judgmentally. ]

[slay]

I'm serious! And, also, stronger than I look. [ she says it in a chill, unoffended way. look, she's tiny, it's why she almost accidentally killed arthur and beat spike into a pulp and god she has a lot of violence in her short, short resumé. ] Believe me. Hiro's mind would be blown. [ a beat. ] N-Not that I'm planning on -- Just. For example.

[romanticidal]

[ his lip quirks as if with a secret joke, and then he's turning down another road and oh hey look they're like practically on top of the city already. how fast was he fucking going. ]

I would like to see that, actually.

[slay]

I - I'm not really sure if I should be ... [ she interlaces her fingers and holds them in front of her in a little awkward gesture as she tries to articulate all the reasons she doesn't love that plan when the chief amongst them is apprehension at her own abilities. ] Vacation, and all.

[ a beat. she gives as much truth as she can. ]

It's just ... When I was training for this job, there were some accidents. During training stuff. Ever since, I've been kinda ... hit baddies only. As a rule.

[romanticidal]

[ there almost seems to be some level of appreciation in his eyes when he looks back at her. ] Too much woman for them, is that it?

[slay]

[ that gets a laugh out of her, and she loosens up, reassured at his understanding. ]

Guess so. Apparently none of them got the 'don't underestimate based on small packaging' lesson. [ she side eyes him at that in a teasing way. ]

[romanticidal]

[ he chuckles again, as he starts searching out a parking spot ] I have seen some truly terrifying small packages before, perhaps.

[slay]

[ as he starts slowing, she looks around, all but sticking her head out the window to get a better look of where they might be going. ]

Ooh, terrifying, just what every girl longs to be called.

[romanticidal]

I thought you may be tired of hearing 'beautiful' by now. [ said oh so casually as he pulls to the side of the road, and turns the car off, sliding out without waiting for a response.

oh right welcome back to the most beautiful place in the world. ]

[slay]

[ s c r e a m s. no she's not really screaming but she does still at that and slowly turn to glance back at him, caught off guard with the edge of a flattered smile combo'd with a slack-jawed look because he sure really just said that.

she sets about climbing out after a pause, shaking her head. oh, boy. you're in trouble, girl. she looks up and around at the city, a distinct sense of awe about her at the way the lights along the canal brighten everything and make the gondolas look like they glow.

good thing she probably doesn't know that's sewage water they're glowing in. ]

Speaking of beautiful ...

[romanticidal]

[ I Remember - Damien Rice

He watches her expression over the top of the car, smiling lightly, and then nods towards the walk, which leads in in the direction of said beautiful canals and into the heart of the actual city. ] This way.

[ He turns an appreciative eye to the view as well, though there's a touch of something almost wistful and sad in the way he gazes at it all ] They say Venezia holds many secrets, but that that is part of what makes it so alluring.

[slay]

And all this time, I thought the allure was all the cute italians. [ she shuts her door and follows after him down the walk, tucking her hands into her pockets. ]

[romanticidal]

We can carry our own mystery, as well. [ A little smirk, and he leads her over a tiny bridge, as they pass canoodling couples and old men drawing and a couple with a tiny daughter falling asleep on the mother's shoulder. All of whom are completely human - basically everywhere they go. ]