Closed(ish) | Guarding Mr. Daisy

[lotusmesenpai]

Who: Sion, Lavi, Kanda & anyone they meet at the Summit
Where: Springhill Compound, Peace Summit
When: W6D2 - D6
Summary: Guarding Sion during the summit should be an easy warrant. Unfortunately, nothing with Sion is ever actually E A S Y.
Restrictions/Warnings: Kanda's fine command of language, as usual.

Comments

[oneirism]

[Even with her... mission, from Hyperion, Lapis has been doing her best to attend the summit as often as possible. Only simply listening to the voices raised among the audience and the delegates, curious and hopeful - wanting a peaceful outcome from all this, after all the chaos has happened. So when she spots Sion there, she finds herself both surprised but also pleased, his words prompting her to smile softly.

Hearing Julius' name as well causes her to perk up, glad that they're both willing to do this for the citizens of Westerley. Some part of her regrets breaking ties with her family completely, then she too would've been able to help, to encourage her family to give over land. But this is more than enough, finding herself glad she came today - quietly hoping that everything goes well.

Though with how busy she figured Sion would be, she had been intending to leave, not wanting to get in the way of his work. But the call of her name gets her to pause, her smile still in place as he cross the gap between them, her own happiness to see her clear in her smile.]

Long enough to hear you speak. That's a brilliant idea, Sion.

[sunderings]

You think so?

[ His expression brightening (both hopeful and touched by the soft hues of a blush—Lapis' sentiment, it means all the world to him), the Director no longer seems to be the man who'd spoken in resonant intonations of grace in good faith, poised in a manner far beyond his years, but simply--... himself. Sion, who greets Lapis with a touch of his hand to her shoulder, fingers curling there in a fond, familiar, squeeze before falling away; Sion, whose smile remains bright, clear as day, despite the long hours and lack of sleep, the opposition he has surely met with by simply wearing the Company uniform to such a place.

(But someone must do it; someone must show the citizens of Westerley that the Company is not meant to be an oppressor, but an ally. Circumstances as they are... they can change.) ]

We will see what comes of it when it moves to further delegation in the morning.

[ But... until then, he's free, isn't he? Considering Lapis with a playful glance, he lifts a willowed forefinger to his lips—a touch of whimsy, as though in a bout of consideration—before...! He offers Lapis his arm, offering her the novelty of an 'escort', if she should so wish to take it. ]

In the interim, may I extend the Lady a most cordial invitation to join me at a private retreat?

[ My, my. How mysterious! Or, at the very least, it is a play at the allure and bewitchment of mystery. (Even if, given Sion's demeanor, the acting lands somewhere between 'spirited' and 'sweet'). ]

[oneirism]

[The hints of that blush causes her grin to brighten, another soft giggle escaping her - amused, yet touched that her words seem to have meant so much to him. It fills her with a warm feeling that's hard to describe, and she leans into that familiar touch, reaching up to give his hand an answering squeeze in return, before he pulls away. It's nice, to be able to relax with someone, after the seriousness of the last few days.

(Some part of her worries that the missions she carries out for Hyperion will put all this work in jeopardy. But she hopes that their goals are to defend Westerley from the Nine who would oppose these ideals, rather than to bring Westerley to war.)

There's then a nod at his words, quietly hoping that the morning will bring good news. But she doesn't dwell on that for long, that playful look in his eyes and how he brings his finger to his lips prompting her head to tilt, amusement twinkling in her eyes as she watches. Her brows raising at the arm offered to her, one she doesn't hesitate to take with an amused huff.]

A private retreat? [How very mysterious indeed. And Lapis has always enjoyed a good mystery.] Well, I can't say no to that.

[sunderings]

Then...

[ His eyes shine a merry, lively sort of gold, as he draws Lapis closer to his person, their arms linked in camaraderie as much as they are in play, the bond between them forged of trust; of Lapis' will to humor him, a man given to capricious, lighthearted displays because this (standing next to a friend, someone dear and delighted to be held in the blossoming arc and weightless suspension of surprise) is what it means to be happy.

(To simply be alive.) ]

Stay close to me? [ Why will be revealed in the moments after they've left the main ballroom, disappeared down a hallway which houses not a single soul, save for their own, providing the ideal conditions for...! A glimmer of faint iridescence to cascade down, around them both, tessellating as it refracts the compound's light, clearly forming a shield, perhaps a barrier, but... to what end?

The answer is clear when a party of representatives turns to walk the corridor, seeming not to take notice of either Lapis or the Director himself, though collision surely seems imminent until the moment when Sion shifts quietly aside (whisking his partner away as well!), a mischievous hush falling upon him until the grouping of men and women both round the corner at the far end of the hall, gone as swiftly as they'd came. ]

Now, we've our privacy. [ At least, for a time. Sion's can only sustain refractive shield for a short while before he grows tired. ] Enough so to spirit away food from dinner service without being noticed, if you should be hungry.

[ Blinking down at Lapis, he lofts a slender brow high as he says (almost cheekily): ]

The great movement to liberate the sandwiches of our time...! Will you join me in this most noble endeavor?

[ It's much more exhilarating, isn't it, than so simply attending the dinner...? ]

[oneirism]

[Her arm stays firmly linked with his, eager to see what he has in mind - spending time with Sion is always something she enjoys, always more than happy to be with a dear friend.

So she happily follows his lead, sticking close to his side and then blinking at the glimmer that fades down around them. Tilting her head in question for a moment, before giggling as understanding quickly dawns on her - more than amused at how the officials don't see them sweep by.

And once his plan to revealed, she giggles even more, leaning against him as her other hand rests against his arm - her amusement clear as she peeks up at him with a bright grin, playfulness twinkling in her eyes. It's certainly far more interesting than simply attending dinner, and so it's a plan she very much approves of.]

Of course I will join you! I will never say no to a chance to free the sandwiches.

[sunderings]

To be blessed with such a staunch ally in this moment—

[ In the present where holding onto someone and having them hold onto you (an embrace thick as thieves, close as cohorts, familiar as friends, and... an unidentifiable something else, something more) is the truest expression of faith and trust, the peace which the Director hopes to grant to everyone. (Even if, beyond the warmth of close proximity, the way Lapis holds to his arm with both her hands leaves his heart aflutter like the wings of a dove.)

This is--... ]

—it makes my heart glad.

[ ...a reprieve which he'd needed, but would have never taken for himself. ]

So then, let us be off, our mission now well underway...!

[ As they stealth through the corridors and to the sandwich buffet, side-stepping errant staff members and diplomats with what may have passed for elegant turns of dance, before 'rescuing' their duly-earned dinner fare. And then? An escort mission! Seeing the sandwiches carefully back to the Director's suite of rooms is an equally exciting task, a test of how long Sion might be able to maintain the cloaking technology which safeguards them both, the barrier lifting (glimmering out of existence) no sooner than he swipes the key-card at the entryway. ]

...and a resounding success, I'd say.

[ And into the suite they go, Sion murmuring words which he never before thought he might have the chance to say to anyone: please make yourself at home. ]

[oneirism]

[There's a warm smile at his words, and she happily leans against him - returning the sentiment in a way she can, thanks to her lack of skill with words. Being able to just... have fun like this, with someone she cares about, is enough to fill her with happiness, her smile bright and warm as she looks up at him.

It's hard not to laugh as they dodge past staff and diplomats, her smile turning into one more full of victory as they snatch the sandwiches away. Gold eyes keeping a lookout, just in case any staff or diplomat appears around the corner, not wanting their mission to be in vain! But it all ends well, and once they're in the safety of his room, she lets out a small laugh of victory.

And while most people might take a moment to be in awe of his suite, and refrain from making themselves too comfortable, Lapis is having none of that. Instead she simply flops herself onto the bed, letting herself fall back against the sheets with a sigh - he said to make herself at home, so that's what she plans to do.]

I don't think I've ever been in a room this fancy before.

[sunderings]

Mm? [ Lapis is not left for long without a bedmate: with an impressive flop of his own, Sion falls back, atop the mattress, landing at Lapis' right with a rustle of sheets, a playful creak of bedsprings, and a sandwich most certainly still in hand...! And so, Lapis has succeeded where few seldom have: it will only ever be in her presence that the Director, notorious for never taking his rest and a proclivity to miss meals, will not only lay down (at ease) and nibble upon artisan bread stuffed with tomato, basil, and mozzarella at his leisure. ] Still, I do not think it can compare to your apartment, Lapis.

[ Then...!!

Oh, what's this? He's rolling over??? But only to face his friend, it seems, propping his head up, upon the elegant bend of an elbow and the open palm of his hand, the long fall of his hair pooling atop the sheets...! And also quite nearl Lapis' nose, as the Director cared to wear his white-as-snow locks loose today.

He apologizes if it tickles, okay!! ]

Your pillows, for instance, are far superior. [ Moreso than eating in bed, reclining together like this--... is a treat, isn't it? ] Not to mention, your décor is by far more lively. But...

We've made it here, all the same. Now, we can enjoy the spoils of our mission in privacy...!

[oneirism]

[Another burst of giggles escape her lips when he falls next to her, gold eyes flicking over to him with a soft smile. Glad to see that he's eating, and she reaches for a sandwich as well, happily munching away as she lays against the bed - his words causing her smile to brighten, giggling softly for a moment.]

Oh? That's a surprise!

[And once he rolls over, she does so as well, smiling over at him and giggling even more when his hair tickles her nose. Taking this chance to put her food aside, making sure her fingers are free of crumbs, before reaching for two of the closest strands - starting to work on a small braid.

His words prompt her smile to brighten once more, glad he appreciate her decorating. Or attempts at it, since she just does what she wants most of the time.]

True, my decor is much livelier. And I like to think my blankets are fluffier too. [Though as Sion enjoys the spoils, Lapis seems more focused on her new mission - braiding as much of Sion's hair as possible.]

Make sure to enjoy your share, then! [He's eating now, but if he tries to give her more than her fair share, she will feed him herself!]