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Post by Ventia on Sept 11, 2022 23:52:22 GMT -5
(( Decoii)) It was considered to be the birthday party of the year, celebrating the youngest son of the Marley Group for his twenty sixth birthday, set at one of their remote mansion's that till today never received any type of visitors. The media was abuzz, and it seemed like everyone who was anybody, wanted to be on that guest list. All other local events, such as the increased in kidnappings and dead bodies popping up, had melded into the background with the additional news of a Raffle being available to all who entered it for a chance to get invited to the party. It was literally the talk of the town for the recent weeks leading up to the day. Armin sat in the driver seat of the sleek grey Jaguar C-X75, a line of cars and limos stood both in front and behind him, waiting for their turn to enter the large mansion, a fleet of staff and security covered the premises. Their invitations already been checked at the first checkpoint and would be checked again once they got up to the doors. He tugged on the black tie, loosening the first button of his tuxedo and tried to relax. It didn't help that his partner for this mission was none other than Annie Leonhart, the coldest woman in his training group and the most difficult as well. It also didn't help that they were supposed to be acting as a couple, not only did Armin not have much experience in that department he also couldn't see Annie acting like a normal girl much less acting like she was in love with him. But she had been charming at the first checkpoint, leaning over to smile at the guard her hand rubbing his thigh warmly and her laugh, strange as it was to hear, feeling light and soft against his ear as they were given the okay. He peeked at her from his peripheral, she had gone silent as she had for the entire ride when they didn't have a audience and was facing away from him, her eyes looking out the window. The dress she wore peeking out from her lavish shawl, molding to her body and showing more curves than Armin should even know about. A knot seemed to tightened in his throat and that was primary the reason why he had to loosen his tie and shirt a bit, he sighed about to raise his hand and mess with his hair when he caught sight of the sleek gelled up hairdo that had taken him the better half of a hour to get just right. His hand went back down, instead he grabbed the water bottle he had and took a large gulp, hoping it's coldness would settle the unease he was feeling. "We're not going to have any issues are we?" He finally asked her, normally silence was golden for him in the right kind of company but with her, it made his thoughts go on overdrive and he just couldn't settle down. "You like to make a scene in the worst kind of ways, Leonhart, let's just stick to the plan, okay?"
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Post by Decoii on Sept 12, 2022 14:01:23 GMT -5
The chances of this mission going wrong were extremely short. The event was too public, too human, that Marley wouldn't risk actually turning a house party into a slaughter house. But Annie couldn't just wrap her mind around the idea of such a public event happening in the first place, and under the pretense of a birthday. It was obvious it was a network event and maybe a ploy to get suspicions off of their backs.
Whatever it is, Annie has been out of the loop for over three years.
Not that it really mattered, New Dawn was starting to pick up on Marley's involvement with the trafficking and missing cases popping up left and right. Annie found herself frowning at how obvious they seemed to be behaving as of late. Three years in the New Dawn and she still had no idea who was currently in charge of running the show after the fall of the Alphas. It was a simple thing, her mission, find the backbone of New Dawn and destroy the power.
It wasn't a secret that the pack ran things differently. Opening doors to multiple races and mutations. Something Marley wanted to acquire since it made their search for Titan compatible bodies easier. Annie glared out the window as Armin's clothing rustled in the background as he drove and fidgeted around like a child.
As he drove into unknown territory, he was taking her home.
She had no idea who she was going to meet there. But it was a great opportunity to touch bases and share intel. His voice startled her out of her stupor and when she turned around, she glowered. "Excuse me?"
There was a moment of silence and she wondered if Armin could pick up on her sharp hostility at the moment. Coming home was never a good thing. Coming home with no new intel on who was running the pack was even worse. Armin was going to have a hot target on his back because he would already be identified as a scout next to her. A spy.
It wasn't like it was her fault that the ranking system had frozen since the death of the leaders. No one got to move up. She was as stuck as they came.
It also didn't help that Gina and David had a different mission to go too and now she and Armin had to play house for the public. A role given for the sake of their mission that would further have Marley think of her as a questionable asset.
But what was really grinding her gears was that she had to sit there as she was made fun of by their small team of scouts for not being able to play the role of a proper lady. They made fun of her for a good hour and Gina even tried giving her pointers on how to look more lady-like and less like a bitch. Their whole mission had turned into a joke, and Armin might as well have worn the dress to the event with how little everyone seemed to believe in her.
Not that she minded, well, until Armin opened his mouth in added paranoia.
"I'm sorry if I'm not like Gina who enjoys getting touched up as part of her job." She said dryly, her humor mixing in lightly but dying off with her sharp tone. "Your lack of faith is offensive."
She pulled down the small mirror, leaning in and cleaning off the small smudge of mascara from under her eyes before reaching back and carefully pulling her ponytail off. She'd done her hair in curls prior to this, but knew they'd fall apart if she left her hair down for the ride. Satisfied that she'd been right, she combed her thin fingers through her hair, then discarded the shawl to the back seat. Her emerald dress was tight, too short, and exposed too much of her back and chest. She couldn't carry weapons and her ability to run was questionable when it came to the matching pair of stilettos on her feet.
They were approaching the mansion now. She was getting nervous. Using these last couple of seconds to gloss her lips, and freshen her make up, she leaned back for a better view of her whole face. Then gave herself a smile, then another, before groaning.
She looked laughable. Gina would piss herself and David would probably kill himself if they saw her.
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Post by Ventia on Sept 12, 2022 14:15:38 GMT -5
"I'm not saying you have to let them feel you up," Armin grumbled under his breath, still watching Annie from his side view while moving forward whenever the car ahead of him moved up a space. She always seemed to take everything the wrong way, like there was a chip on her shoulder, or even a icy barrier that separated her from the rest of them because she'd rather not get too close. Armin always wondered what her deal was, the few times they've been paired up in training sessions before and he had attempted civil conversation, all he had gotten from it was a bloody and broken nose.
It was safe to say since then he'd kept away from Annie Leonhart, if he was forced to pair up with her again, he usually finished the drill with the least amount of talking and touching that was required of him. "I'm saying," he felt like he was speaking through clenched teeth, while trying to remain calm, "that if you're planning to act out, at least give me a head's up or keep it to a minimum. We're supposed to be a couple, technically a boyfriend wouldn't allow any man to come and rub up off of you. I know we're supposed to be finding some evidence that connects them to the missing persons and we'd have to get pretty chatty, but there's a difference between casual conversations and Annie's-gonna-punch-you-in-the-face-if-you-keep-it-up kind of talking."
He blew out a breath, glad he finally got that off his chest-if he was honest and Armin usually was with himself-he wasn't afraid to say that Annie scared him sometimes with her violent temper. Once again, he couldn't seem to figure her out. There had to be some kind of trust in partners shouldn't there? Armin was worried that he wouldn't have that reliable feeling he usually had with the other squad members with Leonhart. There was just something off about her that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand upright, in what? Armin still couldn't put a name to it.
Still, he found himself staring as she fixed her makeup, it was such a feminine action so unlike what he's seen of her so far, that for a moment it was like Armin was looking at a stranger. A pretty stranger, he thought oddly enough, watching as she puckered her lips while fixing her gloss. That tightness in his throat came again, and Armin had to swallow it down and tear his gaze away from her to focus on his surroundings. They were next, the limo in front of them stopping by the middle of the mansion's drive, the attendants helping the guests out and taking the car away.
"You look pretty, by the way." He told her,. hoping once again she would take the compliment without a fight and thankful that the valet was signaling him to come forward. As if on cue, the unease drained from his face as Armin put the car in park and stepped out of the jaguar before the valet could open his door. The night air felt cool on his face and Armin took a moment to enjoy the night before walking around the hood to where a staff member was opening Annie's door. Instead of allowing the man to offer his hand, Armin moved in his way and held his arm out instead, as any perfect gentleman should have to their date and waited for Annie to clasp it.
When she did and came out from the car, looking as stunning as he had told her she had, Armin tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and felt a inkling of pride settling in his chest at having such a extraordinary woman on his arm. Even if it was only for the mission sake, Armin knew he probably wouldn't get another experience such as this. They walked through the open doors, where another queue waited for them along with tables of masks for the masquerade event, he strolled Annie to the first table they were closest to and let his eyes roam looking for a decent mask to wear.
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Post by Decoii on Sept 12, 2022 21:08:42 GMT -5
Annie had for the most part remained silent during Armin's small tangent. Letting out a soft hum here and there in acknowledgment. After three years she was finally home. Not as a Titan in the Marlian empire. But as a mere scout from a fallen pack.
You do have a temper. Her wolf practically purred inside of her head. A sad reminder of her shared body.
I do not.
He called you pretty.
He didn't mean it like that.
The awareness of the Titan inside of her body was doing nothing good for her. Especially tonight. Everyone here would be strong, tension would be high as it did when races and packs mingled. Annie wouldn't have to punch anyone in the face if they would shut up and stop being stupid.
God.
She glanced up at Armin as he extended his hand, trapped in her inner fight to regain her consciousness without the familiar pull inside of her mind. Armin looked put together and she'd be lying if she said she had been expecting him to look nice in his tuxedo. He was always thin, smaller, his short hair and baby cheeks doing little to make him look like the mature and smart person he actually was. Annie thought briefly, that they wouldn't even look like a decent couple if they tried their damned hardest.
He did fill out his tuxedo nicely, she supposed, her heels brought her closer to eye level.
Her wolf continued to purr in her head. Commenting and complementing a job well done from Marley on the party. The music was nice, and absentmindedly she sniffed the air to pick up on any familiar scent. Torn between Annie from Marley and Annie from New Dawn. It was too early to be so torn. Too early for her to obsess with how she was supposed to compromise the mission for the sake of her loyalty.
If anything, being here with Armin was the worst thing that could possibly happen to her. He had a decent brain on his shoulder and she wouldn't give that compliment out too freely. Maybe she should find a way to discard of him while she took care of business?
Her head was starting to hurt.
"I know it's close to Halloween but this is ridiculous." She rubbed the bridge of her nose as she looked through the table full of masks. She picked up the one closest to her, waved it in the air. "What is this supposed to do in a hall full of shifters? They don't need to see our faces to smell who we are. Maga-" She stopped, mouth gaped open, eyes widening as she looked away.
Not even five minutes here and she was already mixing up who she was and who Armin thought she was. She needed to be more careful. Sighing heavily, she threw the mask on the table and picked another up. Holding it out to Armin's face from a distance to see if it suited him, "MAGnificent choice for a party." She casually corrected.
Most of the smaller female masks needed to be held up, and Annie would be damned if she was further handicapped herself by not having both of her hands be free. "Do you see something you like, babe?" She was already feeling exhausted. Too many eyes, too many ears.
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Post by Ventia on Sept 12, 2022 22:14:26 GMT -5
Armin raised a brow at her words and did a little shrug, looking around at the other guests as they filled the lobby of sorts, and leaned down lowering his voice a bit compared to Annie's louder volume. "I'm sure there's humans in here too, and it's not so bad." He said in a regular tone as he leaned back, narrowing his gaze at her at the choice of mask she held up at him. Too much feathers he thought with a dry taste in his mouth and immediately shook his head at her. Keeping his thoughts to himself.
"Give me a second, let me look." He released his hold of her arm then and moved about easily through the bodies to look at the other table's choices, his eyes snagged on a particular feminine mask of the same shade as Annie's dress that went around her eyes with a single softy green strap. He immediately reached for it, grabbing it just seconds before another woman's white gloved fingers could breech his line of vision. He turned his face up at her, giving her a apologetic smile that was both charming and childlike.
"I'm sorry, it's just the perfect mask to fit my girlfriend." He told the stranger, not letting any kind of chance for socializing get away from him. She smiled at him, a bit older in the eyes, and told him it was fine. He gave her a little bow, as a tribute for the mood of the party, and made his way back to Annie. She had strayed from where he had left her, and he paused in front of her holding out the simple but pretty mask for her to take.
"This one matches, did you find a better one for me or should I go and hunt some more?" Even though he was saying this, Armin was already turning to look for a simple black mask in a similar fashion to how Annie's was. He didn't exactly plan to stay here the whole night, knowing the real mission would start once they reached the main floor of the mansion. He had done research on this place, but hadn't found much, not even any blueprints.
It irked Armin that he didn't have a lot of information on his hands, the Marley Group as mysterious as ever, with barely any loose ends or trails to follow. Armin was good with a computer and still he had come upon short. He almost made a tch sound under his breath and turned back to look at Annie, his thoughts once again coming to a full stop at her wearing the mask and looking more mysterious and exotic, like she had came out of a dark fantasy novel to take the night by storm.
Really, Armin thought with a inward frown, why the hell was he acting like a blubbering virgin...Armin did made a tch sound then and felt his cheeks already getting hot, no doubt a blush was incoming.
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Post by Decoii on Sept 13, 2022 1:23:37 GMT -5
This little pit stop of a mask station was no more than a check in station, Annie noticed when she glanced up at the bouncers writing names down and ushering people into different sections of the mansion. As Armin talked to a woman, Annie also realized that shifters would be handed one drink, while humans drink from another tray. It was done so casually that Annie thought that she might have been paranoid. If not for that nagging voice in her head.
Do you think there's something in the drink?
No, too public... Too idiotic.
We've been shunned for so long.
Too long.
You don't know what they're doing.
The realization that she was standing in a place that she's once called home hit her strong, and for all the wrong reasons. Maybe taking on this mission raised red flags in the pack. She'd never done these sort of things but once she heard Armin briefly mention Willy Tybur, she knew they were closing in on Marley. She knew she had to do this. Interfere. Sabotage Armin and his mission and update someone about what New Dawn was up too. Even if she knew very little.
When Armin came back she blinked out of her stupor enough to slide on the mask and grab one from the table she's been looking at for him. "I think you'll look decent in this." She said, waving it to catch his attention. A new wave of people entered through the main doors and she quickly grabbed on to the sleeve of Armin's jacket and guided him off to the side.
When she looked at him, to help him put on the mask with ease, she paused at the look he was giving her. Eyes big and blue and full of wonder. A look that made her absolutely so nervous she almost wanted to turn around and leave. Maybe Gina could come in and be the life of the party and make everyone drink so much they'd be fighting to spill their secrets to her.
Annie just wasn't that person.
"Look, I know it's my first time and you're nervous and you probably wish Gina or Sasha would be here with you." She moved in closer, fixing the back of his collar as she whispered near his ear. Hoping the sounds around them would mask their conversation. "I am a member of this pack, you know? I want us to succeed too. To put an end to this shit. Don't let what everyone else said before make you nervous. I'll do good. I have to do good to shut those bitches up anyways." She chuckled. Hoping her tone wasn't too harsh, or her delivery was too cold.
She didn't mean a single shit anyways.
She grabbed his hands, ignoring the slight clamminess and headed towards the bouncers. They gave their fake names and took the drinks offered. Two small shot glasses full of a liquid that she couldn't place a name to. A couple next to them, loud and obnoxious, drowned it in one gulp. Drink, talk, extort. There was no way around it and Armin was the first one to take the shot.
Annie was too busy staring at the bouncers and trying to recollect if she knew them from somewhere. But when she stared too hard, Armin nudged her side and she quickly took her shot. Sweet liquor, a bit tangy and as she placed the cup in the extended hand of the bouncer, she froze.
The taste, muted but there, left her in shock. Laced with Titan serum that would be unnoticed by anyone and everyone who's never been under the operation table at one of the labs. But Annie knew that cold table as much as she knew the bitter aftertaste of the chemical compound that had been forced down her throat and into her veins.
Her hands shook, her wolf roared in rage. Like an abused animal who's taken far too much from their abuser.
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Post by Ventia on Sept 13, 2022 13:41:08 GMT -5
Armin gave the waiter a look at the two shot glasses on the silver platter as he put the invitations back into his inside front pocket of his suit and raised his free hand, shaking it slightly. "Oh not for me, I'm not much of a drinker and I have to drive back." He said the excuse easily enough, it was mostly true Armin only liked to drink when he was alone in his apartment, and he didn't give the platter another thought for a moment as his head was still reeling from Annie's little speech and her touch. It almost sounded sincere, he thought oddly and watched as the waiter persisted in giving him the drink, saying it was a welcome gift from the birthday boy and that it wasn't so strong.
Armin glance around him, watching all the attendants being offered the same glasses, it was almost like they didn't have a choice and had to drink the damn thing. He took it, not wanting to raise suspicions and giving Annie a little nudge that she should do the same thing before taking a tentative sip of the liquor. He didn't like the taste but under the watchful eyes of the staff he topped the shot glass all the way back and swallowed. Placing the glass back on the platter, they were allowed entry into the belly of the beast.
They moved with the crowd and Armin rubbed at his throat, the after taste strangely familiar even though he preferred darker liquor. His father momentarily popped into his head, a older man with the same features of Armin looking weathered down and in a wheelchair, before Armin let the memory fade as he focused on the inside of the mansion. His mind jolting down notes of everything he saw, all while trying not to show the frown that wanted to break across his face. He supposed the mask he wore did some efforts in hiding some of his facial features, so Armin didn't need to be so on top of keeping it together. But Armin was a careful man at the core of him.
The music was growing larger as they were escorted to the main ball room, which was already looking full, countless people moved about the volume loud with everyone chatting and laughing, the music, people dancing, it looked like what Armin imagined happened in those romance books Gina liked to read and gush about in their spare time.
He followed Annie around without much thinking and was happy they passed by another refreshment stand and he got himself a glass of water to wash out the bitter taste in his mouth. His earlier blush must still have been there, Armin thought distractedly as he put down the glass and made his way to a empty table. He wanted to sit down for a second and get a good look of the room. He was the first one to sit down and watched as Annie gave him a look before coming over to stand in front of his open legs.
"What is it?" He asked her, seeing the heated look behind her eyes, the green of her mask making the blue of her eyes that much brighter and vibrant. He found himself drawn in, his temperature rising, that stupid blush still on his face. His voice getting a bit darker and lower.
"Why are you mad at me now?"
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Post by Decoii on Sept 13, 2022 19:06:12 GMT -5
The music was loud. The dim main hall was all that you would expect from a perverted masquerade. Everything was meant to look classic, sultry, with a candle lit dance floor and soft classical music. Loud enough to bring people together, low enough to encourage conversation. Annie didn't get the point of the whole event, she was just confused by the whore looking bar area and the princess themed dance floor.
She wanted to point out the drinks, but knew she couldn't. Wanted to mention something about the darkness, the fog, the decor. But everything would get Armin's brain going and she couldn't have him focused on something that would lead him anywhere.
The blush of his cheek was getting redder, even when she didn't know why. Annie suspected that even the water was laced, but once again, she'd take that to the grave. When she walked up to him, she wasn't as angry as she felt frustrated. What bit of serum she had was already making her feel sensitive.
"Are you okay?" She asked lowly, her mouth feeling as dry as sandpaper. Seconds after, a tray of water was shoved her way and she quickly took a cup and gulped it down before thinking. "Shit." She mumbled, looking at the cup. "Shit, shit, shit." Her attention was slowly lifted to Armin's face. Her breath catching when she noticed the dilation of his pupil.
"Let's... Take off this jacket. It's hot in here." Although his cheeks seemed red and his eyes seemed somewhat normal, she wondered if she was being paranoid when she thought it looked dilated. Blinking rapidly, she glanced at her hands on his chest, wondering how they've gotten there before shaking her head and unbuttoning his jacket.
Her mind was roaring, Wolf slamming against the cages of her consciousness wanting to be let out. Wanting to submit everyone to the rage she felt after tasting the drug. But as the seconds tickled by, as each button of Armin's shirt opened under the attention of her fingers, those screams and that rage slowly dimmed down. As if being forced behind a closing door.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, breathing deeply and leaning closer to push the jacket off of his shoulder. She was feeling calm and one more look in his direction drove panic up her throat and surprise into her eyes. "What are you feeling?" She asked a bit more strained.
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Post by Ventia on Sept 14, 2022 15:25:55 GMT -5
Armin raised a brow at her, his hand absently tugging on the tie again until he loosened it completely and stuffed the damn thing in his pant's pocket, his attention fully focused on his partner for this mission. Annie Leonhart, how crazy was that? Armin thought again, as she began showing concern for him, fussing even, her voice sounded soft in his ears, seeming to cut through the loudness like a lure. Her breath was warm on his face her scent filling his nose with her nearness, not sweet more sharp and fierce, like a raging sea over a sandy coast.
"I'm fine, just hot." He finally said, now frowning at himself and down at her fingers that kept making his skin underneath sear more than it had before. He didn't fight with her, glancing behind her to look at the room, he was thankful they were pretty much in a dark spot, and no one seemed to care about them just yet. Another quiet moment to get a hold of him. Fuck did he have to get it together, Armin thought angry with himself feeling like he was already messing up this mission.
Armin sat up a little straighter to give Annie better access, moving his arms out and away from the extra fabric. "Stop fussing over me, you'll make a scene. This was what I was talking about," he gritted, taking some of his anger out on her when he would usually be too clear headed to even do such a thing. His mood only darkened, "I'm sorry." His voiced soften a bit as he looked up at her, in this position she really was too close, and dressed in a way he's never seen before.
Any other occasion that required her to dress up like this, Armin hadn't been there to see it. He heard some remarks about it from the boys or girls that had been in those rare occasions, but Armin never really cared for gossip. Not that they had anything bad to say about Annie and now Armin knew why, Annie looked stunning in a dress and heels even if he was sure she wouldn't believe it.
Such a pretty color...
Armin agreed and without much thinking reached out and pressed his hand on her side, his touch was almost feverish as his fingers closed around her hip his thumb rubbing the garment and Annie's skin underneath. Her scent was drowning him, Armin felt sensitive thankful the lights were low and hiding his idiotic behavior.
"I think you're too close to me. You're making me feel hotter. I think..." he turned his face to the table where she had left her water cup and reached for it with his free hand, his other still having a almost possessive grip on her, he picked the cup up and sniffed it but wasn't surprised that he couldn't smell anything. There were many scentless and tasteless drugs out in existence. He placed the cup down and finally let go of Annie's hip to shrug off the jacket and draped it on the table.
He settled back in his chair, leaning back from her now but unable to stop his eyes from running up and down as far as his eyes could go, "Are you feeling okay? Do you feel funny too? If so, they might have something in their drinks. I don't think it'll be safe to take anything else regardless. God I shouldnt have drank anything." He groaned to himself, finally closing his eyes and rolling his neck, trying to alleviate the strange symptoms he was showing. It was a good thing he was a bit used to this feeling, this out of sorts itch he felt rolling around him.
He was sick.
He heard his father remind him, concern behind those usually empty blue eyes. Was it just Armin then? Was his illness acting up suddenly? Armin hadn't needed to take his pills for a few years now, he had thought he had found some kind of normalcy since his coming into New Dawn. Shit. He groaned, his hands fisting in frustration. He couldn't have a episode right now, not when there was so many lives at risk. He opened his eyes, the blue gaining control and said in a clear calm voice.
"Let's just get this party started, yeah?"
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Post by Decoii on Sept 14, 2022 20:34:19 GMT -5
Annie's heart felt like it dropped at his harsh tone. She didn't know why, didn't care to figure out why, either. But it was such a foreign sensation that her fingers hesitated on their travels south down his front. She wasn't doing anything bad, at least she didn't think so. But his tone had her questioning herself again. In that familiar self conscious way that only Armin has ever made her question herself in the past.
Despite this, she continued as he worked through his feelings himself.
That was, until he touched her side, and held his hot and heavy hand over the sensitive flesh of her hip. Her fingers froze again. This time her heart leapt up to her throat, the knot making her feel dehydrated.
You're touch deprived.
That familiar unknown voice cut through her stupor and Annie would have laughed if she felt like she could breathe. But she couldn't, at least, not like this. Not when she could feel the heaviness of his hand on her. Radiating a warmth she hadn't expected from him. Surely she would have noticed his hands while they would spar? If they felt this heavy.
You're submissive.
She didn't bother thinking back on that thought, or even arguing. The drug had always influenced her like that. Turned her submissive. Made her wait on that table for orders, made her devour-
Blinking, Annie pulled back away from Armin as if he had burned her. He had let go at the same time, it muted some of the aggression in her step back. Every touch she's ever gotten was brutal. She's always felt like she deserved it and she has. This. Armin's touch. She didn't deserve that.
"It's just hot in here." She explained, looking around. "Too many bodies and I don't think taking off your jacket is drawing anymore attention than the people literally fucking each others faces right now." She said sarcastically. A number of couples are already fading into the darker spots of the hall. The rest are either socializing or... Are they fucking waltzing?
Annie couldn't wrap her mind around any of this. So instead, she focused on feeding Armin lies. "I don't think they did anything to the drinks. It's a public event. They wouldn't risk shifters being exposed like this. Besides I feel perfectly fine." She looked back at his large blue eyes, steadily. "I'm fine. But if you're being paranoid, then sure, lets avoid any more drinks. I think being sober would help us out a lot. Our first... party and all that."
Annie took a couple of steps away from him and looked around. Most of the staff seemed to wear masks with either two or one lense over their eyes and that, was something else, that Annie was confused about. She wanted to ask Armin what his plan was now that he was inside, but couldn't find it in herself to speak so openly around so many ears.
"What's the plan for tonight baby?"
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Post by Ventia on Sept 15, 2022 17:19:32 GMT -5
"Let's walk around for starters." Armin responded as he found his way back on his feet, he gave his jacket a look on the table considering what to do, whether to leave it or carry it around. It was a nice jacket, he thought how he had to spend the majority of a paycheck just to afford it. Yeah, he wasn't going to leave it. Armin grabbed it, draping it around his elbow and moved to where Annie stood a few steps away from him. He was still feeling out of it, sensitive and quick tempered, but it was something Armin was going to have to deal with. Let me help. His wolf's inner voice offered, Armin allowed it giving him a foot in and feeling his senses sharpening with the volatile sensations cooling a little bit, easing up within his brain. He was about to place his hands on Annie's waist again but the wolf in him stalled his arm, sensing her earlier discomfort more than Armin had. Armin looked down at Annie and instead nodded at the room, letting her have the lead and moving along with her, making a path through the crowds as he was needed. People really were acting in all sorts of manners, Armin noted watching as the crowd pulsed with activity, the energy in the air feeling heated like a living thing. He watched as one couple were tearing into each other, as if there wasn't a room full of people right besides them fully able to watch as clothes began to loosen. He caught sight of two men arguing with each other, their angry voices melding within the noises their little chest pushes barely bothering the staff and bouncers who watched everyone carefully, like they were scanning the crowd looking for something. He made eye contact with one of them now, just happening to be in the woman's line of view before he finally pulled his eyes away from her to turn and enter the connecting ballroom, where the waltz's were taking place. The room was larger leading out to balconies and other hallways that would take guests deeper into the mansion. He wondered how far one could get before a member of the staff stopped them. He would have to push his luck if nothing else panned out. "Would you like to dance?" He asked Annie, as a familiar song began to start from the live band and orchestra.
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Post by Decoii on Sept 15, 2022 19:46:30 GMT -5
Annie was having a hard time trying to make sense of everything. From the laced drinks to the decor, masks, and low lighting. As she passed the dance floor, even with people dancing, the tones brightening up the area into a dim yellow glow brought flashbacks into her mind of cement cells and corpses.
You're not compatible.
The voice of her wolf echoed in her mind, the music blocking her ears. It was hard to keep a straight face, it was hard to stay focused on the mission. But she still guided them, still tried her best to stay focused and natural.
They were looking for a specific reaction in people, she knew this. She just didn't know what.
You're not compatible with anyone.
Annie kept walking forward until Armin grabbed her by the arm. "What?" She turned around, eyes furrowed. She didn't recall him speaking and when he repeated himself she was sure she was imagining what she thought she heard.
With a series of quick blinks, she looked over at the dance floor, then back at Armin. Before she could even answer, he was moving towards it and she was forced to follow in order to not seem suspicious or lose him in the rowdy crowd. She didn't understand why he wanted to dance, but she supposed it was to have the time to look around without appearing like overly curious scouts.
When she reached the spot he had stopped at, she stood in front of him awkwardly, yet kept her distance. She didn't want to touch him again in case that made him mad and she wasn't sure if she wanted to be touched by him again, either.
Submissive.
Annie couldn't understand why she was being taunted like this. She couldn't understand why the weight on her shoulders felt heavier when she looked up at Armin's bright eyes. "I have to warn you, I'm not the best at this..."
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Post by Ventia on Sept 15, 2022 20:22:15 GMT -5
"I'm not great at it either," Armin tried to reassure her, he didn't even know why he had randomly asked her for a dance, he had seen the dancers moving about in that slow elegant way they were doing and he had suddenly wondered what it would feel like to dance with Annie. Would she be soft? Would she be rigid? Would she be better than him? Would they stumble but still laugh it off? It was like his brain was making daydreams in a feverish record, too fast for Armin to keep up with much less control.
It was easier to let whatever he could out while holding back the harder things he wanted to hide from both her and the Marley's group and guests. However now that he was standing in front of her in the middle of slow dancers with Annie looking up at him with those guarded eyes of hers, Armin felt like he had done something wrong. Of course she wouldn't feel comfortable dancing with him.
She doesn't actually like you. It's fake. A act.
Armin reached for her again despite the voice in his head, once again he found himself lost in her gaze, ever so watchful trying to see past the icy barrier she kept even now from everyone. Gently with warm heady fingers he touched her left hand, his fingers brushing up against hers. Her skin was relatively cooler than his, but still warm in nature. He coaxed them up, sliding his fingers through and carefully like he was touching a predator that at any moment would bite his hand, he pressed his left palm to the middle of her back. Her dress was cut low so the tops of his fingers touched warm skin, the tips of her curly strands tickling his hand when he began to lead her in a slow side to side step.
He left room between their bodies not wanting to overwhelm her, "Liar, you're dancing just fine. Say Annie, can I ask you something?" He paused, taking a breath of her scent and feeling his body warm as he exhaled. She was soft and a better dancer than him. He felt giddy for figuring it out. His grip on her fingers and back softening a fraction.
"Did you mean it what you said back there? About being a member of the Pack too? I've always had this feeling like..." He paused, his eyes were dilated somewhere in the middle of the dancing with his voice sounding like he was in a trance.
Armin.
A low growl was echoing in his head in warning, Armin had a feeling he had been growling for a while now before Armin had noticed it, and as he focused on the growls, the blue in his eyes gradually gained control once more. Armin blinked, what had he just been about to say? He refocused on Annie's face and cleared his throat, "Never mind it's stupid. Let's dance towards that corridor so we can sneak away from the crowd and explore the mansion a bit. There must be something hidden here. Records or a hidden room. Let's try a library, that should still be safe enough."
He shifted her around the dance room, taking his time to dance between the couples but cutting across to where he wanted to go. Once they reached the edge of the dance floor, Armin let go of Annie's back and still holding onto her fingers, led her into the dark hallway.
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Post by Decoii on Sept 16, 2022 11:17:05 GMT -5
Annie was trembling in adrenaline as they danced and she got more comfortable with being on the dance floor. It wasn't bad, swaying in circles to the rhythm of the music along with everyone else. The dance floor wasn't as intimidating once she was standing on its floor. She curled her fingers around Armin's own, palm fitting in his. Her free hand came up to rest on his shoulder, before gliding towards the collar of his shirt, thumb and forefinger rubbing at the fabric in an attempt to calm down.
The voice inside of her laughed, taunting the moment. Everything seemed to have a dim glow around it, even Armin under the lighting. she was mesmerized with the dilation of his eyes. This is going to turn into a mess of dead bodies soon enough.
They're all shifters. They can't be turned into Titans. Annie's attention dropped from Armin's face to the dance floor. Looking Around once again at the drugged people around her. Armin is a shifter... Her voice felt weak even in her own head. His reaction to the drug still sent panic signals through her mind and she had to remind herself that Armin was a shifter. Drugging him and everyone else was pointless.
"What?" She asked, looking up when she noticed his lips moving. Just in time to bring her focus away from her racing thoughts and the soft music and towards him and what he was trying to say. "Armin, what's with the question?" Her heart sped up as she forced herself to hold his gaze. "You were there when I first joined the pack... I..." She could feel the tremble of his growl through the hand she had on his shoulder, having not noticed it slipping down to his chest.
The more he growled, the more the dilation in his pupil expanded, the more she wanted to recoil into herself. Then, in a blink, he snapped back to his usual self and was rushing her off of the dance floor. Her mouth opened briefly, to tell him that the library wasn't in that direction. But she snapped her mouth shut when she remembered she couldn't give him that information.
She stumbled to keep up for a second, mind buzzing with millions of questions.
Annie looked down towards the hallway that he was trying to lead her down and in the distance she noticed two figures that made her steps freeze. Derek and Pieck. Her eyes snapped back towards the back of Armin's head, then towards the two as they walked down the same hallway Armin was trying to guide her down.
Tears stung her eyes as they started to water and although she let go of Armin's hand, he was still holding hers as he turned around.
He knows. He's a spy. He's from Marley. They send him because you're weak. They send him to watch you and now he's going to give you over to Derek because you've failed. I lost my life to be put into the body of a failure. Armin, Armin, Armin. Wolf in sheep clothing.
"The song isn't over." She said when his brows furrowed in question, but unable to pretend like she couldn't understand the situation at hand, her shoulders deflated. "How long have you been watching me? I've never met you before."
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Post by Ventia on Sept 17, 2022 18:20:51 GMT -5
"Did you want to keep dancing?" Armin asked a little hotly but still slowed down at her low voice, something in the sound of it making him lose a step, he glanced back at her his eyes going straight for her face and halted completely at what he saw. Was she about to cry? The thought sounded stupid even in the confides of his brain. Yet there they were, glossy reflecting with the low light in the dark hallway, her fingers long gone from his, her body slumping and angled away from him like she'd rather be anywhere but here.
Anger flushed through him, what was she talking about? What was she thinking about? Always a enigma. Always a mystery. How was anyone supposed to get close? To see the real her? They had just passed a door, Armin didn't know what it was but he backtracked and pulled Annie along, not answering any of her questions because they didn't make sense. The door gave and Armin went in, forcing Annie with him, his gaze quickly moving over the room. A single bathroom, big and private, but most importantly with a lockable door.
Armin pushed her farther in, away from said door, and let go of her wrist as he went to lock the door. He flipped the light on, and then frowned as his eyes instantly flickered close trying to shield themselves from the brightness. He turned the lights back off and let his gaze readjust to the darkness, the little light from the window coming from the moon and the lone candle burning on the sink enough for both of them to see.
Waiting a few heartbeats, trying to not let the sudden anger take over him, he finally let out a long breath. His eyes were bright as they refocused on hers, he tossed his jacket onto the sink as well and took a step towards her. "For years now. You're acting strange tonight, did you think I wouldn't notice?"
He stopped in front of her wanting to shake her for answers but kept his arms tightly to his sides, he could get quite...unpredictable once he was in a episode and if he thought right, he was currently in one now. He had to watch himself, he didn't want to hurt her, not that he thought he could hurt her physically at least, but still he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he harmed one of his pack members.
"Tell me, what are you planning? Are you my enemy or my partner?"
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