like I said, the main game didn’t even start yet;

[unchangeling]

[ it was annoying enough that the cat decided to follow him home today, but Cromm supposes it can't be helped. though he's suspicious considering how willing Robin was in doing so in the first place. for the moment, though, he shoves that aside and shadow-walks them to the door before unlocking it -

boy was this a familiar feeling, though he was still on the fence if it would end the same way that it did at the hotel.

(probably)

he unceremoniously shoves the other fae into the nearest chair as he lets out a long exhale. ]

Stay put for once. I'll ... be back.

[ it's then that he realizes that someone else is here alongside them, and he's ready with a knife, eyes narrowed before he pokes his head around the hall and -

he does something that only a certain pair have seen.

he sputters. ]

Wh- what are you doing here, Coire? [ the tension and dark aura surrounding him dissipate immediately, replaced with mild confusion as he sheathes the knife for the time being. ]

Comments

[unsatisfying]

[Oh, this is getting pointed. Coire glances between them, taking particular note of the former knife. How much longer will Cromm behave himself?]

You make it sound so difficult.

[unchangeling]

Depends on the day.

[ He's at least trying, bless him - even if his body language is showing that it's ... straining. ]

[allinacon]

We are a little of what our nature makes us.

[ He's a troublemaker and a bit of an ass that likes pushing buttons of those around him. Cromm likes things to go his way or no way. It made their encounters very interesting. ]

Though I do admit to a hint of stubbornness when it comes to doing what I wish to do.

[unsatisfying]

So I am coming to understand.

[Poor Cromm, with someone that stubborn against him.]

[unchangeling]

[ Cromm rolls his eyes, shifting the rose back into a knife before he drops his hand. ]

I like a challenge, but sometimes there are limits to what even I can deal with.

[allinacon]

Oh, I give in when it suits me.

[ Aww, he didn't like the rose. Robin pouted and rolled upright before hopping off the bed and prowling back over to where they were both standing. He shouldn't tempt Cromm to take issue with him, but at the same time, he did want to get to know the woman a little better. After all, technically he was an outsider that should at least show some deference towards the current ruling body of the area.

But then again, that would be boring. ]

Given enough of a reason to do so, of course.

[unsatisfying]

[she has no fear. why should she? and this really is entertaining, in a way. who knew Cromm had this other side to himself]

A reward for your behavior?

[unchangeling]

Sometimes I wonder what exactly he thinks a reward is in that case.

[ Not that it wasn't enjoyable for him, but it was still odd. ]

[allinacon]

Of course. Nothing is more exciting than watching a man lose his control.

[ Well, it is fun to play with the small minds around him, but Robin found it far more satisfying watching how they react to losing control. Cromm was no exception, even if it was in tiny ways and not such a huge thing. Giving the assassin a smile, he leans up to pseudo-whisper in Coire's ear. ]

Though you probably see him with all his guard down... I am jealous of that, my lady.

[unsatisfying]

I would have to agree on that count...

[She has seen some men lose control. Some of substantial power and rank, who would not appreciate that being well known. And some who wouldn't mind letting the world know.

The fake whisper makes her laugh. Yes, she knows it's all to tease Cromm, but really.]

Are you? Perhaps you lack the right touch.

[unchangeling]

[ ... he's doomed, isn't he.

Cromm narrows his eyes at the both of them, and no, he's not sulking that Coire and Robin are getting along at all, shut up. ]

[allinacon]

I think that with him, a woman's touch is able to coax than my rougher ways.

[ He really is liking this royal. Most of them tended towards the rather boring end of politics and manipulations, and while Robin was technically a free agent and thus able to work for anyone, he had standards. Granted those standards were not that high, but still, Robin liked a royal that actually was a little bit of a flirt and not so rigid.

And of course, the cat now leaned in to Cromm, smiling as he reached up to smooth the lines at the corner of his mouth. ]

I'm sorry, am I neglecting you?

[unsatisfying]

[She's a pretty far cry from what people would expect of royalty, that's true. She likes to think it suits her better not to care about the typical things. There's no fun in any of that anyway, so someone else can be bothered with the nitty gritty.

Of course, this cat seems fun. Even if he's clearly wearing Cromm's patience into nothing. The poor dear.]

And in your own home, too.

[unchangeling]

[ Honestly, Cromm and Cermand wouldn't have her any other way, it's definitely refreshing in comparison to her siblings and her father most days (not that Cromm would ever admit it, he was the King's loyal wolfhound, after all).

But he immediately snatches Robin's wrist out of mid-movement, eyes narrowed slightly. ]

Yes, well.

[allinacon]

[ Of course his wrist was grabbed. Of course Cromm looked about two steps closer to killing him. Robin gave the assassin a slow smile and just steps into his space. ]

Well what?

[unsatisfying]

[well! she's watching them both carefully now]

Yes?

[unchangeling]

[ ... Shit. He forgot where he was going with this. With Robin getting closer, and Coire watching them intently, he's actually starting to feel a bit flustered. He's not used to this. ]

It's. Fine.

[ No, no it's not, but goddammit he's actually trying to behave right now. ]

[allinacon]

[ Was he actually shaken? Robin pursed his lips for a few moments, studying Cromm's face before stepping in just a touch closer. There was nearly no room between them now, and Robin knew that Cromm could read the amusement on his face at this development. Oh, he was sure that he would end up in a lot of trouble later, but right now, this was something new and thrilling and Robin was going to take advantage of it while it lasted. ]

Liar.

[ And he licked Cromm's cheek. ]

[unsatisfying]

[A little flustered is cute... Well, Coire had seen Cromm's soft side enough not to find that unusual. Seeing him get licked though, that's going to get a reaction, all right. ]

[unchangeling]

[ Cromm immediately stiffens at the contact at his cheek, upper lip curling into a snarl and a shiver going down his spine despite his best efforts. He quickly shifts forward, pinning Robin's arm behind his back, using his other hand to lightly wrap around the puck's neck in warning, staring him down with an intense look in his eyes. ]

Don't push it.

[allinacon]

You should know that I always willing to push it.

[ He doesn't move away, nor does he move any close. Instead he smiles at Cromm, waiting for him to make a move, any move. ]

[unsatisfying]

[Yeah, she isn't about to interrupt. It's interesting to see this dynamic. Besides, she almost never sees Cromm so tense]

[unchangeling]

[ To be fair, this is a side of him that he tries to keep away from Coire for the most part. While she knows what he does and what he deals with to a certain extent, his attitude on assignments is usually left to the wayside when he gets back.

He tightens his hold on Robin's neck momentarily, thumb pressing against his windpipe before he moves to bite the puck's neck with perhaps a little more force than usual to show his irritation. ]

[allinacon]

[ It's an attitude that Robin was use to seeing in Cromm, which was why he had been provoking him so much. Usually the assassin was like this long before he was able to get close enough to lick him; that was something he was able to do when Cromm was lost in sensations and it was hot at how he acted at that moment.

But now this was a lot more familiar, even if the bite was harder. The little noise Robin made was less of a hiss and more of a purr, his free hand grabbing at Cromm's shirt. ]

[unsatisfying]

[Sheltering Coire from that behavior won't work. Not least of all because she's spent her entire lifetime the younger sister of a wrathful, vengeful pair of eldest siblings and used to those displays of power and control. That's not even the half of it. She's been tied down to a bed more than a few times - to a wall, sometimes - and that's a familiar sound to her ears. She knows it well.

She also knows that wasn't hers to enjoy.]