♠ | 002 | Video

[lastrat]

[Much different from the man who posed skepticism and disbelief a few days ago, Bond is now smiling. He looks at ease, and for once like he isn't constantly on guard. It erases some lines from his face, makes him look a little younger, a little lighter.]

I never was much for Christmas, you know. Can't understand why now. It's nice, isn't it? The coming together, the gaiety of it all. I think I've been rather rude since I got here, and I'd like to apologize to you all. I'm sure you've only been trying to help, and I ought to have been more receiving. That's what this season's all about, isn't it? Setting aside your disbelief and believing in miracles.

[Another warm smile, and he nods.] I think I like that.

[Private to the Admiral]

[This list will be angrily replaced later, but for now, happiness and good will towards man and all that.]

Haven't written one of these since I was a boy, but if you insist:

For Ivy, a beautiful dress. Green, naturally. With a leaf motif, since she seems so fond. For Castiel - I think he could use a halo, don't you? For Lark - Mm. I'm not very good at this. Aftershave, or cologne, something expensive that he'll enjoy.

And for Vesper-- [He trails off, thinking hard.] A necklace, I think. With a key on it. [A pause, then a smile. Yes, that'll do nicely.]

[Spam for Vesper]

[When he ended the post, he realized he was just sitting here alone, with Vesper only next door. Why shouldn't he believe miracles? She was dead, and now she was alive. And he'd attacked her. James hung his head for a moment, and reached into his jacket pocket, where he could turn her Algerian love knot over in his hand. This was stupid; he ought to apologize. He ought to go and enjoy her company. He ought to let her soothe the ache in his chest. Why shouldn't he?

So a moment later, he was at her door, knuckles tapping against the wood quickly.]

Comments

[silvestris]

[Selina has heard that tone before, but not because of comic book or movie fans. Bruce is famous and eccentric, a legend and a joke at home. She assumes Bond is just another person who has benefited from Wayne tech at some point.]

I mean it about Russo. He's some sort of psychotic mongoose, if I were you I'd get my hands on a weapon and fast.

[lastrat]

[His mouth curves upward.] Mongoose. There's an interesting way to describe someone.

[But he nods, and takes a sip from his glass.] I will. What's he done to you?

[silvestris]

But apt. He only goes after the difficult cases. Like me; let's say I have a hard time dying. He takes that as a personal challenge.

[But that's not why she hates him, and she leans back on her hands.] Anyway, he killed a friend of mine. If I didn't hate him I'd thank him. Revenge gets me all...warm inside.

[lastrat]

Hard time dying. [It's a question, though it's not phrased as one. The hell is that supposed to mean, lady.]

[silvestris]

Oh, I could show you scars... [Her smile is one part seductress, one part bitter woman hellbent on revenge.]

[lastrat]

[Which is the part to be afraid of, frankly, and Bond might have been a bit more wary of that, if not for the flood. He leans in, just a little, a smile quirking his lips.]

The better question is, would you?

[silvestris]

[She tips her head, licks her lips--the bright red lipstick has smudged off a bit onto her glass.]

Would you ask me nicely?

[lastrat]

I can ask very nicely. [This has always been his favorite sort of game, the back and forth leading up to the enjoyable.]

[silvestris]

Tit for tat? [She asks this as she looks at him, seeming to look right through his clothes.] Show me how nice you can be, Mr. Bond.

[lastrat]

[Well, he's never been shy; the look doesn't bother him at all. It makes him smile just a little more, actually.]

Somewhere more comfortable, perhaps.

[silvestris]

Was that a shot at my cleaning? [But her eyes are bright, teasing, and she sips her drink.]

I'm not picky, but if you've found a feather bed somewhere on board...

[lastrat]

No shot at all. [He can see the tease, though, and gives her a half smile, reaching out to slide a hand around her waist.] But it just so happens that I have a very nice bed in my room.

[silvestris]

Do you play rough in that nice bed? [Her fingers walk up his chest, until she can trace his mouth. Now that he's close, her flirting has shifted to something more predatory.]

[lastrat]

[It's interesting, to say the very least; James is the hunter, usually. He catches one of her fingers, nipping the pad of her finger tip lightly beofre leaning in toward her ear.]

Always.

[silvestris]

Then sweep me away, let's see where we go.

[She steps back, at the last second her hand snapping out to grab his shirt and pull him with her.]

[lastrat]

[He steps into it with a quiet chuckle, arm tightening around her waist. James doesn't need much convincing at all; he kisses her hard, and heads for the door.]

[silvestris]

[The second they're in his room she's on him again, hands roaming over his hips and the backs of his legs, then scratching hard down his back.

You can't really get out of an encounter with Catwoman without some scars.]

[lastrat]

[He grunts, half tempted to push her off when her nails dig in. But it doesn't stop him from heading for his bed - or leaving marks of his own.]

[silvestris]

[Selina laughs softly and slides onto the bed, never once taking her eyes off him.]

Still sure you can take me?

[lastrat]

[And he follows her down without a beat, hand sliding around her waist.]

I think my back can take it.

[silvestris]

But what about the rest of you?

[She purrs, and just like that she's supple and eager under him, leaning up to lick his lips gently. Instead of clawing him, she runs her palms down his hips and then back up along his sides.]

[lastrat]

[The change is abrupt, but it doesn't put him off; his hands find her hips, holding her against him. He twists, rolling them over with a quietly smug expression.]

Nothing to be concerned over.

[silvestris]

[She laughs, and she kisses his neck, bites--not as hard as last time, just hard enough to remind him she's not kind. Which is maybe the wrong thing to remind him of when she starts kissing down his chest.]