Swashes: Buckled, Esther

[Flynn Blake]

Flynn stood in front of a mirror adjusting his pink bowtie. He had wanted green, but someone had apparently stolen his green bowtie. And, besides, he did have a nice pink ribbon to go around his favorite top hat.

He turned back to look at Esther.

"How d'I look, Lass?"

[Sheol]

She looked him over, appraising the outfit. Esther nodded her approval. "You look good." He cleaned up well, though Esther thought his scruffy look was equally good. No one was really asking her, though.

"Not all men are confident enough to wear pink, you know." It was a shame, really. But not a problem for Flynn, who had more ego than anyone needed.

[Flynn Blake]

"Yes, well." Flynn smiled his knowing smile that he smiled when he didn't actually know at all, which was generally most of the time. "That's what makes it look special." He turned back to his wardrobe and pulled out a cane with a pink gem handle.

"So are you ready to go, then? Unfortunately, we can't take the Marie. Too flashy."

[Sheol]

She nodded again. Esther felt she was ready. Her makeup was done, her hair was done, she had traded her pirate get up for a full-length gown that appeared to entirely be made of crystals. It was not exactly what she would have picked for herself... but she liked it.

"I think so," she agreed. "Unless you think I don't look ready?" She tried to move swiftly past that little insecurity. "So what are we taking?"

[Flynn Blake]

He stepped closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Of course you look ready. You look almost as amazing as I do, and that's quite the accomplishment."

He leaned in to kiss her, then something else took his attention and he let go of her and crossed the room to his desk where he pulled out a long gift-wrapped box.

"Now, let's go find our carriage."

[Sheol]

"Good." she was pretty sure she was blushing. Esther took compliments rather uncomfortably, despite being well-set in the knowledge that she was attractive. Winning approval was a whole different matter, though.

Esther hurried to catch up with him and slipped her arm through his. "Carriage? With horses?" She hoped it was horses, but who knew what else Flynn would find?

[Flynn Blake]

"That's generally what a carriage is pulled by, yes, sweetheart." He said and patted her softly on the head. He would have given her a treat, but he wasn't going to keep any food in his pockets. That was just asking for trouble.

Flynn lead them through the ship's portal down to Central Park, where their carriage awaited. It did, indeed, have horses.

[Sheol]

"Mmmhm," she protested. "Don't muss my hair up." He hadn't, but he shouldn't either.

Her face lit up at the site of the carriage. This was all very exciting indeed. For a crazy guy, he was pretty consistent about pulling impressive things together. "Oh. So there are." Esther beamed. "I think tonight's going to be a lot of fun."

[Flynn Blake]

Flynn shrugged his shoulders and pulled himself up onto the carriage before offering her a hand up.

"Just keep your eyes on the prize, lass."

[Sheol]

She took his hand and allowed him to help her up. "Right. Of course. Eye on the prize." Whatever that meant. Sometimes it was easier to just not ask Flynn any questions and allow him to continue to operate in his own little world.

"Whatever you need me to do, Flynn, just say the word."

[Flynn Blake]

"Onward!" He exclaimed to the small, hunched over cabby. The man grunted and brought the carriage to a move. Flynn leaned back in his chair and smiled at Esther.

"Now, lass, this is a job of subtlety. Luckily, I'm the most subtle son of a bitch to walk the earth."

[Sheol]

"Yes," she agreed as it was her job to agree with the things Flynn said unless it would result in his own serious bodily harm. "Things should go smoothly then.'

Oh no. This was going to be trouble. Flynn couldn't be subtle if his life depended on it. Esther hoped her life didn't depend on it. Or his, for that matter. She was starting to be fond of him.

[Flynn Blake]

He nodded, glad she understood. The rest of the few minutes of riding went by silently. But, then, they turned a corner and there was suddenly a mass of people, all clothed similarly to themselves.

The carriage pulled up outside a building with a light green carpet extended, and Flynn stepped off the carriage with his hand in Esther's.

"Esther, welcome to the Metro City Mages' Convention."

[Sheol]

She followed him, wide -eyed. "As in... witches?"

Had she told him that about herself? Did he even know that she did spells in her free time and spent her salary on things like tears of a first born child and dried lizard ears.

"Excellent," she added. "But I'm a little surprised."

[Flynn Blake]

"Well, no. Witches are quite silly. Mages, though..." He shook his head. "You don't want to cross a mage." He smiled a wide smile.

"Unrelatedly, we're going to steal their most prized possession."