Fate gave herself one last check in the mirror while she ran her hands down the stiff corset of her velvet dress. It had been a challenge to get herself laced up, but the house keeper who had dropped by today had been more than happy to help since Nanoha was banned from the upper level of the apartment until the blonde was done getting into her costume.
The bare-shouldered affair had not been Fate's first choice for a dress, and she found her décolletage to be rather dramatically pushed up. Unfortunately, it was needed to support the significantly large pair of wings attached to the back of her costume. At least it was a mermaid cut that clung close to her body. It was going to be cumbersome enough getting around with her wings attached. Secretly, she hoped that Nanoha would appreciate the sight, since she was the only person Fate was dressing up for.
The feathers were real and dyed an inky black that gleamed with a dark sheen under the cool white lights of her wardrobe and Fate was rather pleased with how it had come together. A black halo was positioned over her head and long satin gloves covered her forearms to add to the dark angel look previous Fate had clearly been aiming for. For her hair, she had opted to create thick braids on either side of her temple. Securing both to the back of her head, she left the rest of her hair to cascade down her back in temporary waves that had taken Nanoha and her forever to curl and style earlier that day.
Kitten heels in simple matte black satin completed her outfit, the shoes displaying cute little ankle tie straps that playfully peeked out from under her velvet dress' hem when she took experimental steps across the padded floor of the apartment's upper level. Keeping her make-up, her only affectation there was to apply her eye-liner in a cat eye style to draw attention to blood red eyes that stared out from under wine-shaded eye shadow. Her naturally pale colouring served to make the colour contrast even greater and she pursed her lips to apply the finishing touches to her face. Lipstick the colour of dried blood was added, pulling the entire ensemble together for a dramatic final look.
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Nanoha shifted nervously from foot to foot while she waited impatiently for her date to appear, a soft jingle of bells accompanying her every move. It was close to when Rein and company would be arriving and on a hunch, Nanoha had arranged with the security agents to have a limo van prepared for tonight. She had helped Fate with her hair earlier, and the muslin cloth used to cover the blonde's costume had hinted at something rather hefty.
She shrugged her shoulders to make a final check and was pleased to feel her shoulder being none the worse for wear after last night's activities with Fate. A faint shiver coursed through her dressed up form as she recalled how vulnerable the blonde had allowed herself to be. That Fate trusted her this much was something the auburn haired woman promised herself she would never take for granted.
Not really one to dress up, Nanoha had made an extra effort for Fate's sake, knowing the woman had planned something elaborate from all the sniping teases the two had exchanged all those months ago when they had gone shopping for Halloween outfits. No matter that present Fate did not remember their little competition, Nanoha felt compelled to honour the blonde's intentions. The adorably humming woman upstairs was certainly pulling out all the stops to honour what her past self had planned for tonight.
The equatorial temperatures of Singapore had ruled out a full three-piece suit for Nanoha. Her body was already warmer than average from her high metabolism and she preferred not to show up to parties a sweaty mess if she could help it.
Instead, she had opted for a dark red embroidered waistcoat over a white starched shirt with ruffles gathered to her wrists. A golden pocket chain clasped to an actual working pocket watch was tucked into one of her waist pockets and additional golden accents on her coat lent a steampunk aesthetic to her costume. The mark Fate had given her last night was serendipitously hidden by a ruffled white ascot cravat tie that wrapped around her neck up to her chin. Her suit pants were also white, as were her polished dress shoes but the pièce de résistance was the mood-controlled kitsune, or fox spirit, tail, and matching ears.
They were dyed the same auburn as her hair and Nanoha had painstakingly added scarlet wavy lines to her kitsune make-up to evoke the image of whiskers on her face. With her white gloves on, the only skin the executive was showing was that of her face, so she had gone all out with the fox spirit theme. Her foundation was powder white with a single tiny spirit fire in red drawn between her naturally scarlet brows, its shade a match for her lipstick, a far deeper red than the mild applications she typically used for work.
Red eye shadow faded into black, sweeping up to connect to her temples to further add to her demon-esque look and she could hear the faint sounds of the motors in the ears attached to the headband buried in the mass of her auburn hair. She had not done much other than to thread thick red strings into her hair, each one bearing a little gold bell no larger than her pinkie nail which explained the soft ringing sounds whenever she moved.
Tugging out the pocket watch tucked into her waistcoat, she checked the time. "Feito-chan?" She called up to check if her girlfriend was ready. Silence, and then a small voice trickled down the stairs, "I think I need a little help going down…"
Biting back a chuckle, Nanoha fingered the two items in her left hand and hid them behind her back. Arriving at the top of the stairs in a chiming flourish, her hair spun left and right in musical, ringing tones as she glanced around. Where was her Tenshi? "Feito-chan?" She called again.
"In here." The voice came from inside the smaller walk-in closet and Nanoha hopped over, bells ringing to peer around the corner of the entryway. Lips twitching to find Fate's wings and corset laces tangled in wardrobe door handles, she approached the woman to help free her without damaging anything.
Blowing out an annoyed breath, Fate straightened in relief, turning to thank the executive. Words failed her when the vision of the fox demon made flesh appeared before her eyes. Equally dumbstruck, Nanoha had just been about to tease her angel about being too elaborate for her own good. Speechless, she could only help the blonde out of the prison of her wardrobe, azure gaze drinking in the incredible beauty of her girlfriend. Elaborate wasn't the word. "Perfection," she breathed aloud, not realising she had vocalised her thoughts.
Spying the rust red tail swishing behind Nanoha in an agitated manner, Fate smiled at the compliment and closed the distance between them, placing the flat of her gloved palms against the executive's waistcoat, "Hyperbole, but thank you. You, on the other hand, look incredible." She fingered the lapels on the coat, brushing away a barely visible speck of dust and very much enjoying how otherworldly Nanoha looked. "Should you be without your sling, though?" She enquired with a faint frown.
Giving her concerned girlfriend a lopsided smile, Nanoha recovered enough to reply coherently, "I don't plan on doing anything that would strain it, much as I would love to carry you to my bed…" A light giggle sounded pleasingly in her ears and Fate tugged at the other woman's forelock, causing the bells in free-flowing auburn tresses to jingle softly, "Is the demon looking to start unholy relations with an angel?"
"Oh, I plan to." Nanoha purred throatily, "Those relations will be so unholy, we'll see if these hips can really bear my child." She smirked at the blush dusting over the immaculately made up blonde's cheeks and her gloved hand slipped down to rest on the blonde's shapely bottom to emphasise her threat. Blue eyes widening, she eyed the other woman whose blush was deepening at being found out so soon, "Feito-chan… Are you…?"
"Th-There wasn't time to do laundry," Fate confessed in a hushed voice. The rapidly dilating gaze pinning her where she stood had her shivering and biting nervously at the inside of her cheek.
"Oh my gods, I want to kiss you so badly," Nanoha admitted in a strained husk, amazed at how just that one tidbit had her seriously considering calling Haya-chan to tell her both Operations execs were indisposed. Shaking her head at the thrall the blonde held her in, she removed her other hand from its place behind her back and stepped back, offering up the two roses she was holding. One black, the other red, she bowed, "Kuroi Tenshi, may I be your escort tonight?"
The blonde appreciated the control Nanoha was exerting to avoid ruining both of their costumes, the fox spirit's dark eyes and swishing tail easily giving away the woman's desire for Fate. Charmed beyond words, the Black Angel accepted the roses, a small smile playing over her lips.
"I wasn't sure which colour would go better with your costume…" So Nanoha had gotten both.
Touched, Fate kept the red rose, but offered the black one back to Nanoha with a courtly curtsy, "I know we aren't public as a couple, but…" A blindingly brilliant grin met her unvoiced request and the executive took the blonde's hand and guided it to a lapel where Fate could tuck the rose's stem into. Smoothing down the luxurious fabric, Fate admired how well the sin black petals stood out against the red of Nanoha's waistcoat.
"Could you duck a little?" The fox spirit requested of the taller blonde, plucking the red rose from Fate's fingers. Doing as asked, the blonde felt the rose's stem being slipped in securely into her braided hair. Positioning the scarlet bloom over Fate's ear, Nanoha drew back to admire how well it matched the blonde's eyes, and incidentally, Nanoha's top. She wondered if it would be too obvious, but then dismissed the idea. Such colour combinations were common enough, only the biggest conspiracy theory believers would try to link her black rose to the Black Angel, or the red to the White Kitsune.
Taking Fate's hand, the executive led the woman down the stairs where the blonde's camera had already been set up for them to get a few pictures together before their agents arrived. Holding true to her promise to have an embarrassment of media proof of their relationship, Fate had wasted no time in purchasing a tripod and wireless control to allow them full freedom in taking whatever amount of pictures they wished to.
"I hate how I can't kiss you without messing up this make-up," Nanoha murmured, enjoying the feel of Fate's arms around her as they posed for yet another shot.
"Just think about how much fun you'll have helping me undress tonight." Fate teased, eliciting a soft groan from the auburn haired fox.
"I'll be spending the whole night thinking about you going commando," Nanoha grumbled.
Giggling, Fate blew a soft gust of breath into her disgruntled girlfriend's ear, smiling when she felt another shiver coursing through the woman's form pressed warmly against her own chest. "It will help build character."
She cast an amused glance over her shoulder at Fate, "I'm just lucky I'm not a guy, or I'd be sporting a stiffie when the others get here." That earned Nanoha a wordless look that spoke volumes and picking up on the blonde's sudden change in mood, she stared into wine-shaded eyes, barely noting the flash going off and another image being recorded for posterity.
Feeling her cheeks warm at what the blonde could be implying, she cleared her throat and husked, "...We'll make a list," she asserted again to Fate. Gods, her little principessa was proving a lot more adventurous than she had first given the woman credit for. Was she even surprised at this point? The woman possessed more layers than anyone gave her credit for, including Nanoha, apparently.
A light honk informed the pair that their ride had arrived. Sternly reminding herself to NOT stare at the gorgeous Kuroi Tenshi, Nanoha hurried to stow away the camera and tripod, knowing haste was something Fate would be challenged with in her current state of dress. Those wings were beautiful but a little awkward to move around in quickly.
Fate was retrieving both of their cellphones which had been on the wireless charging dock by Nanoha's… well, it honestly counted as their bed by now, really. There was never a night the women did not sleep together, Fate noticing that the auburn haired woman slept more soundly when they were wrapped up in each other than apart. Shamal's admonishments to the executive about resting more had stuck with the blonde.
The dark shadows so evident under Nanoha's eyes from the time back in the Takamachi compound, until when they had finally made their true feelings known to each other, was obviously from the woman's chronic insomnia. It was a point of pride for Fate to see them fading at a steady pace with each night they spent in each other's arms.
As much as Nanoha had naturally taken on the role of Fate's protector, the blonde had also slipped on the mantle of Nanoha's keeper just as instinctively. Even before she remembered anything, the urge to look after the Japanese woman had always been with her. To be given permission by Nanoha was a privilege that fed her soul more than Fate had thought was possible.
The wonder of their partnership had yet to truly sink in for Fate. All she knew was that she thanked the powers that be for every day, every moment, she got to spend with the other woman. Even while pretending to be mere colleagues, their connection remained a constant source of strength and warmth. Something that Fate leaned heavily on whilst she navigated a new career in the midst of her memory loss. It could've been so easy to feel lost without Nanoha as her anchor.
Giving the other woman a final once over, Nanoha doing the same for her, she met loving blue eyes that no chilly executive persona could hide from her. "Thank you."
Those same eyes took on a faint hint of puzzlement, questioning the blonde silently. Fate returned the look with eyes that spoke volumes, "For being you."
Sensing the blonde was having a moment, the executive said lowly, lips barely moving, "You're going to have to explain that later," right when she was opening the door to step through. Nodding at the driver of the limo van, it was Edel's turn today, she turned and offered a gloved hand to the blonde to help the woman manoeuvre her costumed self through the doorway. "I will, for the rest of my life," Fate whispered back, offering Edel a cordial smile of greeting.
Who cared that they had to play pretend when this was what lay beneath the surface? Schooling her expression into one of faint disinterest, Nanoha maintained her hold on the blonde's slim fingers. The light squeeze she gave Fate's hand was something only the two of them could feel, a wordless gesture informing the blonde that she meant to hold her to that promise.
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Vita hefted Usa-pyon, eyes scanning the floor of the Ritz-Carlton's largest ballroom. Hayate was big on parties and never scrimped when it was time for her underlings to let some steam off. A huge open bar dominated one wall, populated by the handsome female staff from her restaurant in Tokyo.
Arisugawa Juri and company had been specially flown in for the event and the tawny-haired manager was holding court to multiple office ladies who were vying for her attention. Her coat-tailed form stood out in rich colours of emerald and orange, bringing out the brilliance of her green eyes that sparkled as she moved from customer to customer, fulfilling orders with charming panache. The woman was clearly in her element, directing Haru and the rest of her top staff while mixing up cocktails for one breathless lady after another.
"Er, Haya-chan," shuffling closer to her cousin, Vita, looking insanely cute in her poofy red and black gothic lolita dress, muttered to the CEO, "Did you tell Juri-san she's not supposed to…"
Dressed in a black and white magical girl outfit, Hayate adjusted the adorable sailor cap on her head. Tapping her magic staff imperiously on the ballroom floor, the TSAB's head sniffed, "Why should I? We're here to have fun!"
Rolling her eyes, Vita elbowed the brunette, "Because, Sig-chan will hate you when she gets a slew of broken-hearted staff writing up 'That ginger hussy' next month."
Hayate waved off Vita's concerns with airy dismissal, "Don't mind, don't mind. It's what I pay Sig-chan for - it keeps her job interesting."
"What's keeping my job interesting?" Jumping, Hayate flashed the suddenly arrived head of Human Resources a nervous grin, "Ahaha, nothing, nothing at all. Oh, nice outfits!"
Dressed like a Renaissance fencer, Signum cut an impressive figure in her tight fighting pants and knee high lace up boots. Her white billow-sleeved shirt complimented her pink hair, tied up into a simple high pony-tail and left to hang unadorned down her back. A rapier hung off of her right hip from a leather belt slanted across her hips, the woman wearing the weapon in a comfortable manner that belied her familiarity with it. She would have easily given Juri a run for her money if the wedding band on her finger hadn't been gleaming prominently in the lowered lights of the ballroom.
Attending as Signum's plus one, Shamal provided an additional barrier to anyone giving her wife more than a passing glance. The busty doctor was in a low-cut barmaid costume to match her wife's theme. With her arm clamped firmly around her handsome spouse's arm, she made certain anyone with any ideas about approaching either of them knew they were a couple.
Bringing up the rear, Zafira trailed after his older sister and her wife, appearing a little out of place since he didn't know anyone other than his family here as a new transplant to the country. Dressed as a grey wolf butler from some manga or other Hayate had suggested to him, he tugged uncomfortably at the high collar that was fitted with a pink bow-tie that matched his eyes that were of a similar shade to his sister's hair. Fuzzy wolf ears covered his own and a bushy tail hung listlessly out of the back of his black coat-tail jacket. "Haya-chan, Vita-chan, it's good to see you both."
Ostensibly here as Hayate's plus one, he hovered around the CEO, much to her chagrin, since that had all the cute ladies eager to make contact with the head of TSAB shy away. It was obvious people were assuming she and Zafira were a thing and he was seriously cramping her style. Impatiently sending the darkly handsome man off into the wild to get himself a drink, Hayate joined Vita in scanning the ballroom for a specific pair of executives who were taking their time to arrive.
"Didn't you say they were on their way, Vita-chan?" Sure, it was still early, the games weren't scheduled to start for another half an hour while attendees mingled, snacked and got prematurely drunk, but she wanted to see the two of them in the same room together. Wanted to confirm with her own two eyes that there truly was no hope for both women to bridge the chasm forced between them after that terrible night in Tokyo.
A small flurry of activity pulled the eyes of everyone to the double-door entrance of the ballroom. The trio of ESSS agents were clearing the entrance for their clients. With arms spread and expressions foreboding, the three women in suits herded people aside.
Wondering what the heck was up, Hayate craned her neck, unconsciously mimicking her shorter redheaded cousin's own pose. That was until Vita squawked as she was picked up by the six foot tall fencer for the night to be offered a better view over the heads of everyone else present. Giving Signum a scowling blush, Vita peered at the entrance and gasped.
The dramatic flare of black feathered wings heralded Fate's arrival. Somehow, someone up in the AV booth had gotten wind of something happening in the ballroom and a spotlight snapped on, lighting up the Black Angel's entrance. The corset of her mermaid gown shifted with her graceful glide and the dramatic darkness of her make-up against her natural alabaster complexion completed her Kuroi Tenshi look.
Looking highly put-upon that this even had to happen, Nanoha entered in next to her AVP, the blonde's black-gloved hand in her own white one while she escorted the woman and her cumbersome wings into the venue. The embroidered crimson waistcoat that encased her dashing form was a perfect match to the eyes of her companion affixed unceasingly upon her, and it frustrated Hayate to no end that Nanoha appeared entirely unaffected by the blonde's regard. Then again, she was always oblivious even back when they were students.
A faint chiming of bells sounded in time to the women's footsteps and Hayate couldn't help but be impressed at the lengths Nanoha had gone through to compete with Fate. The amalgamation of a Japanese fox spirit with a steampunk shrine maiden aesthetic was a stroke of genius and something the auburn haired woman carried easily. As of right now, the CEO could not tell who the clear winner was.
Juri blinked at the sudden lack of attention, before smirking to realise just who had stolen her thunder. Their old seitou kaichou, expression unamused and slightly irritated, and her golden Hime, had shown up to show everybody up. This was a first, though. Juri could not remember a time when the class president even bothered to attend shindigs in anything but her usual school uniform or office clothes. That dolled up angel next to her had to have had something to do with it.
With an annoyed flick of her mood-sensitive tail, Nanoha thanked Rein and company for their completely unnecessary clearing of the entrance and with a heavy sigh, led Fate over to where Hayate and the rest of her old friends were. Thank goodness the spotlight had been turned back off, that was more attention that she had gotten addressing her entire school cohort back in high school. The woman's lithe strides took her past the open bar and she quirked one scarlet-tinted brow to find Juri in Singapore. The manager lifted a carved wooden cup, hinting to the EVP that her favourite drink was available, and she bit back a chuckle, nodding to the woman.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Feeling ridiculous about the whole thing, Nanoha approached the little gathering at the side. As if Hayate was receiving greetings from her loyal subjects, the CEO dropped her staff in a silent but cheeky greeting. "Haya-chan, everyone," the Takamachi heir dipped her head, painfully formal next to the willowy blonde whose hand she still held.
Dropping into a court-appropriate curtsy, Fate seemed fine to play along as she murmured her greetings. Vita and Shamal being the only two Fate was familiar with, received warmer looks, "Good evening, Vita. The bunny goes well with your outfit. Doctor Shamal, it's good to see you."
The scowling executive assistant was pleased with the compliment and threw Fate an admiring grin, "Not as well as how two look together. Did you plan it?"
Ears shifting uncomfortably, Nanoha shrugged nonchalantly and grunted, "Mere coincidence." Refusing to acknowledge Hayate's glare, the executive introduced Signum and Hayate to the blonde who gave both a grateful look, "Miss Hayate, Miss Signum, I understand you both had a hand in engaging Rein's agency to guard us. Thank you."
Dumping her staff on Vita who had been set back down to earth by the towering amazon that was the EVP of HR, Hayate surged forward to give Fate a hug, "Please, just Hayate is fine. It's the least we could do after…" The memory of what Rein had showed her resurfaced and words failed the normally eloquent CEO. So overtaken with emotion was she that she had completely forgotten to cop a feel. This was someone her oldest friend loved, whether she knew it or not. And this was no Shari. If only…
Not putting a grope past the CEO, sharp azure kept a beady-eyed watch on Hayate, her gaze softening a smidge to see the statuesque blonde being unconditionally welcomed despite the continued appearance that she and Fate were only colleagues and roommates, nothing more.
Nanoha released Fate's hand while she made her acquaintances with TSAB's inner circle. Confident that the beauty's natural charm would win her all the friends, she moseyed over to where Juri was, surprised to find Zafira at the bar as well. "Hey Fleabag," socking the muscular man in the shoulder, she grinned at his slightly panicked look of greeting, "Something wrong?"
"Er, Nanoha, good to see you." He awkwardly sidled closer to the executive once he had extricated himself out of a tipsy admin assistant's grasp. It was only eight in the evening. "The women here are a lot more forward than those in Japan, aren't they?"
Chuckling, she lifted her hand, forefinger and middle extended to salute the woman helming the bar with such skill, "It's what I like about Singapore; people are more honest here." Turning to address the sharply-dressed manager, she allowed a moment of dispassionate admiration of the woman working the bar.
The ginger's naturally wavy hair fell in a silken mass down a back set to a military straightness accentuated by the golden epaulettes set over the woman's broad shoulders. From their time back in school, Nanoha recalled that the prep school's fencing team had made impressive forays into the nationals on the strength of the ginger's skill with the blade. The heiress to the Arisugawa clan, its fortune built on the back of post-war steel and coal industries, did whatever she pleased, whenever she pleased. And it pleased her to play host to the women of TSAB's Singapore offices tonight. "Juri, working vacay?"
"You know it." The incorrigible flirt gave the gorgeous fox spirit gracing her bar a smokey look, "If you're here stag, maybe we could spice up said vacay?" She had noticed the distant way the auburn haired woman had treated the blonde she had entered with and figured she would shoot her shot. She served the executive a cup of her favourite saké to sweeten the deal.
Nanoha gave a low laugh, "Ah, Juri, I'm flattered." Even white teeth tugged at the fingers of her right glove to loosen it, the wholly natural manner Nanoha was doing so sending the surrounding office ladies into a minor fit of vapours. Tucking the divested glove into her waistcoat's pocket, she accepted the offered drink with her bare hand, "But I wouldn't want to fend off daggers aimed at my back all night. Besides," she cast a glance over to the darkly beautiful angel making small talk with their old school mates, "I'm on escort duty."
Drawl amused, she toasted the lovely bartender and took a small sip of the beverage. Auburn lashes that needed no mascara fluttered closed momentarily, the Japanese woman thoroughly enjoying the taste of home. Hooking her right elbow back against the countertop, she found her gaze settling naturally on the vision of her girlfriend. Girlfriend. She tasted the word along with the excellent bouquet on her tongue. Had it only been two Fridays ago that they had confessed to each other? Graciously accepting Nanoha's reply, Juri followed that deep blue gaze to study that Hime from all those weeks past.
Always one to forge her own paths in life, Juri was not quite a part of TSAB's inner circle. Her day job running Hayate's vastly popular host restaurant still allowed her the occasional gossip when making her weekly reports to the CEO, however. The woman's bedraggled appearance over their video call shortly after the pair of executives had graced the restaurant had given her cause to prod the brunette for more information and what the TSAB head had shared in utmost confidence was something Juri was still having trouble wrapping her head around.
Their prep school's system had classes that covered elementary school, all the way to high school. Twelve years was a long time to go about life not knowing that the Takamachi Clan held more than a basic dojo and old money from centuries-old ties to unnamed but prominent figures from the Edo period. Oh, those ties were there, but appeared intertwined in ways the Arisugawa heiress would never have guessed in a million years.
Nanoha was always a rolling stone that gathered no moss since the earliest days of their acquaintance. The girl was constantly busy with school or after-school activities, and it was a miracle that Hayate was ever able to grab a hold of that quicksilver figure long enough to have her accede to being student council president in junior high, and then in high school. In retrospect, Juri could see how the additional role actually allowed Nanoha the occasional breather.
To think that the kitsune leaning in a deceptively lazy posture against her bar housed the skills and instincts of a trained assassin made more sense than Juri cared to admit. There was never a time when a conflict in school would proceed if Nanoha stepped in to mediate. Even the hottest heads had the sense to choose self-preservation over pride when those brilliantly blue eyes turned into emotionless shards of flint. Hell, that had been how the Bunnings heir had been made to stop bullying Suzuka. Of course, it later turned out that Alisa had simply been into Suzuka in the worst way and didn't know how to properly express it.
Nanoha's lithely powerful stride had definitely lost some of its effortless grace, evident when she had led the blonde over to Hayate's group, and even now, she was favouring her left shoulder by leaning only her right against the bar. Juri shook her head - the auburn haired women took duty and responsibility to the utmost limits, and then smashed past that at full power, full throttle. Yet, the two seemed more distant than when they had been causing utter chaos in the restaurant back in Tokyo.
Mysteries. Juri detested those. She deliberately lived a life that was an open book to scare away anyone hoping to unravel her 'secrets'. Giving an inward shrug to find their ex-kaichou still prone to tread lonely waters solo, she cast a promising-looking secretary a saucy wink, "And what can I serve my lady tonight, hmm?" The woman tittered nervously behind one hand and stammered her order out to the fiendishly good-looking bartender.
Fate's eyes had been on her companion at the bar, hoping the little green-eyed monster inside of her was keeping itself out of her gaze. That bartender was appearing far too friendly with her girlfriend, and that handsome physical therapist seemed to be standing a tad too close to the breathtaking fox spirit made flesh. Nanoha's tail was swishing lazily while she chatted with those around her, and Fate felt her heart skip a beat when the woman employed her wickedly sharp teeth to tug off one glove.
The blonde was silently griping over all the moon eyes being sent Nanoha's way and the compulsion to stomp over and stake her claim on her boss in front of all of TSAB was strong. It took all of her courtly aplomb to tear her eyes away from the leopard, well, fox, lounging at the bar to offer Hayate a thin smile of appreciation. The CEO was chatting about the modifications that had been done to the apartment, which reminded Fate about something.
"Miss… I mean, Hayate-san? About that… To whom should I pay rent to?" She sidestepped asking about the exact cost, since that would have been rude beyond imagining. Her mother was a psychopath, but manners were manners, no matter how she had come by them.
Blinking, the brunette cast a look at the kitsune at the bar. The woman was conversing with the one guy in their circle, probably taking pity on him being surrounded by women eyeing him like a piece of meat. Pursing her lips, she thought for a moment then smiled at the exceedingly polite AVP, "Right, about that, you'll need to check with Nano-chan. I'm a bit out of the loop on that."
Of course, how would a CEO of a multinational corporation know about something so trivial? Cheeks warming under her make-up, Fate stammered an apology that was easily waved aside by the informal brunette, "It probably slipped Nano-chan's mind. She's had a lot on her plate since her return. Don't worry too much, hai? Have you had anything to eat? I asked the hotel for their best selection of hors d'oeuvres."
Exceedingly aware of Fate being led by Hayate to the tables where a huge selection of finger foods were laid, along with all the eyes following the angel's progress across the cleared centre of the ballroom, Nanoha snagged a deviled egg from a passing server's tray and popped it into her mouth. If incisors bit a little too savagely into the tasty morsel, no one was the wiser.
"Any resolutions for the near year?" Zafira asked, gulping a large mouthful from his silvered can of beer.
Nanoha gently touched her breast pocket where the rustle of a piece of folded paper made its presence known. Biting back a flash of nervousness, she took another sip of her drink. "Nothing complicated - Get back into shape, maybe visit my family a little more often. What about you? How's Singapore treating you?"
Relieved to find Nanoha's animal presence more than sufficient to keep any other women away from where they'd positioned themselves against the bar, the man blew out a soft breath, "They weren't joking about the humidity here. Still, it never gets as bad as Tokyo in the summer. I'd be happy to pick up enough clients to start paying off my student loans."
"Yep. The waters around the island regulates the temperatures so it never gets too insane." Zafira gave TSAB's top executive a side-eyed glance, not surprised that the woman had bothered to research the country's weather patterns as a matter of course. Meticulous was Nanoha's middle name, if all the stories his relatives had shared with him was anything to go by.
"And about clients, we'll talk more when you come over for my PT appointment tomorrow. I used to attend a dojo that has a good number of students that could use some PT." She tried not to wince over having to say 'used to', but that was part and parcel of keeping to a sensible course of recovery which did not include stressing recently healed fractures.
"I was just about to remind you about tomorrow," he admitted, sounding grateful. He took a long pull of his Asahi dry, earning a grunt of acknowledgement from the taciturn woman. Cocktails were just too fancy for his tastes - all he needed was an ice-cold beer, something that was actually a challenge to get in tropical Singapore. Fortunately, the ballroom's air-conditioning was set to 'Winter' to match the Christmas theme, allowing his drink to maintain an acceptable temperature without having to resort to…
He shuddered, "Did you know they drink beer with ice here?" Chuckling, Nanoha nodded, snagging another finger food from a passing tray. Dinner had been a simple sub for both women while they worked on getting their outfits ready and she was glad that Hayate was ensuring Fate ate something here.
"The pursuit of a perfectly cold beer here is certainly a challenge, especially when most of the drinking happens around neighbourhood coffeeshops that aren't air-conditioned. I prefer to stick to saké, warm or cold, it does the trick."
Zafira inspected a finger food he had picked up from another passing server. A stiff, crispy 'cup', filled with what appeared to be shredded vegetables, egg bits and topped with a piece of shrimp. It felt warm between his fingers and he surmised it had been prepared just moments earlier to maintain its crisp texture.
"Kweh pie tee," Rein helpfully supplied as she approached the duo. Glancing over at the woman he recognised from his last visit to Nanoha's apartment, Zafira made an 'ah?' of acknowledgement.
"It's a Peranakan delicacy and a blasted lot of trouble to make. Give it a try." She smiled at Juri who had hustled over to serve the striking bodyguard, "Can I get an Afterglow?"
Smirking at the non-alcoholic order, Juri leaned over the counter, running admiring eyes over the trim form in her suit and tie. "For you, beautiful? Certainly." She side-eyed the kitsune who had apparently sipped her drink wrong, seeing how she was choking a little after Rein had made her order.
Appearing highly amused, the bodyguard silently propped herself against the bar, on the other side of the fox spirit from Zafira, affording the auburn haired woman all the time she needed to recover from her little bout of coughing.
Popping the mouthful into his mouth, Zafira made appreciative noises at the burst of flavour the crispy little shell released onto his tongue. "Sh'good," he mumbled, and Rein chuckled. "Trust the Ritz-Carlton to field a credible version. I would've written them up if they had embarrassed themselves."
Clearing her throat, Nanoha slid the irreverent woman a considering glance. With the position her family held here, the Takamachi heir had no doubt Rein's opinion on the hotel's offerings likely held more weight than most realised. "I could've done without all that fanfare earlier, Rein." Recovering her voice, Nanoha squinted irritably at her bodyguard who merely gave a tiny shrug and accepted the cocktail being proffered to her with a warm smile for the lovely bartender who winked and mouthed 'call me' before drifting down the length of the bar to serve more customers.
Rein wondered if the fox spirit knew that her motorised ears had flattened in tandem with the annoyance her alto was betraying. It probably wouldn't endear her to the woman to inform her about how cute it looked, "The princess' wings might have poked someone's eye out otherwise. Didn't you want everyone to know she arrived with you, anyway? I count at least twelve men and no few women working on their Dutch courage to ask her for a dance, regardless." She sipped lazily on her citrusy drink and wasn't disappointed at the fireworks her careless observation set off.
"WHAT?!" Shit, her eyes were so occupied with Fate herself, she hadn't noticed all the other eyes following the Angel around the room. It was a small mercy that Hayate was clinging to the blonde's arm. No one was quite drunk enough yet to attempt hurdling the head of TSAB to make a play at the ethereal beauty. They were getting there, though. Including Mr. Darjeeling himself.
The man was dressed as an Indian maharaja and Nanoha could see the peacock feather stuck into his turban bobbing and weaving through the crowd as he made his tipsy way towards Fate who was having her own tentative try at the snack Rein had put name to.
Zafira blinked at the speed with which his 'patient' was able to muster when she put her mind to it. The silver haired bodyguard did not appear surprised at all, going by the chuckle coming from her. Both of them watched Nanoha make a bee-line towards the winged blonde, her tail swishing in agitation all the way.
"Miss Testarossa?" In the middle of chewing her larger-than-expected mouthful, Fate blinked at being addressed by an unfamiliar voice. A hand under her chin, a serviette in her other, she turned, almost taking out a passing serving staff in the process if not for Hayate's quick save to nudge the surprised staff out of the way. More blinks were directed at the gaudy man in shiny silks and a turban, the blonde's large eyes held no recognition of the person speaking to her.
"Muthusamy, AVP, Marketing." Hayate whispered hurriedly into one ear. Hastily swallowing the surprisingly delicious snack, she dabbed carefully at her mouth to avoid ruining her make-up. "Mr. Muthusamy," she greeted, casting the CEO a thankful glance.
"I must say, TSAB has missed having you around. I've yet to thank you myself, for the education about the caffeine content in teas." His attempt at being suave was foiled somewhat by his slurred, thick accent, and the strong scent of alcohol on his breath washed unpleasantly over Fate's chest since he stood a good half a head shorter than her in her kitten heels.
At a loss over how to respond about something she didn't recall, Fate was saved by the arrival of one very huffy head of Operations who was imposing herself between the blonde and the frankly, far too close AVP of Marketing. "Apologies, Ravi, work stuff. You understand." Rolling her eyes at the grinning tanuki and knowing she would pay for it in endless teases later, Nanoha clasped Fate by the elbow and led her aside to one of the many tables arranged along the sides of the room.
On her part, Fate was more than happy to be pulled away by her girlfriend. "Sorry, Mr. Muthusamy, my boss wants me." Melodic voice almost sing-songing her excuses to the flatfooted maharaja, she followed after Nanoha's lead. The twitching ears and tail the kitsune was displaying looked insanely adorable and she couldn't help but feel a little smug over how protective Nanoha was being. The man had barely gotten his words out!
Seating Fate carefully to avoid damaging the woman's painstakingly crafted wings, Nanoha instructed the blonde to wait a moment and disappeared for a moment, only to return with a plate piled high with all sorts of selections from the table Fate had just been perusing. A vague impression that this was not the first time Nanoha had caused her to have a heaped plate nudged at the blonde and she pursed her lips, frowning to avoid the silly grin that threatened to take over her face.
Mistaking Fate's countenance for one of annoyance, Nanoha paused, blue eyes uncertain. Had she been too heavy-handed? Fate was more than capable of looking after herself and probably didn't appreciate being coddled in front of the entire Singapore branch of TSAB. "Er, sorry, I overreacted back there." Turning to leave, Nanoha found her sleeve caught in Fate's hand. Perplexed, she turned back, bells chiming in time to her movements.
"NO!" Glancing around, Fate quickly modulated her voice so it wouldn't carry beyond their table, "You didn't… I liked that you came," she admitted in a hushed whisper, tugging harder at the sleeve to get Nanoha to sit.
"...Oh. Um, okay." Gingerly taking a seat next to the blonde, knowing all eyes were on them, Nanoha picked up one of the snacks and popped it into her mouth, not really tasting it. "It's just, you seemed pissed."
Picking up a snack as well, Fate fiddled self-consciously with the bit of cracker holding what appeared to be some sort of sashimi fusion topping. "I w-was trying not to smile. I missed you."
Pausing in mid-chew, ears wiggling in a way that accentuated the bashfully pleased air Nanoha was now giving off, azure eyes tore themselves away from the faintly blushing angel. It was so bloody hard not to kiss Fate right then and there. Desperate, she chewed industriously at her hors d'oeuvre. "Missed you, too," Nanoha mumbled past whatever it was she was chewing, prosciutto wrapped around a slice of avocado, her distracted mind belatedly supplied.
"Wh-What were you chatting with those at the bar about?" Fate hoped that she did not sound like a jealous girlfriend but she would be lying if she pretended that a streak of that unpretty emotion hadn't run through her when she was watching Nanoha there earlier.
Realising it would take time for either of them to be fully settled into their relationship, Nanoha pressed her knee reassuringly to Fate's under the cover of the tablecloth, "Well, Juri, that is, the bartender, was propositioning me." Feeling the blonde stiffen immediately, she swiftly added, "I turned her down." Refusing to meet crimson eyes that were snapping coldly towards the russet-haired woman, Nanoha fiddled with the cutlery arranged on the table, soft alto barely carrying over the din of the party to reach Fate's ears, "I've no interest in anyone but Feito-chan."
Rejoining the table the Wolkenritters had staked out for themselves, Hayate reclaimed her magical girl staff and with the rest of her relatives, assumed a pose of hawk-eyed watchfulness over the table holding Operations' top two executives. "They can barely look at each other," Vita grumbled. The short redhead sighed around her mouthful of spare rib, "They're not much better at work, either," she shared glumly.
"Don't they get lunch together?" Hayate grunted, picking up a rib of her own to nibble on.
"You only gave 'em four hours, remember? They come in at nine and leave at one. Iunno if they get lunch together after."
"Blah." The CEO was unwilling to extend their hours just yet, it had only been a week since the women had returned to the office. Besides, with her access, she could tell they had been putting in extra hours remotely anyway.
Shamal was in Signum's lap, feeding the blushing head of HR by hand. "I think they're a little more comfortable with each other." Since the doctor had been the one visiting the women on a weekly basis, she probably had the best grasp of their shifting dynamics, apart from maybe Rein or Ginga.
"Shamal, I can feed myself." Signum muttered, though she accepted the mini fried spring roll that was brought up to her mouth. "Yes, dear." Shamal responded, not disputing that her wife could indeed feed herself. It wasn't stopping the good doctor from feeding the woman, however.
The other Wolkenritters paid the couple no mind. Shamal used every TSAB gathering to remind the company who Signum belonged to without fail, and the stoic, pink haired amazon was always content to allow her spouse that bit of indulgence. Relationships were all about give and take, after all. The issue at hand was neither Nanoha nor Fate giving or taking anything.
"Would speaking with Fate about her off the record call with me help?" Signum supplied, taking a moment to feed her wife in return. "There would be no mention of their being more than colleagues…"
"Maybe. I don't want the White Devil coming for me if it triggers an episode, though." Everyone at the table sighed. "Maybe the games will help."
Not realising they were the subject of conversation at the table a few places over, Fate felt herself turning to goo at the simple confession Nanoha had made. Wishing she could kiss the living daylights out of the sweet fox beside her, Fate surreptitiously slipped her hand under the tablecloth to link fingers with her boss. "I wasn't lying then…" Fate vocalised just under her breath, lips not moving.
Tightening her hold on the blonde's hand, Nanoha affected interest in the drunken shenanigans occurring across the dance floor some distance away, "Hmm?"
"When I told Muthusamy that my boss wanted me." Fate clarified. Caught off-guard, Nanoha snorted a laugh that quickly turned into a faint cough into her gloved hand. Running her thumb across the blonde's knuckles out of anyone's sight, Nanoha propped her chin on her palm, the picture of absolute boredom. Still, Fate could see the deep brilliance of the kitsune's eyes and knew she had been the one to put that shine there. "Want? I need you."
True to her word, the touch on the blonde's hand had turned sensual, with slow circles being drawn across her palm now. Her glove may as well not have been there for all the protection it was affording her and Fate shifted a little in her seat, swallowing a throat gone dry from how easy it was for Nanoha to strip her down to her most base desires. That devilish hand had released hers and was slowly creeping its way between her legs, the thin velvet covering of her dress skirt proving no impediment to the fire the kitsune's touch was igniting in the angel. Biting back a moan, Fate felt her legs part of their own volition to offer her girlfriend easier access to her swiftly moistening core.
"Fate looks uncomfortable." Vita observed. The blonde was sitting ramrod straight at her seat and refusing to look at the auburn haired woman next to her. Her appetite seemed to have disappeared, as well, the plate of food set before her remaining untouched.
"Yea. Nano-chan couldn't look more bored with her company, too. Gods damn it. We need Suzu-chan and Ali-chan to help."
As if summoned by the CEO, the lights suddenly dimmed even further, plunging the ballroom into darkness. A bass-heavy techno beat began blasting out of the speakers and the spotlight flipped back on to shine a light onto a figure stepping out onto the stage set into the side of the room.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and all others in-between, welcome to TSAB's 2023 Christmas Ball!" Dressed as a female Santa, complete with a red top, black pants and a floppy Santa hat, Alisa Bunnings strode onto the stage.
"We're here to celebrate the end of another year, and the approach of a new one. But most importantly, we at TSAB would like to wish a warm welcome back to our Executive Vice President of Operations, and our Assistant Vice President of Operations. Let's give it up for Takamachi Nanoha and Fate Testarossa!"