[AW] Finding the Answer [Scarab]

[Manon]

Baby, why don't you find someone easy?

Of course it would be a man that didn't fall into the arms of her charms.

Women, well, she knew how to push their buttons just so, stick her knife in just a little deeper with her sweet words and supporting touch. They all had something in common, after all, those girls--they sought the lyrics to their redemption song; they all wanted something to prove themselves worthy. Men, though, how obtuse and obstinate they were that in their minds they had nothing to prove, they were already worthy. They did as they pleased with no regard for who they would trample on, and her heart burned at the thought of their self-induced prestige. She clawed her way up tooth and nail to make a name for herself (ignoring the facts of the matter, really), and the males were always nestled somewhere comfortably in the middle of the war of winning them over. Some collapsed easily under the sheer pressure of her sweet aura, others, thoroughly unimpressed, where far more difficult to sway; but they always fell, one way or another, irresistibly taken by her.

He gave her no indication of any interest, though, but she wouldn't be put off so easily. She had learned enough through her young years of toying with naive boys to know that first impressions weren't the most important factor. So while she downed her drink and batted her lashes at him, she laughed at his coy statements while turning down their server for another drink. If he preferred the clear-minded, then she would play along, at least just enough to garner his full attention.

She shifted in her space at the counter slightly, facing him more head on than a tilted position. "I'm not the only observant one here, it seems," a gleam in her eye and upward curve of her lips whispering of surprise. Perhaps he was serious about the wits part after all. She took a moment to glance outward at the open floor before them, playing card tables spaced evenly throughout with avid players in heated duels. Some were so lost in the games that they wouldn't have noticed if the roof suddenly caved in, others drunk enough to slur their insults at their opponents. Even fewer were the sober, with their keen intent to protect the hands they were dealt at all costs.

Manon looked back at him, noticing the near-immediate shift in regard as he sat in his place. She chuckled softly, tsking him for his dismissal of the Scarab before anything even began. "They are too consumed with winning to be of concern, you know. There's nothing to fear from them." Reassuring? Maybe not, but as an afterthought she trailed on, "I'll protect you, no one dares to cross me." With a wink, she swiveled her head and the gems bounced delicately against her coppery cheeks.

Music much akin to jazz seeped out across the room, and she smiled dazzlingly at her newest acquaintance before stepping away from both him and the bar. Looking back once, she asked, "Care to dance?" And then she was too far to hear his response, making way to a cleared spot in the side of the room, separate from the commotion of others. She wouldn't be denied, this girl, and she expected nothing less.

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@Sol Bestiam hope this is okay! he can refuse if that's where he takes you, don't feel bad c;

kat // credits