PSL; [YOU MAY BURY MY BODY]

[makimavellian]

( me and the devil walkin' side by side )

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[makimavellian]

[Oh, she assumed the books were off-limits, of course. She never intended them to let them stray even close to Warren's library, or anyplace else he might keep less precious books, even.

But she just nods.]

Of course. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Nothing will get damaged, but they'll be glad to snooze on the furniture once in a while.

And what about the indoor pool?

[she can't believe she has to ask this question, this rich ass man]

[spellbent]

[ Maybe if he lets her keep the dogs on the couch in the theater, there won't be room for him and he can be free of his obligation to watch movies— no, that's just wishful thinking. He did say he wouldn't renege on their deal, and that includes the movies. ]

The pool? I'd rather they stayed outside. We can revisit that when winter rolls around if they're that desperate to swim.

[ Like, realistically, he's only one man and he can only get so much use out of all the insane crap in his house. It's fine. ]

[makimavellian]

[Warren, if you're not getting out of dog walking, you're definitely not getting out of watching movies. They have so much to catch up on.]

Fair enough. Outside only for swimming, then. Until the weather changes.

[Actually... Hm.]

That said, are you busy right now?

[spellbent]

Not particularly. Why?

[ He eyes all those shopping bags. This isn't related, is it? ]

[makimavellian]

[Maybe. Her eyes sweep down to one shopping bag in particular, then back at Warren.]

Let's exchange a dog-walking session today for... an afternoon at the pool. What do you say?

[spellbent]

[ Okay, that's not what he was expecting. He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. ]

I don't see why not. I assume you have a bathing suit in that bag.

[makimavellian]

Of course! I’m always prepared.

[She says this as she moves over to the exact bag and picks it up with that effortless excitement of hers.]

But great, that’ll be fun. I’ll go change and meet you and the dogs at the pool.

[spellbent]

[ He’d be more surprised if she didn’t buy a bathing suit with the full knowledge that her new residence has not one, but two full swimming pools.

With a nod of agreement, he wanders off to get changed himself. In short order, he’s out by the pool – it’s a good day for it, at least, so he has no complaints. What else does a guy like him do all day anyway?

If Makima had any curiosity over why some of Warren’s spells needed to be written and some don’t, she’s treated to an answer in the form of spellwork etched out across the broad expanse of his back in pitch black lines. Unlike some, he doesn’t bother to hide it, and the language of his magic is plain for all to see. Sitting at odds with all of that is another mark – the dark silhouette of a chess piece, a knight, scored into his skin over his rib cage on his right side.

In any case, he’s lounging with a book while he waits for her. Surprise, surprise. ]

linked image faintly nsfw bc it's makima in a bikini i guess

[makimavellian]

[It is a nice day for it -- bright and warm. The dogs have already made their way to the edges of the pool, though notably none of them have dove right into the water just yet. Instead, they sit and pant, waiting patiently for Makima to arrive.

And arrive she does, dressed in a wide-brimmed sunhat and her new swimwear; in the crook of one elbows hangs an inflated floatie. Her other arm is held strategically behind her back.

She tosses the flamingo floatie into the pool, then glances over at where Warren's lounging.]

But your book down and try this out!

[She's such a gremlin. But also... Hello, look at those tattoos? Interesting, and she wants to get a closer look -- preferably in the pool itself, though.]

hello ma'am

[spellbent]

[ He glances up at her, blue eyes peeking over the tops of the sunglasses he's wearing. One eyebrow arches. Don't think he doesn't notice you hiding one hand behind your back, missy. ]

Try what out?

[ It's his pool?? He has used it before??? ]

[makimavellian]

[Shush, there's nothing to see here.

She points at the flamingo floatie with her free hand, now drifting in Warren's direction across the pool's surface. What does he mean "try what out"?]

I bought it for a reason.

[spellbent]

I would have thought you bought it for yourself.

[ The pink flamingo seems at odds with Warren's... everything. He doesn't exactly seem keen to move from his seat. ]

I'll pass, thanks.

[makimavellian]

It's for both of us to use. Whoever wants to laze around in the pool and soak up the sun the most. Besides, they don't make a black flamingo floatie.

[Warren, don't be a fuddy-duddy.]

At least get into the water.

[spellbent]

[ Girl. The look on Warren’s face suggests she’s pushing her luck. This wasn’t part of their deal – and she suggested the substitution without giving any stipulations – so he’s not exactly eager to comply. There are some lines that won’t be crossed, and apparently flamingo floaties are one of them. ]

I said I’ll pass.

[makimavellian]

[Yeah, well. She pushes. With pointed clarification.]

You're not even going to swim?

[spellbent]

[ I can't believe this is the first thing they're going to argue over. ]

And you're so invested in this... why?

[makimavellian]

[Somehow, I can.]

Because maybe I want to get a good look at you. In the water.

[spellbent]

[ Idly, as he leans back in his chair and resumes his book: ]

Maybe I'll consider it, when you're willing to tell me what you're up to directly, instead of hiding things behind your back.

[makimavellian]

[Wow, buddy, you really belong in the no-fun zone.

She stares at him for a long moment, then in an exhale-sigh:]

I was going to shoot you.

[What.]

...With this.

[She reveals what she's been hiding behind her back -- a water gun.]

But now you've officially drained away at least half of the fun. Honestly, Warren.

[spellbent]

[ He just smirks. Of course. ]

I've been told it's a talent of mine.

[ Sucking the fun out of things. ]

[makimavellian]

[This man...]

That's not talent, that's called a deficiency. [ :)

Well, fine. She tosses the water gun into the pool and it hits with a little splash, bobbing up and down on the surface.]

Fine. I'll get you with it someday. But come on, get in the pool for just a few minutes, and then I'll leave you alone. And you can read to your heart's content. I promise.

[spellbent]

Tomayto, tomahto.

[ Bland. But still, he lowers his book just a bit, eying her flatly. ]

You really aren't going to let this go, are you?

[makimavellian]

[A little brightly:]

Nope!

[spellbent]

[ Oh my god. A sigh. ]

Fine. I know when to choose my battles.

[ And this is stupid. So, he sets his book and sunglasses aside to slide into the pool. He absolutely is keeping an eye on Makima. ]

[makimavellian]

[Wow, zero trust! Makima won't be reaching for her water gun anytime soon, alas, especially since it is slowly drifting over to the shallow end of the pool, while she remains standing near its middle.]

Perfect. See, that's not so hard.

[And with that, she sets her hat aside near her feet, then hops into the pool. As delicately as she can, yes, but she still splashes a little -- and on cue, as though they were waiting for her to go first, two of the larger dogs stand up, bark, and then jump into the pool, too. They break the surface moments later, utterly happy, and swim from one end to the next.

They don't splash Warren, at least. They don't even dive in close to him. Except for the little chihuahua, who hops in near the man, but is far too small to create much of a cannonball splash.

Makima pops up from beneath the water, red bangs clinging to the side of her face.]

The water feels nice! Not too cold, not too warm.