#goldfinchfreehold

then he says "Now, uhm.. this is not to say Cooperative Magics with a tantric twist aren't of interest to me. But I didn't think I was that lucky and figured you called for something outside that"

"A tantric twist, hm? How does that work, exactly?" She props her elbow on the bar and her chin in her hand, amusement in her eyes...but also still that intrigued curiosity.

"How does it work? " A smile does hit his face there, "Well, of course. In the hands of an expert wizard, the conjoining of two living runes can be used for quite a few rituals and rites. Placement, facings, and positioning? There's power in it. One can feel a slow build towards the goal that grows in intensity like a strengthening pulse, until the pull of the goal is so strong it drags the ritualists themselves over the edge of infinity into the bliss of arcane release."

"That sounds pretty intense. Is this the voice of experience? You've done it, and that's what it's like?"

His eyes look sort of past her, as if recalling just that, "Fantastic, and yet different each time. Every woman is her own cut of gemstone, and no matter how much light I pour through her, the kaleidoscope of her being makes a wonderful and dazzling display that's unlike any other"

"Hmm. And through all that..." she murmurs "...you can still focus enough to cast whatever it is you're casting?"

A low exhale of admiration "That can be a challenge, but remember, I'm not doing this alone... the partner's will to the same goal makes up for some minor lost focus. Harmony is a big part of it"

A long pause as she absorbs that, still grinning slightly. "Definitely intriguing."

"You have successfully distracted me from my attempts to be purely professional" A tilt of his horned head "For some reason I forgive you" and a smile matches her own slight one

Her smile grows a bit. "You see my concern about your ability to focus under such circumstances," she says in a light tease.

"You are absolutely right. You should totally insist I prove it ... with your helpful consent , of course" He suggests helpfully

Her eyes travel over him for a moment, considering. "I just might," she says quietly.

If this is a game of chicken, she's not flinching.

"All right" he says and moves towards her, gazing at her features before returning to her eyes with his own "What kind of magic would you want to work together?"

"Well, the whole Fairy-Ring-in-a-Treasure thing won't be ready for a while. So maybe...we could try something easier. So you don't get distracted too much, of course."

That teasing tone again.

"That WOULD be a hard endeavor for a novice assistant" He teases back lightly "A bit of good luck for the day? A touch of confidence in your singers upstairs?"

"Ooh." A glance upwards. "I hadn't thought of that," she says, genuinely pleased by the notion. She brings her gaze back to his. "Think we could do that?"

"Yeah" the playfulness not gone but now joined by earnestness "I can cast both and work with you to make it happen. Which do you prefer?"

"Oh..." an arch expression and a slight change in tone to a little more bratty "...why don't YOU decide or maybe guess what I really want because you really OUGHT to know!" Then the grin is back, along with a wink.

He laughs at that

Her voice lowers to something more inviting. "If you say you really can do both...and maintain focus...then I think I'd like you to prove it."

"Let's try... it might test your stamina.. you know, we satyrs have the edge there and I wouldn't wnt to..exhaust you" Again a teasing

"You don't say. How kind of you." Ohhh, that sounds like challenge accepted.

"That's me, The wizard of kindness," And he makes a gesture, magic flows, anyone walking nearby should ignore them now

She follows the gesture with her eyes and grins as the glamour settles in a veil around them. "Nice," she murmurs. "I was hoping I wasn't going to have to go up and lock the door." She meets his eyes and bites her lip briefly, but it's not a gesture of nerves or anxiety. Rather, it looks more like an invitation. "Now what?"

"Well now, we need to wear the ceremonial garb for the ritual... clothing a wise wizard stole from an emperor "

Brief confusion, very brief, and then a grin. "I think I've heard of these 'new clothes.'"

"See, you're an intelligent woman, that kind of adaptive thinking will serve you well" he lowers some lights "Don't worry, I'll be wearing the same thing" ANd he pulls off his shirt

While Zane has always been a 'cutie' it is clear Dark Gate's physical training has kept him trim

"Nice to know I have the right outfit for this particular event." She appreciates the view, and then starts to pull off her own shirt...only much, much more slowly.

Admiration fills his eyes as she ..unveils. "As a wizard, I can work with these" He assures her "You can't go wrong with great material"

(Fade to ...magic)