Downstairs, chatter and the sharing of meals could be heard. There was a symphony of glasses chattering in cheers, voices coming together in unison, and the unmistakable placement of ceramic plates along tables, likely chockful of different sorts of Fontainian cuisine.
Downstairs, a banquet is being held for Mister Auguste in Hotel Debord. It is a banquet to celebrate his recent philanthropic work as a Fontainian noble. Many guests had been invited to wine and dine in celebration along with him.
This included Yelan, and Clorinde too. However, where they differ from most of the guests, is that they had both knew something many hadn't.
This was a cover up. Something sinister had been brewing, and, with some contact between their respective national branches, the two women had been sent in to see what had been going on. Yelan, the shadow of the Ministry, and Clorinde, the Champion Duelist, the Shadowhunter, had come to work together on uncovering this particular mystery.
That was why, while celebration carried on downstairs, Yelan had been with Clorinde in their shared hotel room, touching up concealer on Clorinde's scars, so as to ensure she wasn't so easily recognizable. As, for the sake of keeping up appearances, the two women had opted to play the role of a wedded couple. Wives, here in celebration of the wonderful work of Mister Auguste.
'Wives', with the secret agenda of uncovering what conspiracies lie beneath the surface.
Yelan was careful, as she held unto Clorinde's hands and arms, methodically and carefully placing concealer to hide away the scars. Clorinde was too recognizable. After all, she was Fontaine's Champion Duelist, so of course, she was the apple of the public's eye. Her scars would draw too much attention to her, and neither she nor Yelan wanted that many eyes upon them.
It hadn't helped that Clorinde opted to wear a rather ornate long dress, one with a slit that revealed the small of her back, but had left her arms open, and exposed. Maybe people wouldn't recognize Clorinde's raven-toned hair at a first glance, but they would surely recognize her scars had they seen them. Especially, if they had seen the duels she attained those scars in.
Even then, as she continued to place little methodical dabs of concealer, being extra careful with her "wife's" porcelain skin, Yelan hadn't complained about Clorinde's choice of dress. It suited her, hell, Yelan thought Clorinde had even looked good in it, that this dress had fit the way in which Clorinde carried herself incredibly, and Yelan had found herself stealing glances at the other's back as they had gotten ready together.
There was one more scar that Yelan knew of but hadn't yet taken care of. It was on Clorinde's inner thigh. There was a slightly awkward hesitation from Yelan's end, as she didn't want her "wife" to be uncomfortable in this situation. However, Yelan wanted to be thorough, as to ensure no possible cracks could form in this plan of theirs.
Of course, Yelan was a gentleman in these situations. She would still provide due warning to her "wife" when need be.
"Clorinde, I'm going to apply concealer to your thigh scar. I promise to be careful, but this is your heads up."
She lifted Clorinde's dress, just enough to reveal her scar and nothing more. She had begun to apply concealer there as well, once again opting for a careful but thorough approach. She decided to think of other things as she ensured perfect cover for her "wife's" thigh scar. Her mind, naturally, had begun to wander to her own outfit.
Yelan had decided to opt for a suit. She had a suit jacket, pants and heels that matched the dark of Clorinde's dress, but her corset top was a medley of blues and some whites, and of a make unmistakably Fontainian. Despite being from Liyue, Yelan felt it more natural to take on an operation in Fontaine with a more traditionally Fontainian style of clothing.
However, for their matching wedding rings, Yelan had gotten some rather beautifully made rings of Noctilucous Jade, of which Ningguang had commissioned for her after learning about the mission.
The pair had looked to be the picture perfect representation of a couple, any Kamera would be able to pick up on that much.
Yelan had finished touching up on the final scar, letting out a sigh after finishing. She couldn't tell if the sigh was of relief or upset at it being over.
She stood up, admiring her work on Clorinde's body, and giving a satisfied 'hmph' after. She gave Clorinde an encouraging smile, as Yelan placed her own hands along her hips.
"Okay, all set. Ready to go, darling? Or is there any further preparation needed on your end?"