𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐒: bnha x atla

⌞#𝟎𝟏𝟏⌝

"𝐘𝐄𝐒, 𝐌𝐀'𝐀𝐌"

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐔𝐑 of the ballroom was unmistakable, with its high ceilings adorned with glittering chandeliers and walls that bore the weight of wealth and opulence.

Iluliaq, stepped through the large double doors, his presence casting an immediate silence over the crowd. As the murmurs began to rise again, whispers of his mystique filled the room.

Iluliaq suppressed his distaste for the attention, his eyes scanning the crowd as he slipped into the persona that was expected of him- a persona that was a stark contrast to his true nature. With a practiced grace and a hint of arrogance, he began to navigate the sea of finely dressed guests, each step measured and poised.

His gaze locked onto Kaga Atsutane, the one whose intel was vital for his mission. She stood by the balcony- a solitary figure lost in thought against the night sky.

With a practiced ease, he picked up a flute of champagne from a passing server, downing half of it in a single swallow. His movements were graceful, yet he feigned a slight stumble, playing the part of a man who had indulged a bit too much.

With a calculated sway in his step, he made his way to Atsutane, pretending to stagger ever so slightly as he neared her. As he 'accidentally' bumped into her, he steadied himself with a gentle touch on her arm.

"Ah, my apologies." Iluliaq said, his voice laced with an exotic accent that made his Japanese all the more intriguing. He offered a disarmingly beautiful smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, yet it served its purpose.

Atsutane turned, a hint of surprise coloring her cheeks, and her eyes softened. "No harm done." She replied with a blush, as her curiosity piqued. "You're not from around here, are you? Your Japanese carries a tone I'm not familiar with."

Iluliaq's lips curled a bit more as he sensed an opening. "Ah, I hail from the distant lands of Alaska." He fabricated smoothly, the lie rolling off his tongue as if it were truth. "I wander the globe in search of adventure and marvels." He paused, his eyes locking with hers in feigned admiration. "Though, never in my wildest expeditions have I encountered a vision as breathtaking as the one before me."

Atsutane's eyes widened, a flutter of her lashes betraying her flattery. "You're quite the charmer...?"

"Tsarlis." He introduced himself, his false name as foreign to her as the waters from which he truly came. "Might I be so bold as to inquire the name of the enchantress who has captivated my evening?"

Her laughter was light, like the tinkling of the crystal that hung above them. "Atsutane, Kaga Atsutane. But please, Tsarlis, tell me more about your adventures. Alaska must be quite different from here."

As he took her hand, brushing his lips against her knuckles with the air of a gentleman, Iluliaq could see the walls around her heart beginning to crumble.

"Indeed, it is a world apart." He said, his voice a low thrum that promised tales of otherworldly wonder. "Though tonight, it is your world that fascinates me. Perhaps you would honor me with the tale of how you came to grace this place with your radiance?"

The ballroom pulsated with life, the music and laughter weaving a tapestry of merriment that masked the clandestine exchange unfolding between Iluliaq and Atsutane. With each passing moment, her guard seemed to lower, her words flowing freely like a river unburdened by its banks.

Iluliaq listened attentively, his façade of interest as convincing as ever, as Atsutane divulged the intricacies of her family's dealings, her voice carrying the weight of secrets long kept hidden. The mention of the Crimson Order sparked a flicker of interest in his icy gaze, though he masked it well behind a mask of feigned ignorance.