The tally would have begun upon your arrival. I do not believe they offer a grace period to acclimate.
I am glad to hear yours has been met, and I hope the experience has been kind to you.
My quota does not concern me overmuch.
( he's met it, not happily. but alucard is capable of acknowledging when one must make sacrifices for a greater good, and he would prefer not forego his obligations and end up in the realignment center. )
You're welcome. Please understand that it will be on offer as long as you may require it.
[ dorothy's met hers happily enough in the moments — and there's only one time that she regrets now and not because it wasn't good or with someone she would never have sex with, but because things between her and lucas are Complicated ]
maybe we could get a drink sometime i mean you'd have to buy, so this is kind of rude of me i guess but
i appreciate the offer i just don't want it to be something clinical? [ not the right word, but she can't think of a better one.
does he even like her like that? find her attractive? she's not so sure. he offered to have sex with her, so probably, right? but again, she's not so sure with him.
a date that doesn't involve shocks when they get too far from each other or a spaceship or anything out of the ordinary except for the fact that they're both here instead of where they should be sounds good. ]
( sypha had... been similarly concerned, he thinks. it is the trouble with being rather stoic, one's emotions are often not adequately expressed. alucard puts his chin in his palm, and then: )
It would not be a clinical matter to me, Dorothy. I think you are an arresting woman, and I have enjoyed your company. I do not take issue with assisting friends when they have need of me.
But I understand your concern. We can go for drinks in the interim.
[ she won't say she's not pleased to hear (well, read) that, that it doesn't make something warm and nervously pleased curl in her stomach, a jolt of adrenaline to her system. ]
( and true to his word, he is exactly on time, knocking gently at the door. unlike the last time they met, he is dressed properly — in an outfit that is customary to him. black pants, black boots, white shirt that does rather a poor job of hiding the mark of his father's ire across his chest, and a jacket that reaches to his calves.
she has already seen him in a state of some undress, aboard that ship. is aware of the scars that supplant all the places his skin had been pale and soft before, the criss-cross marks from his wrists to his ankles. she had not asked then, and he had been quite intimately grateful for the consideration. now, when she opens the door, he offers a courtly bow and holds out a single white lily. his mother's favorite flower. )
[ he's holding out a flower. he's bowing and holding out a flower and yeah, dorothy has met alucard before, but somehow, with everything going on in space —she didn't forget that in their network conversation, he'd talked about kissing her hand, not exactly, and he'd been plenty courtous in space, but she finds herself flushing now regardless, letting out a sound that's very nearly a giggle.
it's just so odd. kind of charming, though?
after what is probably too long a pause: ] ... Hi.
[ does she take the lily? she realises after a moment that she should and reaches out to take it from his fingers carefully. ]
I don't really have a vase.
[ but due to her living with athos, there are plenty of empty bottles of wine. she can fashion one of those into a makeshift vase, can't she? ]
Thank you. I'll be right back?
[ and with that, she disappears into the rooms. (if he's looking: the jeans she's wearing will give him a good view of her backside, the tanktop and open flannel shirt she's got over that not long enough to obstruct the view.) ]
( whatever look he gives to her retreating back is cut very short once he realizes how shapely a figure she has, and when she returns to him he is very studiously frowning at a spot on the door frame where the paint has begun peeling off.
once she's returned, he offers out his arm. )
I confess, I haven't much idea of where you might enjoy going. There are several bars in the Up, each with their own differing atmosphere. Have you a preference for liquor or ambiance?
[ he offers his arm and for a moment, dorothy looks at it, then at him, some heat rising to her cheeks even as she moves closer and takes his arm. it's a little stilted, mainly because the motion doesn't come natural to her, but she relaxes again quickly enough.
(it helps that she's slept with him - literally slept -, that for all that the formality isn't something she's used to, he isn't unfamiliar.) ]
Honestly, I'm easy.
[ well. she is, sometimes. ]
Anything that's not too stuffy? I've only been to one bar in the Up so far. The 13th Step, or something. I liked it, but if there's more —maybe we can go to a different one?
( it shouldn't be a difficult thing to manage. alucard prefers places of quietude, but stuffy is a broad encompassment. he leads her through the down with the practiced step of one who has had reason to become familiar with this place and its perils. he does bare his fangs once at someone who is too keenly looking upon dorothy, which results in their abrupt change of direction, but otherwise they remain unaccosted. before too long they've reached the up. his posture becomes infinitesimally more lax, and he allows a modicum more space between them. )
[ quiet and stuffy aren't the same thing as far as dorothy's concerned —she'd feel out of place somewhere with white tablecloth, but not somewhere quiet that allows for conversation.
he bares his fangs once and dorothy finds herself looking, more curious than worried —while there's obvious aggression in the expression, it isn't directed at her. in fact, it's in her defence and maybe she should be more careful, but for all that she's pretty sure alucard could hurt her, she feels safe in his company right now.
besides, if she avoided everyone who could hurt her, who would she still talk to? ]
I've been okay, yeah. Started working at the Haven. [ having something to do, a purpose, a means to help people? that's definitely been contributing to her being all right. ]
( he cocks his head to one side. he hasn't forgotten their first conversation, though it feels like it occurred a lifetime ago now. back when he'd scarce been aware of how this place worked. )
In your capacity as a nurse?
( he has no idea, truly, how much schooling would be required of such an occupation, but she has a keen mind and a good heart, and he knows she would serve the people well should she only be given a chance. )
Should you need a dominant to vouchsafe for you, or sponsor you in any way in your pursuits of medicine, please don't hesitate to call on me. I would be honored to help however I might be able.
[ she's pleased and honestly a little surprised that he remembers and it shows in her expression, the way she turns toward him while they walk, the way the corners of her mouth curve upward. ]
I might get back to you on that if I need to. [ she hates, hates that this place might make it necessary. that the line down her throat that they'd put there marks her as less, as the kind of person who needs vouching or sponsoring.
but that's not his fault. ]
You're full of nice offers today. [ 'nice' isn't the word, not really. 'kind' or 'chivalrous' might be better, but 'nice' is what came out of her mouth.
You know you don't need to make up for that, don't you?
[ if anyone does, it'd be her —but she refuses to let herself feel guilty for being human, for needing sleep, for all but bullying two men who could probably break her in half if they weren't far too polite for such things into cuddling. ]
Need and want are expressly different desires, Dorothy.
( he doesn't feel any sense of obligation to her, no desire to pursue amends. but wanting to help... smooth things over, as it were, is another story entirely. )
[ well. dorothy can't argue really argue with anyone about wanting to help —or she could, but it would be hypocritical (not that that's stopped her in the past). ]
I know. I was speaking in jest — this place is so often beyond all of us, our natures and our wills. If we were living in constant apology of what we've done beneath its boot heel, I don't think any of us would be able to function, much less invest energy in friendships.
I would like to believe that is where we stand with one another, yes.
( he has very little trust for anyone or anything any more, but. perhaps it's the fact that she's in medicine that has eased the opening of his heart to her. there is a part of him that wouldn't like to believe that anyone who can be as dedicated to the betterment of lives as her would betray him in any capacity. naive, perhaps, but. he sees no reason to go out of his way to stomp out what little hope remains to him. )
Though you are under no obligation to return the sentiment. My feelings are mine alone.
[ dorothy really, truly wants to help people. she doesn't want to betray anyone, hurt anyone —but if her time in oz has taught her anything, it's that the best of intentions can sometimes lead to bad consequences, try as she might. ]
No, I like it.
[ although, hm ]
In my world, we have this thing. It's called friends with benefits.
[ he did start this conversation offering to have sex with her... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I am glad to hear yours has been met, and I hope the experience has been kind to you.
My quota does not concern me overmuch.
( he's met it, not happily. but alucard is capable of acknowledging when one must make sacrifices for a greater good, and he would prefer not forego his obligations and end up in the realignment center. )
You're welcome. Please understand that it will be on offer as long as you may require it.
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maybe we could get a drink sometime
i mean
you'd have to buy, so this is kind of rude of me i guess
but
i appreciate the offer
i just don't want it to be something
clinical? [ not the right word, but she can't think of a better one.
does he even like her like that? find her attractive? she's not so sure. he offered to have sex with her, so probably, right? but again, she's not so sure with him.
a date that doesn't involve shocks when they get too far from each other or a spaceship or anything out of the ordinary except for the fact that they're both here instead of where they should be sounds good. ]
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It would not be a clinical matter to me, Dorothy. I think you are an arresting woman, and I have enjoyed your company. I do not take issue with assisting friends when they have need of me.
But I understand your concern. We can go for drinks in the interim.
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oh. well, then. ]
yeah?
[ she won't say she's not pleased to hear (well, read) that, that it doesn't make something warm and nervously pleased curl in her stomach, a jolt of adrenaline to her system. ]
i think you're
arresting too
and thanks
i'd like that
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( look, it's a joke. he's joking!! )
I am available most evenings, and I am happy to come escort you from the Down so as to avoid any unpleasantness.
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how about tomorrow? i work tonight
and that'd be great, thanks
[ he's — actually really sweet, isn't he? in a chivalrous kind of way. ]
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Which of the rooms is yours at the Inn?
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text ↪ action
( and true to his word, he is exactly on time, knocking gently at the door. unlike the last time they met, he is dressed properly — in an outfit that is customary to him. black pants, black boots, white shirt that does rather a poor job of hiding the mark of his father's ire across his chest, and a jacket that reaches to his calves.
she has already seen him in a state of some undress, aboard that ship. is aware of the scars that supplant all the places his skin had been pale and soft before, the criss-cross marks from his wrists to his ankles. she had not asked then, and he had been quite intimately grateful for the consideration. now, when she opens the door, he offers a courtly bow and holds out a single white lily. his mother's favorite flower. )
Dorothy.
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it's just so odd. kind of charming, though?
after what is probably too long a pause: ] ... Hi.
[ does she take the lily? she realises after a moment that she should and reaches out to take it from his fingers carefully. ]
I don't really have a vase.
[ but due to her living with athos, there are plenty of empty bottles of wine. she can fashion one of those into a makeshift vase, can't she? ]
Thank you. I'll be right back?
[ and with that, she disappears into the rooms. (if he's looking: the jeans she's wearing will give him a good view of her backside, the tanktop and open flannel shirt she's got over that not long enough to obstruct the view.) ]
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once she's returned, he offers out his arm. )
I confess, I haven't much idea of where you might enjoy going. There are several bars in the Up, each with their own differing atmosphere. Have you a preference for liquor or ambiance?
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(it helps that she's slept with him - literally slept -, that for all that the formality isn't something she's used to, he isn't unfamiliar.) ]
Honestly, I'm easy.
[ well. she is, sometimes. ]
Anything that's not too stuffy? I've only been to one bar in the Up so far. The 13th Step, or something. I liked it, but if there's more —maybe we can go to a different one?
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( it shouldn't be a difficult thing to manage. alucard prefers places of quietude, but stuffy is a broad encompassment. he leads her through the down with the practiced step of one who has had reason to become familiar with this place and its perils. he does bare his fangs once at someone who is too keenly looking upon dorothy, which results in their abrupt change of direction, but otherwise they remain unaccosted. before too long they've reached the up. his posture becomes infinitesimally more lax, and he allows a modicum more space between them. )
I trust you've been well?
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he bares his fangs once and dorothy finds herself looking, more curious than worried —while there's obvious aggression in the expression, it isn't directed at her. in fact, it's in her defence and maybe she should be more careful, but for all that she's pretty sure alucard could hurt her, she feels safe in his company right now.
besides, if she avoided everyone who could hurt her, who would she still talk to? ]
I've been okay, yeah. Started working at the Haven. [ having something to do, a purpose, a means to help people? that's definitely been contributing to her being all right. ]
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In your capacity as a nurse?
( he has no idea, truly, how much schooling would be required of such an occupation, but she has a keen mind and a good heart, and he knows she would serve the people well should she only be given a chance. )
Should you need a dominant to vouchsafe for you, or sponsor you in any way in your pursuits of medicine, please don't hesitate to call on me. I would be honored to help however I might be able.
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[ she's pleased and honestly a little surprised that he remembers and it shows in her expression, the way she turns toward him while they walk, the way the corners of her mouth curve upward. ]
I might get back to you on that if I need to. [ she hates, hates that this place might make it necessary. that the line down her throat that they'd put there marks her as less, as the kind of person who needs vouching or sponsoring.
but that's not his fault. ]
You're full of nice offers today. [ 'nice' isn't the word, not really. 'kind' or 'chivalrous' might be better, but 'nice' is what came out of her mouth.
she shrugs a little. ]
Thanks.
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Consider it recompense for that uncomfortable night we spent sandwiched together on that ship.
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[ if anyone does, it'd be her —but she refuses to let herself feel guilty for being human, for needing sleep, for all but bullying two men who could probably break her in half if they weren't far too polite for such things into cuddling. ]
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( he doesn't feel any sense of obligation to her, no desire to pursue amends. but wanting to help... smooth things over, as it were, is another story entirely. )
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Yeah, I guess.
But there's nothing to make up for, is my point.
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I know. I was speaking in jest — this place is so often beyond all of us, our natures and our wills. If we were living in constant apology of what we've done beneath its boot heel, I don't think any of us would be able to function, much less invest energy in friendships.
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[ he'd said something similar over text, but it's different to hear it. dorothy squeezes his arm, her grin obviously pleased. ]
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( he has very little trust for anyone or anything any more, but. perhaps it's the fact that she's in medicine that has eased the opening of his heart to her. there is a part of him that wouldn't like to believe that anyone who can be as dedicated to the betterment of lives as her would betray him in any capacity. naive, perhaps, but. he sees no reason to go out of his way to stomp out what little hope remains to him. )
Though you are under no obligation to return the sentiment. My feelings are mine alone.
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No, I like it.
[ although, hm ]
In my world, we have this thing. It's called friends with benefits.
[ he did start this conversation offering to have sex with her... ]
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The benefit being sex, I imagine?
( what an absurd term, however fitting it may be. )
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