[ 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... ]
( he selects a booth near the back, and allows her to choose her seat of preference before he joins her, politely opposite at the table. )
You remembered.
( his voice is warm, with a sort of gentle fondness at her having done so. human memory is imperfect, but that she chose to hang on to an inconsequential detail he'd told her in idle conversation is taken as a thoughtful thing. )
I'm sure it's quite easy for anyone arrived here from relative modernity to dismiss those of us from an earlier age as barbaric and poorly educated about the world, but I expect that human nature isn't much prone to change no matter how many fancy electronic devices are in their hands.
Mhmh. [ she hums her response, smile softening a little at the warmth in his tone, the gentleness there.
he's got the kind of voice that invites people to listen, that'd be easy to lose herself in, especially when it warms like that. ]
I spent some time in a world that didn't have technology but magic. [ she's settled into a seat, not really having much of a preference. ] And you're right. I think humans are similar everywhere.
( he raises a hand to catch the eye of the serving staff, the simple black cuff he's chosen for himself seems almost to absorb the low light of the bar. it serves a dual purpose — an easy display of his dominant status, but also it hides one of the scars that dorothy has already seen much more of than most. )
Had you encountered other races before? Like myself, or Lyall?
( call it a point of curiosity for him. despite all that's happened, his parents built up a love of learning in him that no amount of trauma or upset can scrub out.
once the server arrives, alucard orders some appropriately frou-frou cocktail on an utter whim, and gestures for her to do the same. )
[ he orders some frou-frou cocktail and dorothy finds herself grinning, telling the waiter that she'll have the same. there's something utterly charming about this tall and old-fashioned and - frankly, seemingly dignified - vampire ordering a cocktail like that. how can she resist joining him?
plus, it sounds fun.
once the waiter has disappeared again, she shrugs a little, thinking back to oz. ]
I've met witches.
[ in oz, they're a different race entirely, although they look human. but only a witch can kill a witch and only south can give birth to witches, dorothy has gathered. ]
You were my first vampire and werewolf, though.
[ but after oz, accepting the existence of vampires, werewolves, and who knows what else doesn't seem like a stretch anymore. ]
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no subject
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.
no subject
[ he'd said something similar over text, but it's different to hear it. dorothy squeezes his arm, her grin obviously pleased. ]
no subject
( 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.
no subject
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... ]
no subject
The benefit being sex, I imagine?
( what an absurd term, however fitting it may be. )
no subject
once he's followed her inside: ]
You did say you catch on quick.
[ he has said that, hasn't he? she vaguely remembers something to that effect. ]
no subject
You remembered.
( his voice is warm, with a sort of gentle fondness at her having done so. human memory is imperfect, but that she chose to hang on to an inconsequential detail he'd told her in idle conversation is taken as a thoughtful thing. )
I'm sure it's quite easy for anyone arrived here from relative modernity to dismiss those of us from an earlier age as barbaric and poorly educated about the world, but I expect that human nature isn't much prone to change no matter how many fancy electronic devices are in their hands.
no subject
he's got the kind of voice that invites people to listen, that'd be easy to lose herself in, especially when it warms like that. ]
I spent some time in a world that didn't have technology but magic. [ she's settled into a seat, not really having much of a preference. ] And you're right. I think humans are similar everywhere.
[ in both the best and the worst possible way. ]
no subject
Had you encountered other races before? Like myself, or Lyall?
( call it a point of curiosity for him. despite all that's happened, his parents built up a love of learning in him that no amount of trauma or upset can scrub out.
once the server arrives, alucard orders some appropriately frou-frou cocktail on an utter whim, and gestures for her to do the same. )
no subject
plus, it sounds fun.
once the waiter has disappeared again, she shrugs a little, thinking back to oz. ]
I've met witches.
[ in oz, they're a different race entirely, although they look human. but only a witch can kill a witch and only south can give birth to witches, dorothy has gathered. ]
You were my first vampire and werewolf, though.
[ but after oz, accepting the existence of vampires, werewolves, and who knows what else doesn't seem like a stretch anymore. ]