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[ It's his turn to check in on her. ]
dorothy
are you back in the city
answer me
please
dorothy
are you back in the city
answer me
please
i don't trust this way of speaking
can we talk
face to face
[ He's old-fashioned, he likes looking into the eyes of the person he's talking to. And texting ended badly last time. ]
can we talk
face to face
[ He's old-fashioned, he likes looking into the eyes of the person he's talking to. And texting ended badly last time. ]
you choose where
[ He's giving her the option of meeting in public if she doesn't feel safe being alone with him. ]
[ He's giving her the option of meeting in public if she doesn't feel safe being alone with him. ]
[ From what he's heard, he has no choice but to pay.
Though he probably would have anyway. ]
see you there
Though he probably would have anyway. ]
see you there
Dorothy.
Do you require assistance in meeting your quota?
Do you require assistance in meeting your quota?
alucard, hi
how are you? did you get back from space okay?
[ "okay". like everyone didn't die at the end there... anyway. ]
what's the quota again
i mean
[ this is not awkward at all ]
how much to meet it? [ she definitely read that somewhere or heard about it, but it hadn't seemed like the most important thing at the time ]
how are you? did you get back from space okay?
[ "okay". like everyone didn't die at the end there... anyway. ]
what's the quota again
i mean
[ this is not awkward at all ]
how much to meet it? [ she definitely read that somewhere or heard about it, but it hadn't seemed like the most important thing at the time ]
I am well. I would prefer not to speak on the matter of space.
( at least his shutdowns are... polite. )
I believe it is three or more times a month.
( at least his shutdowns are... polite. )
I believe it is three or more times a month.
yeah, that's fair
[ not all of it had been bad, but the end had —been pretty bad. ]
i think i'm all right, then?
i mean
depending on when they start counting
does stuff that happened at orientation count
are you okay for it?
[ and, uh ]
i'm not saying no
and thanks for the offer
it's [ what's the right word?? ] sweet
[ not all of it had been bad, but the end had —been pretty bad. ]
i think i'm all right, then?
i mean
depending on when they start counting
does stuff that happened at orientation count
are you okay for it?
[ and, uh ]
i'm not saying no
and thanks for the offer
it's [ what's the right word?? ] sweet
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.
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.
Edited 2020-04-22 20:22 (UTC)
[ 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. ]
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.
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.
[ oh
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
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
I'm a vampire, it's only natural.
( 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.
( 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.
[ she's not entirely sure what she thinks he means and what he actually means to express with that joke is the same, but she's grinning either way. ]
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. ]
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. ]
Tomorrow is suitable.
Which of the rooms is yours at the Inn?
Which of the rooms is yours at the Inn?
I will be there at 8 o'clock.
( 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.
( 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.
[ 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.) ]
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?
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 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?
Mm. As you wish.
( 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?
( 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?
[ 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 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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