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[edelstein]

@edelstein

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Permissions for Network Fuck-ups

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[smokedout]

[Excel to the point they're unable to consider disposing of me. That also gets locked away, another thing they both have in common. Dodger prides himself on being useful, because there are many reasons for people to want him dead. Especially the people he works with.

Dodger readjusts himself as casually as he can, crossing his legs while he eats another jianjiao.]

Likely what everyone else is doing, too. People only do as much as they're forced to.

[edelstein]

If that's your assumption I have no reason to correct it.

[Rin's true self, her desires and ideals, are nearly antithetical to her training as a mage. Yet even if she had a choice to do anything else there would be nothing she could choose that would bring her fulfillment. She excels in the field, she enjoys learning new things and solving the puzzles that come with being a mage, and with her tendency to give up on things she's not immediately good at leaves little else. Expectation and tradition prevent her from truly loving magehood, but her uprbinging and personality make her unable to decouple from it. She's locked into a life of constant struggle between discarding her humanity and being unable to snuff it out entirely.]

[smokedout]

[He wrinkles his nose, and purposefully drops his gaze down to his whiskey so he can actually focus.]

It's not an assumption, it's observation. People have passions and interests, they follow those without any guidance. Leave an artist in a room with art supplies and they'll make art, even if there's no one to show it to and nothing to force them. But if you want people to behave, and uphold a system, you have to make them. And you have to keep coming back and checking in different ways, because they'll find ways to skirt around the checks and balances.

[edelstein]

Maybe that's the only way you can see it, but I wouldn't say I'm forced. Like I said: I don't do anything I don't want to do.

[For now Rin has decided to stop eating. Because of her image she's careful about regulating what she eats. Not because she wants to stay skinny, but more about being careful about building the type of muscle that easily "hides" unless you're using it. Even her physical power is masked by the soft layer of fat that makes up her feminine outline. In a way she's lucky to be a girl. Able to hide types of strength and to be underestimated based on misconception and prejudice.]

[smokedout]

Whatever you say.

[He's hitting the limit of how much he can argue, anyway - it isn't his world, things might legitimately be different there. He's been reading enough philosophy lately from worlds with only humans that he's starting to accept that as an option.

He gestures toward the dumplings.]

Keep eating. Otherwise you're wasting food.

[edelstein]

I don't want to ruin my appetite. They brought the plate to share, and you may finish the rest. I'm petite, after all.

[If she has too much she'll have to spend more time at the gym... she doesn't want that because it would increase the likelihood of her being spotted at the odd hours she keeps.]

[smokedout]

Fine, suit yourself.

[He pulls the plate closer to finish it up - quick work, Dodger's pretty much a bottomless pit and he eats like he's starving. Although by the time he finishes eating them, his free hand has started tapping anxiously on the table. It's been a while since he's smoked, it's starting to bother him, but he doesn't want her making good on that threat to leave.]

If you end up tapping out on your entree, I'll finish that too. I just don't want you to leave here hungry.

[edelstein]

[The fidgeting doesn't to bother her. In fact his restlessness doesn't even catch her attention immediately. After all she does something similar: occupying herself by tracing the circular top of her glass with the tip of her index finger.]

Don't worry. I'm not the type to starve myself, but eating more means I should exercise more. I have a strict schedule I only deviate from for something fun.

[smokedout]

[He raises a brow. Right, normal human. They have to exercise and care about what they eat. Hard to remember when neither of those things are true for him.]

Well... good. I hate picky eaters.

[His fingers keep tapping. Fuck, he hates this.]

Does this count as 'something fun' or is it fitting into the schedule?

[edelstein]

-You really have to ask that? This has been more interrogation than it has been date. We've been sizing each other up like animals drawing territory lines. How many people do think would find that fun?

[She's not yet laughed and only got to feel smug once. Dodger, you have no rizz.]

[smokedout]

[Dodger ducks his head, like a dog being corrected.]

I didn't want to- overstep.

[He honestly has no idea why this isn't working. And he's tempted to just write it off as Women Are Confusing, but more than anything it's making him think of talking to Toma. And just having no idea what to do if someone isn't already interested in sleeping with him.]

[edelstein]

[She hates that. She hates the pang of guilt and the unease that pity brings to the pit of her stomach. A sigh of exasperation twinged with a bit of relenting defeat falls from her lips. A hand raises to pinch the bridge of her nose briefly.]

Maybe we can play another game? Something simple we can do verbally.

[Combine "learning about you," and "fun". Maybe. Depends on if Rin gets competitive.]

[smokedout]

[He chews his cheek, and takes a moment to drink the rest of his whiskey.]

Sure. Uh... I used to play something back home with some of my coworkers. Ask questions, the other person either answers or they take a shot. You go back and forth until someone's wasted.

[A pause.]

We can- skip the drinking part, just end it when we get bored. Sure you can't keep up with me.

[edelstein]

[You can't keep up with me. There it is. Rin's expression turns harsh, and she leans in.]

If you can afford it, then order the drinks.

[smokedout]

[He snorts. It has him starting to relax at least because this, he can handle.]

Sure. I'll get you back to your room safely when you pass out.

[He calls the waiter back to make his order - a shot glass for each of them and a bottle of whiskey. He figures an even playing field is the move, so she doesn't get any ideas about him treating her with kid gloves.]

I'll give you the first question. Sexual, personal, anything's on the table.

[edelstein]

How long have you known Henry?

[She doesn't finish off her shochu drink. Instead she saves that for drinking with dinner, which is set before them - steaming hot - as the game begins.]

[smokedout]

Four months now, I think. He showed up in September, I met him before he got a room assignment.

[That's easy enough. And he's far from surprised that that's where she's going first. Although now that they're in person, Rin gets to hear the tone of voice Dodger gets when he's talking about Henry. Softer and more enthusiastic, like just thinking about the man is lightening his mood.

Dodger takes a moment to eat a few bites while he thinks of his question - his eyes light up as soon as he digs in. It's spicy enough for him to taste it, the texture's good, this is all he could ask for.]

...How long have you been at the resort?

[edelstein]

[Only four months? Lord have mercy. With that shift? He's certainly twitterpated. At least his question is easy for her too.]

It was two years in December. The way this place changes for the seasons and holidays helps keep track.

[Tohsaka also digs in. She's still careful about how she eats, but while also juggling their game she's a little less delicate.]

[smokedout]

[In his defense... he knew his boyfriend in Boston for less than a month before dating him, they'd known each other for two months when Dodger showed up here. But that's barely any defense at all.]

So you probably know a lot of people here, huh.

[This time he's making an active effort not to watch her eat, even if that's a lot more conspicuous. He just wants to be able to actually hear her when she asks her next question.]

[edelstein]

I said I don't bother with other people's business. What's your number one pet peeve?

[At first Rin doesn't think much of the way he focuses away from her. He said he can only taste spicy, right? Makes sense he'd pay more attention to the food.]

[smokedout]

[Doesn't mean she can't know people. But fine, he's not gonna press.

He has to put some serious thought into that question, anyway. There are a lot of things that piss him off, and a lot of things that are currently pissing him off that feel a lot more pressing than they would have a few weeks ago. Hard to pin down one as the most frustrating thing.]

People that don't eat anything when they've got access. Literally nothing, until their ribs start showing. Or worse, if all they eat is sweets but they won't eat a real meal.

[It's a safe enough answer. Even if it comes with some frustration about a few specific people that fit that description.]

What about you?

[edelstein]

Hmm... plenty of things aggravate me. I guess I don't like it when people talk big and can't back it up. Especially if they're the type to use social status of fame or perceived wealth as a way to pull the wool over people's eyes. All style and no substance.

[If people talk big they better be ready to prove their worth.]

[smokedout]

[Dodger tips his head, and glances up at her.]

Fair enough. Pretty easy to get rich and famous without doing shit to earn it. But it's worth paying attention to the people that do.

[Like his boss, who Dodger would defend violently if necessary.]

I'd rather spend my time around people that speak quiet and carry a big stick. But I don't mind people that are all bark and all bite.

[edelstein]

Yeah, you've made that quite clear. What's you're "sweet-spot"?

[Like to be touched, or more likely in Dodger's case - to be hurt.]

[smokedout]

[More thought. And more eating, to fill the space.]

Don't really have one, I don't think. Anything's good. But getting my hair pulled is really good.

[He's touch-starved and sensory-seeking to a fault, and Rin has seen how eager he is to get hurt. Any attention, any touch whether kind or violent, is something Dodger wants.]

Is anything completely off-limits for you in bed?