[All noted down - he's actually a little surprised at the idea of non-human-shaped people being a red line for someone. In Dodger's mind, they're exactly the same as himself. He even knows a mutant who pretty much looks like Aak.
There's a telling pause after her question, and Dodger picks up his little metal cat to start turning it idly in his fingers. He could pass, that would likely be even more telling. But either lying or being too honest feel like mistakes. Finally, he settles on:]
No. I talk a big game, but... I come from a world where it's more normal to take what you want. And that isn't what it's like here. I'd rather stick around people that want me near them, and that means playing fair.
[He hesitates.]
Tell me more about that kill. How long ago was it, who did you kill and why?
[Interesting answer after the threat to Dabi's friend, and what Toma told her about burning him and sticking fingers in his mouth. Is he saying that to placate her? Or because she's got an in with Henry now, and might tattle? Though it wouldn't be beneficial for Rin to do that, she thinks. Better for a soft man like Henry to learn the horrors on his own...]
Mm... last year. Fighting in a no-magic allowed tournament. Caved in a guy's rib and punctured some vital organs. He cheated, though. I guess inherent regeneration wasn't off the table, because he quickly came back and snapped my neck. I lost all my savings to pay for the "treatment" and when I woke up the doctor at the Broken Wing told me they "accidentally" used tools meant to "fix a filthy liar". I hate that place.
[Last year, and yet she's so cavalier about it. That's... interesting. No wonder she can hang around Toma without any issues. Dodger makes a mental note of that, and reminds himself to actually look through Toma's notes on her when he gets a chance. He also makes a note of the fact that she, too, got weird side effects from dying.
The question forces him to think for a little longer. There are a few good answers - ones he knows she'll be interested in, ones he knows will make her stand up and leave, and a few in the middle that he isn't a sure about.]
You strike me more as the type I want to do things to me. But I'll answer, it depends on how graphic you want me to get.
[Another weird spot where his double-standard shows up. He'd know how to talk to men about his fantasies, blunt and hungry. But he's making an exception for Rin because she's a proper woman.]
[Dodger startles slightly, even if he tries immediately afterward to brush past it. Still, he stalls a little longer, finishing up his latest glass of whiskey.]
I want to pin you down to your bed and fuck you as hard as I can. I want to bite down on your neck and leave marks for other people to see. I want to keep going until you're a dizzy, moaning mess. And I want you to try and push me off, so I can feel you struggling against me. We can save anything past that for a second date, but I probably can't get as rough with Henry in the room, so I want to take the opportunity.
[Henry's not innocent, exactly, but he does startle easily. And Dodger's been hesitant to let him see how roughly Dodger treats anyone other than him.
He hesitates, though. In light of... everything lately, he wants to clarify:]
I don't mean I want to actually force you. Just... play at it.
[...Unsettling. That's what listening to Dodger speak about this makes her feel. Not because of the fear it sparks in her, but the interest. During her first birthday in the Golden Peacock Rin was trapped in one of the "Get Along Together" spa packages with a man who hated her. Despised her for not only being a mage, but effortlessly good at it. The two of them played dangerous games. Pushing each other's limits and punishing each other with what the other thought would be most humiliating behind closed doors. In truth she doesn't ever feel all that comfortable at the spa anymore because on that birthday she was subject to one of the best fucks she ever had somewhat against her will.
It haunts her. Like a ghost calling her to indulge in a devil's banquet. Rin never considered that night to be something traumatizing, and never held it against that man. She provoked him, just as he did her, and that dance floor was shared. Beyond that she believed she deserved it. At least a part of it. That pain, humiliation, and sweet agony were simply the price to pay for her arrogance.]
If you want that more than me bossing you around I'm willing to let you have it. You have to be patient, though. You'll have to wait until after I host my weekend guest.
[Still not enough to scare her off. That has him relaxing. As much as he can, when he's gone this whole date without smoking. It really is the worst he thinks he would do... he's been getting good results waiting for permission, proving that he can handle boundaries. It takes a lot of anger, and personal hurt, for him to backslide.
He wants to think that, at least. He'd managed to make it a few months without attacking anyone, and he hasn't actually forced himself on anyone... which is a better record than he had in Boston. He'd really like to think his weakest moments don't define him.
There has definitely been pushy behavior. But Dodger doesn't think that's the same thing.]
Sure, I can be patient. Like I said before, I get busy easily. But I want to keep seeing you, threesome or not.
[He pauses to pour himself more whiskey. And the bottle's starting to get empty, so he just knocks back what's left in it before setting it aside.]
My question. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Of course not. If I'm to be punished for being wicked the world better grow a spine and hurt me itself.
[Tohsaka waves a hand dismissively. As if the thought of inflicting pain on herself was beyond consideration. Though perhaps that's due to a number of factors. Her body is a weapon, and to weaken it through unnecessary harm is unthinkable. To damage it in a way that makes her image less than perfect? Not an option. Pride and duty outrank self loathing.]
[Dodger snorts. Right, of course. It's... aspirational, honestly. In the same way that he wishes he could truly stop caring about anyone's needs other than his own, he would love to stop craving the cut of a razor when his thoughts get too loud.
He doesn't feel the need to comment on it, though. Seems like everyone here can make an educated guess about what's under his wrist wraps, and they never seem to really care.]
Mm, Toma only got to see my suite because I was using it as an olive branch before setting him straight about where we stand. And if you think I'm going to fold while I'm ahead you're deeper in that bottle than I thought.
[A haughty laugh follows. Her sharp composure slipping, but she's still very much herself.]
[Wryly:] You're so right, you're just a few actually tough questions away from getting me drunk.
[He likes that laugh, though. Dodger calls the waiter back, and gets two more bottles of whiskey. It's where most of his money goes anyway, going through several bottles a day to keep himself at a base level.
Once they've arrived, he pours himself another glass while he speaks.]
Where do you stand with Toma? And his brother, for that matter.
He reminds me of my boss, back home. Bloemrose does, too, but Toma actually knows what he's doing. He could run circles around me, that makes it worth sticking around and learning from him.
[He chews his cheek.]
Some men are born leaders, built out of better substance than anyone else. True individualists that exist to mold the world in whatever way they see fit. I don't think he sees it that way, but it's what I see.
[He takes a sip of his whiskey. That was heavy, probably better to sandwich it in another idle comment.]
And he reminds me of my brother. Same as Chobe reminds me of myself.
[The shot is knocked back with a bit more force and a little less elegance. Rin puts the glass back down on the table as she leans in. No regard for the order.]
You've got some shitty eyes. Maybe consider glasses, hm? But before that - why did you make a cat?
[Just because this is the first time shes bringing any attention to it doesn't mean she didn't catch his fidgeting earlier.]
[He snorts. Alright, so she's close with Toma. Or as close as Toma lets anyone who isn't Chobe.]
I'm blind in one eye, actually. I'd probably be better just cutting it out.
[Or corrective surgery... you freak.
He glances down at the cat.]
I don't know. Just wanted something to keep my hands busy. And talking to you made me think of trying to pet a cat.
[He holds it out to her. It's rough, and there's fingerprints left in the metal, but it's recognizable as a sitting cat and that's all he was going for.]
Do you want it? Otherwise it's just going in the trash.
[Oh. Huh. That's interesting. Curiosity squashes caution as she reaches out to accept the figurine. Rin has a soft spot for cats, and even told Dabi as such on the network - which is why she asked about it.]
[He relaxes a little more, and something in his gaze softens when she accepts it. It feels like he's getting somewhere, finally.]
Yeah. It's, y'know, it's something to do that doesn't hurt anyone, keeps my hands busy so I can think. I used to fix motorcycle parts, too, patching them up and molding them back into shape. Haven't had a reason to do that here.
[There's a heavy amount of caution apparent in him when he starts to open up, but there's a slight tone shift when he mentions motorcycles. A tiny hint of how deeply he loves talking about them, even if he's trying to sound passive.]
I've been learning more from Henry, actually. He was a blacksmith, before he became a knight. We fixed up some of the swords from the market in November, I think it was good for him. Getting to go back to his roots, I mean.
[Dodger can only imagine what it's like, constantly being surrounded by screens and high-tech gadgets and magic when none of that shit existed back home. All things considered, the resort is fairly mundane for him, but hanging around Henry has given him a deeper understanding of his own privilege.]
Anyway, I can pick up plenty from reading books and trying shit myself. It's how I learned everything growing up.
[Hm. She's still not sure how she feels about this. Slender fingers hold her shot glass by the lip so she can gently tap the bottom on the table. He's not asked... is this winning? It doesn't feel like a victory or a loss.]
Not for the class, just access to the materials and tools. Anyway... how old are you?
[The things that happen when you wield a magic item that overlays an alternate version of yourself on you for a brief period of time. And then there's also the jeweled sword of Zelretch that would allow her to draw power from alternate universes so she could get an opening to kill her sister...]
[Funny, when he showed up here he was so excited to meet people who knew what the hell he was talking about. And now it feels like everyone he talks to has some idea or other about alternate realities, and Dodger spends all his time around the one person who could not wrap his head around it if he tried.
It actually makes him chuckle quietly.]
I learned about them in my twenties. The hard way.
[He knew the general concept before that. He just... hadn't gotten brain damage that made his place in the space-time continuum unstable, yet.]
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There's a telling pause after her question, and Dodger picks up his little metal cat to start turning it idly in his fingers. He could pass, that would likely be even more telling. But either lying or being too honest feel like mistakes. Finally, he settles on:]
No. I talk a big game, but... I come from a world where it's more normal to take what you want. And that isn't what it's like here. I'd rather stick around people that want me near them, and that means playing fair.
[He hesitates.]
Tell me more about that kill. How long ago was it, who did you kill and why?
no subject
Mm... last year. Fighting in a no-magic allowed tournament. Caved in a guy's rib and punctured some vital organs. He cheated, though. I guess inherent regeneration wasn't off the table, because he quickly came back and snapped my neck. I lost all my savings to pay for the "treatment" and when I woke up the doctor at the Broken Wing told me they "accidentally" used tools meant to "fix a filthy liar". I hate that place.
What do you most want to do to me?
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The question forces him to think for a little longer. There are a few good answers - ones he knows she'll be interested in, ones he knows will make her stand up and leave, and a few in the middle that he isn't a sure about.]
You strike me more as the type I want to do things to me. But I'll answer, it depends on how graphic you want me to get.
[Another weird spot where his double-standard shows up. He'd know how to talk to men about his fantasies, blunt and hungry. But he's making an exception for Rin because she's a proper woman.]
no subject
[She taps the table again. Aggressive; assertive. Insistent on getting what she asked for, or a pass.]
I want to know what I'm dealing with. I have a right to know that, don't I?
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I want to pin you down to your bed and fuck you as hard as I can. I want to bite down on your neck and leave marks for other people to see. I want to keep going until you're a dizzy, moaning mess. And I want you to try and push me off, so I can feel you struggling against me. We can save anything past that for a second date, but I probably can't get as rough with Henry in the room, so I want to take the opportunity.
[Henry's not innocent, exactly, but he does startle easily. And Dodger's been hesitant to let him see how roughly Dodger treats anyone other than him.
He hesitates, though. In light of... everything lately, he wants to clarify:]
I don't mean I want to actually force you. Just... play at it.
cw: mention of previous dub/noncon
It haunts her. Like a ghost calling her to indulge in a devil's banquet. Rin never considered that night to be something traumatizing, and never held it against that man. She provoked him, just as he did her, and that dance floor was shared. Beyond that she believed she deserved it. At least a part of it. That pain, humiliation, and sweet agony were simply the price to pay for her arrogance.]
If you want that more than me bossing you around I'm willing to let you have it. You have to be patient, though. You'll have to wait until after I host my weekend guest.
cw continues
He wants to think that, at least. He'd managed to make it a few months without attacking anyone, and he hasn't actually forced himself on anyone... which is a better record than he had in Boston. He'd really like to think his weakest moments don't define him.
There has definitely been pushy behavior. But Dodger doesn't think that's the same thing.]
Sure, I can be patient. Like I said before, I get busy easily. But I want to keep seeing you, threesome or not.
[He pauses to pour himself more whiskey. And the bottle's starting to get empty, so he just knocks back what's left in it before setting it aside.]
My question. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
cw discussion of self harm
[Tohsaka waves a hand dismissively. As if the thought of inflicting pain on herself was beyond consideration. Though perhaps that's due to a number of factors. Her body is a weapon, and to weaken it through unnecessary harm is unthinkable. To damage it in a way that makes her image less than perfect? Not an option. Pride and duty outrank self loathing.]
cw continues
He doesn't feel the need to comment on it, though. Seems like everyone here can make an educated guess about what's under his wrist wraps, and they never seem to really care.]
Your move, then.
cw ♾️😭
[Well... there goes what she'd drink if she'd need to pass... How can she win now? (as if she had a chance)]
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I'd rather use your bed. But I don't want anyone in my room, either, so I'm not gonna push. Mating Season pods are fine.
[He gestures with his whiskey glass.]
Do you want to tap out, or should I get us another bottle?
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[A haughty laugh follows. Her sharp composure slipping, but she's still very much herself.]
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[He likes that laugh, though. Dodger calls the waiter back, and gets two more bottles of whiskey. It's where most of his money goes anyway, going through several bottles a day to keep himself at a base level.
Once they've arrived, he pours himself another glass while he speaks.]
Where do you stand with Toma? And his brother, for that matter.
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Pour.
[With a frown she grabs her shot glass and holds it out to him.]
What do you like about Toma?
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He reminds me of my boss, back home. Bloemrose does, too, but Toma actually knows what he's doing. He could run circles around me, that makes it worth sticking around and learning from him.
[He chews his cheek.]
Some men are born leaders, built out of better substance than anyone else. True individualists that exist to mold the world in whatever way they see fit. I don't think he sees it that way, but it's what I see.
[He takes a sip of his whiskey. That was heavy, probably better to sandwich it in another idle comment.]
And he reminds me of my brother. Same as Chobe reminds me of myself.
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You've got some shitty eyes. Maybe consider glasses, hm? But before that - why did you make a cat?
[Just because this is the first time shes bringing any attention to it doesn't mean she didn't catch his fidgeting earlier.]
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I'm blind in one eye, actually. I'd probably be better just cutting it out.
[Or corrective surgery... you freak.
He glances down at the cat.]
I don't know. Just wanted something to keep my hands busy. And talking to you made me think of trying to pet a cat.
[He holds it out to her. It's rough, and there's fingerprints left in the metal, but it's recognizable as a sitting cat and that's all he was going for.]
Do you want it? Otherwise it's just going in the trash.
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Sure. I'll take it. Do you do this often?
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Yeah. It's, y'know, it's something to do that doesn't hurt anyone, keeps my hands busy so I can think. I used to fix motorcycle parts, too, patching them up and molding them back into shape. Haven't had a reason to do that here.
[There's a heavy amount of caution apparent in him when he starts to open up, but there's a slight tone shift when he mentions motorcycles. A tiny hint of how deeply he loves talking about them, even if he's trying to sound passive.]
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That university spot has a workshop class. Metal and wood working. I dunno, might be good for you?
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I've been learning more from Henry, actually. He was a blacksmith, before he became a knight. We fixed up some of the swords from the market in November, I think it was good for him. Getting to go back to his roots, I mean.
[Dodger can only imagine what it's like, constantly being surrounded by screens and high-tech gadgets and magic when none of that shit existed back home. All things considered, the resort is fairly mundane for him, but hanging around Henry has given him a deeper understanding of his own privilege.]
Anyway, I can pick up plenty from reading books and trying shit myself. It's how I learned everything growing up.
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Not for the class, just access to the materials and tools. Anyway... how old are you?
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[Materials and tools do seem helpful. That's been the main sticking point, figuring out how to get a permanent spot to forge going.]
I'm twenty-five. Or- no, I'm turning twenty-six in a few days. The sixteenth.
[He frowns slightly. He's going to have to get used to saying that. It feels unnatural.]
Do you know anything about alternate timelines?
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[The things that happen when you wield a magic item that overlays an alternate version of yourself on you for a brief period of time. And then there's also the jeweled sword of Zelretch that would allow her to draw power from alternate universes so she could get an opening to kill her sister...]
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It actually makes him chuckle quietly.]
I learned about them in my twenties. The hard way.
[He knew the general concept before that. He just... hadn't gotten brain damage that made his place in the space-time continuum unstable, yet.]
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