[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.]
[Dodger's gaze lower to her hands - watching her play with the metal cat, feeling something he isn't sure what to call. But it's positive, he knows that much.]
I've got a little brother. We're not blood-related, his parents adopted me. He'd be turning twenty-five soon, I think, his birthday's in March. [And since he's sure this will come up eventually:] That's the 'Anthony di Lonza' I asked you to watch out for.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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)]
no subject
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?
no subject
[A haughty laugh follows. Her sharp composure slipping, but she's still very much herself.]
no subject
[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.
no subject
Pour.
[With a frown she grabs her shot glass and holds it out to him.]
What do you like about Toma?
no subject
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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
Sure. I'll take it. Do you do this often?
no subject
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.]
no subject
That university spot has a workshop class. Metal and wood working. I dunno, might be good for you?
no subject
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.
no subject
Not for the class, just access to the materials and tools. Anyway... how old are you?
no subject
[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?
no subject
[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...]
no subject
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.]
no subject
Did you have any siblings?
no subject
I've got a little brother. We're not blood-related, his parents adopted me. He'd be turning twenty-five soon, I think, his birthday's in March. [And since he's sure this will come up eventually:] That's the 'Anthony di Lonza' I asked you to watch out for.
[God, he misses him.]
What about you?
no subject
Pour. Ask another, I didn't take turns correctly.
no subject
When did your father die?
no subject
Eight, and my mother was gone by twelve. My father's first apprentice, a priest, became my legal guardian after that.
[Tch. There's a bit of poorly veiled vitriol for said priest when she talks about him.]
no subject
We have a lot in common, then.
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