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[blasphemare]

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[blasphemare]

_{[She doesn't hesitate to take his arm when it's offered, happily squeezing it as she hooks hers around his. A moment later and the paper bag with the croissants is opened with a crinkle, offering Trevor his pick before she selects her own.]}

I doubt it will be too difficult. There is quite a bit to see.

[doesitanyway]

[ Trevor takes his croissant with an agreeable nod and starts off on a tour of the Up, spiraling out from her tower at the center of it with the expectation that they can take the train either back in or to the Down when they get to the outskirts. There is a lot to see. Some things she won't like to -- the shopping districts, for one, are blatantly sex themed -- but there's really no avoiding it. He makes sure they're in a restaurant district when it's time for a late lunch/early dinner, one along the shore so they can sit and watch the water. ]

What do you think so far?

[blasphemare]

_{[It's a lot to take in. Aside from the blatantly sexual spin on certain things (which was to be expected of this place) the city was as glamorous, if not more so, than some of the capitols or courts of Europe. Opulent in ways she didn't think were possible. It was clean, sleek, and painfully modern. When they do finally sit at a table for something to eat she's cradling her face in her hands. Her head feels heavy. Overloaded.]}

It truly is like nothing I've ever seen. I feel out of place.

_{[To a painful degree. Fitting in was never a concern of Sypha's but here she could already feel the pressure to.]}

[doesitanyway]

You'll adjust. If I've managed, surely you will.

[ He's still learning, of course, and had people to help him, but so will she. She's better traveled than Trevor, for one thing, and also more social. ]

You don't need to fit in, either, to get by. But we should talk about that when you feel less overwhelmed.

[blasphemare]

I know...

_{[If this place didn't have such a social divide and emphasis on sex she could see the appeal of living here. The waitress comes by, setting a glass of water out for the two of them. Immediately she reaches for her glass, wrapping her hands around it to occupy them.]}

If only all of this didn't come coupled with an oppressive rule.

[doesitanyway]

It could be worse. I mean... sometimes it is, but. For the most part as long as you're making quota and you contract in time, it's bearable.

[ Actually, he needs to talk to her about that. ]

I saw you offer to sign with Alucard.

[blasphemare]

_{[She nods, tapping her nails against the glass in her hands.]}

I did, yes. He's so stubborn. I am trying to help him so he doesn't have to live in such a moldy, damp, miserable place. It only makes sense we help each other.

_{[That goes for Trevor too.]}

Since I am in a better position than you both it would be wrong of me not to offer. If I sign with him and you when your time is up then none of us have to worry about this stupid contract business.

[doesitanyway]

I'm sure he's simply bristling against the necessity, not your kindness. He'll come around by the time his three months are up. I was similarly stubborn, at first.

[ Of course, he didn't know anyone, either. ]

We'll probably have to check in to be sure he's making quota. The last thing he needs is to be sent to realignment.

[blasphemare]

I suppose we are all stubborn.

_{[A sigh slips her as she moves to take a sip of her water, finally bothering to look at the menu she'd been handed. It's easier to focus on the text in front of her than talk about Alucard being unable to meet quota.]}

If he doesn't we'll have to take matters into our own hands. Somehow.

_{[Says the virgin considering the battered fish and chips for her dinner.]}

[doesitanyway]

[ Somehow, she says, as if she doesn't have multiple mirrors in her residence. ]

I think you stand a better chance of convincing him to play along.

[blasphemare]

Maybe...but maybe not.

_{[Making her decision she closes her menu, resisting the urge to prop it up on the table in front of her.]}

Sometimes he seems unreachable. He was also frightened of me, when he first ran into me. I think something happened to him Trevor, but I don't know what. I touched his arm and he jumped away from me, as if I had harmed him...

_{[What if she had? Just what had her future self been up to?]}

[doesitanyway]

Frightened..? He was furious with me, to the point he threatened me with what he thought was a weapon.

[ He sets his own menu down, frowning. ]

I couldn't get him to tell me what had happened, either.

[blasphemare]

He was scared Trevor...I have never seen him look at me in such a way before.

_{[It had hurt but she had been too annoyed with him to let it get to her.]}

Something must have happened to him after we left the castle.

[doesitanyway]

I agree with you that something must have happened, but forcing him to talk about it would probably only put him back in a state. For what it's worth, he seemed relieved when I told him we do come back...

[ It had hurt him as well, to have his friend so angry as to threaten violence after all they'd been through. But above all else it was worrying. Sypha's account makes it even moreso. ]

He does tend to bottle things up, doesn't he?

[blasphemare]

You're right. He will tell us on his own time, when he's ready.

_{[Even if it's her nature to poke and prod and pry, she has enough sense to leave Alucard alone in this particular instance.]}

He does, but don't we all? You and I are no better. Well, maybe a little better.

[doesitanyway]

...I don't bottle.

[ He does. Also, he denies. ]

[blasphemare]

Oh yes you do. Don't start with me, Trevor Belmont. You bottle - fermented and everything.

[doesitanyway]

...at least it's alcoholic hypothetical emotion, then.

[blasphemare]

_{[That gets a laugh out of her.]}

Of course it is. Do you know what you're going to order?

[doesitanyway]

[ Her laugh makes him a bit less surly about the fact she's called out his maladaptive coping mechanisms. ]

I do, yes.

[ He points out the item on the menu, since she'll need to order for him. It seems such a small thing, now... he remembers bristling and starving himself for days back when he first arrived, lest he have to kneel at camp. ]

[blasphemare]

_{[Raising her hand she flags down the waitress, pointing out their order. It's thankfully a quick and painless process.]}

If there is one thing I am excited for in this place it's the food they have. There are so many things to try.

[doesitanyway]

I must admit, that's been one of my favorite things here.

[ He's excited to watch Sypha experience the range of cuisines as well. ]

[blasphemare]

I'm interested in what these 'French fries' will be.

_{[And what do they have to do with France?]}

You'll share some of what you ordered with me, right?

[doesitanyway]

They're potatoes cooked in oil until crisp. And of course I will.

[blasphemare]

That sounds delicious.

_{[She's clearly pleased that he's willing to share his grub with her, and soon enough both their plates are set down in front of them.]}

This smells amazing...