riverviewlogs | [Closed] Try to get out but we just keep sticking around

[He'll freely admit that admitting himself to an auction was a dumb impulse decision... he'd ended up anxious and fussing, sure that no one would bid on him... and been proven entirely right when he'd been won for five fucking units. By the only person who'd bothered to bid in the first place.

It was probably a joke, wasn't it. Or a pity bid.

Still, they got plans to meet up at a bar near the communal hall, and well... he trusts Christian not to stand him up, at least. So he's sitting at a table in the exact back corner of the the bar, drinking a little more than he should while waiting and glancing up anytime someone enters just to check if it's him. Fuck, he hates dating... it always makes him feel like he's become a teenager again.]

Edited 2017-07-27 17:31 (UTC)

[ The honest truth is his bid had partially been for fun, but when he had won the bid, Christian hadn't been disappointed. He never expected Dodger to be part of the auction, and part of him still thinks that maybe the man did it just on a dare or for some other motive. Maybe he had been signed up by a sour coworker like Christian had been. He owed a younger girl a date as well, and it made him laugh.

But when he gets to the bar, Dodger looks like he's hiding. Christian goes directly to the back, sliding into the seat next to him at the table and grinning. ]

You're not supposed to start without me. You okay?

[ Maybe he's having second thoughts. Christian wonders if Dodger was hoping someone specific would notice him if he was up for auction. Maybe it was a stunt to get a crush's attention and it backfired? ]

Tonight's on me. My treat, so don't go too wild. I don't get paid that much.

[Somehow, despite nervously glancing up each time someone comes in, he still manages to get startled by Christian settling in beside him. But he does seem to relax now that he's here, and gives him a shy half-smile.]

I'm fine- and no, I can, uh... I can cover it. I get paid better, so...

[Awkward shrug goes here. It's still a little weird for him after sleeping with the man and not really paying much attention to him afterward. It wasn't exactly a one-night-stand, so... should he be showing some sort of affection...?

He slides a beer over to Christian, his free hand sort of clenching and unclenching next to his glass of whiskey.]

Look, it's just... been a while. Nerves and shit. Seriously, I'm fine.

[He's not fine.]

What's that got to do with anything?

[ Christian is in a good mood. It might have just been one night and meant very little to Dodger, but Christian had enjoyed it. The strange sort of meetings they had were interesting and he hadn't really been surprised when the man seemingly forgot about him after the sex. He'd said it was just to forget the pain, and most people do forget him. That is just how things work when you're not fixed in the world. It's nicer to know he seems to remember him now. ]

You got me a drink. [ And it looks like he's been sitting there long enough to nurse some. ]

You're nervous? I didn't think you got nervous. You're the cool guy.

[ He leans in to reassure him. ]

Rule one, because apparently I can do this as part of my job: Don't overthink it.

..I guess not much.

[He shrugs lazily, playing with his glass a bit before emptying it in one gulp. He needs this level of alcohol intake, almost constantly, just to keep his cool demeanor... it's a wonder his liver hasn't completely given out but hey, alcoholism runs in the family. (Not that he knows that.)]

A lot of shit's happened since the last time I sought you out.

[At least Christian's attitude is soothing his nerves, although his movements are still a little stiff as he silently motions to a waiter for another glass of whiskey. He's cursing his high tolerance... because he'd love to be completely smashed.

He finally glances at Christian, and a few beginnings of different expressions flash over his face before he settles on.. an open, if neutral expression.]

Sorry I never called after that, uh... y'know.

[He can say in all honesty that he expects the only reason Eichi agreed to this was because of the absolutely ridiculous amount of money he'd spent on it. He'd had to outbid a crowd of idol fangirls, for fuck's sake... he'd even burned one of them around the wrist so badly she'd had to go to the hospital, when he started getting sick of the bidding wars.

Net income would be low this month, but he can handle himself if he asks Cain for a few extra meals. It's worth it.

He'd invited him out to a fancy restaurant... well. Fancy for Dodger means the kind of place that's just expensive enough that people don't tend to bring their kids along. He figured it would give Eichi a bit of the high ground, make him more comfortable, since... there's no way someone like him would feel safe in a crowded alternate reality McDonald's. There's just enough people around that Eichi can get help if he needs it.

Still, as Dodger looks through the menu, he's silently cursing himself for it. Even if he buys the cheapest things, he'll want to eat a lot... this whole idea is going to bleed him dry.]

You don't mind dogs, yeah?

[Since he'd decided to bring Brink along... and the malinois is curled up around Dodger's feet while they get settled. Thank god robot dogs don't need to eat.]

Edited 2017-07-27 19:00 (UTC)

It's fine.

[ Eichi minds Dodger more than he does any dog. He's been on edge since Dodger started bidding, and the fact that it got this far at all is more than surprising. Just when he thought he wouldn't have to worry about it, that he'd be blown off as inconsequential and be free to move on with his career, he appears out of nowhere for this?

So, he's very much tense, keeping the menu low enough to keep Dodger in his sight as he browsed for food. This is a surprising choice of location, too... He can't throw real punches, no, but he can pick his favorite sautéed veal for food. ]

I'm still wondering why you're considering something like my opinion to begin with. Are you secretly a fan? You know, you selfishly crushed the feelings of many young girls, and I have to wonder what exactly your goal is from something like this.

[Dodger puts down the menu, tipping his head as he watches the kid with a sharp look. He looks starkly out of place in this environment, since he's still wearing a hoodie and hadn't bothered to cover up the hole where his right eye used to be, but if he cares at all it doesn't show. He's more interested in the subtle signs of Eichi's discomfort and suspicion; it's funny that he's trying to keep Dodger in sight, like that would really keep him safe...]

Never watched your concert. [He shrugs lazily.] Those girls had too much money for their own good, anyway. Better they spend on something that lasts.

I'll have to forgive your lack of understanding on the fact that you were unable to see my concert, Dodger-san.

[He makes sure to use his name there, because he knows it was never given to him before, purposefully hidden from him before. Of course, multiple people had given it to him afterwards, and Dodger is likely already aware of that, but Eichi still wants it known.]

You see, I'm sure that even you must have had someone like an idol who you looked up to, either now or in the past. The actions of someone important like that... they're in a completely different world. To them, I'm perfect, the sparkling image of someone who achieved a dream they can't imagine, and so it's my job to help mold their futures.

[He sets his menu flat on the table now, leaning back a bit in his chair. He's still sitting properly, of course, but he'd like to be as far from this as possible while still going along with it. For the fans... for the charity, for his name and image, and for his pride.]

Anyway, did you choose this place just for me? You seemed like the type of person who might have trouble understanding parts of the menu, so I was curious why you'd take me here.

You didn't accomplish anything - we don't need to pretend that in private conversation.

[Dodger can't say he's ever had an idol... he's never had something as close to a goal as that. If anything, he's been some sort of an idol for others - a shining example of a perfect dog who does absolutely anything his master wants of him, and never fails. He'd even gotten a reputation as a demon, from how people had learned how quickly they could disappear if they spoke badly of Victor Augustine...

...It's a lot harder to keep that reputation without a master, and without the resources he had back home.]

I figured I'd do something nice for you. [He tips his head to the side, regarding Eichi carefully.] Just keep in mind that I expect you to have good manners, since we're in a place where people expect it. Eating everything on your plate and such.

[ He's quiet at that first part, not wanting to keep pushing something that people don't understand. Especially when it comes to this guy. He's very aware that a slip in conversation could mean what it did last time, and he's tense because of it, even if he tries to put on a confident look like he's not. ]

You're only saying things that are more confusing... [ Something nice for him?? What does he actually want? He's trying to figure it out, but there is the possibility he's just screwing with him, right? Ugh. His fingers curl over the edges of the menu. ]

Especially since that last part sounds almost like the beginning of a threat, you know? I'm the Tenshouin family's precious scion, so of course I know something like that.

[He doesn't respond to... any of that, actually. Telling him whether or not it is a threat would be giving him too much of a clue - and it's up to the kid to figure out exactly what parts of this night are a power play and what parts are just acting kindly toward a person he spent money to hang around.

It is interesting to learn a little about the kid's past, though - he hadn't known he was rich per say, just gotten the impression that he liked nice things.]

Have you talked to Reaper since we met?

[While he speaks, he's started flipping his dinner knife in his hand, touching its tip to the table and then flipping it to touch the handle to the table, and so on... each time making an audible noise, but not doing it hard enough to rattle the table. It's not a conscious threat, but it is a habit he developed to remind others of his dangerous potential.]

Of course, since we're friends.

[ Despite how completely out of his element he is, Eichi is too stubborn to sit here quiet and afraid and do nothing. He keeps testing with comments, eyeing that knife and considering how that's actually a bit better of a threat, if it is one, compared to inner injuries. He can heal something like a wound...

It's always strategy with Eichi, and he's trying his best to form one for how to deal with this now. Currently, that means closing the menu and sliding it to the edge of the table to indicate he's decided and answering no more about Reaper than what he's asked. ]

[Of course, that means Reaper knows what he'd done... he hadn't confronted him about it, but maybe he just didn't want to give Dodger the satisfaction of his anger. It's thrilling to watch the way the smoke escapes his mask when he's angry.

This time Dodger stays completely silent, copying the motion of sliding his menu over and quietly giving his order to the waiter when he comes around. Several appetizers and one of those overpriced artisan burgers that tastes exactly the fucking same as fast food, but it's the closest he can get to what he's used to eating here.

It should be noted that he's very polite to the waiter, refraining from swearing and saying 'thank you' after his order.]

[Eichi politely orders his own meal. Sauteed veal, a very fancy cup of tea, and some sort of over priced salad. Nothing more than that, as much as he'd like to order the full menu and give Dodger some comment about trying a full range. He doesn't want to end up dead on this.

Honestly, he's been resisting the urge to text someone with his phone for some time now. Half of him wonders if it would just escalate things the way it did last time, but the other half doesn't even care— his pride is built on this. Even if he has a lack of knowledge with which to crush Dodger himself, he wants to try and stand on his own in this. Other people are busy, aren't they? They have other things to worry about than to serve a fallen ruler like himself.

He waits for the waiter to leave with the menus before he addresses Dodger again, breaking the silence.]

If this is something like a normal date, why don't we trade some information normally? I don't know much about you at all, you know.

For Christian

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For Eichi

Slides this here

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For Eddie

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