[ A good soldier doesn't dawdle. Lorca enters at two minutes to eight, navigating the establishment with familiarity. He's clean-shaven in casual dress, the darker side of denim and leather. A touch of cologne, warm and bitter. Upon making eye contact with Caitlin, he offers her a nod and a tempered smile. ]
What are you drinking? [ he asks before ordering a single malt scotch for himself. ]
[ when lorca enters, caitlin has already been at the bar for 13 minutes, a quarter before eight. early is on-time, and on-time is late, after all. she’s dressed smartly casual, a dark blue sheath dress with just a hint of sleeve, and her hair hangs straight over one shoulder. she returns his smile, though hers is warmer. ]
Um… I’ll have a vodka tonic. [ it’s said half to him, half to the bartender. ] This felt a little less raucous than suggesting The Scratch.
They do know how to throw a party. [ It's a shame that misfire didn't end up in his inbox before New Years. She's a gorgeous woman, with a discreet confidence about her. They could have had some fun, if she likes taking orders as much as she claims.
The simplicity of their drinks has them arriving in short order. Taking hold of his, he asks, ] Upstairs?
[ Lorca likes his privacy. He called ahead to reserve a space where they could hear themselves talk, and others are less likely to. Not so presumptuous as to have them set aside an entire room, but if one should be available by the time they've determined whether or not he and Caitlin enjoy each other's company, well, it's not off the table. ]
[ he isn’t wrong. reggie and logan, the club’s original owners, set a high bar, and sara has been keeping up.
when her drink arrives, she takes a small sip, quality control really, before answering: ] Yes, of course. That’s a good idea.
[ caitlin knows her way around subversion, due to both working there in the past and being in the city for so long. there are plenty of bars and clubs in duplicity, but the reception at LIER-owned business is always much warmer. still, she lets lorca lead the way up, one hand holding her glass and the other one the railing. her gaze slowly drags over his backside, from strong shoulders and muscles of his back to his ass, then his legs. he is quite handsome and fit.
she takes her seat in their reserved space, a corner away from the bar, the stairs, and the hall that leads to the private rooms. ]
I hadn’t even thought about calling ahead to reserve space.
[ Lorca stands aside, allowing her to take her seat first, and then joins her on the leather sofa. He rests his elbow on the back, angled towards her. His glass cuts into his broadened smile as he has his first drink. ]
You said you're a Submissive by personal inclination? [ A brief raise of his wrist, indicating his Dominant bracelet. ] It's the same for me. You made your choice, I made it my responsibility that you get the most out of it.
[ caitlin takes up a similar position with her body angled toward him, her legs crossed at her knees. she doesn’t lean back into the leather-covered cushion, her posture intent and straight. ]
While getting the most out of it for yourself, too, right?
[ caitlin shifts under his gaze, feeling the warmth of it spreading in her chest. her movement are in no way uncomfortable; she uncrosses and crosses her legs again, the dangling foot directed at him now.
she looks down into her glass a moment, fidgeting, before making eye contact again. ]
It’ll be five years in March. [ it makes her one of the longest-standing residents here. ] What about you?
[ Well, it would be rude of him not to drink in the sight of those legs. Just a brief downcast glance to slake his thirst while the conversation is necessarily dry. Lorca is glad to have confirmation that she's well versed in the dark side of Duplicity. He by no means dislikes a beginner, but with regards to what she's asking for — in public, most critically — there's risk involved for him, too.
He won't have his character questioned because she doesn't know herself. Due diligence could mean preparing her personally, building up to the big event over a course of weeks or months. Thankfully, unless she's been living under a rock, five years should have illuminated her limits with exacting clarity. ]
Five months. [ A self-effacing chuckle. ] Six in March. It pales in comparison, but I assure you I wasn't green when I got here.
Edited (changed 1 word for cohesive imagery it really doesnt matter but it mattered to me) 2024-02-27 19:46 (UTC)
[ he’s subtle about it, that glance he gives her legs. so subtle that caitlin only catches it when his eyes return to hers. she does make a point to show off her legs regularly, her wardrobe a mix of dresses, skirts, and high heels. the occasional pair of stockings, sure, but she likes bare skin as well.
she raises her eyebrows as he answers, her glass raised to her mouth. how did she miss this man for six months? well, she has a reasonable idea, but still. usually she keeps up with at least seeing the newcomers. ]
Mmm. I can’t say the same. [ cait flashes him a small, sheepish smile. ] I was not at all versed in… [ she makes a vague gesture with her hands, careful of her glass. ] Everything this place can entail. It was very eye-opening.
[ He wouldn't be turned off if she were being coy but diffidence is especially becoming on her. Perhaps she was plucked from a soft, naive place, like the Federation. (Though perhaps, like the Federation, it's merely hiding its teeth.)
That's one thing he's come to appreciate about that world and the people from ones like it. Their range of nerve. Provided they're not making it too easy to manipulate, it can be thrilling to explore. There are no modest Imperials. Only modest servants, and he has no inclination towards the broken. Not even the disgraced of his own species. He likes a lover with a backbone.
A woman with a measure of pride, which it's her prerogative to wield or to suppress. ]
Well you certainly seem to know what you're about now. [ He tips his glass to her in an informal toast before drinking, relieving her of his attention as he does. ]
[ if only he knew what it took to come to know herself like she does now. the things she’s done, that have been done to her. while some of the happenings in the city are light-hearted and fun and silly in a way, there are also its darker shades. submissives quickly learn their value, or seeming lack thereof, and how a contract can be the best shield they have. how, if you cross a dominant, you can be left to their ‘tender mercies’ with zero protection.
thankfully, she hasn’t put herself in a situation like that in a long while. everything she subjects herself to are actions that she willingly, intentionally enter into. or under the influence of something she’s chosen to consume.
this scenario that she (accidentally) proposed to lorca is one she’s approaching with open eyes. she lifts her glass, mirroring him, taking a healthy swallow. the alcohol burns going down. ]
That I do. Some surprising things that I don’t think I would have ever figured out back home. [ at least, not the way her life was going and what barry told her. ] Have you learned anything about yourself being here?
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Is that something that really appeals to you?
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Do you have a favorite haunt?
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to action!
[ A good soldier doesn't dawdle. Lorca enters at two minutes to eight, navigating the establishment with familiarity. He's clean-shaven in casual dress, the darker side of denim and leather. A touch of cologne, warm and bitter. Upon making eye contact with Caitlin, he offers her a nod and a tempered smile. ]
What are you drinking? [ he asks before ordering a single malt scotch for himself. ]
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Um… I’ll have a vodka tonic. [ it’s said half to him, half to the bartender. ] This felt a little less raucous than suggesting The Scratch.
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The simplicity of their drinks has them arriving in short order. Taking hold of his, he asks, ] Upstairs?
[ Lorca likes his privacy. He called ahead to reserve a space where they could hear themselves talk, and others are less likely to. Not so presumptuous as to have them set aside an entire room, but if one should be available by the time they've determined whether or not he and Caitlin enjoy each other's company, well, it's not off the table. ]
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when her drink arrives, she takes a small sip, quality control really, before answering: ] Yes, of course. That’s a good idea.
[ caitlin knows her way around subversion, due to both working there in the past and being in the city for so long. there are plenty of bars and clubs in duplicity, but the reception at LIER-owned business is always much warmer. still, she lets lorca lead the way up, one hand holding her glass and the other one the railing. her gaze slowly drags over his backside, from strong shoulders and muscles of his back to his ass, then his legs. he is quite handsome and fit.
she takes her seat in their reserved space, a corner away from the bar, the stairs, and the hall that leads to the private rooms. ]
I hadn’t even thought about calling ahead to reserve space.
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You said you're a Submissive by personal inclination? [ A brief raise of his wrist, indicating his Dominant bracelet. ] It's the same for me. You made your choice, I made it my responsibility that you get the most out of it.
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While getting the most out of it for yourself, too, right?
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[ He holds her gaze, warm with intent. No need to overstate the sentiment by sweeping it down her.
Assuming a lighter, more casual tone, he asks, ] How long have you been a denizen of the city?
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she looks down into her glass a moment, fidgeting, before making eye contact again. ]
It’ll be five years in March. [ it makes her one of the longest-standing residents here. ] What about you?
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He won't have his character questioned because she doesn't know herself. Due diligence could mean preparing her personally, building up to the big event over a course of weeks or months. Thankfully, unless she's been living under a rock, five years should have illuminated her limits with exacting clarity. ]
Five months. [ A self-effacing chuckle. ] Six in March. It pales in comparison, but I assure you I wasn't green when I got here.
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she raises her eyebrows as he answers, her glass raised to her mouth. how did she miss this man for six months? well, she has a reasonable idea, but still. usually she keeps up with at least seeing the newcomers. ]
Mmm. I can’t say the same. [ cait flashes him a small, sheepish smile. ] I was not at all versed in… [ she makes a vague gesture with her hands, careful of her glass. ] Everything this place can entail. It was very eye-opening.
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That's one thing he's come to appreciate about that world and the people from ones like it. Their range of nerve. Provided they're not making it too easy to manipulate, it can be thrilling to explore. There are no modest Imperials. Only modest servants, and he has no inclination towards the broken. Not even the disgraced of his own species. He likes a lover with a backbone.
A woman with a measure of pride, which it's her prerogative to wield or to suppress. ]
Well you certainly seem to know what you're about now. [ He tips his glass to her in an informal toast before drinking, relieving her of his attention as he does. ]
no subject
thankfully, she hasn’t put herself in a situation like that in a long while. everything she subjects herself to are actions that she willingly, intentionally enter into. or under the influence of something she’s chosen to consume.
this scenario that she (accidentally) proposed to lorca is one she’s approaching with open eyes. she lifts her glass, mirroring him, taking a healthy swallow. the alcohol burns going down. ]
That I do. Some surprising things that I don’t think I would have ever figured out back home. [ at least, not the way her life was going and what barry told her. ] Have you learned anything about yourself being here?
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