beenoble | Duplicity Inbox

I know where that is. I will be there in no time at all.

[Sure enough, in scarcely a half hour, Ferdinand enters Catsanova, looking to find Ruby straight away. When he does, he comes to her with an urgency like the trouble that had already befallen her might yet still, face wrought with the consternation that had been squirming in his chest and battering his imagination the whole way there.]

Ruby! Here I am. It relieves me to see that you look uninjured, but... that is not really the issue, is it?

[They took her, drugged her, and made her more susceptible to completing her quota. This is all that he understands of the process, but it is harrowing... and all after Ruby had been so determined to make the choice herself. Did they make her fulfill quota in front of them like the cold-hearted perverts that they were?]

[She's found near the bar, where some fellow Catsanova employees are working, so that... y'know, she's not alone. She looks fine, if a little tired, and like she's skipped the usual makeup routine she does now that she has a contract (and the ability to buy what she wants).

But she does jump up to throw her arms around Ferdinand in a hug.]

Ferdinand! No, I'm not hurt. Just... bothered, I guess.

[Ferdinand reciprocates the hug, his arms tight around her with the wish to make everything better throbbing in his chest. Or, at least, the desire to shield her from anything more.]

I am sorry that they put you through that. I wish I had known that you needed help, but I can understand the reluctance to comply with what they demand of us. It must have been difficult to ask for.

[She doesn't pull back just yet, so her voice might be a little muffled, but...]

It... was. I thought I had more time and then I didn't, and—I don't even know what happened after they drugged me.

[Which... is terrifying, actually, especially given how long she'd been out of it and stuck in the facility.]

... I should've said something sooner, I'm sorry. It's my fault, I—I knew better and I still messed up.

[A little bit of the terror at the notion of losing sense and time while at the mercy of their captors flickers across Ferdinand.]

Please do not blame yourself so much. [He takes her by the shoulders and leverages her a solemn look that manages to convey both the sympathy he holds for her and the contempt for those who kidnapped her.] You are a victim of their crooked system, and they are the perpetrators. They never even stopped to consider the mercy of going easy on a young woman who has barely had much time to adjust to these norms. I condemn them, for this and much more.

[Ruby glances away, though it's not like she's not considering what he says. She's quiet for a moment before she sighs, and nods. But it sure doesn't seem like others have had a hard time adjusting, especially in comparison to her, even though she knows that she's logically, likely, not the only one to have ever had this problem.]

I... guess. But still. A bunch of people offered and that should've made asking easier.

[Ferdinand sighs, too, his own emotions heightened and needing regulation. He keeps his hold on her, but it softens and slides down her upper arms.]

I do not think that it is doing us much good to dwell on what we could have or should have done to avert this. Let us instead focus on the present: you are safe, now. I am here for you, in whatever way that you need me to be.

... I'm not even sure what I need right now... aside from not being alone. I already spoke to Hubert, too, and he's making me check in with him every month now. But—you know him. He's already kind of bossy.

[Even though she knows he means well, and it's an effort to keep her out of trouble and safe.]

I just... thought you should know while I was telling everyone else too, especially since you'd offered to help. Just in case you needed another reason to hate this stupid place.

[Ferdinand's smile emerges as she calls Hubert out on his bossiness, and it hangs around thereafter.]

I really appreciate that. [He lets her go fully.] Thank you for thinking to let me know about something like this.

You deserved to know, you're a friend.

But since you bothered to even come here, I could treat you to something to eat? Or drink! Or... something. I was just gonna ask if we could hang out at your apartment for awhile, but since we're here...

There is no need to treat me for something like that. But I would love to share a meal with you here. Come, let us find somewhere comfortable to sit.

There's no need, but I want to! So if I catch you trying to pay, I'm gonna be mad.

[Though, it is at least said jokingly. Thankfully, there is a nice corner nearby, free from people dressed up as cats seducing other people and the people getting drunk at the bar. It's pretty quiet.]

So, get what you want.

[Ferdinand smirks at her, the gleam in his eyes indicating a challenge.]

Ooh, we cannot have that. But what if I want to treat a friend because she has been through something horrible, and I want to express that I care and want to lift her up? Would you deny me that?

Don't even try. You already cooked something for me, but I can't cook, so this is the next best thing! Don't you want to let your friend exercise her new right to purchase things??? Or even get it for a discount because she works there!

[She points at her eyes and points back, like bring it on you dumb boy.]

[Ferdinand's eyes widen as he realizes that she makes an indubitably good point, one that any bit of persuasive ammunition he might have to contest against hers would never match or hope to defeat. The nature of his smile shifts from one of self-assuredness to affable compliance, his palms raising up above the table.]

All right. I concede to your extraordinarily compelling arguments. I would like to try the 'cat-purr-ese' salad.

[It's pretty much a caprese salad, just catpunned up because I have a compulsion I have to heed.]

[When Ferdinand concedes, a smug smirk appears on her face before she calls someone over so they can order. A cat-purr-ese salad and a catsu curry, delicious food.]

I knew you'd give in and see it my way. A totally reasonable change of heart! I'll let you win next time, though, okay? We can trade.

[Ferdinand huffs good-naturedly, crossing his arms.]

There is no satisfaction to be had in victory if it is just handed to you! But next time, I will definitely get one over you. For now, I will simply accept defeat and enjoy my salad, courtesy of you.

What, so I should make it worthwhile? I think I can do that. I'll even pretend to lose horribly. People love that act on variety shows!

[But she does laugh, at least, good-naturedly. All things considered, she does seem somewhat happy, and is relaxing a ton now that someone familiar is around.]

[Having her be happy and relaxed like this is wonderful to see in light of the underlying awareness of what she had gone through.]

Variety shows! What are those?

[She blinks at him a moment, confused, but then she remembers: he's like, old-fashioned or something. She can explain. She's got you, Ferdinand.]

So, you know those TVs that are everywhere here? And the stuff that gets shown on them? Variety shows are like that, but they have all kinds of games and skits and comedy and talking. It's normal for idols to show up on them since you've gotta be able to promote your brand.

[And while she's talking, their food comes. Delicious.]

I see... How fascinating. I can see the appeal. If I were able watch my favorite singer do anything on TV, I would be hooked to the screen! It must be good for your popularity. [He tries a bite of his salad, nodding approvingly, and swallows. The mozzarella slices are shaped like cat heads...] May I ask what a 'brand' is for a performer?

Stuff that's associated with you. Like some idols have a cute phrase or a cute hand signal... or a personality! Everyone thinks I'm really dumb because that's how I act. People like the cute, clumsy, dumb idol girl act.

[Her katsu is shaped like a cat head too, meticulous meat cutting... but it's cute. And she takes a couple of bites.]

I am pretty popular, though. I can fill arenas that fit like, fifty thousand people? That's how big the Tokyo Dome is...

[They like her acting stupid? Ferdinand looks a bit puzzled as he tries to understand the appeal, because it sounds a bit insulting and not at all how she comes across to him. His eyes then widen as he tries to comprehend what fifty thousand spectators looks like. His fork began to slip in his hold.]

Staggering! Why, that is like... the population of an entire city! And that is not even the extent of your fans... Needless to say, I am impressed!

[She laughs, too, at his reaction. And she reaches out to make sure he doesn't actually drop his fork.]

It took a lot of hard work! And it wasn't just because of me, my groupmates were just as important for that, too. But I am pretty in-demand. Or I was.

[It's only then that he realizes his grip had slackened at all to begin with and a bit of transient embarrassment flashes across him, but he recovers with a smile and a proper hold. And then, looking at Ruby again, he sees her a little more clearly, a bit of who she had been before Duplicity reduced her as it does anyone else, especially Submissives. Currently, he is face to face with a sensational star, sharing a meal with her, which is something that so many people from her own world could only dream of doing. It feels so exclusive, so special, and it's a feeling he enjoys. In a way, it's quite similar to how it felt to be in Dorothea's presence as her classmate, especially for the first times... though, perhaps somewhat better, considering how much contempt she had given him right from the get-go. Ruby harbors none of that. And then, to hear her not only credit hard work, but that of her groupmates, appeals to him.]

I do not doubt that for a moment. Oh! Could you indulge my curiosity a little more? Please show me one of your cute hand signals.

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