beenoble | Duplicity Inbox

[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.

[She makes a heart with her hands. But she seems animated and happy while actually talking about her idol work in a way Ferdinand probably hasn't seen yet.]

It's pretty simple for me. My brand's in my personality and not in what I do. But Memcho's all about her youtube channel, and Kana's an actress! So we put a lot of effort into our skills and personality. It's what makes us popular. It's not easy, but I love it. I know I've made tons of people happy.

[Ohh!?! His heart is on fire! Ferdinand just experienced the feeling of 'moe', and he looks giddy about it, gripping his own thighs beneath the table.]

Including me! [he exclaims with a hand to his heart.] I am quite happy right now. And I have yet to experience you at your fullest power! Oh, if there is any way at all for me to watch one of your performances, that would be fantastic. I know that it is probably impossible right now for you to do it quite like you did at home, especially without your groupmates, but it is a new dream of mine to at least get a taste of it.

[She knows the feeling of being overcome by moe. She's an idol fan, it's something she's experienced numerous times.]

Hubert said he'd be my producer, so... there's always a chance you can catch some solo shows. I can't let myself get rusty, right? So you'll definitely get a taste of it!

[But, she knows there's something else she wants to try asking, and maybe she can make it sound like a smooth transition?]

But you could have a taste of it now, if you wanted. Like. Me. If we had sex. If you wanted to have sex!

[Nailed it. (Or not, she's turning bright red because she knows she fumbled that.)]

[Help!! He was NOT expecting that sudden segue into having sex, and he gets properly astonished, then aflame with embarrassment. They match.]

Sex...! Yes! Of course I would... [Right here, in front of his salad?] That is... definitely a way to show me your performance!

[Is it?!]

[Aaaaaaa.]

It's! More of a beginner performance in this case! But think of it as special fan treatment or something!

[Oh my god she can't believe she did this, she wants to die.]

[STILL EXTREMELY EMBARRASSED... He laughs nervously.]

Hahaha! Quite special, indeed! Though not exactly what I was picturing...

[And then he adds, so as not to give her the wrong idea:]

Not that I do not also like the idea of your special treatment! But only if it is something that you truly want to do.

I mean! I... wouldn't say something if it wasn't something I wanted to do... I'm just. Not... used to asking. Or anything, really.

[She shakes her head rapidly.]

So seriously, don't worry about it or anything, okay? At least, if you're thinking I don't want it, because I do. And! I totally trust you enough for it!

All right! I will trust in your word in turn.

[And he will try not to think too hard about it right now! He shovels salad into his mouth, considers what she said a little harder, and, failing a little, asks for a bit of clarification.]

And when you say now, did you mean... after we are finished eating?

I mean!

[She turns red and her curry seems far more interesting for a little bit.]

... If you want to? I don't have anything going on...

Nor do I... and once we grow close this way, it will be even easier to ask for and accomplish in the future. I bet that we could use one of the nice rooms here, too, if you want to ensure that we will be alone.

[Not that either of them haven't already slept with Hubert, and Dorothea might not entirely mind...]

[Yeah, but it'd be nice to not have people walk in too... she hasn't quite worked up to that because even if it was someone she knew, she's not sure she could handle someone walking in without getting embarrassed.

Even though she's still a little embarrassed now.]

It... the rooms are pretty nice, and I know they're stocked and everything. I bet Idia wouldn't care, anyway, as long as we don't like... destroy anything, and I doubt anything we do could do that.

[No, he'd rather no one walk in on them, either. Ferdinand smiles bashfully at the thought of them getting anywhere close to ruining a room with wanton debauchery, shaking his head in agreement.]

Certainly not! I will be on my best behavior. We will even try to leave the room looking better than we left it.

[Ruby doesn't even think she's capable of that kind of wanton debauchery!! But she pushes herself back, standing up, and smoothing out the skirt of the dress she's wearing.]

I'll go book us a room and pay, okay? I won't be gone long.

[Unless he follows her or something, but that's what she's gonna be doing: getting up to go pay and get them a room.]

All right. But I must pay you back for this, seeing as you would not let me get away with the dinner bill!

[At least half of it! Anything less would not do. She probably gets an employee discount on the rooms, too, after all... As she leaves, he scrapes the rest of his meal off of his dish and into his mouth, mentally preparing himself for the first time he will lie with Ruby. He wasn't expecting this whatsoever, and all of a sudden, here they are! But it's not like this isn't the first time it's happened to him at Catsanova, either...]

Don't worry, I'll let you pay me back. Promise.

[She hadn't been expecting it either, but her recent trip to the SLUT center and then beyond? It's emboldened her at least a little, so she can get better at this and avoid the SLUT center. But that doesn't change the fact that there's suddenly a million butterflies in her stomach. She knows she can trust Ferdinand! She's been with someone decidedly scarier than him with Hubert! But it's still new.

When Ruby gets back, she holds up a room key.]

Okay. We'll be fine for a few hours, so there's nothing to worry about!

[And Ruby'll hold out her hand for him. Once taken, or if he takes it at all, she'll lead him to one of the rooms.]

[Ferdinand rises from his seat and takes her hand, giddiness rising as she guides him to their room. He catches up with her so that it is less her pulling him in the direction that she wants and more them just... holding hands as they get closer to their destination. Once they make it inside of their romantic room softly aglow in pink and red, he decides to lead her toward the bed, where he stops and takes her other hand, looking into her eyes.]

Do you have any preference for how we do this? Me on top of you, for example, or perhaps the other way around? We can take our time working up to each other, of course... [He seats himself at the edge of the bed, then guides one of her hands to his lips for a kiss, the act making him smile warmly as softness for her grows.] Start with affection and see where that takes us?

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