darkbishop | NOCTIUM INBOX

I see...

[ She actually seems to give this a lot of thought. There's a quiet moment that passes in which Rukia seems to be weighing her options, and she makes a slightly embarrassed expression, eyes shifting so they're looking off to the side. ]

By "likeminded individuals," are you referring to others who are also looking at this transactionally?

[He's noticed, but he won't mention it.]

That's correct. There are at least a few of us who would prefer to avoid more... casual physical contact.

[Those of us who are touchy and need awhile to properly open up so we don't punch someone on reflex for trying to hug us, in other words.]

[ A nod at that, then: ]

I understand. I'm not really one for physical contact myself, but it is a necessity here, isn't it? So...

[ A pause, then: ]

If you aren't opposed, I may take you up on that. Physical contact to mutually ensure our survival here.

[Hubert doesn't have to think too hard about that, he nods.]

Precisely. Seeing as how we are neighbors, it will be convenient in case either of us need to obtain Manna quickly, to keep them from routinely pestering us, of course.

Right. I'm glad we're in agreement on this.

[ Well, that was easier than she expected to be. She looks a little less tense now, and there's a small smile on her face. She clears her throat a little. ]

What kinds of physical gestures would be simple enough for something like this?

From my experience, simply holding hands is enough to generate Manna.

[It's stated in a straightforward tone, but like. Hand-holding is still So Much. You get it, right, Rukia??]

[ SHE SURE DOES. ]

Ah, well... I suppose that would be one of the easier forms of physicality. Very well, then. Hand-holding it is.

[ ...This is probably when she should extend her hand or something, but she looks a little nervous to do so. Rip. ]

[Rukia, that is such a mood. But he'll take pity on you and not pull a Michalis and demand your hand—]

Would you care to start now?

[—so he'll just. ask about it. which is really not much better, tbh.]

[ Bless you, Hubert. She looks up at him, mildly surprised, and takes a moment before she just. Extends her hand, back of her palm resting on the countertop. ]

...I don't see why we shouldn't.

[That gets a nod from him, and he takes her hand. He's wearing his gloves, because apparently it doesn't need to be direct contact, and he greatly prefers to keep his gloves on.]

We don't have to do this for very long.

[ Her hand is quite small in his, and it's one of the only times she's held hands with someone who isn't Renji or Byakuya. Outside of those instances, she'd reserved hand-holding for people who were special to her, and it always seemed like a more romantic ordeal... This is anything but that. Certainly not romantic by any means, nor is it with someone she's familiar with. It's strange in that way, a little embarrassing, and that's absolutely why she's red in the face.

But it's fine. This will benefit them both, anyway. ]

A-Ah, of course. Still, I'm grateful for your help.

[Listen, he gets it... Hand-holding is something you're supposed to do with someone you're seeing?? But listen, here we are now.]

It benefits us both, and it is easier to do this with someone who feels similarly.

[That this is A Lot. Better to do this with someone who won't make it weird!!]

I agree. I would rather do this with someone who understands why it's difficult...

[ Or, well, you know. Someone she's seeing, like it's supposed to be done -- but this...works. And she's glad he's not making it weird, either! ]

To pass the time a little, Vestra-san, I have a question for you: Has anyone else from your world been brought here, to your knowledge?

[Oh good, a topic change. That gets him to nod.]

Yes. I've seen a few of them around. Have you run into anyone familiar here as well?

No. No one.

[ There's the smallest bit of disappointment in her voice. Really, though, she should be happy that none of her friends got dragged into this mess. ]

That's partially why I asked you for this arrangement. I don't have anyone from home here, and I realize that puts me at a slight disadvantage.

I understand. Yes, it is good to have someone you can turn to, should you need the assistance with generating Manna. I don't mind helping you with that.

[Obviously it works well for him too!!]

It isn't as much of a disadvantage as you might think, though; plenty of those familiar people I've seen here are those I would prefer not to hold hands with.

[It's slightly wry, but like. Definitely true.]

[ Oh, that was a nice thing to say... Rukia blinks a little, especially at that last part. ]

Oh? ... Well, actually, I can see how you'd feel that way...

[ Because god, she would never want to hold hands with some of the people she knows from home. She'd rather turn into stone, to be real honest. ]

Are people from your home here giving you any trouble?

No, they've all been well-behaved.

[Which is... sort of expected, given that this is an entirely different world and their problems all are in Fódlan. Still, it's good not to have anyone try to kill him immediately.]

It's more a matter of personal distaste.

[Okay, it's more a matter of personal distrust, but once again, those are issues that belong in Fódlan, not here.]

Well, I suppose it could be a lot worse, then.

[ At least they're not antagonizing him. She's already started to take a liking to Hubert, so naturally she'd be just a tiiiiiny bit biased if she heard any of them were giving him trouble. ]

Are they part of the Empire as well?

Two of them are, yes. The others are from the Kingdom and the Alliance, other territories within Fódlan.

[ A nod, then: ]

I see. Perhaps I'll run into them while I'm here.

[ And she absolutely will at some point! ]

Maybe it isn't so bad that I'm the only one from home who's here. I wouldn't say I get along with everyone from there, either.

It can be difficult to work around them, so there certainly is some benefit to being here on your own.

[Though really, he would've hated being here all on his own, so he'll take Castmate Drama over having to figure out all this stuff by himself.]

Yes. Besides, most people I've met here so far have been helpful during this adjustment period. I'm grateful.

[ Like you, Hubert, but she doesn't say that. Instead, a small smile crosses her lips. ]

[It doesn't need to be said, so that works!!]

Many of them have been quick to answer questions and assist when necessary. Things have gone better than they could have.

[This isn't exactly a bad experience as far as "getting dragged into another world" could be, anyway.]

Right. We could have had it a lot rougher here.

[ If holding hands is enough to provide some Manna, Rukia will take it. Even if she's embarrassed about it, she'd prefer this over, well, some other things that aren't necessarily limited to physical intimacy. It's better than fighting a war in any case, even though war is more familiar territory. ]

That being said, I'd still like to find a way home. I was brought here while I was in the middle of something very important.

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