calicoat | 🏴‍☠️ IC contact; Duplicity

[This time, she doesn't even try to stifle her laugh.]

Jack, are you a corrupting influence on such a good, godly man as Mr. Irving? Oh, how awful.

Is he from an Earth where it's seen as unnatural for two men to become involved with one another?

[It's one of the defining features of her Earth's alternate history, she's come to realize, that same-sex couples are seen as no different to other ones, unless someone needs an heir.]

[ Jack laughs with her. It's hysterical, actually, and he's quite happy that she agrees. ]

Oh, it's not so awful. He loves it. But yes, there's an exhausting amount of repression to wade through, he'll never tell a soul. So please pretend I've held up my end.

I will, of course. And avoid mentioning the women I've been with. Though I can blame the city entirely for one of them.

[Beat.]

Almost entirely, I might have tried to make her acquaintance anyway.

I told him that Anne fucks women, and it actually seemed to soothe him somewhat. Though I suspect coming to terms with being a sodomite and a homewrecker would be too much for him. The man's feeling quite fragile about it, and likely will for some time.

[ Meaning, he's controllable. A useful "ally". ]

Anyone I ought to watch out for? Can't say I was acquainted with most of your list.

Helena. The countess--I wasn't aware she was nobility until I saw her on my list. As for the rest of them, most are friends, one's my employer, one's my Dominant, one's slightly more than just a quota partner, and one's gone home since the lists were published.

Which is great for him, even if I'm going to miss his company.

The countess. Shame there's no money in that, here. And shame about your friend, too. I haven't...lost anyone here, like that, not yet.

[ He noticed Angelo's not around anymore. Which is a small blessing, they were prime candidates for Duplicity's "lock in a room until you fuck" games. ]

...slightly more, you say?

[There's a definite pause, and when she speaks again, it's softer. Something tender.]

Have you met the woman who goes by the name South Dakota, yet? She's hard to miss, she's six feet tall. Blonde, with purple streaks.

Haven't had the pleasure. I'll seek her out sometime.

[ Not for a shovel talk. But not not for a shovel talk? He can follow the vibe in the moment. ]

That's good. This place is so focused on one thing that meaningful connections fall by the wayside, or pop up entirely on accident. If I were in your shoes, without anyone from home, I really don't know what I would do.

[They're either going to get along well, or get in a fight. Ducky's very curious which.]

I am not accustomed to having many people close to me at home, either, Jack. There are maybe three or four people back there who know that I am not as simple as I pretend to be. I'm more comfortable keeping people at a distance.

The fact that there are even two people here who I am willing to go out with on dates is a little terrifying.

[Yes, Jack, you count. In case you hadn't realized, you're one of Ducky's nearest and dearest.]

Three or four is all you need. You can't go giving a part of yourself to everyone.

[ Anne. Charles, until he wasn't, but now he is again, more than ever. Featherstone was getting there, until Jack's untimely abduction. A solid two and a half. And now Ducky, the only one here who's ever gotten a story from home out of him that wasn't tall tales and boasting about prizes and battles. He would sure hope he's among her nearest and dearest. ]

Terrifying is a strong word.

I was betrayed by my first love, and it left my heart bruised.

[A pause, she decides to give him just a little more, to make it clear the man in question hadn't just left her for another woman. That, she could understand, even accept.]

Sold out. We were blackmailing someone together, and the moment he faced any scrutiny, he gave me up to try to save himself. Unsuccessfully. He ended up at a labor camp.

I know. Well, you've alluded to it.

[ A betrayal from a former lover, he thinks, is how she'd put it before, the first time they'd gone out after that Christmas party. But there's a little more detail now. He appreciates it. ]

Serves him right. That's a cowardly move.

Regardless, it's left a mark on my willingness to let anyone close, and my comfort once I do.

I do trust you, though, more than almost anyone here.

That feeling is shared, Ducky.

[ If he didn't have people from home here, she'd probably be at the top of the list. ]

Good. I'm glad.

I should, ah, probably get back to work soon. Mr. Creed will be looking for me if I don't.

Of course. Talk soon, dear.

🏴‍☠️ IC contact; Duplicity

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