swordhardy | GP: INBOX

[ girl they didn't have TV where he's from!!! ]

Oh. Temperature never bothers me, I could probably sit there naked and be fine.

[ gid gud???? ]

Alright then.

Just show up with clothes on?

[ Why does she even have to ask... ]

That I can do. I'll see you soon!

[ It would seem that Weiss does have a lot of explaining to do, so she has to think of the easiest way to explain movies to Rokurou. There's time to do so, at least, as she waits outside the theatre. Hopefully the movies will be decent ones that won't end up being adult movies. . . given the nature of the place. That might just shock Rokurou for life and he might not want to watch movies anymore.

(Or it might encourage him to watch more.)

There should still be some time before the screening of the action movie, so when Rokurou arrives, she'll ask if he wants some snacks and let him pick. Once she spots him, she waves at him to call his attention. Who knows if he's forgotten how he looks, after all! ]

Rokurou!

[ The movies are already a novel experience to him, even before sitting down in one of those iconic movie chairs with a bucket of popcorn. He stares at each of the backlit posters on the way with curiosity, nearly ignoring the content—porn—in favor of the way they're printed with script and names across the top. The smell of butter is so thick in the air it nearly blocks out every other scent... which isn't much of a problem when those scents are sugar and the faint tickle of clorox. He isn't even inside and these elements assault him as he approaches the front doors, flashing her a cheeky little grin. ]

Hey! [ he waves, trotting over to her, ] So this is a theater. I was expecting something more like where they have plays.

[ That much he is familiar with.

He's dressed much differently than the last time she had seen him. Gone are the leather shoes and buttoned up shirt; now he sports a simple pair of athletic sweats and a t-shirt. He might even look like a modern day man if not for his shag of long hair, tied at the nape with a leather band. Kimono and hakama will always be his first choice but he has come to embrace the joys of cotton stretch. ]

Were you waiting long?

Nope. I wasn't waiting long.

[ She likes arriving early to begin with! It's not like he's late either, so Weiss doesn't mind at all.

Dressed in something similar to how she saw him initially, she's in yet another fancy-looking dress. Not a ball gown or anything, and she doesn't have a petticoat on to make her skirt more fluffy and poofy. Compared to Rokurou's more casual look though, she looks bit more dressed up. But it's no big deal, when this is Weiss already dressing down.

(God forbid Weiss puts on a t-shirt and jeans.) ]

That's a theatre too, but this one is for movies. Just imagine a play, but the actors aren't performing live.

[ Weiss isn't a tour guide or anything, but there's something that's pretty interesting and entertaining about witnessing someone be in a movie theatre for the first time. All the more does she want to get to know him, know what his world is like, because she can't imagine that it's a very. . . advanced place. ]

Come on. [ She doesn't ask permission, but she reaches for his wrist to take him to where the ticket booth is. There are a handful of posters, some looking more serious than the others. For sure though, there will likely be porn in every single one of these. ] So, some of these start in ten minutes, some start a little longer than that. We can watch the trailers while waiting, though.

I asked earlier, and the first three have some action in them? You can pick.

[ Where one looks like some Indiana Jones parody, another looks like Charlie's Angels, and another is more Iron-Man. The latter two seem like romance movies, which Weiss honestly finds boring. ]

You look cute.

[ It's a genuine compliment, offered with a smile while she grabs his wrist to lead him to the ticket booth. That's the real important thing here, not the difference between theaters for movies and ones for plays. A ticket booth is somewhat familiar to him, though the style and make of this one is different from the wood stalls and boxes one would typically find in Midgand. More posters line the walls though these he doesn't bother to study like he did the others when coming in.

What are trailers? He has no idea. Rather than ask, he studies each of the pointed out posters, not fully understanding the intentions behind the names or the aesthetics of any. The last seems like something related to a robot man, which is a pass. The middle is just confusion with women in stylish outfits holding guns. This leaves the first, the only one that feels vaguely understandable, but only just. So, he points to it, glancing back over to her for approval. ]

How about that one? Any are probably fine, but it looks interesting. [ some sweaty grizzled dude in a hat? sure. ] Unless you like the look of a different one?

And you look... different.

[ She's giggling as she says it, but is quick to drop the subject now that they have a selection of movies to choose from. It's nothing bad— different does not automatically mean bad, after all! The sharp look he had when he was in a suit definitely had some appeal to her, though. She just has to get used to something more casual now. ]

Sure, let's watch that one. [ Weiss would not be picky at this time, since she's not much of a movie person to begin with. She just thinks it's a good way to pass the time, and an even better way to hang out with people. Hopefully—hopefully—there would not be any porn in this movie, but it seems she's forgotten where they are.

Her attention diverts to the staff behind the booth, and she lifts a hand, holding two fingers up. ] Two please.

[ She picks seats in the centre of the theatre, just because she doesn't think he has a preference, and pays with a tap of her watch. Once that's taken care of, she gives her attention back to Rokurou. ]

Is it bad that I'm excited for your first movie experience? A lot of people where I'm from are complete cinephiles. I've always been more fond of plays and books, though.

Not at all. I'm with you there—I've always had an interest in plays and the arts. Never had the time to pursue anything with it, though. I was pretty busy with completing missions for my lord. We didn't really have time for luxuries... [ ah, he should have paid, shouldn't he? gasp!! ] Snacks are on me. I can smell them from here.

[ Trotting into the theater proper is, in a word, overwhelming. The lights, the smells, the people. He is momentarily dazzled, looking around like a child entering a sweet store for the first time, before remembering his duty ad promise to buy her snacks. The way he sniffs the air when they approach the counter is not subtle; eyebrows knit, he studies the bright box of popping popcorn and jugs of butter alongside the machine with some consternation. ]

That... smells really strong. Is that whole thing filled with butter?

[ And yet other guests seem delighted, coating their buckets with so much butter that Rokurou can't help having some concern. Is that, is that healthy? ]

See, when it's all work and no play, you'll get burnt out quickly, and your own skills get rusty.

[ Weiss can't exactly speak from experience as she only very recently had her break, but she can tell that having a calmer and lighter disposition has helped some. Had she found herself here in the middle of a battle, despair would fill her and she wouldn't be standing here with him with a smile on her face. ]

Oh- it's not all butter, but it does have a lot of it, especially if you want it to be flavourful. [ The others who leave the stall after getting their popcorn are carrying buckets that are very yellow, so it must seem very flavourful. That's good, at least! ] It's better with some salt, too.

But you have to make sure you have something to drink it with. I think too much butter might make you sick.

Yeah, I bet. [ welp! he turned around to her and gestures widely to the candy cabinet and the popcorn machines, ] Which do you want? I’ll treat for this since you bought the tickets.

[ Despite being a low rank he is, surprisingly, not short of money. For some reason he just keeps hooking up with two ranks and getting cash, never enough to get a better suite. Not that it matters much for a daemon who spent a good chunk of time in a water prison. ]

What’s your favorite?

Popcorn's fine. Maybe we can get a mix of flavours, if that's possible. Because butter is nice, but if we can get sour cream too, that would be better.

[ Since he's treating, she isn't going to hold back. It's not like he's said anything about how much he's willing to shell out, so she'll also ask for a drink. Nothing too over the top! ]

And iced tea, if that's okay? I'm good after that.

Your wish is my command.

[ He issues the instructions to the cashier who doles out their drinks and giant bucket of popcorn with practiced ease. Laden with snacks, he munches happily on popcorn while looking to follow after her again. It’s not like he knows where they’re going! ]

Alright, I think we’re all set, unless there’s another element to this movie thing?

Nope. You're definitely all set!

[ In fact, she gives him a playful salute with her hand. ]

I'm so proud of you... you've grown up so fast! Already watching your first movie and all. I can't believe it!

[ Her proud moment only lasts for a couple of seconds though, until she drops the act and lets out a laugh. With a cant of her head, she starts walking towards the theatre. (Sorry Rokurou, you're carrying all the snacks and drinks.) ]

[ He gathers all the snacks up without question, well aware of his role as the guy that carries the bags (or in this case, balances the drinks and popcorn). Not difficult for a man used to fighting with two swords, though he does do the crime of bowing his head to snatch a few pieces of popcorn off the top of the pile with his mouth. ]

Thank you, thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you.

[ When they step into the theater, he spends a good deal of time just looking at the plush leather seats and walking around, turning his head, and looking at the giant screen with some curiosity. ]

Is there a best seat? We should pick that one.

[ That. . . truly is a crime, Rokurou. What even. Hopefully you enjoy that popcorn, at least. ]

It's usually the middle ones that have the best view. Although if you want privacy, the back is where you want to sit.

[ Weiss thinks there are already people who are planning on getting frisky in the back, though. It's why she does head on over to the middle rows, picking one at random that she thinks is best. Entering the aisle, she also takes one of the seats in the centre, and then pulls down the seat next to hers. ]

Here. You can put the drinks on these cup holders.

[ He trails after her as she drops down into the middle seats, taking one beside her and inserting the cups into the cup holders as directed. The theater is quiet without many other guests; no doubt having their fun in the casino for hours on end.

Rokurou leans back into the seat and pops his heels up on the back of the chair in front of him. ]

Then it’s just sit back and relax? This is pretty leisurely. Not at all like the shows back home, where you have to chase down the performers and can throw stuff at them if they do a bad job. Like tomatoes.

[ As there are no tomatoes within reach now, he assumes that this is not the same. ]

[ Fortunately, even with the trailers going on, chatting seems fine! The theatre is mostly empty. There are some people at the back, some at front, but it's not a packed place. They can talk! ]

Seriously? Why would you do that to the actors?

[ Sure, they did a bad job, but that's just awful, Rokurou! ]

It’s part of the fun. Hey, don’t look at me like that, that’s just how it is.

[ He laughs, crossing his arms with a small shrug. While he does glance at the advertisements rolling across the screen, he is more interested in her—so that’s where his attention mostly lands.

Movies had sounded fun, but he had really agreed for more of her company. ]

You think I started that? Come on, now.

[ She's never heard of such a thing! Weiss would not want to be an actress if people threw tomatoes at her! That's just so mean... even if she can be mean, too.

She'd just never do anything like that! It's fortunate they're in a theatre and she can't talk too loudly, because the way she voices out her judgment would be a lot more evident otherwise. She just sounds like she's holding a conversation now. ]

Have you ever done that to someone, then? What if they never performed again because of that?!

Me? No, I never had time for the theater. Growing up I served a lord and spent my time training with the sword. That’s all we were allowed to do, really.

[ Chained dogs. A rare bitter thought that drifts across his mind as he reminisces; he hadn’t hated growing up the way he had, as one not knowing anything else aside from his clan’s practices, but they had known themselves to be that much. Restrained and fettered. ]

I’m sure there were some that quit. I come from a pretty rough place, so it doesn’t seem that bad to me. I guess it wasn’t like that where you’re from?

I feel like if people where I'm from knew that they could throw tomatoes at bad actors, they would do it... but it just isn't something we would do.

[ Hmm... It's just a trailer that's showing so far, they can keep talking. ]

Did your lord throw tomatoes at people, too? The upper class wouldn't do anything that... [ "Uncivilised" is the word she wants to use, but she's really trying not to make it seem like she's calling Rokurou of all people uncivilised. ] Well, let's just say the upper class where I'm from wouldn't dirty their hands like that.

But they will talk those people down, embarrass them in front of others, and make sure they don't return to the stage if they were that awful.

[ Which may or may not be worse than being thrown tomatoes and other produce at, really. ]

Isn’t that worse? A tomato is only for a night, but crippling self-doubt and humiliation are forever.

[ That’s neither here nor there. He leans back in his seat to look at the screen, curious about the advertisements. As it happens, what he turns his attention back to is some very graphic porn. An advertisement for many of the other special private theaters with showings just for two, with the film of a group of people going at it meant to inspire romance.

Rokurou watches the advertisement of one person being serviced by seven others at once without blinking.

Deadpan: ]

Eight feels like too many.

I suppose... People who think they're above the rest always make sure those who don't meet their standards stay down forever.

[ It's really awful. Weiss used to be like those people, but she's fortunately seen the light. Sure, she can be a bit of a... rich girl at times, but she's definitely mellowed down a lot.

She's. . . admittedly never watched porn before, so this is a bit of a shocker for her. Any and all violent reactions are kept at bay, and she just minds her own business for the most of it. That is, until Rokurou speaks up. ]

Do people actually do that...?

[ Goodness! She can't help but swallow thickly, looking away for a bit as she tries not to get too flustered.

The next video that gets shown before the movie begins is a series of rules of the theatre. Some all seem pretty basic— no recording, no talking too loudly, and all that. Then the last one is a bit more graphic, with someone on their knees, between the legs of someone who's seemingly got a popcorn bucket on their lap.

The only rule about that? "Don't disturb others". Whatever that even means... ]

Oh. [ he stares at that past image, putting the pieces together, ] Is that something you do here? Eat popcorn out of someone’s lap?

[ In the wrong pattern. He turns to her expectantly, looking down between the bucket of popcorn and her face, trying to picture exactly how one would do it. Pour the popcorn on their lap? Stick their head in the bucket? ]

It seems a little inconvenient, even if you aren’t eating too loudly.

GP: INBOX

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