poly_chromatic | [ VOICE ]

[ There's a long pause of just incredibly thoughtful breathing before Eames starts up. ]

I'm absolutely not going to tell you lot how to have sex. That's just silly. I think the majority of us are adults, in any case - and even if some of us have absolutely no experience, I'm sure everyone has the same general idea. It's hardly complicated. You'll know what to do when you get to that point.

If you don't, well - I'll spend my time feeling terribly sorry for the other partner.

In any case, just don't get married after. Even if she says she only pulls the special tricks for married men. After the big rock you have to use all of your resources to get her and the honeymoon period, the excitement wears off. She stops shaving her legs during winter. The stilettos get retired. Women are no longer obligated to impress their husbands by the time you two get back from Fiji and then what are you left with? Boredom and petty fighting. Honestly, there are other options out there - most of which involve far less paperwork.

And for God's sake, don't get anyone pregnant. Do you really want to introduce a baby to a City where a unicorn can run you down any moment and there are bars dedicated toward vampirism?

Right.

Carry on, then.

[ Blip! Off goes the feed. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Compromised?

Yes, Mr Eames.

Compromised in which manner?

Any manner. Though I rather gathered that today most people are referring to something beyond-- a man's company without a chaperone.

Even beyond kissing. [ All the embarassment, but she manages to soldier through those sentences. ]

You feel an obligation to marry any man who might slide their hand up your skirts?

That's a bit limiting, isn't it? How will you know which boy you'll prefer?

I am from 1878, Mr Eames. [ She's read enough and talked to enough people since arriving in the City to know that things have changed since her time. Considerably. But she still has Victorian sensibilities.

And of course marriage isn't an easy topic for her, personally, either. ] It is not as though anyone but Mortmain should wish to marry me, regardless of what is done.

What makes you so convinced? You're a pretty girl. I'm sure you can have your pickings of the lot - unless it's wealth and titles we're approaching.

[ Very hesitant. ] It has been mentioned that due to my nature, I should hope for no better than to be someone's mistress, at most.

Though it was a very cruel thing to say.

That is very cruel.

Might I ask into this sort of nature?

[ Deep breath. ]

I am not quite sure what I am, but certainly not fully human.

It's not as though you have to tell your future prospects that, now is it?

I could not lie about such a thing to my, [ pause. ] future prospects, sir.

[ The sir just slips out. ]

Is it lying if it's just not bringing it up?

It certainly doesn't appear noticeable.

It is not very noticeable. I bear no warlock's mark. It is part of the reason no one quite knows what I am.

Then I really do fail to see the difficulty, other than the rudeness of whomever mentioned it.

All marriages have some secrets.

[ Very quietly. ] I cannot bear children.

Ah.

[ Problematic, in 1878. ]

I see your point. Though I'm sure there are those you could be happy with who don't want children to begin with.

Perhaps so.

[ Pause. ] I must apologize, Mr Eames. I did not wish to bother you with my problems.

It's all right. I'm not unaccustomed to hearing about difficulties people endure.

I'm sorry it came up in such a public venue.

That does not mean you should have to.

It is not something I should be ashamed of, I think. [ She still is, but she's getting better about it. ]

If it felt like an obligation, I'd never carry on conversation.

No, I think not.

Do you truly not mind at all that I am not human?

Why should I? In the City I've been bitten by vampires and turned into a werewolf, among other things. To mind about something so trivial would be silly when it's not brought any harm to me.

There are worse traits in human themselves regardless, just different ways to act out on it.

That seems very progressive.

I-- thank you, Mr Eames.

I prefer the term logical, but people can't help what they're afraid of.

What ever for?

[ voice ]

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