[And she absolutely wouldn't mind contracting with Jon. But it isn't anything about Jon himself that keeps her from jumping on the chance.]
I only don't want to put a strain on you when you already have other outstanding contracts, and I so often see other Dominants struggling to stay out of jail for lack of a contract.
[Even if she clearly hasn't managed to contract with any of those individuals yet, it still feels like she should try to help where she can.]
[The electric kettle goes on, and Jon turns to face her.]
That's... fair. I do worry about you not having a contract, though. I know Elias isn't in the city anymore, but... I just don't want you to ever wind up in that sort of situation again.
[Agnes nods her head slowly, but even knowing that Elias isn't around, as he said, she can't help but frown.]
It's hard to imagine anyone else choosing to take advantage of me in such an extreme manner.
[Not that everyone in Duplicity is a saint, and she's met her fair share of people she's hardly fond of, but even some of the more aggressive individuals she's come into contact with couldn't compare.]
But there's only so much we have control over in a city that owns our agencies.
I know. If there were a way to take this whole designation system and chuck it into the ocean, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Chris and I are working on something to try to help. I don't know how much good it will actually do, but it's trying... something.
You should meet him. I think you'd enjoy his company. He's been working on a letter campaign to the Creator and Bel using the data I've gathered about designation switches.
[He gestures briefly around the room.]
I don't expect it's going to get much traction. But... well... once that fails, we can figure out something else.
[Considering with how little respect they're treated, she can't help but assume the same: that they won't be listened to. Nonetheless, it's a noble effort. Agnes smiles.]
Does he like coffee? Perhaps he could join me for a cup, sometime.
I've never asked him, but I know he likes tea. I'm sure he can find something to drink with you.
[Jon offers a brief smile before the kettle chirps its completion and he pours out a pair of boiling cups for each of them. In go the teabags, and he's offering her a mug.]
We really do need to get your coffee shop business off the ground, don't we? How else have you been keeping yourself busy when the Down isn't a complete mess?
[He starts leading her up the stairs to show her into Alessandro's old room. It's been more than a year since the man had lived there, but it's still his in Jon's mind.]
And what about you? Have you considered any self-portraits?
[The question seems to take her aback, just slightly. She's quiet until after they've reached the top of the stairs before figuring out how she feels about it.]
I hadn't thought of it. I don't particularly like to look at myself.
Agnes, don't take this the wrong way, but you are, objectively, incredibly attractive. What don't you like about the look of yourself? Is it... because you look too young?
It doesn't have anything to do with attractiveness.
[There's no way for her to be unaware of the way she looks in that regard. She's seen the effect she has on men (and women), and over the years had received more than her fair share of unwanted attention. In most cases, fortunately, she could deal with it easily enough.]
My mind wanders. I wonder how much of the way I look is me and how much is The Desolation. I wonder how much I look like my mother, or even my father, whoever he was.
I very much doubt the Desolation has anything to do with how you look apart from the lack of aging. But... did you never see any pictures of your mother from before she, uh... had you? Surely the cult thought she was some sort of hero?
[She can't really recall seeing much of anything that belonged to her mother. Maybe they didn't want her to wonder about her sacrifice, to find a connection with the woman that would make her wish she had still been around. It's hard for her to really understand much of anything about what her cult wanted--aside from the ultimate destruction of the planet.]
[He'll fumble out his phone and step closer to her before holding his arm out awkwardly and trying to capture both of them. His brow is furrowed and his lips are turned down in concentration for the photo.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[She looks around as her coat comes off.]
I'm so used to being here when you're having a party.
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[He tries not to worry about her, but... well. The Down is a terrible place. Jon heads toward the kitchen as he continues talking.]
Are you... looking at anyone in particular for a contract?
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No, not at all. Perhaps someone who would be interested in helping me open my business.
[The perpetually not-opening business.]
It's been difficult to find the means of starting when I'm so unfamiliar with the process.
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If you're coming close, you can always contract with me. I don't know much about businesses, but I can vouch for you... all that.
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[And she absolutely wouldn't mind contracting with Jon. But it isn't anything about Jon himself that keeps her from jumping on the chance.]
I only don't want to put a strain on you when you already have other outstanding contracts, and I so often see other Dominants struggling to stay out of jail for lack of a contract.
[Even if she clearly hasn't managed to contract with any of those individuals yet, it still feels like she should try to help where she can.]
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That's... fair. I do worry about you not having a contract, though. I know Elias isn't in the city anymore, but... I just don't want you to ever wind up in that sort of situation again.
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It's hard to imagine anyone else choosing to take advantage of me in such an extreme manner.
[Not that everyone in Duplicity is a saint, and she's met her fair share of people she's hardly fond of, but even some of the more aggressive individuals she's come into contact with couldn't compare.]
But there's only so much we have control over in a city that owns our agencies.
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[And something is better than nothing.]
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[She can't remember meeting anyone with that name, at least. Still, anything that could help catches her interest.]
What is it?
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[He gestures briefly around the room.]
I don't expect it's going to get much traction. But... well... once that fails, we can figure out something else.
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Does he like coffee? Perhaps he could join me for a cup, sometime.
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[Jon offers a brief smile before the kettle chirps its completion and he pours out a pair of boiling cups for each of them. In go the teabags, and he's offering her a mug.]
We really do need to get your coffee shop business off the ground, don't we? How else have you been keeping yourself busy when the Down isn't a complete mess?
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[Not all the time, but it's certainly become her most prominent hobby.]
I'll have to bring my camera sometime to show you. I cannot say if they're any good, but I enjoy taking them.
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What are you taking photos of, though?
Please tell me it's not pornography.
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Did I forget to tell you about my growing portfolio of erotic portraits?
[She gives a huff of laughter, shaking her head.]
Just things that catch my eye. Usually people, when they're behaving decently.
ignore me forgetting what format we were doing...
And what about you? Have you considered any self-portraits?
happens to the best of us!
[The question seems to take her aback, just slightly. She's quiet until after they've reached the top of the stairs before figuring out how she feels about it.]
I hadn't thought of it. I don't particularly like to look at myself.
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Agnes, don't take this the wrong way, but you are, objectively, incredibly attractive. What don't you like about the look of yourself? Is it... because you look too young?
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[There's no way for her to be unaware of the way she looks in that regard. She's seen the effect she has on men (and women), and over the years had received more than her fair share of unwanted attention. In most cases, fortunately, she could deal with it easily enough.]
My mind wanders. I wonder how much of the way I look is me and how much is The Desolation. I wonder how much I look like my mother, or even my father, whoever he was.
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[She can't really recall seeing much of anything that belonged to her mother. Maybe they didn't want her to wonder about her sacrifice, to find a connection with the woman that would make her wish she had still been around. It's hard for her to really understand much of anything about what her cult wanted--aside from the ultimate destruction of the planet.]
I just know how dedicated she was.
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[Too dedicated, to let herself be burned in a pyre, knowing she'd never meet her child.]
Would you mind if I too a picture of you? With you. Er... like a selfie?
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I think I could make an exception for that.
[That he even wants such a photo touches her in a way that she can't say she's ever really experienced.]
Thank you, Jon.
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[He'll fumble out his phone and step closer to her before holding his arm out awkwardly and trying to capture both of them. His brow is furrowed and his lips are turned down in concentration for the photo.]