Not to New Jersey specifically, but I've been to New York a couple of times. It was really… big. Not quite as busy as Tokyo can get sometimes, though, and it was only for a week or two, so I didn't get to see much. Have you ever been?
[ She thinks it's close enough… but geography isn't one of her better subjects. ]
Yes, the two are not that far away from each other so I've been to New York; Tokyo too, although that was largely for business so I didn't get to see too much.
Were you in New York for a class trip or a vacation?
Neither, actually. It was business for me, too. Well… kind of. I was with my parents and they were on business, so, it counts, right? I always wanted to go back, though.
[ Maybe she'll get to, someday— if they ever get out of Duplicity. Or this elevator, for that matter. She glances at the doors, wondering when they'll open. ]
Too bad we can't trade, right? There's tons to do in Tokyo, so it's kind of a shame you didn't have the time to check it out.
What kind of business were you there for? Were you with your family, too? [ He can't be that much older than she is… ]
I suppose it counts, it is the reason for your visit and I imagine why you didn't get the change to really look around. How old were you at the time?
Does the elevator usually take this long to get to the UP?
Rather than a trade, it would be nicer still if we could visit them together. Play tour guides for the different cities?
I suppose you could say it was similar to your circumstances, as although I was travelling alone, I was doing so for my family's business.
[Vigilante business honestly feels more like the family business than Wayne Enterprises but he can't exactly say he was there to chase down a source on a known criminal organisation.]
Um… let's see… it was before Junior high, so, around 11 or 12. Wasn't really old enough to walk around by myself, so that probably explains why I didn't get to do much.
[ Alone in a big place like Tokyo… she can kind of relate. She spends most of her time alone, after all.
Ding. The elevator reaches the top at last, the doors opening noisily. Ann pushes herself off of the wall and exits first, but turns around to keep her attention on him, walking backwards. Seems she's gotten pretty comfortable with her spacial awareness of the area. ]
Well… I can't guide you around Tokyo since we're stuck here, but I've been here long enough that I can give you a tour of the Up, if you want?
[ Thankfully for Tim's nerves, once they're far enough away from the elevator for the two of them to walk side-by-side again, she does just that. ]
It is nice… but it feels totally unfair, that people can't just come and go as they please. Our houses are really nice, too. I can't help but feel a little guilty. But, that's why I'm trying to find someone to move in.
[ She sighs thoughtfully. ] So, someplace warm…
I don't mean it like that, but… would my place be okay? It's not far, and we won't have to worry about— you know. All of that other stuff?
[ Someone seeing his mark, or turning her away because she's not contracted. ]
I suppose back in our worlds we would have all been taught to be wary of someone who would offer us a room in a much better place than we currently have. It would likely turn out to be a trap. A sort of, don't get in the white van for candy lesson.
[He kinda realise what that might sound like part way through]
Not that I'm implying you have ill intentions, it just might be ingrained in us to simply avoid an unknown danger.
However, I think your place sounds fine for somewhere warm. It's also private so we won't get into trouble for anything we say against the system here.
If it'll make you feel better, I'll stand outside and let you check for booby traps?
[ She's joking, but she understands his caution. In any other situation, or if their roles were reversed, she definitely wouldn't be keen on entering a private space with someone she'd just met. It is a risk, for both of them, but… she could probably take him in a fight if anything goes wrong, right? ]
[ They'd both end up surprised by each others' capabilities, if it came to it. Thankfully… it won't, even if she's still playing with the notion. ]
You saw through me that easy, huh? Guess my villainy still needs some work.
[ She laughs, opening the door to the building, once they reach it. ] You do, too. I mean, just as long as you don't make fun of my mess. Wasn't really expecting to have any guests today and I totally haven't cleaned up since the day before yesterday.
No judgement from me. I use to be an extremely messy person and can still be sometimes, so I will have seen and solely responsible for much worse I assure you.
You should see my room back home— well, actually, no, you shouldn't. The last time I had someone over we spent the whole afternoon folding clothes just so she'd have somewhere to sit. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
[ Folding clothes is exhausting, especially when you have as many as she does.
Ann leads him to the elevator and presses her thumb into the button. It moves fast, but with as many floors as the building has, it could be a while before it reaches them. ]
[ She can't help but smile. It's cute, worrying about someone checking your room for cleanliness. ]
Alfred? [ Ann tilts her head, curious, as the doors open and they are unfortunate enough to find themselves in another elevator. At least this one is only going up thirty-five floors, and there's much less fear of being intercepted by authorities. ] Is he a family member?
[Tim follows her into the elevator, looking around to take in the difference in the buildings in the Up]
Kind of? He's like a grandfather to us really but he's actually the Wayne Family Butler so also not? Not that I'm actually related to any of my brothers by blood either so.. [He shrugs] It's complicated.
[ It's definitely a lot fancier, not to mention a smoother ride. ]
Sounds like it might be. But it sounds like you have a good relationship, anyway, even if you aren't. Being related by blood won't make someone family. [ Some people don't have very nice relatives, after all. She can't help but think about Ryuji, and his father… ]
Nope. It's just me. I always wondered what it would be like to have one, though. Like a little brother or sister… Is it fun?
It does, but, there's nothing wrong with that, either.
[ A little sap never hurt anyone. The elevator stops on the floor it was headed to, and she guides him off yet again into the lavish hall. There's only two doors, and she heads immediately for one. ] It's a shame you don't get along with all of them. But… maybe they'll come around, eventually?
[ Or maybe not. She unlocks the door, stepping inside and holding it open for him to follow. ]
No buckets of water waiting to fall on your head, at least? Come on in.
Maybe? One is only ten as far as I'm concerned spawned from a demon. [He maybe not as joking as much as he should be]
[Tim will actually stick his head into the room and look around like he's expecting an ambush but then smile cheekily at Ann and just walk in like a normal person]
It is much warmer and nicer in here than outside. I hated that paper gown they gave us when we arrived.
[ That gets a giggle. She waits until he's inside before closing the door. ]
Ugh, me too. They actually brought me straight here, but still made me wait for my clothes back. The least they could do is let you walk around decent. Honestly, I just hid in here until orientation.
You are. [ She frowns. ] And I bet if you did get sick, they wouldn't do anything for you unless you had a Dominant, too.
[ This place… sucks. Often. Always. ]
Um! Sure. It's kind of… big. I guess because they expect— well, you know. There's two bedrooms, two bathrooms… even a terrace. You could fit half of the apartment I live in at home on it. Guess I've gotten so used to cramped Tokyo living, anything bigger feels too big.
[ She shows him around as she talks— the walls are almost entirely glass, and with it being such a high floor, you can't see the ground unless you walk up to one and look down. ]
Nothing wrong with being prepared, I guess. [ It's definitely a good idea to check out… one she might have to make, too. ] But if you end up needing anything, you can feel free to ask, too.
[ It's ridiculous to keep people from doing things for themselves, but if they're going to do that, she's going to offer help to as many people as she can.
Ann walks over to her sofa and plops down on it. ] I wouldn't mind at all. Is photography a hobby of yours?
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[ She perks up fast. ]
Not to New Jersey specifically, but I've been to New York a couple of times. It was really… big. Not quite as busy as Tokyo can get sometimes, though, and it was only for a week or two, so I didn't get to see much. Have you ever been?
[ She thinks it's close enough… but geography isn't one of her better subjects. ]
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Yes, the two are not that far away from each other so I've been to New York; Tokyo too, although that was largely for business so I didn't get to see too much.
Were you in New York for a class trip or a vacation?
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[ Maybe she'll get to, someday— if they ever get out of Duplicity. Or this elevator, for that matter. She glances at the doors, wondering when they'll open. ]
Too bad we can't trade, right? There's tons to do in Tokyo, so it's kind of a shame you didn't have the time to check it out.
What kind of business were you there for? Were you with your family, too? [ He can't be that much older than she is… ]
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Does the elevator usually take this long to get to the UP?
Rather than a trade, it would be nicer still if we could visit them together. Play tour guides for the different cities?
I suppose you could say it was similar to your circumstances, as although I was travelling alone, I was doing so for my family's business.
[Vigilante business honestly feels more like the family business than Wayne Enterprises but he can't exactly say he was there to chase down a source on a known criminal organisation.]
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[ Alone in a big place like Tokyo… she can kind of relate. She spends most of her time alone, after all.
Ding. The elevator reaches the top at last, the doors opening noisily. Ann pushes herself off of the wall and exits first, but turns around to keep her attention on him, walking backwards. Seems she's gotten pretty comfortable with her spacial awareness of the area. ]
Well… I can't guide you around Tokyo since we're stuck here, but I've been here long enough that I can give you a tour of the Up, if you want?
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[He will follow her but he's glancing behind her occasionally to make sure she doesn't run into anything or trip.]
The Up certainly seems very impressive, it honestly feels a little like Gotham. Just missing a lot of the Art Deco architecture.
[There's even the huge class disparity too]
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It is nice… but it feels totally unfair, that people can't just come and go as they please. Our houses are really nice, too. I can't help but feel a little guilty. But, that's why I'm trying to find someone to move in.
[ She sighs thoughtfully. ] So, someplace warm…
I don't mean it like that, but… would my place be okay? It's not far, and we won't have to worry about— you know. All of that other stuff?
[ Someone seeing his mark, or turning her away because she's not contracted. ]
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[He kinda realise what that might sound like part way through]
Not that I'm implying you have ill intentions, it just might be ingrained in us to simply avoid an unknown danger.
However, I think your place sounds fine for somewhere warm. It's also private so we won't get into trouble for anything we say against the system here.
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[ She's joking, but she understands his caution. In any other situation, or if their roles were reversed, she definitely wouldn't be keen on entering a private space with someone she'd just met. It is a risk, for both of them, but… she could probably take him in a fight if anything goes wrong, right? ]
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What if the booby trap requires you to be out of the room to set off? [But he shakes his head]
It is alright, you seem like a good person.
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You saw through me that easy, huh? Guess my villainy still needs some work.
[ She laughs, opening the door to the building, once they reach it. ] You do, too. I mean, just as long as you don't make fun of my mess. Wasn't really expecting to have any guests today and I totally haven't cleaned up since the day before yesterday.
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[Tim will follow her lead up to her room]
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[ Folding clothes is exhausting, especially when you have as many as she does.
Ann leads him to the elevator and presses her thumb into the button. It moves fast, but with as many floors as the building has, it could be a while before it reaches them. ]
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It's part of the reason I gave him a key to my new place, fear of random Alfred spot checks means the place stays tidy.
But at the same time, it's your place. It should feel comfortable to you.
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Alfred? [ Ann tilts her head, curious, as the doors open and they are unfortunate enough to find themselves in another elevator. At least this one is only going up thirty-five floors, and there's much less fear of being intercepted by authorities. ] Is he a family member?
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Kind of? He's like a grandfather to us really but he's actually the Wayne Family Butler so also not? Not that I'm actually related to any of my brothers by blood either so.. [He shrugs] It's complicated.
Do you have any siblings?
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Sounds like it might be. But it sounds like you have a good relationship, anyway, even if you aren't. Being related by blood won't make someone family. [ Some people don't have very nice relatives, after all. She can't help but think about Ryuji, and his father… ]
Nope. It's just me. I always wondered what it would be like to have one, though. Like a little brother or sister… Is it fun?
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Fun seems like the wrong word? I get along with half of my siblings, the other half, not so much. I think family is always going to be complicated.
I think the family you choose is always going to feel a little more special? Because there is a choice to it and you choose each other?
That sounds so sappy.
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[ A little sap never hurt anyone. The elevator stops on the floor it was headed to, and she guides him off yet again into the lavish hall. There's only two doors, and she heads immediately for one. ] It's a shame you don't get along with all of them. But… maybe they'll come around, eventually?
[ Or maybe not. She unlocks the door, stepping inside and holding it open for him to follow. ]
No buckets of water waiting to fall on your head, at least? Come on in.
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[Tim will actually stick his head into the room and look around like he's expecting an ambush but then smile cheekily at Ann and just walk in like a normal person]
It is much warmer and nicer in here than outside. I hated that paper gown they gave us when we arrived.
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Ugh, me too. They actually brought me straight here, but still made me wait for my clothes back. The least they could do is let you walk around decent. Honestly, I just hid in here until orientation.
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Do I get the tour?
[He's not coming inside much further than the door but he's obviously curious to look around]
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[ This place… sucks. Often. Always. ]
Um! Sure. It's kind of… big. I guess because they expect— well, you know. There's two bedrooms, two bathrooms… even a terrace. You could fit half of the apartment I live in at home on it. Guess I've gotten so used to cramped Tokyo living, anything bigger feels too big.
[ She shows him around as she talks— the walls are almost entirely glass, and with it being such a high floor, you can't see the ground unless you walk up to one and look down. ]
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[Just in case he does get sick, he's going to need to know if the free clinic can handle it or if he's going to need to find a Dominant]
It's a very nice place, it has a wonderful view from up here. I'd love to photograph it sometime if you'd let me?
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[ It's ridiculous to keep people from doing things for themselves, but if they're going to do that, she's going to offer help to as many people as she can.
Ann walks over to her sofa and plops down on it. ] I wouldn't mind at all. Is photography a hobby of yours?
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