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[duke_of_illusions]

It's an early evening, back in the club. Barma has sent Al on his own, to make friends, to try something new.

Dodo is a breath away.

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[al_truism]

"He horrified me,"

Al admits. "It was like that time in the bathtub, for us."

[duke_of_illusions]

"That was fun."

He recalls, giddily.

[al_truism]

"That was my absolute favorite of our scenes," he decides, leaning in to nip Barma's fingers.

[duke_of_illusions]

"With the chlorine?"

Really smiling.

[al_truism]

"Yes. I was absolutely, completely yours," he whispers, looking up at him.

[duke_of_illusions]

"That was fun."

Smiling.

[al_truism]

"Close behind are the roleplaying scenes," he admits with a smile.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Which time?"

There've been a few of those.

[al_truism]

"The prisoner -- who came back. The scientist and his subject."

[duke_of_illusions]

"I think the prisoner worked better for me."

He admits, trying to remember why.

[al_truism]

"I liked both, but I liked their story better. More organic, less methodical. A more even playing field."

[duke_of_illusions]

"They were just very different. We lost ourselves deeper in them- whereas I broke you down more in the lab."

[al_truism]

"I loved them, all of them. Whether it's breaking me or building me up."

[duke_of_illusions]

"When have I built you up?"

Curious, working the conditioner into his hair.

[al_truism]

"During play like that, not so much, but the after is some of the most healing, positive attention we have."

[duke_of_illusions]

"Well, it has to be."

He reasons, sensibly.

[al_truism]

"Part of the appeal of everything is the aftercare," he admits, softly.

[duke_of_illusions]

"I look forward to those moments almost most of all."

Agreeing, with a smile.

"Upsy daisy."

[al_truism]

Al moves where he's bidden, staying close and clingy and still sore.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Bedtime."

He agrees, scooping him up.

[al_truism]

"Gerard didn't stay, after..." he mumbled, a little sad. He snuggles into Barma's shoulder.

[duke_of_illusions]

"He cuddled for a few minutes, but he lives in that world- and can't get into the hotel. We decided your bed would be better for you."

Reminding him.

[al_truism]

"It's a world?" he seems mesmerized by the thought, distracted.

[duke_of_illusions]

"Think about how far we've gone into it."

He reminds him.

"The club itself is the place where the hotel connects, but they aren't cardboard cutouts. You can sense that."

[al_truism]

"I can, but- I guess I always thought they were just people like us, stuck in the Hotel too. That they'd just come together."