[ There is a confidence to Poe's stride that's unchanged, he moves with purpose and without hesitation in a way that has the crowd parting for him whenever their path is obstructed, though his attention is somewhat divided between what's in front of him and Rey. Clearly none of this surprises him, not anymore, and while it's far from the worst society he's even run up against it's far from the best too. There's a certain way he holds himself, the set of his shoulders just a little too tense, that gives away how he really feels about this place, he's not all that great at hiding it. He can keep it to himself, for now, just because he has no other choice. That's not to say that he can always keep a lid on his temper though.
Rey might even notice that there's a faint mark across his cheekbone, a bruise that's almost entirely healed now. ]
I'm still feeling that myself.
[ His eyes narrow at the unsolicited advice, and he's clearly tempted to snap back a reply, but a more rational response wins out as Rey slides in closer, and her fingers slip through his. He grips her hand firmly, offering her a twitch of a smile as he leads her on past. People do tend to travel in close pairs in this city, Dominant and Submissive, though there are quite a few lone Dominants here in the Up too. Lone Submissives, on the other hand, are especially rare, with or without collars to properly identify them. ]
More or less. [ He's heard that things have changed since the city's leadership underwent a shakeup of some kind prior to his arrival, but he can't say that he's been all that interested in their politics. ] It's a little different in the Down, but this place runs on that.
[ He jerks his chin briefly toward another pair as they walk past, where the Dominant carries a fine chain attached to his Submissive's collar. It's all for show, and what they don't tend to see is strife between the pairs, but the inequality is clear. To say that it obviously rubs Poe the wrong way would be an understatement. ]
The thing that gets me about all of this is that we're still trapped here. All of us. This is a game that no one's winning.
[ Another thought is there, on the tip of his tongue, but he holds it. There are certain things better left to more private locations. ]
no subject
Rey might even notice that there's a faint mark across his cheekbone, a bruise that's almost entirely healed now. ]
I'm still feeling that myself.
[ His eyes narrow at the unsolicited advice, and he's clearly tempted to snap back a reply, but a more rational response wins out as Rey slides in closer, and her fingers slip through his. He grips her hand firmly, offering her a twitch of a smile as he leads her on past. People do tend to travel in close pairs in this city, Dominant and Submissive, though there are quite a few lone Dominants here in the Up too. Lone Submissives, on the other hand, are especially rare, with or without collars to properly identify them. ]
More or less. [ He's heard that things have changed since the city's leadership underwent a shakeup of some kind prior to his arrival, but he can't say that he's been all that interested in their politics. ] It's a little different in the Down, but this place runs on that.
[ He jerks his chin briefly toward another pair as they walk past, where the Dominant carries a fine chain attached to his Submissive's collar. It's all for show, and what they don't tend to see is strife between the pairs, but the inequality is clear. To say that it obviously rubs Poe the wrong way would be an understatement. ]
The thing that gets me about all of this is that we're still trapped here. All of us. This is a game that no one's winning.
[ Another thought is there, on the tip of his tongue, but he holds it. There are certain things better left to more private locations. ]