Summary: Vincent has decided Echo needs some new outfits because the one she's arrived in is already stained
Warnings: Probably none but given how Vincent likes to use Echo as a target for his frustration at times...we'll see.
Unlike Gilbert, Vincent had adjusted to certain tenements of this modern life, and this included using the bus to travel long distances. So on Vincent's lap Echo had been given the treat of a view of the city in a "horseless carriage". If the girl had ever been upset or even afraid during the journey- Vincent had not deigned to notice. Just like he had ignored any improper speculations going on among the other passengers of exactly why the girl was sitting in his lap.
The young nobleman was in good enough spirits, or at least he was not agitated enough to show nay outwards sign of distress. He never be forced to publicly shop at home, but he approached the situation like he would have a full ballroom; beaming grin, and a certain air of self absorbed charm. The usual confident act he'd often affect in public. His red eye was as highly visible as ever, and seemed to not hear any insidious whispers of "Newcomers."
"Echo," he called for the girl to stand right at his side before they walked through the doors.
If Echo were something more than just a real doll (and perhaps in front of Oz), she would have been struck with complete awe, looking out the window. Well she WAS looking out the window, but with a dead pan face. Her expression didn't change all that much. Internally, she was amazed with the fact that well, this... moving... thing... didn't require a horse to pull it and... it was so loud. And of course, she ignored the stares just as Vincent did. Just because they were from... now the future... didn't mean that she ignored their "cultural" ways from back home.
Once they were "dropped off" by the loud-without-a-horse-moving-carriage, she stared up at the building. W-- what was this? It was larger than a mansion she had ever soon. Again, her facial expression didn't change, but she was surely in shock. Needless to say, she didn't make it to stand by Vincent's side just yet.
"Echo?" And Vincent did not ask like to ask twice.
He turned towards her, to see her standing a few feet away. It was more by her failure to heed a command than her expression that alerted him to her awe. He pressed his lips, yet when he asked her to cut a man down she did not hesitate for a second. This state of wonder, it spoke of a world outside him for her, and he moved to slam that window shut.
"This is a modern marketplace, called a mall." He explained as he loomed over her, giving a small fake smile as he leaned down to her eye level. "Do not forget yourself."
She jumped out of her state of wonderment and looked up at her master. "Yes, I understand. Please forgive me for not remembering place." Now that she was back in the 'real world' so to speak, she moved to stand beside Vincent.
"I would do well to remember that i must always be on guard here." Vincent dropped his hand onto her shoulder and pulled her close to whisper in her ear. "Someone killed your master here you know. Gilbert as well. Now the dead may not remain dead here, but you would not like to ever lose me, would you?"
His voice had taken on a cloying and deadly tone even if for all the world they may have looked like lovers sharing some sort of intimate secret.
Before she could open her mouth to reply about being on her guard, she instantly froze. Someone... killed him? But-- This was Vincent. Somehow, she didn't want to believe it was possible. Her eyes stayed unfocused for a moment before returning to reality.
It was because she wasn't here, probably looking after her master... right?
"Ah! n, no...i-- i would not like that."
Vincent smirked at Echo's shock. The girl's horror soothed him; as it often did. He pulled away but obviously expected her to follow after him.
"Because then, Echo would have nothing at all," he reminded her in a sing-song tone as if this was a proverbial rhyme. He would not mention Zwei, but the threat was there. Whichever personality pleased Vincent; was the girl that would get to be "out". He stood back as the automatic doors open.
"Come along."
"Yes." That was the only response she could muster up before following her master, walking at his side. Echo would have to keep the awe and wonderment to herself.
Vincent smiled at the reassurance, walking with long strides across the crowded mall. Still he obviously expected Echo to keep up and ignore the lighted decorations that floated across the ceiling of the mall that have no analogue in their world. Still Vincent himself paused before the twenty foot tall Christmas tree that loomed in the center of the mall. His mismatched eyes wandered all the way to the top before falling back on Echo.
"I have employment here, I work at the Lions Gate club as a security guard at night. Raul Creed is my superior." (Echo you had better be taking notes.) "Unlike Pandora however they do not make accommodations for servants. So when I am there keep your NV on and remain awake at home."
