Xth world problems

[jianai]

[This is frontdated a bit, possibly more than a bit depending when will the planned Ren mission take place.]

[1]
[Ren's ever-present smile has a conflicted tint to it now, and they're not even trying to hide it. Instead, have an explanation of what's going on.]

Not too long ago, I received a message from Mark. Do you remember Mark? He's my... well, you could say he's my boyfriend. He doesn't get a lot of leave but there is an opening soon.

So we're setting up a date. A lot of serious, sad things happened recently and it made me think. I didn't even tell Mark who I really am. I wanted to use this opportunity to tell him, but now...

[Getting cold feet, it seems.]

[2]
Excuse me. Do you have a moment? It's about the date.

[Related to above, Ren seeks some advice. Non-grumpy or depressed/troubled people this time, though!

The horned individual opens a colorful book. What is this, a fashion catalogue? The opened page reveals a very... poofy, pastel pink dress, full of frills and ribbons.]

Would this fit me? I think it might be a bit too girly for me... perhaps I should just wear a suit.

Comments

2)

[mistaken_for_monster]

Thhbttthht.

[Interitus glances at it, then rubs its 'chin'. She flips through a few more pages and to nobody's great surprise Interitus enthusiastically points out a floral print dress with a matching hat.]

[jianai]

Ah! This one's really nice! It's light and unpretentious, do you think it'll look good?

[mistaken_for_monster]

[Interitus nods enthusiastically.]

Thhhbthht. Thhhbtbtttthhtht. Thbthht.

[She sounds as encouraging as she possibly could.]

[jianai]

You have a really strong opinion about this, don't you?

Alright. I'll remember about your precious advice. We could go shopping, except...

[Yeah, having two weird individuals walking around the shopping centers would be a bit too much.]

I think I'll just order.

1

[empress_without_a_throne]

It'll be okay, so don't get worried about if he gets hung up on details. And congrats.



Just be careful not to try to go to the same place Willis and I went to for our date though. Stuffy jerks discarded our reservation because I refused to take off my "cosplay ears".

[jianai]

Are you worried about my "cosplay horns"? But don't be concerned, Mizuki. We're not going anywhere fancy.

By the way, who's Willis?

[empress_without_a_throne]

Less worried about them, more worried about some idiots in dining establishments having sticks up their butts.

As for Willis? He was a guy who helped out here for a while. Before you showed up, that is. Bit silly, had weird stuff going on with him he never really chose to divulge. When I tried to ask him after one weird incident he played dumb and said that maybe I'd get somewhere if I asked him while having dinner.

Didn't learn much and we ended up just having to camp out, cooking mushrooms, but it was still a nice little experience.

[jianai]

It does sound nice! I'm glad you had fun in the end, all things considered.

Say, Mizuki... you are much more experienced regarding these things than I am. Is there any other advice you could share?

[empress_without_a_throne]

Advice about dating and breaking news to people about things?

[She thinks back to Sara's rather abrupt 'And she is the Abyss Empress' moment... way back when the Unity Group began operations. Man that felt like a long time ago...]

In Mark's case he probably knows something to some extent is going on with you. The horns and how you met and all. So I guess all you'd really need to do is help fill in a few gaps.

[jianai]

I wonder what does he suspect about me. Maybe it's better than the actual truth.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Now you're just imagining things. You're a good person, and your origins are a lot less incriminating than mine are. He'll understand.

[jianai]

No, no. I'm not saying that there is something wicked about me. Rather, it might be not what he expected. That's all.

2

[63rd_shockwave]

You're seriously asking me for fashion advice.

...and yes. But, uh...a suit might not be appropriate. How...

...How girly do you want to be?

[jianai]

I believe you are more experienced in this matters than I am, Sarah.

Now, to answer your question...

I am not sure. You see, I am not actually female - nor male for that matter. But I'm pretty sure Mark perceives me as a woman. Still, it's not fair to keep him in the dark about this forever...

On the other hand, your attire is a matter of personal taste and style, not strict gender norms...

[Ren seems to be considering differing options.]

It boils down to "wear whatever you want", doesn't it?

[63rd_shockwave]

Ah, I might not be the best source of advice on relationships...

...Um, but yeah, I guess. If you want to make him think of you as a girl, dress more feminine, and if you want to seem more like a guy, I guess go for manlier stuff...he's not the sort of person to care about the mechanics of your...um, dangly bits, is he.

[jianai]

No, he shouldn't. At least that's what I hope.

Is this why you said a suit might not be appropriate?

[63rd_shockwave]

No, it's just a little formal and kind of intimidating...and, you don't seem like a suit kind of person, is the thing.

Maybe a simple dress, if you're trying to look more feminine. Or t-shirt, jeans and a jacket if you want to seem more manly.

[jianai]

Your sense of style is rather casual, isn't it? I don't mean it as a bad thing mind you.

[63rd_shockwave]

Yeah, I guess so. It's my fate to never really be a...'rules' sort of person.

[jianai]

Fate, you say. Don't you think that by accepting it, you adhere to at least one rule?

Ah, we're getting out of topic here.

1

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura is trying to write (with her usual trouble) at her desk when Ren pokes around]

THIS DATE. IT WOULD BE OFF-BASE, CORRECT?

[jianai]

Of course. Unity Group bases aren't the most exciting kind of place for this kind of thing, are they?

Not to mention, the security risks. I'm not so selfish to bring a person from the outside to a limited access facility, just for my own sake.

[keep_your_dignity]

THEN I'M ALL FOR IT. TAKE A WEEK IF YOU WANT TO, TOO.

[Kagura's faceless headplate turns slightly to "look" at Ren for a couple seconds]

AND YOU'LL LEARN SOMETHING. GOOD OR BAD DEPENDS ON YOUR LUCK, BUT IT'LL BE A LEARNING EXPERIENCE EITHER WAY.

[jianai]

Thank you for your encouragement, Major Kagura.

Something bad, you say. I can't help but wonder now, what you're expecting to happen.

[keep_your_dignity]

WELL, EITHER THIS "MARK" OF YOURS IS LIKE MOST PEOPLE OR HE ISN'T.

IF HE IS, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A NICE LITTLE LESSON ON HOW HUMANS DEAL WITH THINGS THAT DON'T FIT.

IF HE ISN'T, CONSIDER BUYING A LOTTERY TICKET.

[jianai]

You act as if I was never rejected for being different from humans. It has happened a lot of times, and is in fact a big factor of my somewhat nomadic existence.

[keep_your_dignity]

EVER BEEN SO WITH A PERSON YOU HAVE FELT THIS CLOSE TO, UBUNTU? [Kagura continues writing, clearly not caring overmuch for this conversation]

[jianai]

Ah.

I see what you mean.

And to answer your question - no. As a matter of fact... I haven't been this close to anyone before. Not in this way.

[keep_your_dignity]

[Kagura continues writing in silence for a few seconds before speaking again]

YOU PROBABLY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM RUNNING SCREAMING AT LEAST. MOST HUMANS WANT TO BE CONSEQUENT TO THEMSELVES INSIDE THEIR STUPID LITTLE HEADS. IT'S WHY DENIAL EXISTS.

DON'T HANG TOO MANY HOPES ON THIS.

[jianai]

It's better to be cautious, right? Thank you for your advice.