IC Inbox: Empatheias

[young_oldman]

[Your birds might get a little plump on bird seeds. Just saying.]

Comments

[young_oldman]

What? What is it? [It must be something serious!!

...only not. He might be transmitting a voice reply, but his blank stare is so painfully obvious in his unamused tone.]

That's not important at all! Don't be such a busybody in other peoples' love lives.

[miraculo]

[ On second thought... It probably is a very dumb idea to ask Lu Meng of all people for help with this. ] But--... It's on the task board. And it might help them feel better...

[young_oldman]

Hmm. [That's not...untrue, he supposed. Peromei could certainly use some cheer herself. She was looking better these days but...well, she still couldn't form her own hope, could she? She was still too reliant on other people feeling such emotions for her.

They could do something to help alleviate her melancholy.]

Well, I suppose there's no harm in organizing an outing for the two of them. Peromei and Elios have been having it hard the last few months; they deserve a break.

[miraculo]

Great....! I'll sign us up, and--- where are you right now? Are you free? We should plan out their date!

[ Sanae cheers happily as she makes herself ready. Wow, Lu Meng agreed! What a happy day! ]

[young_oldman]

I'm at home at the moment, and I have time on my hands. Where shall we meet?

[A beat.] And we're not planning a date for them. It'll be an enjoyable outing for the two, and no one's honor is going to be compromised or called into question.

[Warning warning, fun police alert.]

[miraculo]

If you say so, Lu Meng. [ Sanae waves her hand. Yeah yeah, it's a total not!date.]

Meet me by that [ book cafe he mentioned before. ] Two heads are better than one, and as a strategist you should know how to strategize the best not-date between them, right? [ Logic! ] Don't disappoint me now!

[ And with that, she'll cut the connection and make her way towards the cafe. ]

[young_oldman]

Why do I get the feeling you're not really agreeing with me on this? [He sighs, but hey, he's pulling on his coat and his gloves.]

Alright. I'll see you shortly. [What will Master Zhou Yu and Master Lu Su think of him, to know that he's using his learning to arrange a play-date? Well, it is a play-date that could help two god-like beings feel better. That might go a long way to preventing another crazy and emotional rampage through the city.

...yeeeaaaahhhh no. You just keep telling yourself that, Lu Meng. Whatever makes this feel less like a foolish waste of time.

Sanae's gift of flight means that she'll be there before him. He jogs up to her quickly.] I hope I didn't keep you waiting.

[miraculo]

Oh, no, not at all!

[ And she's brought a few books with her. Romance novels she's been reading in her spare time, plus some sprigs of mistletoe. ] Okay.... Okay-- I've been doing some research, and I think I've a good idea of what they could do during their da--- not-date.

[ Quickly corrects herself. ]

[young_oldman]

I see you've clearly picked respectable source material. [The sarcasm is strong today. And don't mind if he just reaches over to pluck out a bit of mistletoe, raising an eyebrow at Sanae's direction.]

I know what these symbolize, Sanae. We are not going to encourage inappropriate and intimate acts between Elios and Peromei on their not-date.

[Strong emphasis there.]

[miraculo]

It's just a cute little mistletoe to encourage something more if they want. Obviously no one is going to make them kiss if they're under it.

[ She nods to herself. ] We'll hang it up above where they sit.

[young_oldman]

...fine. [It's not like Elios or Peromei would know about mistletoe anyway, right? He'll make a small concession here then.]

So. What activities do you have in mind for these two Arehtei?

[miraculo]

The not-date should be broken down into three parts. The first activity should be an activity that doesn't really require a lot of thought-- it's just something to get the two used to each other's presence. [ Obviously the Arehtei have been around for a long time, so this part isn't really required. ] You know, to make sure they are comfortable being together.

[ She taps the pile of romance books. ] But the next "activity" should be a meal together. Because after they've gotten comfortable with each other, conversation during a dinner will flow more smoothly! We don't want any awkward moments between them, only sweet ones, got it? [ Moving on! ]

--Ah, and for the last activity, I vote for them taking to the skies! [ Those mistletoe she's brought are growing in size, vines curling over the small cafe table. ] You may not know this, but flying is... is one of the best joys in life-- up there, you feel free and carefree. It's a fun, relaxing time. [ She sighs dreamily. ] To fly, to watch the sun set above the clouds--.... wouldn't that just be the most romantic end to a not-date...?

[ Sanae clearly thinks so. Watch as how those mistletoe begin to hover upward, as if wanting to position themselves above unsuspecting people's heads. ]

[young_oldman]

Then...

[And assuming that by now they've entered the cafe and have taken a seat, Lu Meng picks up a serviette and pulls out a pen from his coat pocket. Always handy to have one around!]

For the first part of the evening, we have to ask what the Arehtei themselves like to do. Perhaps a play, where hope and love triumph over adversities?

As for a meal, that could easily be arranged. The only difficulty is a location; I'm not sure how many restaurants are comfortable with serving the Arehtei. We could ask Alvin if From the Hearth would be willing to accommodate the Arehtei, I suppose.

[He's writing all of this down, so he's not noticing the mistletoe just yet.]

I think the first two parts of the evening is fine, but both Arehtei can fly, can't they? Would it really be a special event then for them to spend their evening flying?

[miraculo]

[ Aaaaand she's snapped out of her little not-date flying fantasy. ] Oh--!

[ A pause. ] Yes, of course it would be! [ She's adamant. ] Think about it-- these Arhetei have been out in the world in their weird, negative states for so long. They probably didn't feel like talking to each other back then, with Peromei being all about despair and Elios hating everyone and everything. Flying together can show how far they've come! And that love and hope go hand in hand!

[young_oldman]

But they flew into the city and returned together. That means they have been flying together. We just don't know for how long.

[He's still not seeing how this can be romantic.]

[miraculo]

[ Double takes. How could he say such a thing---!

Ah, it's because he can't fly. That must be it. How can he, a 2nd-or-3rd century AD war general (don't quiz her on dates), know about ~romance~ and flying?! ] Yes, but there's a difference between flying together and flying together.

[ She explains eloquently. ]

[young_oldman]

Elaborate.

[He crosses his arms, still firmly unconvinced in spite of that eloquent defense of the romantic overtones of flying together...vs flying together.]

[miraculo]

It's like... Okay, if you and I were just walking down the street, it wouldn't be romantic. But if you and I were on some kind of not-date, we'd both be wondering about there actually being a date, and-- and your heart might flutter, and one of us might blush-- and we might be thinking of what it means to date! [ Yes, this is totally how it works. She's projecting a lot. ]

But instead of walking, Peromei and Elios would be in the air! To feel that exhilaration and calm at the same time, next to someone you care about.... That's what makes it romantic!

[ Yeah, totally "Eloquent." ]

[young_oldman]

[Well, it's not like Lu Meng would know any better on how thinking about dating during a not-date would work. Still, there's a hint of skepticism in that one raised eyebrow of his.

But!! But he is considering what she said!]

Surely there must be more to inspiring affection between two parties than just taking to the skies together.

However...I suppose it would be akin to taking to battle with a trusted comrade. The thrill of a good fight, full trust that your comrade has your back. And reciprocating such faith by guarding their lives with your own.

[He nods to himself, very certain that he's Nailed It (tm).]

[miraculo]

[ ...S...sure. Let's go with that. ] Mm, but more romantic-- more... with your heart fluttering!

[ He. He has experienced the doki-dokis, no? ] And less sword-slashing.

[young_oldman]

[ ...does he look like the doki-doki type? ]

So a reaffirmation of the camaraderie between two Arehtei who have suffered, and a chance to deepen their bonds further. [ It's like they're having two separate conversations here. ]

Alright. I suppose Peromei might also enjoy being flown about rather than having to fly herself.

[miraculo]

[ Yeesh, this guy needs some work. She's going to recommend romance novels to him so he can understand romance. Prepare yourself for Late Sunset, a tale of a boring girl and a handsome yet bland vampire's romance. ]

Er, in my idea-- they'd both be flying. Side by side.

[young_oldman]

In my opinion, Peromei being flown about by Elios is far more impactful than flying side by side. With her on his back, she will feel protected and loved, knowing that Elios will uplift her as and when she needs it.

[ Sanae don't recommend him your favorite novels, he will analyze and critisize every flaw of the novel to bits. ]

[miraculo]

Mmm.... I guess that could be a good idea.

[ She considers it. ] How about this: we instruct Elios to offer Peromei a flight. But if she wants just stay by his side instead, that'd be just as good.

[young_oldman]

Very well.

[ With that decided, Lu Meng pulls out a city map from his jacket pocket. ]

There are a few restaurants in the city that are consistently patronized by couples. [ Spreading out the map on the table, he circles the aforementioned restaurants, naming them one after another. His pen then settles on one that's a little out of the way from populated areas. ]

We should make bookings for this one. "Elios" opened recently, but have been rather short on customers since Sosyne attacked the city and the rise of the anti-Arentei movement. However the owners hold Arehrei-friendly views; I'm sure they will accommodate our bookings and any special requests.

[ This debriefing is conducted in a business, serious-like manner. Lu Meng may miss planning out strategies a liiiiiitle bit. ]