Post by Celerous on Sept 16, 2022 0:18:07 GMT -5
After a quick conversation with the old man in question, Celerous gathered him up into his arms as he had with Rhapsody earlier. He was... decidedly less pleasant to hold than the swordswoman had been. But, he lived only a short ways away: in a small village at the base of the mountain. So Celerous wouldn't have to awkwardly embrace the man for long.
He almost dropped the man, as Rhapsody told him that she hadn't met anyone else like her before.
"I- wait, what? But- what do normal members of your species look like?"
Though his curiosity was interrupted by a moment of panic, as Rhapsody became confused by his vocabulary. Celerous felt like smacking himself. Of course she would take the word "date" by its literal meaning, because this wasn't her native language. He'd completely misconstrued something, and led Rhapsody to a misunderstanding, all because he hadn't had the forethought to consider that she was an alien to this world and its culture.
He ought to have been better. He was, of course, half alien himself.
Now he was stuck in an awkward situation, where he had to explain himself. Celerous could tell her what his intent was, and risk rejection and the awkward embarassment that came with it. Or he could back out, and play it off like it was nothing major. Tell the truth, or tell a lie. Avoid embarassment or be forthright.
Celerous sighed, knowing there was never really a choice in the matter.
"Uh, here on Earth a "date" is a sort of event where one person asks another out to do something to get to know them better. Men asking women, women asking men, men asking men, women asking women, nonbinary pals asking one another- it doesn't really matter who is asking who. The point is to spend time with someone you find... pleasant. Someone you want to spend an extended amount of your time with. There are often romantic overtones," but Celerous was quick to add, "but not always! There are platonic dates!"
The old man in his arms snorted a laugh, despite being a hundred feet in the air and entirely at Celerous' mercy. The young hybrid just frowned at the geezer.
"What I'm saying is: I'm asking you out to dinner to get to know you, because I very much enjoy your company."
And technically none of that was a lie. Wasn't entirely honest, though. It left a pit of guilt churning in his gut.
Then came the reveal that Rhapsody didn't really care about him. No, no that wasn't right. That wasn't what she'd said, not really. More like... she understood that living a life of conflict had consequences, and those who lived that life should already understand that themselves. It wasn't cruel, not really, but it did seem cold. Pragmatic, but frosty. He wondered if she'd feel anything if he dropped dead right at that moment.
Celerous sighed, and forced himself to focus on the rapidly approaching village. So far, he was doing nothing but mucking everything up.
He almost dropped the man, as Rhapsody told him that she hadn't met anyone else like her before.
"I- wait, what? But- what do normal members of your species look like?"
Though his curiosity was interrupted by a moment of panic, as Rhapsody became confused by his vocabulary. Celerous felt like smacking himself. Of course she would take the word "date" by its literal meaning, because this wasn't her native language. He'd completely misconstrued something, and led Rhapsody to a misunderstanding, all because he hadn't had the forethought to consider that she was an alien to this world and its culture.
He ought to have been better. He was, of course, half alien himself.
Now he was stuck in an awkward situation, where he had to explain himself. Celerous could tell her what his intent was, and risk rejection and the awkward embarassment that came with it. Or he could back out, and play it off like it was nothing major. Tell the truth, or tell a lie. Avoid embarassment or be forthright.
Celerous sighed, knowing there was never really a choice in the matter.
"Uh, here on Earth a "date" is a sort of event where one person asks another out to do something to get to know them better. Men asking women, women asking men, men asking men, women asking women, nonbinary pals asking one another- it doesn't really matter who is asking who. The point is to spend time with someone you find... pleasant. Someone you want to spend an extended amount of your time with. There are often romantic overtones," but Celerous was quick to add, "but not always! There are platonic dates!"
The old man in his arms snorted a laugh, despite being a hundred feet in the air and entirely at Celerous' mercy. The young hybrid just frowned at the geezer.
"What I'm saying is: I'm asking you out to dinner to get to know you, because I very much enjoy your company."
And technically none of that was a lie. Wasn't entirely honest, though. It left a pit of guilt churning in his gut.
Then came the reveal that Rhapsody didn't really care about him. No, no that wasn't right. That wasn't what she'd said, not really. More like... she understood that living a life of conflict had consequences, and those who lived that life should already understand that themselves. It wasn't cruel, not really, but it did seem cold. Pragmatic, but frosty. He wondered if she'd feel anything if he dropped dead right at that moment.
Celerous sighed, and forced himself to focus on the rapidly approaching village. So far, he was doing nothing but mucking everything up.
WC: 510
TWC: 3561
TWC: 3561