01

[standingonmyneck]

Type: Text

Sender ID: standingonmyneck

Subject: love is real

Warnings: true love incoming (claws and companions quest related)



(Everyone just sees this video on the network.)

real love exists

Comments

text | yuezun

[yuezun]

Is it not usually frowned on and considered embarrassing to the one watching to remain and watch others being intimate when you walk in on them?

[He had recently (read: before coming to this world) used his limited understanding of that particular social expectation to chase Shangque out of his chambers while being in Orchid's body by challenging the black dragon to stay and watch 'her' make out with 'the moon supreme'.]

[standingonmyneck]

Dongfang, I hope no one ever introduces you to television or the internet.

[yuezun]

[The words she used didn't translate directly as neither existed in his world. Thus:]

Who is Television and The Internet? What do they have to do with watching others being intimate?

[Wait. He did know of a type of person and a place where that might occur.]

Is Television the proprietor of a brothel-ship called The Internet? Are you sending this from a sea-faring brothel?

[standingonmyneck]

[Yeah chief that was a lot of something that Wasn’t It.]

Not exactly. Let’s just say if you think two rats touching noses is cause for alarm, wait until you learn people make a living actually documenting mating rituals (baby making) for money.

[yuezun]

This venerable one is not surprised to learn that.

[brothels did exist and he understood their purpose. even if he had never actually partaken in anything that went on in them, he still understood what they were for. However:]

This venerable one did not gain the impression you would be one of them. Are you advertising their services?

[Still not understanding that the rats aren't like, actual people who are also rats.]

[standingonmyneck]

I’m going to need you to clarify what you mean by “one of them”. Because if you mean what I actually think you mean then I’m going to have to stop you there and remind you:

They are rats. I am not.

[yuezun]

Someone who makes a living documenting sex. This venerable one is aware you are a mortal

[standingonmyneck]

Well. I have to explain to you that I, in fact, am not doing that.

[yuezun]

But you are documenting them being intimate and calling claiming it a sign of love.

Is this a wedding?

[standingonmyneck]

Alright, that’s it.

It was a joke.

A. Joke.

not here

[yuezun]

[Oh. He wasn't really... good. With those. He had the urge to tell her to be more clear about it. He also had the urge to ask her explain what was funny about documenting the rat-people being intimate. Still also, a strange uncomfortable twisting in his gut was occurring at the same time as both thoughts. And more, when he started to type a response he found himself dissatisfied with what he was saying, deleting it, and starting over. Only to do it again. And again.

Eventually he decided it wasn't worth responding to at all. If it was a joke, then he didn't need to understand unless it was directed at him. Which it didn't seem to be. It seemed to be a joke on the rats being documented. Maybe they had offended Daria in some way. Regardless, it was not his problem.

The strange uncomfortable feeling didn't go away easily, however.]