[Audio - Locked from Will]

[original_is_best]

M.E. 723-VI-21st
2-Ohnir-25th

How many days should one wait until propositioning a potential partner after they have lost their significant other?

Comments

[Audio]

[silversoldier]

[ There is an awkward moment of silence while Sephiroth considers the question. He automatically turned on the audio to reply when he saw who was making the inquiry, assuming it was a reasonable one. Now, he...finds himself at a loss. ]

I'm afraid this isn't my area of expertise.

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

I don't oft bother with such activities myself. However, an unusual situation has presented itself. It would be foolish to ignore it.

[Audio]

[silversoldier]

Unusual situation?

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

An ally I had found exceptional has recently had his partner disappear from this world. Previously we did not associate as such because of said partner.

Now, with him being absent, I see no reason why we could not have relations. However, he is currently upset about the disappearance, and I don't wish to hinder any efforts by making a suggestion too soon.

[Audio]

[silversoldier]

A difficult situation requiring much thought. As far as I understand it, these matters are not to be rushed.

[Audio]

[connectsthedots]

[Whistles. Hahaha oh wow.] That's quite a question. How well do you know them?

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

Fairly well. We have been allied for quite some time. However, he had not previously accepted my proposal because he was already associating with another.

[Audio]

[connectsthedots]

Did you know of the existence of this other when you tried to proposition him the first time?

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

I was aware of his existence. He was rather opposed to my continued existence.

[Oddly he states that like a fact rather than seeming upset about it. Lucians did tend to prefer he not exist.]

We had come to a truce of sorts, however.

[Audio]

[connectsthedots]

[Oh ho, it gets even more interesting.]

My, aren't you the enterprising sort!

Alright, next question: How long had the two of them been together? While we're at it, how torn up about it is the partner?

[Audio]-Private

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis really can't believe he's doing this, but this place has just been full of times where he's felt like that. It's almost normal now.]

Whatever method you decide to use to bring it up, I would suggest you wait for signs that Will is ready to look for another partner first. I need not remind you that Cor is not the only person Will has been close to who has disappeared in this way.

[Audio]-Private

[original_is_best]

Yes. He believes he is cursed.

[A notion that Verstael didn't agree with and has said as much, but Will seemed quite adamant.

He let out a brief, low hum in thought.]

He has been eating properly. He has been sleeping adequately. He has not been guarded.

[See? He could learn. Perhaps it was unfortunate he was learning from Sephiroth.]

[kingkingcxiii]

Indeed.

[The frustrated sigh that comes across the feed makes it clear that they are on the same page when it comes to disagreeing with Will's conclusion.]

He has been doing those things, but they are not all you need to be looking for. Do you recall when we talked of the Emperor and his recovery from losing his wife? Most people will try to mask when they are hurting and some are very good at doing so. Will is, unfortunately, one of those people.

[original_is_best]

[To be fair, the Emperor had probably been pretty obviously depressed, at least blatantly so to Ardyn, but Verstael was Verstael and had been more concerned with progress than comfort.

This was upsetting. Here he thought he'd clearly listed the signs, but there were more he needed to know.]

...Perhaps I should address my inquiry to the man himself. He should know whether he is ready or not.

[Straightforward is the best policy, right?

And, for his part, Verstael would accept a simple 'no', but he wasn't exactly the one to approach the question with the most tact.]

[kingkingcxiii]

I know my opinion means only so much to you, but I would suggest at least giving him a month or so before bringing any relationship questions up to him. You...

[Have no tact. That is completely correct, but Regis doesn't want to say it quite so bluntly.]

...are still learning how this all works and giving someone time to recover is never a bad thing. It may even be, as you are there to help him through this, that he ends up bringing the question up before you can. If he does so, then you will know for certain he is ready for the discussion.

[Audio]

[notkakashi]

[ That's some question to ask the network, it definitely took Satoru off by surprise when he hears it. ]

...Is this for your science experiment, too?

[ Does Satoru have any actual input or suggestions? Definitely not, no. ]

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

You speak of the experiment with different levels of touching?

No. This is a personal pursuit.

[Audio]

[notkakashi]

Yeah, kinda. You sound like a fulltime scientist so I wanted to make sure.

Sorry to say, I'm don't have much knowledge of romance stuff. Emotions can get pretty messy, you know? I personally stay away from that kind of stuff if I can help it.

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

I am. However, that doesn't mean one cannot indulge in the myriad pleasures of life. A fine wine and a finer companion can fit into the schedule of a scientist.

[Which made him sound a lot more amorous than he really was.]

It's true many people allow their emotions to rule them. Obstructive emotions should be controlled and quashed.

Audio, late as fuck

[iustaegis]

[ Brushing the question aside for now, Pyra responds in a chipper, excited tone. ]

Oh, Besithia....! Does this mean you’re in love—?!

[Audio]

[original_is_best]

Love is a vague term used to describe the effects of dopamine, norepinephrine, estrogen and testosterone. A ball of chemicals masquerading as something greater than the divine, ambiguously defined as people equate both lust and motherly devotion under the same term.

1/2

[iustaegis]

[ .......”A ball of chemicals masquerading as something divine....” ]

O-oh.... That’s so artistically put.

[ She sounds rather impressed, as if she hadn’t expected him to marry the physiological and romantic components together. ]

[iustaegis]

[ But anyways— ]

So... are you?

[original_is_best]

[She wasn't supposed to ask that. Though he hadn't exactly answered the question, most would probably move on. Though not necessarily opposed to love - it had it's purposes and was part of a strong society - he had never considered himself one of the throngs of people declaring their undying devotion to someone they'd likely divorce within the year.

Still, he was a straightforward person in some ways, and this was more of an abstract concept that he had difficulty nailing down in solid terms. He went silent for a time, not lightly saying 'yes' or 'no'. It might almost seem like the communication died, but after some time his voice finally rang through again.]

Define what you mean by that.

[He was going to need something more concrete to go off of. It could be interpreted too many ways as it was.]

[iustaegis]

[ Her smile is audible. ] I mean romantic love, of course....!

[ She replies with this, only. As if it would help. ]