ic contact (mask or menace)

[hackitude]

"Hey! You've reached Skye. Leave a message. I mean, if you want to. Or uh, don't. Whatever."

Comments

[hackitude]

Good. That's good.

So then, the next question is: can you... see yourself, say... taking a romantic walk along the beach together?

[corviform]

Romantic...? How do you mean exactly?

[hackitude]

[Skye just levels him with A Look.]

I'm fairly certain you know the definition of the word.

[corviform]

[ He tugs at his collar again for air, shoulders tight and yet shaking. ]

It's quite different back home... I don't really know how courting works here. [ He pauses. ] And they don't call it that anymore...

[hackitude]

All right. How does it work back home, then? I flunked out of high school, I'm a little rusty on my Victorian literature.

[corviform]

"Dating" doesn't exist. Most couples go through a courting ritual. In high society, if they've come of age the families begin to search for a suitor.

[ He rubs the side of his head. ]

It's... more political or business oriented than romantic.

And during courtship if a man or woman went on walks, they walked apart. Contact is frowned upon... only if the woman needs help walking across a rough spot he can extend his arm.

[hackitude]

... Wow. Quick question: are a lot of married people in your world having a lot of really bad sex? Because that sounds like a recipe for really bad sex.

1/2

[corviform]

[ Definitely tumbling out of the chair now. ]

2/2

[corviform]

H-How should I ―

― I'm not answering that!

[hackitude]

It's a valid concern! How are you supposed to know if you're sexually compatible with someone until you've done it?

[corviform]

[ He's still on the floor, but he manages to shoot a flustered look up from where he lays. ]

I don't want to talk about that!

[ He's never really thought of it either. Nobles got married, obtained more property, more influence, and then eventually had children to carry on their lineage.

He doesn't realize how loud he's being either. ]

[hackitude]

Okay. Ooookay.

[Skye just sort of... leans over in her slowly chair... to look down at Gil on the floor. Waiting for him to recover.]

[corviform]

Those things don't matter!

[ Gil huffs and collects himself, wobbily dragging himself back to the seat. ]

D-Don't ask such indecent questions!

[ The women in this era are out of control. ]

[hackitude]

... You're wrong, but I'm going to let it slide for now.

[corviform]

You...

[ Indecent!

He grumbles. ]

As I said... courting is different from dating.

[ Except none of this answers her earlier question. Talk about a major derailment.

... He's blaming her for it. ]

[hackitude]

Okay. Courting is different from dating. I accept your point. However! Unless this friend of yours is also from your world... she's probably going to want to date. Soooo. If you don't think you can do that? Then this whole... conversation is pretty much moot.

[corviform]

There's no way I could ― I'm just a servant... she knows that.

[ Among other things. ]

But I don't understand where this is coming from or... or how. She's engaged! I think...

[hackitude]

Well I can't really answer that one for you, being as I'm... not her. That kinda sounds like something you need to discuss with her, though.

[corviform]

[ He freezes. ]

... I don't think she'll want to see me.

[hackitude]

... Why? ... What did you say?

[corviform]

Um...

[ He avoids her gaze, the colour from his face finally draining. ]

That... I needed to get groceries...?

[hackitude]

...

[ f a c e p a l m ]

[corviform]

I didn't know what to say...

[ He hesitated and it was all very confusing and happening so fast. ]

[hackitude]

... What about now? If you could... go back to that moment and re-do it, what would you say? ... Go on, close your eyes, pretend I'm her.

[corviform]

What?

[ He regards Skye with uncertainty. ]