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[menhulu]

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@astrolabium;

[menhulu]

[ he sure did. how kind of him. ]

Interesting. They work as well here as they did on your home world?

[astrolabium]

Yes, that's right.

Although I cannot feasibly confirm the status of the stars in Teyvat, I believe both the sky there and the one here function similarly.

[ it's a super hunch. mona was taught of the phrase 'false sky' in her lessons. ]

@redhairedturk;

[menhulu]

That's kind of you. So long as you're.. gentle, I think it would be all right.

[redhairedturk]

[It's normally not quite my style, but I think I can be gentle for once.
That's how you prefer it, hm?

@enruin;

[menhulu]

No, not that I have seen or heard of, at least.
There are many recorded large birds in the database, but none by the name of chocobo.

What does it have to do with your hair?

[enruin]

nothing.

( but that's bullshit, isn't it. chalk it up to the heightened effects of his suit that urge him to elaborate, like an itch that won't settle for his typical, gruff replies. )

a lot of them are different shades of yellow
and have kind of spiky hair, i guess?
that's it. don't even know how this place came up with that picture

@crestsidestory;

[menhulu]

[ no pls your majesty don't look at his answers.. 😫 ]

That's a very wise way to look at it. I'll need to be sure to play closer attention to this network.. I would rather put it all in my own words, at the very least.

[crestsidestory]

[ Oh, she sees them. ]

I agree. Fortunately there is a pattern. I have done my best to keep track of the number of days I have spent here [ Is this an act that hasn't had much use beyond keeping her angry about her imprisonment here? Yes. But it has made a few patterns stand out as well. ] Something like this frequently happens with a new batch of arrivals. Every other moon, such as it is here, around 60 days.

[ Although she recalls it happening even more often at one time, and she likes to think that if it's happening less often now perhaps that also means fewer captives. ]

I'm afraid I was curious enough to take a look at your profile. You have a draconic form? Or is that a creative liberty?

@tiandi;

[menhulu]

It's definitely a long story.
I wish I had seen this before they filled it out on my behalf..

[tiandi]

I wonder if we can change these answers at a later time.
No matter. It is a tedious application anyway.
I much prefer to meet people face to face.

@entirelymyown;

[menhulu]

I do. I've ventured through space many times, the scent is.. interesting. A charred sort of smell.

Re: @entirelymyown;

[entirelymyown]

 Right. But also a sort of nothing.

@notscar;

[menhulu]

Ah, well.. many. I wasn't exactly experienced before arriving here. So it's certainly been a learning experience for me, and while I'd rather be home, it hasn't been as awful as I had initially expected it would be.

[notscar]

eh, no big deal. i'm sure you're learning a lot

[ . . . ]

you got anything surprising to share?

@skirm;

[menhulu]

[ normal is so relative, my dude.. ]

Because it's temporary?

[skirm]

( Out of everyone he has talked to so far?? Definitely the most normal. )

Is there any other reason? Find someone to call family here, and they'll just abandon you eventually.

@pantera;

[menhulu]

Ah, all right, I'm familiar with something like that. That must be the brand name, then, where you are from?
You assaulted someone with one?

[pantera]

That's right. It's a brand from the USA, I think? Um... on Earth? Are you from Earth?
I shot the staff member who did this dumb dating profile without my permission! I didn't catch him in time, though...
(；′⌒`)

@blumenthal;

[menhulu]

That's a very good point.. there's much to be learned about a culture or civilization within their mythology and storytelling.

Even in smut novels?

[blumenthal]

Definitely in smut novels. As I said, I prefer them educational. It is very interesting to see what is considered desirable, taboo, or ordinary according to a particular people's accepted standards regarding romantic and sexual relationships. I have yet to encounter a society where those things are not an integral piece of the cultural ethos.

@keyeju;

[menhulu]

All video games?

[keyeju]

I don't play things like farming sims.

@blindforlove;

[menhulu]

I can imagine it must be a very new idea for you, especially considering how vast the universe truly is. I've seen many worlds, yet I've barely scratched the surface.

You mean.. a parallel universe?

@comfypillow;

[menhulu]

I can understand. Sleeping somewhere new is never easy, and this is.. well. All of this. It's a lot to contend with, even if you're used to interstellar travel.

Have you tried meditation?

[comfypillow]

Doesn’t block out the sound of my neighbors having sex on all sides.

… basement. The walls are thin.

@resonabilis;

[menhulu]

You might be right.. but some have stronger emotions than others. Leaving it unregulated might be disastrous.

But then, I am more the sort to think with my head before my heart, most of the time. Perhaps I am biased.

[resonabilis]

I feel that the term "disastrous" is subjective. We can gain so much more from unfettering our hearts from what holds them back, both for ourselves and those around us. [ Says the woman who has incited political assassinations and wholesale destruction through that selfsame principle, but that's neither here nor there. ]

Rationality has its place, to be sure, but your self-awareness is as admirable as it is refreshing. Given the right conditions, perhaps you, too, could be freed from your constraints.

@jinyanshu;

[menhulu]

No, not at all. I've been here around two months, now. It's still an adjustment. If there's any way I can help you to settle in, please let me know.

[jinyanshu]

My thanks.

[ Then after a little bit, he asks a question. Knowing his favoured instrument puts this person a step ahead compared to literally everyone else when it comes to shared similarities, and that in itself speaks volumes to how out of place he is here. ]

The adjustment is significant. Not only with the location, but the technology. How does your own world fare, when compared?

@rude

[goons]

Congratulations.
It seems you've won me for a night.

[menhulu]

[ foot guy!! ]

I'm pleased to hear it. A perfect opportunity to meet someone new, and potentially get a new card under our belts. Would you tell me a little bit about the things that you enjoy?

morning after;

[menhulu]

[ dan heng tends to be an early riser, but this morning he has company - company he is not so keen on leaving, just yet.

to say that he likes caleb would be a bit of an understatement. he is, in fact, terribly, dangerously fond of the man, in a way that might unnerve him a little - certainly would have, a handful of years ago. forming close relationships in a place like this is not easy, all things considered, but even still, something warm blossoms in his heart when the two of them are together, something.. easy, and effortless. something he does not look too deeply into.

the night before had been lovely. caleb had arrived in his suite to enjoy a light dinner with him, followed by wine and comfortable chatter, until the inevitable occurred, and they fell into bed together. it was a long night spend touching, talking, fucking, talking some more, fucking again, before they finally fell asleep a handful of hours before dawn, spent and satisfied.

now, dan heng stirs, blinking blearily at the bedside clock - just before noon.

well, much as he is a natural early riser.. they hardly have anything they need to be leaping out of bed to attend to, so dan heng turns his back on the time and burrows himself against caleb's back, humming softly. one hand slips beneath caleb's arm, his palm smoothing over caleb's abdomen and up, over the rough, coppery hair on his chest, dan heng's head dipping to press a kiss to his shoulder. ]

[blumenthal]

[ As much as he resents this place, there are individual experiences he is incredibly grateful for. People he's met and come to care about, the time he spends with them, the ability to seek and enjoy intimacy with someone he finds attractive and endearing. Last night was one such example, and Dan Heng is one such person.

Rarely does friendship develop so naturally for Caleb as it has between them. But Dan Heng is fascinating, intelligent, kind, beautiful, and easy to be around. Their personalities compliment each other; conversation flows effortlessly, Caleb feels relaxed and comfortable with him, and he is confident that the same is true for Dan Heng. Just as he has with a precious few others in his life, Caleb recognizes that he is someone who understands. Of course he's a little smitten. It's practically unavoidable.

So waking indulgently late after such a wonderful night to Dan Heng cuddling up to him, he feels very lucky indeed. ]

Guten Morgen. [ A throaty, bleary grumble, but the fondness in his voice is unmistakable. ] You seem in no hurry to get up.

[ He makes this observation with pleasure, because neither is he. He's warm, relaxed, gratifyingly sore, being touched with appreciation by someone special who gladly spent all night with him. Smiling into his pillow at the kiss against his shoulder, his hand finds Dan Heng's against his chest and covers it, lacing their fingers together. Moments this good can't be taken for granted, and he is happy to soak it in. ]

boba and gardens;

[menhulu]

[ from here. ]

[ it isn't difficult to spot her, of course, familiar as her figure is to him.

he's not thinking about her thighs. trying so hard not to. get it together, dan heng!!

anyway, carrying both her drink and his own (a simple unsweetened iced tea), dan heng approaches her in the lobby, offering her drink forward. extra whip, just as ordered. the corners of his mouth turn up in a muted but genuine smile - seeing her here.. he's missed the sight of her. ]

Here you go.

[ he's looking more like his usual self today - at least for now. ]

♥

[stellerly]

[ She's watching for him, off and on, though everything going on with this Mating Season nonsense is... well, it's hard to look away from. She needs the reality check.

Of course, that also involved teasing the man she'd taken full advantage of for boba, and she's only feeling a little guilty about it. A smidge. Well he could have told her no...

Her smile is bright as he approaches, and it's all for him. Well, it's a little for the boba, too, she's going to have to be honest, but it's because he brought it to her. She reaches out with both hands for the drink and at least manages to say her ]

Thank you!

[ out loud before she puts the straw to her lips. This is a private moment, Dan Heng, avert your eyes.

After the first couple sips, she's feeling a little more grounded, at least.

She's dressed in as close to her usual way as she can manage with her limited budget, short skirt, white boatneck top... she misses the jacket something fierce, and her garter, but in its place is her suit mark. A black strap around her upper left thigh with a familiar pattern, the same as her bat, subtly traced into it, and the image of her current suit and rank card seemingly tucked into it on the outside of her thigh. ]

That was fast. Were you already nearby?

water date

[goons]

[Rude decides on a black buttondown with matching black slacks. They're fitted to underscore the length of his legs down to his dress shoes, but he chooses not to wear a tie this time. Since they'd be undressing to get into water, it didn't make sense to have on so many layers.

The upside to being trapped in one massive building is that they don't need extra time for transportation. He doesn't need to pick his date up, they can simply meet up at their destination. Rude waits just outside the men's locker room, arms folded over his chest patiently as he gives a glance to every person who comes by as if to make sure none of them are his date.

It's unlikely to be a date-date when they'd both issued challenges that might make proper romance impossible if snuffed out by their competitive natures. Rude still believes he will win the race, but has yet to realize that his victory is genuinely impossible.]

[menhulu]

[ apologies, rude. dan heng is very athletic, most other physical challenges he would put up a good fight for, but would be more evenly matched, but swimming? hard to beat a water dragon at that, even if he doesn't transform himself.

for his part, dan heng dressed similarly, in clothing easy to remove for swimming, wearing a black turtleneck with fitted trousers and a jacket thrown over top. he's in his more human form, despite the strain it puts on him, it simply feels more comfortable, especially when meeting someone face to face for the first time. sometimes the horns and tail and scales can be a little.. surprising, for people. if not off-putting.

so he's looking plain enough right now, unassuming as he quickly strides up to the locker room, his expression slightly guarded, but warm. rude is quite easy to spot. approaching, dan heng dips into a polite bow. ]

I hope I haven't kept you waiting long.

@blade / text

[ideates]

[ for the first time since the dawn of the universe, blade texts first... ]

I have a favor to ask you.

[menhulu]

[ holy shit he has to double take at his phone

but if blade is asking, it must be important. ]

What do you need?

Picnic date!

[drugsnotclubs]

[It hadn't taken too long to find a comfortable, secluded place off the winding paths of the conservatory to set up with their date, as though offering isolated nooks and hidden clearings had been half the point of the design. They end up tucked into a large hedge of honeysuckles with various sorts of butterflies visiting to sip at the nectar, as well as one or two of the massive rabbits sprawling across the plush seating he's sure exists for people to fuck on.]

I didn't realize they were that big, [Shinjiro mentions in surprise at the rabbit stretched across the area as he sets down the food he'd brought. Picnics meant things what were easy to carry and eat, so there's a number of different types of onigiri, as well as some small bento boxes he'd grabbed from one of the conbini. Before sitting, he'll grab one of the rabbits up under its forelegs and heft it up to set the creature down on the ground instead and steal its place.]

Maybe I should have brought something for them, too.

[menhulu]

[ it's a nice little nook that they've found, here in the conservatory. there are many lovely places to sit and enjoy the peace here, but this one is even more private than most - probably to facilitate the fucking - and dan heng enjoys the quiet, and how secluded this all is. he's grown used to having to socialize a great deal, but he still prefers this, intimate moments one on one with others, rather than larger gatherings.

as shinjiro hefts up the large rabbit, dan heng chuckles softly. ]

Oh yes, they're quite large. Very friendly, too.

[ and also slightly irritated by being moved from its comfy spot. the rabbit thumps one of its back feet, annoyed. ]

Are there any vegetables in any of this?

dinner date!!

[fraternallyyours]

[When Toma meets Dan Heng at the Red Cardinal (having pieced together what he hopes is an appropriate outfit for something like this), it is, much to his chagrin, with his conversation with his brother still fresh in his mind. Honestly, part of him almost expects Chobe to just show up to tease him - even though he knows he's doubtless busy with his own dates, and wouldn't want to potentially scare someone off who he has convinced himself Toma might be befriending.

That doesn't stop Toma from being a little bit jumpy starting out. Bit by bit, though, as they find their seats, place their orders, make small talk - Toma relaxes, a little bit at a time. As, bizarrely, seems to keep happening with Dan Heng.

Then, of course, he remembers there is... that thing he hasn't told Dan Heng yet, that he probably should. It's not even that it's a secret, really; he's been perfectly open (or. somewhat open.) about his nature when it's come up with others. It simply... hasn't yet, with Dan Heng - but it occurs to Toma, as he starts trying more approaches to intimacy, that he should probably. Establish some things.

So, when they hit a lull in the conversation, and the time seems right - Toma is careful to speak casually, his finger tapping idly against his glass.] ...You know, this place does make me miss Hong Kong, a bit. It may not have been where I grew up, but-- a place does tend to stick with you, after living there for a century.

[menhulu]

[ dan heng is dressed nicely as well, in grey and black, a fitted vest and ankle high boots, otherwise unadorned save for a silver ear cuff. he's in his human form, for as difficult as it has become to maintain it, he's comfortable and at rest, so the strain is much less taxing than it might otherwise be.

toma is his usual self, it would seem, perhaps a little more jumpy than is customary, but not so much that dan heng is worried. the meal is going nicely, thus far.

and when toma drops the information he's nervous about.. dan heng is entirely unfazed. he's from a ship full of immortal and long-lived races, after all, so a century of time is hardly anything to blink at. though admittedly, he did think that toma was a normal human, before this - but it's hardly a shock that he isn't. ]

I understand. I only recently began to appreciate the place where I grew up, myself; sometimes other places feel a little more like home.