{05 Video}

[freshtilapia]

[ Here's a Fish.

For those of you new to Fish, they're a very long, very slender androgynous merfolk with red hair and fins, lavender skin, and very bright blue eyes.
They're relaxing in a bathtub full of fizzing, opulent blue, violet, orange, and pink suds that seem to be sparkling in the video. Someone's been enjoying a bath bomb. And they've got a flute of what seems to be champagne, too. ]

A conversation with someone I met on the beach before the Firialia festivities put a question in my mind that's been lingering there for a bit...

If it isn't too personal, how do you feel about open relationships? Are you in one yourself?

I'm in one, and it's the best arrangement I feel for my lover and I with our personalities and lifestyles. So, I've been curious about how other people feel about this kind of thing.

[ They have a sip of their drink and crosses their legs in the water, exposing their knees above the psychedelic suds. ]

Comments

1/2

[gwenhwyfar]

[ Gwenhwyfar actually needs to think on this question. Her face twists in confusion. ]

If I'm betrothed... that counts as a relationship. Right?

[ As if she'll ever have the freedom for one. ]

[gwenhwyfar]

I want to say an open one would be fine. For now. I think... if I do something like that when I'm married. Well.

[ She speaks so casually. ]

I think that may get me killed.

[audio | @hot.damn]

[circumitus]

You normally find bathtime to be the appropriate opportunity to ask these kinds of things on the 'net?

[Not that Rey is judging, despite her deadpan delivery. In general she prefers not to be seen when it comes to these devices.]

To answer your question, no, never considered it. Or any relationship, for that matter. [A lie. A definite, absolute and biggest fattest fucking lie and she knows it.]

[freshtilapia]

[ Fish laughs, laying back a little deeper into the deeply colored waters, but still holding their champagne flute pretty high. ]

Mm...! I mean, isn't this the best time to strike a question? Don't you get brilliant ideas when you're by your lonesome in a bathroom? To be honest, I just enjoy scrolling through the network when I'm having a long bath like this and the thought just occurred to me.

[ They sit back up to their original height, just all smiles and so very happy. ]

Well. That's fair. If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you considered any relationship?

[voice] - u/n: twilight

[envoyoftwilight]

[Midna can't help thinking she was expecting this question to come up far sooner than it has. (Or perhaps it has already and she's missed it before.)]

I think that's up to the discretion of the people involved and that the opinions of outsiders don't matter. Or shouldn't. That kind of business belongs to the people in the relationship. But objectively, I don't think it matters what kind of relationship people are in as long as it's what they want. If they want an open relationship, more power to them.

[She won't bother to answer the second part because well. It's no one's business but her own. And Yusuke's, she supposes.]

[freshtilapia]

[ If it ever had, Fish really has never noticed. ]

Fair, fair... and that's very true.

[ Another sip of their champagne. ]

My lover and I have never given much mind to what outsiders thought. All that mattered was what we had set up with each other.

un: undyingsoul

[necroyalty]

I am in one, of sorts, with my Tempest.

But she is not here.

Nights without her company are lonely indeed, even with the best of circumstances.

[freshtilapia]

[ Fish is a bit disappointed in a lack of a voice, and they're feeling too lazy to type back, so they'll continue on with their video from the bathtub. Their smile is sympathetic, eyebrows turning up as they read her reply. ]

I'm so sorry to hear you're away from the one dear to you, darling. How have you been coping, if you don't mind me asking?

video; greenbean1

[wildsorcery]

[ Oh. Look at that. ]

Um, I don't have a good reply to the question because... I don't really know yet, but I guess Kairon and I are dating sometimes and he might be seeing other people too?

[ Pause. ]

I really like your water, though! It looks so colorful!

[freshtilapia]

[ Fish's eyes widen at Connie's declaration. ]

You and Kairon are dating sometimes!? Sweetheart, since when??

[ They aren't that surprised, but they certainly are pretty startled to know just now. ]

video

[badluckblues]

[ Qrow's not typically a video guy, but Fish is in the bath, and who wants to fiddle around with devices in the bath? (He's been around the network long enough to not be surprised by Fish in the bath - also he's seen everything already.) ]

Hey, Fish. How's it going?

I feel like open relationships work when there's a mutual understanding. As for me... given the culture here, I think we've agreed that moon stuff and Chroma shenanigans are going to happen. I wouldn't be surprised if other couples have reached a similar conclusion.

[ please do not bring it to Qrow's attention that he just referred to himself and Winter as a 'couple' ]

[freshtilapia]

Hello, hot stuff.

[ They wiggle fingers at him and giggle from behind their champagne flute, all too happy to see him pop up on their feed today. There certainly is no way they're forgetting his part in their very eventful housewarming party. ]

So... you and your partner came to that conclusion after dealing with the things of the moon and of this whole place, yes?

[ Fish isn't really surprised that Qrow had someone. But they don't know what person Qrow's partner is. ]

video; manacookies

[spacegoat]

Oh, that looks like a very nice bath! [ How can she not comment on that? ] ...and a very nice person, too!

[ They remind her a bit of a more humanoid jinyu, and who doesn't appreciate that color scheme? ]

Open relationships, they are a good thing, no? Love is very important, but so is trust and speaking. It has been a few decades I was in one, but it worked very well for me.

[freshtilapia]

Well, darling! You look like a very nice person yourself!

[ They raise their champagne flute at her in cheers. ]

My... a few decades, hm? That sounds like such a long, amazing time... but I'm guessing for your kind it's not at all like that?

audio | un: kingjj

[kingfuckboy]

I'm engaged at home and my fiance isn't here. It was never a conversation we had, but if she were to end up here, we would talk about it. It would make sense while here to have one, I think.

[ But uh, if she told him no, he'd listen. So... ]

[freshtilapia]

I see... such a shame she isn't here with you, though! How long has it been since you've entered this place?

text | j.valentine

[torsion]

Not for me for a lot of reasons, but I don't see what's wrong with people in a consensual situation enjoying themselves in a way that works for them.

Where I'm from people tend to make snap judgements about that sort of thing. Don't personally get it. Not their lives, after all.

Glad you found something that works for you. Especially considering how complicated this place can be.

[freshtilapia]

[ Fish is too lazy to text back, so they'll continue to reply through their video. ]

Fair, fair... and it's nice to hear that you don't agree with that kind of thinking. You seem to be a very understanding sort of person.

text | un: adler

[disasdeer]

Good question. I would prefer an open relationship, or none at all, to be honest.

[freshtilapia]

[ Still video for Fish! They sit up a little bit in their bath, leaning forward in curiosity. ]

Would you mind it if I asked why you'd rather have no relationship at all? I mean... no judgement at all! Live your truth and do everything that's best for you! But, as a person who's always been pretty... well... attached to others, I'm very curious about that kind of thinking.

[Video] un: ladyofthewind

[sheisthewind]

I think they work very well on this world. Traditionally they would be frowned upon in my own world, but I don't see the problem so long as it's mutually agreed upon.

[freshtilapia]

I see. Is it a very taboo thing where you come from?

video; sn: healerprincess

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Open relationships...

They're fine for me. I admit, I'm not sure if they'd fly back where I came from, or if I'd even pursue anything like that back at home. But being here has definitely opened me up to the idea.

[freshtilapia]

My... you're among many I've heard so far where such a relationship wouldn't really do well in their home world. If you were to return to where you came from, would you pursue such an arrangement?

voice.

[nobodylikeshim]

As always, you're looking as beautiful as ever.

[ He has a smile in his voice. ]

Anyway, as far as that goes... well, so long as everyone's enjoying themselves... what else matters?

[freshtilapia]

[ Fish is always, always a sucker for compliments. And especially when they know the person. They lift a leg out of the swirling colorful waters around them and give Hisoka a little wink as they do a little stretch, showing off their flexibility just for a little moment before returning that limb down into the bath. ]

It's such a pleasure to hear your voice, darling. And indeed! Why not? Of course, that was what I've been thinking all along. But I wanted to hear what other people thought.

un: carcinoGeneticist // text

[mutantblood]

[ Relationships? Now this is his jam to yap on about. ]


I KNOW THAT HUMANS ARE ONLY CAPABLE OF FEELING ONE KIND OF ROMANCE.
THEY'RE HONESTLY PRETTY FUCKING PATHETIC WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SHIT.
YOU'RE CLEARLY NOT A HUMAN BUT I AM GOING TO TALK AT YOU AS IF YOU OPERATE ON THE SAME PRIMITIVE SYSTEM.

MULTIPLE PARTNERS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY SPECIES'S REPRODUCTIVE AND ROMANTIC FOUNDATIONS.
IDEALLY WE HAVE FOUR RELATIONSHIPS AT A TIME FOR EACH SORT OF ROMANTIC ATTRACTION.
TWO PLATONIC AND TWO BASED ON A DEGREE OF MATING FONDNESS.
THESE QUADRANTS CAN ALSO INTERMINGLE INTO THEMSELVES SO SHIT CAN GET PRETTY FUCKING BUSY.

BUT TYPICALLY WE ONLY HAVE ONE PARTNER OF EACH ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP.
EVEN IF THEY CAN SWITCH FROM ONE TO ANOTHER AND BACK AGAIN.

[freshtilapia]

[ They take a while to read through this text. He can probably notice it, the way their bright blue eyes stayed fixed on the screen for a while as they took a sip of their champagne. ]

That's fascinating... so, are these four partners a necessity for everyone of your kind?

voice

[inabluemoon]

I imagine it's easier said than done, isn't it? Especially if someone involved is the jealous type.

[freshtilapia]

Certainly. I used to be with someone who was jealous... I didn't even touch anyone else, but the moment I tried to enjoy life away from him... ah...

[ They look a little upset, setting their champagne down for a moment. Then, their expression goes neutral. ]

... I'm glad we broke up.

Voice

[mech_and_mutt]

It's pretty obvious they WANT us to do it here. But it's caused me enough headaches already...!

[freshtilapia]

How are you so sure they want us to explore open relationships here? Moreover, have you been proposed to be in one, darling?

[ They sip their champagne, blue eyes on their screen expectantly. ]

audio | un: seashell

[justsomeshrimp]

[Goodness, Fish! That looks like the comfiest bath but she's going to try and not to look directly at them, her cheeks are already coloring]

That's the norm back home. It's pretty common for people to only marry one person but have whatever mates they want---and even for those who do marry more than one it's not looked down upon or anything.

I suppose if I ever did get into a relationship I'd be fine with going along with what my partner wanted. While an open relationship makes more sense to me, especially here, it's hard for me to imagine making much use of it so it wouldn't really effect me so much.

[freshtilapia]

[ It's a very very comfy bath! But hopefully the colorful, swirling suds are also good to watch. They shift their position in the bath, pulling up their knees closer to their chest and propping an elbow on one, then their head. ]

You make me wonder how it might have been if I had been born into a home like yours. Mine felt very restrictive.

text; un: magicowl

[getting_better]

[He's ignoring the video as best he could, but he's not about to ignore a healthy exchange of ideas. Or at least he hopes it'll be a healthy exchange of ideas. He's well aware of how much of a prude he's become.]

I think open relationships, or any kind of relationship, is fine. As long as the people involved are responsible and mature enough to understand what they're getting into it should be fine, I know it's not for me though.

[He sends that message, but a few seconds later-]

Sorry, I think that my previous message sounded like I was giving permission or something. I don't know much about these kinds of things, romantic relationships I mean, so I'm a little wary about how I phrase things. Don't want to step on anyone's toes, right?

[freshtilapia]

[ It's just a bath! And too bad for him, Fish isn't likely to return a text with another text, so their video continues on. ]

A very fair kind of reasoning, darling. Are you saying that romances aren't for you? You certainly aren't alone, if that is so.

video

[whateternityis]

[Huh. Fish looks a bit like Dagon, only less... ominously fishy.]

In general, sure, long as everyone's on the same page about it. Had a standing arrangement with a married woman, once - her husband knew what was going on and didn't mind it.

For me personally, at the moment? No thanks. Partner and I have enough baggage to be getting on with when it's just us, and having finally got what we wanted, I'm not sure anyone else would stack up. Happens when you have six millennia of build-up, though.

[freshtilapia]

[ And Fish's eyes go wide and they nearly choke on their champagne as they were sipping on it. ]

Six millennia! That is genuinely impressive! Are you some kind of celestial or something of the feywild, sir?

text (un: narikaitou)

[asaqueenshould]

Even having been here nearly a year, I still feel very new to the concept. I suppose that happens when one's home country disdains everything but heterosexual monogamy.

Not feeling so limited in my choices has been working very well so far, though.

[freshtilapia]

Ooh, so you're in an open relationship as well, darling?

text;

[shadowonthe]

I'd say you looked a treat

but whatever it is you're sitting in looks like actual syrup, what are you doing in there?

[freshtilapia]

[ Sorry darling, Fish doesn’t feel like typing with bath water fingers so here’s a continued video reply! ]

I’d say come and get it, but you know I’ll come over to you sooner or later. And this?

[ they play with the colorful suds, cupping them and letting them fall from their fingers in rivulets tracing their skin. ]

They called the thing I put in this bath a “bath bomb”. It’s a present from a fan at the club last Firialia. Like it?

video; un: xunxian

[topoiran]

[ Oh, she is lovely. ]

I do know that not everyone is suitable for this kind of relationship, but when there is enough trust, knowing that you don't own the person you love most is good self-awareness.

And yes, I am in one myself.

[ The last is said a hint of just how absolutely besotted he is with Beitang Moran. And happy, too. ]

[freshtilapia]

[ Well, this one's looking quite lovely themselves. Fish isn't quite keen to gender this lovely face yet, sort of feeling a kinship to this loveliness. ]

Mm... that's a wise way to put it. Trust in the relationship, and yet also an awareness that the one you love isn't owned. Is your darling in Lunatia, too?

[ Fish's eyes are bright and interested as they speak. They absolutely do love it when other people are enjoying the kind of happiness they're feeling, too. ]

[edle_gestalt]

[Austria turns on the video feed, a friendly nod and pleasant expression making up for the faintness of his smile. He inhales as if he's about to speak, but he closes his mouth and blinks in thought, and it's a moment before he actually says anything.]

You're well aware I have no issue with them, but I... how do I put this...

[He shrugs.]

I actually despise the term itself. "Open relationship." I don't quite know why.

[freshtilapia]

Oh sweetheart, why so?

[ No judgement from Fish, just genuinely curious and wanting to understand. ]