{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

[edle_gestalt]

[Austria shakes his head, but it's with a small smile.] I never could adjust to that. I used to wander a bit, when I was very little, but even then it was less than many of my colleagues.

But... even with changing where you sleep every night, it isn't so terrible if the same people are with you, is it?

[freshtilapia]

It probably would have been...

[ They shake their head. ]

But I didn't have that luxury long ago.

[edle_gestalt]

Was it the nature of the work you did, or--

[He blinks, suddenly embarrassed.]

Apologies, I don't mean to pry. I think I had been lucky to have a few acquaintances from home when I first arrived, and now that only a few of us are still here, the distance from home feels more pronounced.

[freshtilapia]

It was partially the nature of what I did back in the day. But... well, it's also the fact that I was a traveling performer. I relied heavily on the taverns to give me a place to stay. And if that wasn't available, I always had the option of selling myself.

[ They shrug as if it was no big deal. ]

I'm sorry your friends have gone... I know what it does. I see it all the time with my lover.

[edle_gestalt]

[Austria blushes as Fish mentions selling themself, but there's a deep breath as he considers his own past. He'd never taken monetary compensation for anything, but considering marrying himself off was his empire's way of maintaining diplomacy...] It is sometimes necessary.

Your lover... is there anything he has done to ease it?

[freshtilapia]

Mm... he's taken up a hobby. Decided to try working on some acrobatics to perform with me someday.

[ Fish looks thoughtful as they ponder this. ]

He's been hard at work at it. And I'm very proud of him.

[edle_gestalt]

[Acrobatics. He cracks a smile.] I'm afraid I don't quite have the constitution for something athletic, but... that's lovely, that he wants to join you in what you are passionate about. It is one thing to be appreciated, but even better to share.

I've always immersed myself in music, but music also has many memories. I've been working on composing, that's something new, but I suppose I should also consider an entirely new hobby. Do you have thoughts on what might suit me?

[freshtilapia]

Ah... you mentioned something during our housewarming party... something about lingerie, was it not?

[edle_gestalt]

Ah... I did.

[He clears his throat.]

I could always learn new lace patterns. Which wouldn't even be exclusive to what you just mentioned. I rather miss lace trim on sleeves being en vogue.

[freshtilapia]

My! If lace is what you work best with, then I'd be glad to be a patron if you'd help me with new costumes, then!