text, un: bellabelle

[doreimi]

Hey, so. Between those Amphoria Pods showing off our memories of home and Valentine's Day coming up next month, I have to admit I've been thinking about something a lot lately, so why not let's make a game of it?

What's the funniest, wildest, or most embarrassing thing you've ever done in order to impress somebody you liked?

It has to be something you actually did! I mean, I know there's no good way of keeping somebody from just making something up, but that'd ruin the spirit of the game, you know? Oh, and don't say something really mortifying or awful or indecent, okay? It's not supposed to be THAT kind of game. Here's a good rule of thumb: if it's not the kind of thing you can laugh about now, it's probably not the kind of thing this game is getting at!

Mm, I feel like I should offer up some kind of prize for playing, too, so...how about a free extra drink with your next purchase of table time at Beans! Cat Cafe? You already get one drink for free with your table ordinarily, so with an extra, you can bring a plus-one along with you! A cute date gift in exchange for a meet-cute sort of story, courtesy of Beans! Yeah, I like that a lot.

Comments

[hopticulture]

Oh, I see. Those small cats that people here keep as pets. Sorry I'm still getting used to that idea; I wasn't sure if it was like, a cat's ONLY cafe.

And I'll admit, I've never really understood girls who'd want to change themselves for a guy up until recently, but I wouldn't think to buy heels to impress him if I thought he liked tall girls. I'm short too, so I can see the appeal of wearing them reach higher places.

[doreimi]

Well...yeah! That kind of cats. Are there different kinds...?

[Bear with her, Haru, you're the first Beastar she's met. Ganbatte!]

I mean, at the time I wasn't really thinking of it as changing myself so much as just trying to catch his attention. If we'd started going out, I probably wouldn't have stuck with the tall shoes, because I would've hoped he'd start liking me for me once he'd noticed me.

Maybe that's kind of naive, but I think there's a difference between doing something different and BECOMING something different, you know?

[hopticulture]

Yeah, the normal kinds who walk on two legs and talk.

[DUH.]

Sounds like you didn't go out with him. Sorry you embarrassed yourself and didn't even get the guy whose attention you were trying to attract, that stinks.

And while I didn't really understand it at first, I don't think it's always naive. It's important finding someone who likes you for you, even if you had to do something different to get their attention at first.

[doreimi]

Um...I'm guessing that's the normal kind where you're from, then, right? Then it must be a big change to see things so, um. Different around here.

Oh, it's fine, I guess. I was upset at the time, but I got over it pretty quickly. Haha, looking back on it, I guess I was a little boy-crazy back then...

It's really something when you find that one person who makes you feel that way, isn't it? Who just sees you for you, and everything you are. And likes you for it.

[hopticulture]

Normal animals where I'm from mostly walk on two legs and talk. I know ocean animals are a bit different depending on species but that's how it is where I'm from. Here it's taking some getting used to seeing animals that just...aren't people. If that makes sense.

[because to her!! these small weird infantile naked animals make no sense!!]

And...yeah, it really is something, finding a guy who likes you for you. Even if he can be a bit stupid about it sometimes... [UH. ANYWAY.]

Anyways my whole life is kind of embarrassing, so I really can't think of one thing to tell you.

[doreimi]

That's really interesting. That must be a big change to get used to, if the animals around here remind you of tiny people who just...aren't.

...Wow, even just saying it like that is pretty mind-blowing.

You know, as crazy as it sounds, sometimes it's all the better when they're stupid about it. I mean it stinks at the time, because they're being stupid! But you kinda can't help but like them for it too, right?

[hopticulture]

I guess the closest I'd compare them to would be like babies? I thought I was small, but the animals just wandering around here are something else entirely.

I mean I do wish they could be more sensible sometimes, but if he was sensible then I don't think we'd have even been friends. Sounds like you know a lot of stupid guys yourself.

[doreimi]

Awww. That really must be weird, I can't imagine what it'd be like to wind up living in a world full of babies. I'd probably want to adopt them all...

Oh, I definitely know a ton of stupid guys. But they're the good kind of stupid, you know? Like...they wouldn't be THEM if they weren't.

[hopticulture]

Ugh I'm dealing with figuring myself out no way would I want to adopt a baby.

[GIRL PLEASE she's in college.]

I get it. Like, I wouldn't want them to change for any reason. I like them as they are.
Are any of those stupid guys you know here?

[doreimi]

[She can't help her former babysitter instincts!!]

A couple of them, yeah! A few haven't made it here yet, but that's okay, too. I'm definitely not complaining about the ones I've got.

[hopticulture]

I have a couple who are here too! [ok like only two guys & a girl but a couple is 'two' anyway, so.] It's kind of nice having people you already know who are in a strange alternate world like this.

Oh, I'm Haru, by the way.

[doreimi]

Hi, Haru! You're the second person I've met here with that name, it's so pretty!

I'm Reimi, it's really nice to meet you!

[hopticulture]

Thank you. It's a pretty common name so I'm not surprised there are other people here to have it too.

I've never met a Reimi before. Good to meet you! You're one of those humans, right? I know I'm making an assumption but you sound like it.

[oh my gosh Haru you can't just ask someone if they're a human!!!]

[doreimi]

Well...haha, I guess I'm a lot of things! Human, though, for sure. I guess that's pretty strange, though, if you're not. Right?

[hopticulture]

I'm getting used to it. I went to a boarding school for most of my life so I guess there are a lot of animals I've never had a chance to meet in person!

I don't think humans exist where I'm from, so it is pretty strange. It seems like walking talking rabbits are strange to your kind.

That's what I am, by the way. A rabbit.

[doreimi]

...I really want to ask you so many questions about what it's like to be a rabbit, but I'm not sure if that would be really rude or not. Would that be bad? I'm sorry, I don't want to be inconsiderate or anything...

[hopticulture]

I mean, I don't mind. Seeing how the rabbits you humans seem to know are very different I get why you're curious.

It isn't really anything special, though. You're just kind of...existing, and having to live in the moment because there are a ton of predators out there who might take a special interest in eating you someday.

[doreimi]

Yeah...that's how it is for human girls too, sometimes. I mean, not getting eaten, but...you know. People always put it on the girl to keep herself safe, like that's supposed to be her responsibility.

[Because sometimes there are fuckos who break into your house and murder you and your whole family in your sleep!!!!! Not that she has personal feelings about that or anything!!!]

Where I'm from, there are animals assigned to the different years on our calendar, so based on the year you were born, you're supposed to be associated with that animal. Like for the year I was born, I'm a "horse" person. It's kind of silly, but some people take that kind of thing really seriously.

[hopticulture]

Oh? Are human girls seen as weak? I mean, I guess where I'm from, females are seen as pretty weak too. Depends on the animal, of course.

[that's...a very blunt way of putting it, but 'prey' isn't exactly the right word, Haru feels, when there isn't the threat of being eaten.]

And oh! That kind of sounds like blood type. In a way. Where the type of blood you have some people believe it explains their personality type.

[doreimi]

Well, weakER, definitely. It's more like...a girl will always have to work harder than a guy to get to the same place, you know?

But yeah! It is just like blood type. There are all sorts of ways of doing personality analysis like that. Moon signs and blood types and birth years and even just dumb stuff like how you break a stick of pocky!