un: tigerpoet, video

[tigerpoet]

[It's Atsushi! Without his glasses, and with his hair pushed back, and looking 95% more grumpy than anyone has seen the 'usual' Atsushi, but it's definitely him.]

My other half told me that I need to make more friends. [Speech patterns are definitely Inner's, but it may come as a shock to anyone who hasn't met him yet.] I don't care, but if it'll satisfy him I'll ask.

People willing to be sparring partners preferred. No one too noisy or annoying. If the other Atsushis don't like you then I hate you already, so don't bother replying.

[This is how you friendship, right?]

Comments

[noenvy]

I feel perhaps you and you and your other-self are a bit unique in this.

[Since they shared a body and a name, it was a bit less confusing in a way.]

Though, have a lot of people with the same name is difficult. Especially if you share a lot of the same friends.

[He was pretty lucky in that there wasn't too much of a need to talk about his other self often.]

[tigerpoet]

We have a lot of the same boyfriends - err, I mean, friends.

[...the boyfriends thing is also true.]

[noenvy]

You're dating the same people? Or... the people you're dating also have doubles?

[This was now getting confusing.]

[tigerpoet]

...technically both?

[given that some of them are dating each other...]

[noenvy]

...

Haaa?

[He needs a diagram.]

[tigerpoet]

[Honestly, so does he sometimes.]

J-just forget I said anything.

[noenvy]

Are you dating your other self...?

[It was his next guess. He couldn't just let it go.]

[tigerpoet]

It's... not official or anything, but...

[yes.]

[noenvy]

If one is saying that, it's just a matter of time before admitting it properly.

[Well, he supposed if they were different enough? He couldn't imagine dating his own double. WOuldn't that be like a type of masturbation?]

I say from experience it's better to admit it properly and get it done and sorted.

[tigerpoet]

[His other half has had a threesome with himself and himself. It's pretty Weird.]

...but if I ask and he says no then...

[Fret! Worry!]

[noenvy]

[He can't argue that sort of thing, he had... his own fantasies, though not involving himself so much as someone else multiplied.]

Have you kissed them and or done more?

[He knew very well what these sorts of fears were. Had he not suffered them greatly before someone else revealed all?]

[tigerpoet]

Many times. We've been doing that sort of thing for... almost half a year now?

[noenvy]

Then yes! Say something! It's overdue!

If it's too that point nothing bad can possibly happen by just saying it.

[tigerpoet]

Thank you for the encouragement. [Deep breath. He can do this!] I'll - I'll do my best.

[his best is texting at 3 am and becoming Official while sleep deprived]

[noenvy]

[Official at three AM while sleep-deprived seemed fine. Better than yelling your confession during a hostage situation when lives were on the line and making everyone pause for it.]

You just have to say it. It's easy. Especially if you consider, at this point, feelings must be mutual!

[tigerpoet]

But he's so wonderful and kind, and brave, and strong, and I'm just... me.

[He has literally told Atsushi he loves him at this point.]

[noenvy]

So? I'm married to one of the most celebrated cultivators of my generation and the current cultivational world. He is smart, beautiful, talented, righteous and strong. He is steadfast and reliable and the sort of person that can easily be called a hero!

I on the other hand, have no core, have almost no spiritual strength, have made a lot of terrible mistakes, I like to have fun, I like to cause trouble, I'm not half as refined, and the cultivation world hates me. His uncle hates me. Everyone thought we were the worst and at odds and could never be friends.

But, in the end, we are very compatible. I thought "He couldn't possibly like me" and then, in hindsight, I felt pretty stupid to think that way.

So, have confidence! It's only your own voice bringing you down.

[tigerpoet]

[Atsushi listens carefully to all of that and, after a minute, manages a tiny nod.]

You're right. I'll try to believe in myself, or at least, I can believe that we're happy together.

[Because they already are.]

[noenvy]

Good! Because romance needs a happy ending.

[tigerpoet]

I agree. I don't mind writing tragedies, but in real life I'd much prefer happy endings for everyone.

[noenvy]

In literature a tragic ending can be fitting, it can evoke emotions and teach lessons, but who wants misery in their real lives? I sure don't. I've had enough of that.

[tigerpoet]

...I've known some authors who were very dedicated to writing from experience, but I don't think those should count...

[noenvy]

Let's not count those who are just unlucky.

[tigerpoet]

I wasn't. Just the ones who put themselves through suffering intentionally.

[He knows some weirdos.]

[noenvy]

People do that?