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

[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?

[tigerpoet]

Some writers are strange even for writers.

[Touson...]

[noenvy]

A-ah....

[He could believe it.]

[tigerpoet]

I don't want to speak badly of my coworkers behind their backs, but...

[It's kind of hard not to sometimes.]

[noenvy]

Well, if it's true, it's not talking badly about them, it's simply speaking the truth.

[tigerpoet]

That might be the case for smaller things, but when it's something larger like 'they dragged their family into their dedicated suffering with them and contributed to deaths' I don't think anyone can argue that it's speaking well of them.

[noenvy]

That....

Still, if it's true, it is true. Bad or good, it's still true. Just don't make up lies, then that's talking badly.

[tigerpoet]

[Shimazaki Touson, everyone.]

I wouldn't lie about something like that.

[noenvy]

Then don't worry about it, an honest person, no matter what, can never talk badly of anyone.

[tigerpoet]

Honestly doesn't keep you from being rude, though...

[And he cares way too much about whether he's being rude.]