Text | un: PantsonPyre

[localweirdo]

Hello, I hope you are all doing well. My name is Hu Tao and I was curious.

Is there anyone here who might be interested in learning how to do a burial? Or perhaps might know a thing or two about it?

Please do let me know, I want to see how many people might help me restart my business! I promise that if you join, you'll be a discount on whatever coffin you choose!

[And there she goes.]

Comments

[swordofhisou]

Nothing to worry about. Just a couple minor scuffles, really. Definitely nothing that involved going to a medic.

[For her...]

We didn't even fight the last time we saw each other! We danced.

[localweirdo]

I certainly hope so. Although, I doubt that Xingqiu would mind that you borrowed our clothes again.

[That said...?]

But if all you did is just danced? Was there a goodbye kiss involved?

Suddenly Private!

[swordofhisou]

[... PRIVATE BUTTON HIT]

There might have been more than dancing. No property damage though.

[localweirdo]

I knew it! How romantic is this?

Oh how it must feel to be young and in love!

[Nevermind that Hu Tao just turned 18 but...!]

[swordofhisou]

Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves! First of all, thanks. I like to keep myself looking young, but that's just the immortality talking. You realize I'm probably older than your great grandparents, right?

Second. We're not in love! I mean, we do things, and she's really good at doing those things! And I probably want to do things with her again, but we're not like that. I mean, I don't think.

After all, you don't want to beat up someone you love, right? And I definitely want to beat her up too.

[localweirdo]

Oh, I know. It's just a nice thought to have knowing that being in love just makes you youthful! Alas, I have yet to experience it but I suppose I'll have to wait and see.

[...]

So you two aren't in love? I do believe there is a term that people say around here on what you're referring to. Is it called friends with benefits?

[HMMMMMMMM....!!]

[swordofhisou]

Give it time. It gets most folks eventually. No need to rush it.

I mean, that's not untrue. We're just kind of trashy friends who get into fights and then do things to each other afterwards. So, maybe that qualifies. I mean, I don't actually hate her. Which, considering she's an Oni? That's saying something.

I don't know if that's weird or not.

[localweirdo]

As long as you don't actively hate one another, I think that's fine. Although, I do worry what should happen if you two do fall in love.

What will come of it then?

[swordofhisou]

I

Uh...

I don't know if celestials and oni are allowed to be in love?

[localweirdo]

Who said they couldn't? Traditions have their time and place but I doubt it would matter here.

We are in hell after all! ╰(▔∀▔)╯

[swordofhisou]

Hmm I mean we ARE in hell. And it's not like the celestials aren't being kind of punks to their fellow celestial these days.

But it's not important just yet. Probably. Still, I'll think about it if it comes up.

[She was already thinking about it way too much, hah.]

[localweirdo]

You're making it seem like it's a big deal. Friends with benefits or not? You still have some affection toward one another so that's what counts!

[Pause]

Or at least, that's what I think anyway!

[swordofhisou]

It kind of sort of really is. See, different worlds, but same old story? A group of four oni tried to crash heaven a long time ago. set off this whole big feud way back when. And Celestials and Oni don't really get on too well? There's some serious old bad blood and I bet folks would think it's weird.

Especially, since...

You know...

She's one of the four.

[localweirdo]

In other words, it seems like it's not going to go well no matter what.

Although, it makes me wonder how she feels about it. As much as hell can be a terrible place, it really isn't the same as the rules from your home world.

[swordofhisou]

Well, I don't actually care what she did all that time ago. And nobody is here who can get on my ass about it. But it's a concern?

Eh. We're mostly hashing out the rivalries for fun? At least that's what I think. Maybe I should ask her?

[localweirdo]

I don't see why not! It never hurts to ask and especially when feelings are as complex as they are.

If worse comes to worse, I could always ask her if she loves you.

[swordofhisou]

[OH SWEET KAMI?!? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Tenshi was freaking out something seriously at Hu Tao's suggestion. It was really sweet, but she was just imagining the 10,000 ways that'd go wrong and oh god her face was read.]

Don't worry! I can ask her I can ask her!

[localweirdo]

Are you sure? It'll take the stress off your shoulders if you ask me.

[Meanwhile here Hu Tao was, trolling away.]

[swordofhisou]

[Fuuuuuck, she's gonna have a heart attack at this right, ya little gremlin!]

I have no idea how she'd react to someone else even trying to talk to her about 'us!' I don't even know if she thinks of there as being an 'us' to talk about!

Nope, so much less stressful for me to talk to her.

Maybe after we do things. That's a great time isn't it?

[She was awful at this.]

[localweirdo]

[It's what she does best!]

All the more reason why I should ask! It'll be less pressure on you as I can tell you her reaction.

Although, I will admit, the sooner you delay this? The more problems it might cause!

[swordofhisou]

[Freaking out intensifies.]

If I promise not to delay this more than a week, will you please not talk to her before I do? Pretty please?!? I'll figure out a way to get her attention and take time to talk to her!

(OOC: What's hilarious is that this totally fits with her being crazy enough to suggest a hookup later this month.)

[localweirdo]

Of course! I'll fully expect for you to keep your promise! Otherwise, I might have to use my detective skills and track down this mysterious not lover of yours.

We wouldn't want that now, would we?

[She is having the time of her life right now]

[swordofhisou]

Totally not necessary, I promise. We definitely don't want that!

[It wasn't like Ibaraki was going to be hard to find, but she was good with her promise! Within a few days of the Tanabata festival she definitely sent the oni a call. That was going to go soooo well.]

[localweirdo]

Good because you know what the consequences are. I shall be preparing for any protentional love confessions in the near future.

[swordofhisou]

Right, nice chatting with you. I'll, uh, keep you in the loop?

[because gossiping clearly was the only way to keep the gremlin at bay? Oh fuck her life. Hu Tao might be waiting on confessions for a bit given how those two were, but well, something might happen soon. Or at least a night of somethings might happen?]