[Locked to Residents]

[malnosso]

[Appearing on the journals is a written message as follows. A voice option is provided for a computerized reading of the text.]

Attention Luceti Residents.

The following names are being called to participate in a strike against the cultist hordes:
[the names listed here appear on the journal.]

All subjects are required to arrive at the tunnels at 8AM on the 27th of March for deployment. All listed individuals are required to be present. Subjects will then be escorted to TERRACE for battle preparation and further details.

Target will be Region One, a former Malnosso stronghold, presently in cultist hands. Subjects are advised to prepare for combat in forested areas. Further information will be made available at TERRACE. Questions and answers will not be provided at this time.

[The Malnosso will not reply to this message, but everyone is free to use this post to discuss among themselves, whether using voice options on the journal or doing action threads.]

Comments

[Action]

[abjurer]

That is true. I am not a lady.

I thought girls went for the ruggedly handsome thing.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei blurts out quickly]

I don't like boys.

[Oops...]

[Action]

[abjurer]

[Max blinks because oh... that was not quite the direction he'd expected this conversation to take but... he shrugs.]

Oh, okay.

...so if I need advice on whether a scar looks hot on me I'll just ask Jack.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[-blink-blink-

Did I just...

Wait.

Did.

I.

Rei turns beet-red]

I...um.

[Shit, how...do I...]

[Action]

[abjurer]

[Oh... oh hell, that reaction. That was not just confessing to a friend, was it?

He smiles a little more gently.]

It's okay, Rei. I'm not horrified or anything.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

N-no. I didn't think you would be.

[She's just...never quite said it out loud]

Um. It just came out. Sorry.

[Action]

[abjurer]

[He smiles wryly at that and nods.]

Yeah. Stuff like this has a way of slipping out. Trust me, I know.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Do you?

[She...asks that in a rather quiet voice.]

[Action]

[abjurer]

Yeah. I really do. I seem to have been blurting a lot of things recently.

[He speaks more quietly next.]

I like men too, y'know?

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

You...do?

[Well...that makes her feel a bit better, because let's be honest, that was sort of embarrassing. Saying it out loud like that. But he was making her nervous, and...oh, well...she'll just be in her corner and cover it up by sipping tea, of course.]

I-I didn't think...

[Action]

[abjurer]

Yeah, I do.

[He drinks his own tea, giving her time to mull that over.]

Well, it isn't something that I bring up in introductions and stuff.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

O-oh.

[She nods quickly, twice, hair swaying as she does]

I just...thought you wanted ladies to like you.

[Action]

[abjurer]

Oh, I do! Don't get me wrong. Women are great. Just... if I met a man, who I really liked it wouldn't be a problem for me.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

So you're...interested in both?

[Is that allowed?]

Have you ever found...a man then?

[Action]

[abjurer]

Yeah, I am. More girls than guys, but I like both.

[He can't help the small flush on his cheeks at that question, and gives a slightly bashful nod.]

Yeah. I have. Once.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's eyes flash momentarily]

Oh? Only once?

[Action]

[abjurer]

Well, I've had uh... feelings for a man once. Fooled around with a couple of guys in university but nothing serious.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Hm.

[She strokes her chin, thoughtful and pensive...because this is all new to her.]

What happened with to the man?

[Action]

[abjurer]

[Oh hell, that is getting uh... a little too close to home. Or to Luceti at least. He shrugs one shoulder.]

It didn't work out. I don't think he felt the same.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Oh.

[She...can relate to that, in Luceti actually.]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[Action]

[abjurer]

[He gives a small smile, a little wistful.]

It's alright. We're still friends. He's a good guy.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Well, that's important.

[Rei's face, though, remains somewhat nervous.]

But perhaps if...he's like you...he'll grow to like you one day?

[Action]

[abjurer]

[It's difficult not to hope for that, even if it seems terribly unlikely.]

Maybe. Would be nice but... it's his choice. Can't force him. And I don't want to lose a friend.

[Action]

[faithfulflame]

Well then take this too.

[Rei takes out a second charm, passing it over]

Luck with love, Max-san.

[Action]

[abjurer]

[He sputters a little, going red when she hands it over, and he still closes his hand over.]

I... seriously, it isn't a big deal. I'm not... not looking or anything and...

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

Thanks, Rei.