Metaheroes Inbox

[helpdesk_hero]

This is David Alleyne, I'm not available at the moment.
Please leave your name, contact information, and what this is regarding after the beep.

Comments

action

[unkindled_madness]

[It has been good to resume the routine of their swordplay lessons in the weeks after August's chaos, but today Sephiroth seems... in a good mood? He's relaxed in his movements, his tone mild when he corrects David's mistakes.

He's also taking the offensive more than usual, not out of aggression but because he seems to be enjoying himself. But he does make an effort to let up if David seems in danger of being overwhelmed.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[It's definitely a good mood, and he's got energy behind his work. David, on the other hand, has been slightly distracted the whole time. Not dangerously so, but it was definitely hampering his reaction speeds just a little. Really, he's lucky that Sephiroth is such a master at this.

That doesn't mean this is going well for David, because for a moment he thinks about the problem in Excelsior, and how these skills might be needed to save the lives of people he cares for. The moment of insufficient focus means he doesn't direct the blow away enough, and he can feel the blade cut lightly over his cheek.]

Shit!

[Not that he dismisses his weapon. He has to keep it up. That much he has learned.]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth might have pulled back at that, but David is maintaining readiness, so instead he just slows his next strike, making it easier to read and to block.]

My apologies. I thought you had that.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Hey, David's trying to prove he's serious about this. He doesn't want to lose what is clearly a master level instructor just by being distracted by home.

Of course he realizes what's happening with the slowing down and he sighs.]

Maybe we should stop. I'm clearly not at my best focus levels right now.

[unkindled_madness]

[It was an admirable effort; one should be able to continue fighting after an injury. But this is just practice, not a real fight, so Sephiroth steps back, sliding his blade to rest behind him.]

Evidently not.

...is something troubling you?

[helpdesk_hero]

[One really should, and David had more than once in the past. But right now... Right now he might only get hurt.]

You up on what's going on in Excelsior?

[unkindled_madness]

I've read news reports. Anti-meta protests, and the like.

Have you been caught up in it?

[helpdesk_hero]

I'm a hidden identity, for now. But that doesn't mean that it's safe. And that worries me. Which I don't intend to put on your shoulders. Though I thank you for the question.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth nods.] My offer stands, should you get into trouble.

[He can totally stab some people for you.]

Perhaps coming here can be some respite.

[helpdesk_hero]

[Well that's quite the offer. David offers the man a soft smile right back.]

I almost think I might have reached the lower level of friend-tier with you, if that's an offer you'd make. Mostly only my friends offer to do a violence for me if I need it.

But you're not wrong. This is... strangely peaceful for me. Even when I'm completely overwhelmed by your sword skills. Though it felt like you were going easier on me today. You in a good mood?

[unkindled_madness]

[Look, they're allies! He's a soldier! Offering violence is easy.

But he is in a good mood, so he's going to let it stand.]

Hm.

I am, though I hardly think I went easy on you. [He doesn't realize his remarks were kinder, and he did nick David.]

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, but it matters to David, because his background is different.]

Speaking as the someone who was at it this long and can still breathe, you were a bit easier than normal. And I felt encouraged by your comments. But maybe I'm just getting to the level of 'almost passable'

[unkindled_madness]

[His comments were encouraging? Weird. Well, he can't be too complimentary now.]

You have improved since we began.

[There's a slight hesitation.]

...in exchange- [Since this was meant to be an exchange] -there is something I was meaning to ask you.

[helpdesk_hero]

[He smiles happily at the information that he's improved. That mattered to him, a lot. But he looks shocked to have an exchange asked.]

You're always welcome to ask me things, Sephiroth. Even favors will be considered without needing them to be paid back.

[unkindled_madness]

It isn't a favor.

When I knew you before, you mentioned being acquainted with some aromantic individuals. Is that still the case?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Talk about eyebrows reaching for the sky. He'd mentioned that, had he? Why would he have mentioned it? Very intriguing. Well, better not to speculate when the guy is right there and David's already got one sluggishly bleeding cut on his face that Balthier and Tommy will probably both lecture him about.]

Yeah. I knew them before I came here, so I would still know them.

[unkindled_madness]

[Buddy, if you want the cut taken care of, just ask. Sephiroth hasn't offered because it seems minor.]

Were they... ever uncertain of it?

[helpdesk_hero]

[See, as Sephiroth has never offered before, David hasn't realized the man's magic includes healing. He literally doesn't think of it.]

Of course. Identity, be it gender, sexuality, or even preferences for romance, can be hard to pin down. Asking questions isn't wrong. Finding the old ways you understood yourself is natural. I've had those questions before myself.

[unkindled_madness]

[He could have... bandaids. He doesn't seem like a bandaid person, does he?]

You've questioned your interest?

[helpdesk_hero]

[Yeah, he doesn't. And they aren't near David's bag which absolutely has medical supplies that he should get to.]

Of course I did. Back when I was a teen there was... there was a lot said online about guys who liked both men and women. Mostly that we didn't exist. That we were just either straight guys that were bored with our partners, or gay guys who were greedy for attention. It made me question myself for a while.

[unkindled_madness]

...you had feelings, and debated the nature of them.

[helpdesk_hero]

Of course. It wasn't an easy time in my life, to figure it out. And it's harder for people who are Aro and Ace I think. Because they have this whole question of whether they ever are attracted to people in one way or another or if they are just someone that's, like, Demi, which means they just need and want the right person to feel that thing.

[unkindled_madness]

That is the cultural consensus, is it not? That the right person would inspire such feelings.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, because culture is always right.

[Yeah, he's absolutely rolling his eyes.]

No, the 'right' person doesn't exist for everyone. Someone who is asexual isn't going to feel sexual attraction to people. Which doesn't mean they won't have sex. Just that the sorts of things someone like me would experience just aren't things they experience.

[unkindled_madness]

...I understand that, about sex. But can one perform romance in the same way, without feeling it?