[VIDEO; UN: LittleGreenLiar]

[demonicbeauty]

[There are a number of indications that this is a misfire, even before it becomes clear what's going on. First, there's the fact of the username. Ariadne has never once set a username. Everyone who keeps promising to show her how to do it keeps disappearing or dying on her. So she's been "username not set" for years, at this point.

Then, there's the angle. It's tilted. And the feed isn't vibrating and shaking as Ariadne tries to hold it steady. Clearly, her Omni is sitting off to one side, forgotten, at the moment.

Ariadne is standing in her bedroom, sunlight filtering in through the gauzy curtains. She's in her underwear. Of course, it's pretty medieval underwear: a ribbed corset, tied in front, and knee-length bloomers. Bare feet. Green feet. She's in her natural form, her candy-floss blue hair loose and streaming down her back, practically to her knees. She wags her hand in front of her face, as if she's holding a fan. Daintily, she touches her fingertips to her collarbone.]

Me? You want to dance with me?

[There's non one else in the room. It appear, she's been caught in a game of make-believe. Adorable? Creepy? Hard to say.]

Why, sir, I would be delighted!

[She dips into a neat, perfect curtsy. And then rises, eyelashes fluttering.

At which point, she starts to dance a waltz, her arms around an invisible, imaginary partner. She moves smoothly, gliding across the room, looking very much like she's ready to fall in love in a ballroom.

One, two, three. One, two, three...]

Comments

video | un: rosestorm

[thunderingcourage]

[This was kind of a familiar scene, Makoto had spent a lot of time dancing around alone in her own apartment.]

You look like you're an excellent dancer.

[VIDEO]; UN: [Airy]

[demonicbeauty]

[By the time Ariadne replies, she's gone back to her Human form; pink skin, brown hair, raspberry lips.

But she's blushing a little. And it's definitely a purple blush.]

Th-thank you, my lady.

I'm sorry. That wasn't supposed to be public.

video | un: rosestorm

[thunderingcourage]

I figured. I'd have been mortified if it was me, so I wanted to say something.

[Makoto offered a reassuring smile.]

You really seem like a wonderful dancer, do you have a chance to do it often?

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne laughs softly, turning her face so that her hair hides the worst of the blushing.]

Not as often as I would like.

And never with a partner, really.

[thunderingcourage]

I get it. I could never really find any guys that wanted to ask for a dance either. At least until Deerington.

[demonicbeauty]

I'll never understand why social protocol requires the male to ask the female.

It's a bit baffling, isn't it?

[thunderingcourage]

Yeah, but guys don't really like it when the girl tries to ask. And usually they don't want to dance with a girl who's taller than them.

[demonicbeauty]

I don't understand.

[She shakes her head.]

And what happens if a male wants to dance with another male? Do they both have to ask each other?

Or if a female wants to dance with a female...but neither of them are permitted to ask?

[thunderingcourage]

Well, it's alright for a girl to ask a girl I guess. Ami-chan was really nice and asked me to dance when none of the guys would. And Usagi did at the wedding. [The mentions bring a bit of blush to Makoto's cheeks.]

But I haven't seen two guys ask each other, I should probably ask Reaper.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh! Well, Usagi is always very kind.

[She smiles fondly.]

I'm not sure I know who Reaper is, though.

[thunderingcourage]

She is, I'm lucky that we've been really close and still have each other.

[And how much closer they've become between Deeington and now Trench.]

He's a friend, I could ask how he and his husband decided on who would ask.

[demonicbeauty]

...is it wrong that I'm genuinely curious?

Because I am. I really don't know how social norms work around that.

[thunderingcourage]

I don't think so. And if we ask respectfully I'm sure they won't mind.

[demonicbeauty]

What's the name of his husband?

[thunderingcourage]

Oh, it's Maul. Though I don't really know how long they've been together.

[demonicbeauty]

Maul is married!?!?

[She looks quite blown away by this information.]

[thunderingcourage]

I know, I thought the same thing. But apparently he and Reaper are happily married. Well as happy as either of them can be.

[demonicbeauty]

[Give her a second. She's just a little...

Wow.

Maul is married. Here. How did she not know this?]

...oh.

[thunderingcourage]

There have actually been a lot of marriages. Recently two of my friends had their ceremony, Minako Aino and Vira-Lorr.

Reaper was there too though I don't recall seeing Maul.

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne smiles. Faintly at first, but wider as she thinks about it.]

This place might really be a miracle.

These are people who were never supposed to meet. But apparently who love each other very, very much.

[thunderingcourage]

It is. To get the chance to meet so many amazing people that otherwise you wouldn't have the chance to.

And finding someone who understands you, who you just kind of seem to connected to. Learning more about yourself through them, and growing because of the time with them.

[Makoto smiled, obviously speaking from experience.]

I'm happy that they all get to celebrate it together.

[demonicbeauty]

You understand.

[Which is not something she says lightly. There are those among the citizens of Trench who can't see it that way.

Who won't see it that way.]

[thunderingcourage]

[Makoto nodded.]

I do. I even got a tattoo just to make sure I wouldn't forget.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh? Really?

[She pauses, a little hesitant.]

Might I see it? Or is that too personal?

[thunderingcourage]

[Makoto blushed just a little but ultimately shook her head no.]

It's not as bad as your video going public.

[After a moment Makoto adjusts her pj to show the tattoo in question.]

His name was Atsushi.