caughtinanetwork | .11

Entry tags:

.11 - audio;

I understand the basic premise behind... Valentine's Day.

[Hubert sounds a little awkward, uncertain and even a little nervous as he speaks.]

But I wasn't here last year, and we don't have a holiday like this in Strahta. Would anyone be willing to give me a little more information behind it? What's common for ah... not... "couples" but perhaps two close friends... ?

[Short, sweet and... mostly to the point. Mostly.]

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[Wat.]

This is why you're a failure at anything romantic. When you're hiding behind a rock and crying because you think your crush got engaged to someone else, I want you to think back to this conversation.

A-- a failure?! That's--

[Entirely true. Damn it.]

Look, if you want any chance of getting a girlfriend, you have to stop thinking about love in terms of efficiency. Love isn't something you can deal with like any other problem. It can't be measured or rationalized.

[But I wanna rationalize it and be a dick!]

... I suppose arguing with you about it is pointless.

You can argue, but it won't get you the results you want. You gotta trust me here, I know what I'm talking about.

Speaking from experience then?

[That's not a crack at Shiro's age, but definitely a slight at Hubert's inexperience.]

I've had my fair share of love affairs gone wrong.

[Moreso when he was younger, he hasn't really liked anyone in that way since long before he became a parent.]

But I know more about it from advising countless young couples through their marital troubles. That's one of the jobs of a priest: to give advice.

You've already given me advice... I can't ask you for more when I can't even follow what's already been said...

Then work on following what I already told you.

But what do I say? How can I make myself clear when not even my dream that was broadcast gave her any clue?

"I like you. A lot. I want to date you."

Can't get any clearer than that.

... that's... really it?

What did you think I meant when I said 'be direct and blunt'?

I'm not really sure. A relationship isn't like commanding a troop of soldiers, after all.

Well you're not commanding her to like you, you're just putting the information out there. How can you expect her to make a rational choice if she doesn't have all the facts?

She's not exactly adept at making rational decisions even with all the facts.

So why do you like this girl again?

[Groaning on the other end.]

I wish I knew.

Have you... ever met some one and known the second you've spoken to them that they are the most annoying, infuriating person you've ever met... and yet you cannot stop thinking about them, no matter how hard you try?

[There is a long, uncomfortable pause right there. Because yes, Shiro knows exactly what that's like. But he also can tell where Hubert is going with this, and the parallels that can be drawn there do not bode well with him.]

...

Maybe.

[The hesitation doesn't escape him, but he takes as a sign to explain as much as he can.]

I've had women interested in me before, Mr. Fujimoto. [And men, but he'll spare Shiro that information.] And I'm not... completely inexperienced. But none of them have ever... ever lit this spark in me the way she has.

I wish I could understand why it is I'm attracted to her so much. Everything in my head tells me I shouldn't be but I can't ignore what my heart says.

All the more reason to be upfront with her, then.

[Forgive him for his less-than-eloquent answers, he's still fighting off the terrible mental images of kawaii yaoi flirting.]

If you- If it's like you say, then she deserves that honesty. And it sounds like you won't be happy without her, either.

[Sorry, Shiro.]

... you're right. You're absolutely right.

But it's going to be hard on you if she still says no. You know that, right?

[Oh, the woes of relationship trouble! Why do hearts have to be so fickle?]

Yes, I'm aware...

Good.

...so don't do anything rash, if things don't turn out how you want them to.

[Not that he thinks Hubert has no chance, but Shiro is a realist. He's also grown fond of Hubert and doesn't want the poor kid offing himself over a girl.]