9th ❄ [text]

[persical]

[Claire is taking a break from the fair for a bit, and after a while nudged the Vine and asked a cat for a quill pen. The writing that appears is legible but a little unrefined, since she's still not used to penning letters with these fingers.]I know how hard times can be here, so I'm happy to see everyone enjoying themselves. But I've been

Comments

[alchemistsquery]

[Alfimi makes no effort to disguise her handwriting, even though she doesn't sign her message.]

You are a kind person. My question is: I don't really understand love. Can you explain it?

[persical]

Thank you. I just try to be the kind of person I'd like to meet, if that makes any sense.

I'll do my best.

Love is...well, it's when you care so much for someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with them.

[alchemistsquery]

Oh... I see.

But how do you know when you're in love with someone? Is there a way to tell?

[persical]

It's probably different from person to person. But while you can have strong feelings for your family and friends, being "in love" is a little...more special. Not only do you want to stay with that person, you want to share everything with them. Being near them makes your heart beat a little faster.

"anonymous"

[notvitiligo]

[There's a halfhearted and inconsistent attempt to alter handwriting. Somebody isn't very good at this.]

What should you do if there is a person you like and you thought they did not like anyone (like as in romantic not the normal way) but you find out they have a relationship with someone you are both friends with? Did that make sense?

[persical]

[thankfully even if she does recognize any of the letters, she won't say anything.]

I think I understand. But there isn't really a way to control anyone's feelings. The best thing you can do is be honest with them. Even if they don't return your feelings, it isn't because you're less than the person they chose. I'm sure they still want to be friends with you, right?

[notvitiligo]

I was hoping more for a way to deal with it without things getting all awkward. And I am kind of upset I guess that it was secret and nobody told me. Only maybe it was just obvious to everyone else.

[persical]

Have you told the person you like how this all makes you feel? They might not have realized you didn't know.

text; locked

[no_hometown]

I do have a concern.

Here in the Gardens, I have three people interested in initiating "romantic relationships" with me, yet I myself have no such interest in them. I experience physical desire, but no feelings stronger than friendship.

I have been as honest as I can with all parties involved. They are not all willing to listen. I do not wish to cause anyone distress, but I may have already done so.

text; locked

[persical]

Honesty is most important, I think, so I can't say you've done anything wrong. People can be difficult to talk to when a lot of emotions are involved.

As for your feelings, do you mean that you don't want to choose one person over the others, or you don't want to get any closer than friends?

text; locked

[no_hometown]

I see no reason not to be forthright.

Unfortunately, a ridiculous missive containing rumors was posted on the Vine, which may have given one or more of these individuals a mistaken idea, but I am not certain.

I have been sexually intimate with one of the women involved, but our relationship remains a friendship. Another of the women is not exactly a friend, to be honest. Our relationship is somewhat strained, but I do wish to maintain an amicable connection with her. [Things with Kadaj are complicated in general. It's not even a romantic relationship she wants, or anything human, but that's too complicated to explain.] The third is a friend, and I wish to remain friends.

text; locked

[persical]

[oh my. this is a bit more than she expected, but she'll do her best.]

I remember reading that. It was just awful and silly, making up all those things about people. No one should have paid it any mind.

Have you spoken to all of them about your concern? That you don't wish for your friendships to be affected?

[fatedmagia]

... Mm. This is really, really nice of you, Claire-san.

[persical]

To be honest, sometimes I feel a little useless when all these confusing and dangerous things happen. So I want to help any way I can.

[fatedmagia]

I think that as long as you give it your all when you try to help people... That's the best thing anything can do. ... No one is useless.

[persical]

You're very sweet to say so.

[ text ]

[excellinnuendo]

[ Hmm. Thinking of something important to ask... ]

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

[ text ]

[persical]

[she has to stare at this for a moment. And Claire being Claire, she takes it seriously.]

I'm not sure what a woodchuck is.