DAY 88 -- PUBLIC CHANNEL

[dorkypantsuit]

[It's a not terribly cheerful Psi greeting you on the radio today. In fact, his annoyance is palpable though he tries his best to restrain it.]

Are there any individuals here from species with... Alternative romantic relationships, by which I mean romantic relationships not motivated purely by... Love.

Barring that, I'm wondering if anyone here with experience fighting psionics is interested in... Sparring.

Comments

[thevictoriandetective]

Explain. What do you mean, romantic but not motivated purely by love?

[dorkypantsuit]

If you don't understand than I'd really rather not explain because humans are completely stupid when it comes to this.

[thevictoriandetective]

Are you calling me stupid?

[whattaprick]

[ If Lambert wasn't mute and pissed off, he'd be making fun of Psi for this right now. Probably luckily for everyone involved, he is, so no commentary from the peanut gallery! ]

[dorkypantsuit]

[BUT YOU'RE THE PERSON HE WAS HOPING WOULD REPLY GOD DAMN IT]

[osteothropy]

Geez. You're guys are making it sound like we need to have some kind of Singles Night around here.

[dorkypantsuit]

[Fucking...]

Please don't.

[osteothropy]

Don't what?

[kingsroads]

[ somebody give the carnival a goddamn agony aunt since apparently they really need one ]

Would lust count? I suppose that's technically a relationship motivated by something other than love--though I've a feeling you're thinking of something different.

[dorkypantsuit]

...Sort of. Normally desire is felt in the presence of people you care for, but it's not a necessity. But I'm not talking about being motivated purely by lust because that's not really enough to form the basis of a relationship. Instead I'm talking about a desire you feel like you would for a person you love, but not because you love them.

[kingsroads]

[ Strange, to his credit, is trying to understand this. A desire you would feel like for a person you love...he mulls it over for a moment. ]

What sort of desire? For instance, jealousy or disdain could be enough to form the basis of a relationship--"I have a strong desire to show you up", and all that. Likewise, admiration could count: "I have a strong desire for you to like me." Neither of them are usually thought of as romantic though, at least not in my world.

[spaghettimonster]

'Psionics'... Are there more than one of you??

[dorkypantsuit]

[WHY MUST ALL OF YOU BE SO IRRITATING TODAY?? A true sign he is in desperate need of a kismesis.]

I mean people with psionic abilities.

[spaghettimonster]

[They're a talented bunch, well versed in the art of being wiseasses. But in this case it's genuine cultural divide.]

Is that a psience fiction thing? Or maybe a magic thing??

[sunflowerfields]

A romantic relationship without love doesn't sound very romantic at all.

[At least he's not propositioning everyone.]

[dorkypantsuit]

If you don't get it that's fine, but don't try to shove your moronic human norms onto me either.

[sunflowerfields]

[r u d e]

Well, you could always clarify what you really mean before getting defensive.

[walkonedge]

So, you mean like, a love-hate relationship but more emphasis on the hate?

... I don't know how that would work out, honestly.

[dorkypantsuit]

Of course you don't, you're a human.

[atouts]

[ Okay, Psi, he's heard enough and he is not a sympathetic man today. ]

This is the public channel, Psiioniic. If you had wanted to avoid moronic norms and humans asking questions, you should have approached people privately.

[dorkypantsuit]

[... >:T ]

So's your lusus.

[steadydollypegs]

Nothin' odd about romance not includin' love. Otherwise the turn-a-phrase "romance of the night" don't make much sense, do it? Nights don't have feelings.

[That's just science.]

[dorkypantsuit]

I think it means it's a romance that only lasts one night.

In either case I'm not referring to prostitution.

[fourthscribe]

[Despite being as wrung out as she is physically, Tanyuu can't help the curiosity that piques up hearing a question like that.]

I suppose some people might say an arranged marriage would fit that, but I have a feeling that's not at all what you're looking for. Do you mean something that...borders between romance and familial, but doesn't quite fit to either?

[She's trying here, okay?]

[dorkypantsuit]

[Thank you for trying Tanyuu. He frowns though, multiple things making this a hard question for him to answer.]

I'm... Not sure. There is a type of relationship among trolls that I think is similar to the human concept of family.

...It's called moirallegiance. A moirail is someone who- who takes care of you. They see your flaws and they want to help you instead of hurt you. Being with them makes you better.


Is that what family means to you?