The three enjoyed the lunch, the conversation flowing between all of them freely and, for the first ti, in a manner that was open and deeply intimate; the intimacy of friendship long held and long felt. Joe didn't know how to describe it, but he sohow felt closer to these two then he'd ever felt to others. Granted, his friendships back on Earth proved to be one of temporary convenience. He'd moved often and regularly and now that he'd experienced his relationship with Gwenvair and Kilniara, he realized almost all his previous friendships had been simplistic relationships of kindness at best, possibly even pity for the odd foreigner. Or, at least, it was the feeling he was getting now that he had sothing to compare it to.
Joe found himself warming to the relationships forming, excited about the possibilities but also shuddered as he was a bit worried both by the depth of the feelings that he was experiencing and put effort to keep Gwenvair safely as a friend only. As lunch ca to an end, all three headed out to the streets again and when they got there, Kilniara turned to face him.
"Have fun this afternoon," Kilniara said before bouncing into him and hugging tightly.
What… what is how… Joe's thoughts derailed so badly that he simply blinked, standing there and staring.
Kilniara released her hug and headed away, "I'll et you back at the villa and we can watch the clan Epics tonight. See you later, Joe."
Joe watched her go and then felt Gwenvair's arm slip into his arm. His eye's ripped from Kilniara's back to glance down at Gwenvair. She smiled up at him tentatively. Joe gulped. This… what?
Gwenvair's arm in his pulled him onwards and Joe found himself dumbly following along. By the ti Joe ca to, Kilniara was long gone and he and Gwenvair were wandering the streets of the outer city together. Joe just kind of dumbly followed along. After a few monts, he finally found his voice, although he decided to speak with a certain caution.
"So, the afternoon is for us?"
Gwenvair smiled and spoke tremulously, a bit of worry in her eyes that Joe was able to quickly notice, "Yes, Joe."
Well… crap… she's expecting a lot from this. Need to handle it carefully. And… I'm gonna have to ask Kilniara a lot of questions tomorrow! This is… weird. Why is she doing this… I don't… Joe pulled himself back to the mont and focused on Gwenvair.
"It's going to be a lot of fun," Joe smiled, putting conviction in his voice and hiding his own concern.
The worry slipped from her eyes and her smile brightened considerably, "For as well."
Joe laughed and simply leaned into it. He would have to ask Kilniara about this whole thing later, but for now, he didn't want to jeopardize a growing friendship, despite the mixed signals Joe was getting. It was concerning to him that Kilniara found Joe being with another woman alone as an appropriate developnt of a relationship, even if it was only friendship. He really had to clarify this with Kilniara as he truly wouldn't feel comfortable if she did the sa with another guy. Gotta clarify so relationship rules later… and figure out why she wants to be friends with Gwenvair so badly? Well… or… she wants to make sure she has a friend… is that… I guess… she's tired of all guys in the group… that could be it, but… I've already accepted her in the group. Maybe she didn't hear it from Gwenvair… gotta tell her… or…
"Did you tell Kilniara about what happened … what your mother asked of ?"
Gwenvair glanced up at him, a bit confused, "Uh… I am uncertain. What did my mother ask of you?"
"If I would have you? Didn't you know?"
"Oh. I knew. Yes, I am… incredibly grateful. Thank you for accepting ."
Joe smiled, "Why would I not? You are an amazing young woman. You would do well with us."
Gwenvair's smile shone brightly at the complent and she softly chuckled while shyly looking down, "Thank you, still."
Joe smiled, easily taken with her happiness, "Then, did you tell Kilniara?"
"Of mother's request?"
"Hmm."
Gwenvair stared at him, speaking very shyly with red flushing her cheeks slightly, "Yes!"
Joe cocked his head, hiding his confusion, "Then… what did she say?"
Gwenvair smiled, her embarrassnt fading behind her brilliant joy, "She was… very happy."
Joe smiled and nodded, but said nothing back. Then… why … what is happening here? Why the one on one with Gwenvair? Why would Kilniara want… Joe's thoughts were interrupted by Gwenvair's statent.
"Sharing good news is a joy for our people. Is it common to share such news amongst your people?"
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Joe rose his eyebrows at that, "Yes. It would be quite common to share good news."
Gwenvair quickly looked up at him, her smile growing slightly, "You find it good news."
Joe laughed at that and shook his head, "I think my feelings on this are pretty well known."
Gwenvair's smile transford to a happy grin as she bounced, "It seems it is so."
Joe laughed at that and the awkwardness of the beginning rapidly dissipated as the two began conversing with one another and Gwenvair led him through the outer city. In this, Kilniara proved superior, and Gwenvair didn't really know any good places to go to. Joe rembered Kilniara's favorites and guided her there, finding that Gwenvair's tastes were not that different. Despite the enjoyable company, Joe still sent out a find monster pulse every once in a while and he struggled to keep from doing so. In any case, he was able to ignore those monts and maintain his conversations with Gwenvair.
When they made it to the inner city, Gwenvair easily guided him to dozens of delicious shops, including a tea shop that Joe enjoyed with Gwenvair. Gotta rember this one! Think Kilniara would love it!
Towards midafternoon, Gwenvair began to question him a bit more in depth about his relationship with Kilniara, seeking to understand Joe's thoughts on how relationships developed and what Joe expected and wanted from Kilniara, marriage, children, and a dozen other topics related to marriage. Despite the topic choices, Joe rapidly cald as he realized what was happening. He even began to relax and enjoy the conversations with Gwenvair, understanding she was looking out for Kilniara and asking the questions Kilniara didn't seem comfortable asking.
So even began to border on the uncomfortable, even for Joe, but when Joe was just about to put an end to the conversation, Gwenvair seed to understand Joe was getting uncomfortable and would pull back. She proved incredibly tactful, and Joe was even more grateful to have Gwenvair there for Kilniara. Though… need to talk with Kilniara and let her know she can talk with ... not through Gwenvair… or… Maybe this is a cultural thing… her mom or dad should do? Oh… no… brother probably does it for dad now, but no sister… so… is Gwenvair acting like the sister or mom now? Huh… Joe escaped so of his discomfort for the situation in analysis, trying to understand Gwenvair's actions but despite the conversation topics, Gwenvair proved incredibly tactful, revealing her training as diplomat and negotiator quite well. By the end, Joe had relaxed completely, understanding the purpose now and much less concerned, although still made a point to rember to speak to Kilniara about this.
Their andering walk while speaking soon found them at the inner city center, once again enjoying the snacks at the edge of the center while staring at the grand epics perford on the grand stage. By this ti, the epics were taking on almost play like qualities, lasting almost thirty to forty minutes. They still focused on a single individual, although the individuals had longer and more detailed introductions before their massive fight was put on display. The fights proved much more detailed, exciting, and long winded, with the hero speaking so pretty over-the-top declarations Joe found cringe inducing. Despite that, Joe still found them enjoyable mostly because he was trying to understand the inner workings and the magical effects put on display.
By the ti they made it to the central square, it was late afternoon and watching the epics had them ending the day late, the sun setting and the sky darkening. Gwenvair stayed at his side the entire ti, and when she finally sighed, he glanced down to see her happy. The sigh, however, was enough to make him aware of how late it was and he decided it was ti to call it a day.
"The sun is almost setting. We should probably head back."
Gwenvair blinked in surprised before giggling softly, "It really is! I can't believe I lost track of ti so easily."
Joe smiled, "It's easy when having fun."
"That sounds like a saying?"
"Part of one. Our people say 'ti flies when you're having fun.'"
Gwenvair pondered that as Joe began leading them from the square. She took over guiding him and then nodded her head after thinking for a bit, "That… makes a lot of sense."
Joe shrugged, "Every people have a lot of … well… so are good, and so are just plain strange."
"Strange?"
"Hmm. I've noticed this about sayings from almost every culture. So are very wise and make sense imdiately. So are… very strange!"
Gwenvair smiled, "Could you share with ?"
Joe glanced down and saw her smile, returning it, "Sure. Um…"
He took several monts to consider it before nodding with his response, "Here's an easy one. Uh… spill the beans. It basic…"
"Spill the beans?!"
Joe laughed at Gwenvair's shocked face and nodded, "Yup."
"What does that an?"
"Well, it ans to tell your secret that you are hiding. Usually it is ant to be used when soone is hiding sothing from you and they should not; so form of secret. But it is usually used in a friendly and kind way."
"Spill the beans. It is… you are right. It is very strange."
Joe smiled then scrambled for a way to continue the conversation and decided to continue on the sa topic, "And, there is break the ice."
"Breaking ice?"
"Well, specifically break the ice. It ans to use so activity or conversation to ease relationships. Sothing like what is happening now. We are using this to allow us to speak with one another without worry or embarrassnt."
"Huh. I can see that."
Joe nodded, "This one kind of makes more sense to . A new relationship, amongst my people, is considered to feel cold, or cool. It is hard to have a conversation or to relate with one another because you are worried or concerned, maybe a bit shy. So it is hard to freely speak with one another. But once you 'warm up' with one another, it feels… easier to speak with each other. The relationship feels 'warr.' It's more of a … taphor comparing a relationship to a comfortable temperature. A room that is ice cold is very uncomfortable and difficult to relax in. But a room that is ward and at the perfect temperature is comfortable and pleasing to rest and relax in. That's… kind of the way I think about it, anyway."
Gwenvair had begun nodding about half way through his conversation, "I can… see this perspective. It does make sense."
Joe smiled, "Yeah. My ancestors lived in very cold weather, so warmth beca very important to my people."
"I could see how that is very important."
Joe shrugged, "Yeah."
The conversation stalled a bit but then Gwenvair quickly brought it back to life with another question, "Then your people live in a cold place?"
Joe shrugged, "Colder than most other places on my plane. But, it's not bad in sumr. It gets very cold in the winter."
With that statent, Joe felt the pressure of mana build up before erupting outwards in two shockwaves, spreading outward in a slow but implacable wave that washed through everything around them. Several people walking around them glanced around, looking for the source of the mana shockwave, but most ignored it. Huh… common then? But… obviously a couple words in that… looked like my language skill at work… wonder what needed fixing or translating.
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