[Wanting to talk to someone (a rarity) is different from liking to hear himself talk. He generally doesn't even like his own voice. But he's prone to loving his hyperfixation. He doesn't question a medical professional needing to exit. He has a few of those in his life- Ur is a prime example.]
[He ends up waiting until his actual day off to message her- because he forgets on the day he promised. He was worked out of his mind, and generally had a rough time. But he sees if she can meet him at a city park in Taito, not too far from the zoo. And then checks to see what coffee order she would want.]
[Given some time to think on it, he feels more foolish for wanting to spend leisure time with a human. He's chosen a very particular bench, beneath a blossoming Sakura tree. There's a now empty box of onigiri in a panda-decorated shopping bag sitting beside him, and he has a cat carrier at his feet. Her coffee is sitting on the other side of him, and a little doubtful part is wondering if he should just send a quick text and cancel and flee as his anxiety builds.]
[What if she realizes he's an alien and calls for help? What if she's still disappointed and somehow his judgment of cuteness is faulty?!]
[There are two yokai children humans can't see hiding behind the bench playing with little Dandelion sprites. He's steadfastly ignoring them now that they're fed, but the boy is being especially loud.]
[He excels at overthinking. He's overthinking again, as he sits there, and gives a calm tone, flat request.] Don't be mean.
[He is told from three different individuals at once that they're never mean! Though it was C018 he was speaking to. And the one from whom that response is the most untrue.]
[ If she realizes he's an alien, he could just obliterate her on the spot or something, as generals of evil organizations are wont to do. Nothing to worry about there. (Unless...)
And if it turns out that his judgment of cuteness is faulty, then... well, that really would be a predicament, wouldn't it? Best to keep dwelling on it. Surely that'll help.
But before he can overthink himself into canceling, the General can no doubt hear Haruhi's huffing and puffing in the distance—well before she actually gets a word out.
You see, someone missed the train transfer she was supposed to take, due to her brain autopiloting her toward the clinic instead, purely out of habit.
Three times.
So she sprinted the rest of the way when she finally got it right. Because god SMITE!! her if she's late for anything ever. Once she's pulling up to the bench, she stops to bend over, both hands resting on her knees. Haruhi's more preoccupied with catching her breath than offering an apology or proper greeting. ]
I'm here! I'm here...
[ She looks up, gaze flicking from the cat carrier to the coffee cup stationed next to him. Water would be more suitable than coffee right about now, she thinks, but Haruhi is not looking to have a post dedicated to her on r/ChoosingBeggars today, so. ]
[He's surprised to hear her running up like that, sounding like she's on the verge of death. He very genuinely looks behind her, like he should be worried about her being chased. But nope! She made it before he could agonize his way home.]
[Fortunately for her, he digs in the panda bag and pulls out an unopened bottle of water, something he'd planned to follow his coffee with later but-]
This one can be for you, too. [He offers it to her.]
What's happening? [a tiny, robotic voice from the carrier.] Is the human here?
Yes, she's here. [He breezily brushes past the 'human' bit because until proven otherwise, everyone is 'human' to the little guy. He unzips the cat carrier, and C018's little robot face peeks up at the panting person.]
...Is she dying? Do we need to call a doctor?
I don't think so. And she is a doctor, so I think she'll be okay. [He waits patiently for the little robot cat to come out on his own, now standing and moving Haruhi's coffee so she can collapse to the bench if she needs to.] Are you alright?
Wha—he talks? [ That wasn't in the video! Why she was expecting a more, eh, cat-like robot, who even knows. But if you're going to go through the motions of creating an intelligent robot, having it know how to converse makes sense, she supposes.
Oh, right. It's rude to talk about someone in the third person when they're right there, isn't it. Her voice turns a pitch lighter. Cuter. Like the tone reserved for young kids and animals. She physically cannot help it. ]
No, no. I'm fine, C018. [ Alright. Breath sufficiently caught. Haruhi parks right in the spot cleared for her on the bench, takes the water, drinks, and aims the rest of her assurance upward. Toward... ] I'm fine. Just due for more time at the gym, I guess. Been awhile.
[ ...why does she know the cat's name before the owner's? Why didn't she ask?! Is stranger danger completely lost on her?(yes)
She can only get by for so long referring to him like he's just some old guy. ]
Ah... I feel so stupid for just now realizing this, but I don't think I ever got your name.
[Fuck! Right, he needs a name. Name name name name. Think of a name.]
[Meanwhile C018 doesn't help. He just looks up at him like, 'What's your name, loser? Huh', before climbing out of the cat carrier.]
...Daisuke. [He says it (completely unintentionally) like he's embarrassed by it, and not like it took him a solid couple of seconds of, 'I'm big compared to most humans, maybe this?']
[Just let him self-immolate, thank you.]
[C018 hops onto the park bench, though not in the way.] Why did you run all the way here to see C018? I couldn't escape. I was in a carrier. [Don't worry, General, he's a good cat and he can prove it. Assuming the task of attention-grabbing. Oh wait. Itchy. He scratches at a petal that lands from the tree like a real cat would.]
Yep. Name totally checks out. No self-sacrifice needed on this beautiful day. ]
I ran because I'm here to rescue you, of course. [ Dear god, he refers to himself as C018. How cute is that?? She's going to combust.
That is to say, Haruhi's attention is so damn grabbed. She even reaches out to scritch that sweet spot just under the cat's chin. ] With me, you'd never have to worry about being caged up. How's that sound?
[ Belatedly, she glances toward his owner. Somewhat apprehensive. As if silently measuring Daisuke's reaction, hoping his expression will help her gauge whether C018 has the capacity to understand that she's only joking...
Hopefully he doesn't feel like too much of a third wheel. Splitting her attention between two interesting things at once is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. ]
Unless... you think you'd miss being with Daisuke?
He's okay. He gives me clothespins. And I have my own cat bed.
He wants to help with laundry.
C018 is very helpful- woop!
[He makes the little surprised noise as the General picks him up, and he shakes his head where the robot cat can't see, confirming that he's indeed terrible at helping. But in the same motion, he offers C018 to hold.]
He's especially helpful by being convenient to pet.
[And he is purring after his scritch. Sure he's a smooth kitty, but he's very happy to get contact.]
( Some indeterminate amount of time later, on one especially cold and snowy winter afternoon at the park... )
[ With a running start and a little bit of grit, by god, she makes it. She's on his back. A koala clinging to its mother.
So long as he's in Off Mode, Haruhi should theoretically be safe from being laid out flat on her ass for the surprise assault, right? Please? Please. ]
Hey.
[ Her hands are like ice, and in their search for warmth and proper purchase, they grasp wildly for any part of his neck or shoulders that isn't covered by his scarf. At this point in time, it remains unclear if her actions against him will result in appropriate consequence, but there is no doubt as to whether she deserves said consequence. She does. However... Daisuke, thus far, has been too kind and too gentle for Haruhi to think his "wrath" worthy of any consideration in her plans. At most, she'll claim she's taking a calculated risk.
Perhaps today is the day he learns that she should not be handled with care, but rather, with caution.
She pulls herself up to his pointy ol' ear, so that he can hear the smile well before he's given the chance to see it. In exchange for the bone-chill of her fingers, he gets the hot puffs of her breath. ]
[His first thought is, indeed, an enemy attack! But he's got the remarkable ability to wait for a second before he counterattacks. There's been too many instances of people falling asleep on him on the train or adorable animals pawing at him without warning. He's gotten very good at waiting for a second to see if it's an actual enemy attack (here on Earth, the Rangers tend to announce themselves before attacking anyway).]
[It's honestly amazing how often he lets creatures (including humans) wallow upon him.]
[So when he hears Haruhi's voice his brow tenses up in surprise under his hair.] You're light on your feet, Doctor. [He didn't even hear her coming!]
[He catches the backs of her knees to hold her up rather than make her get down, apparently having no problem carrying her (now, if he carried her several miles, he might get worn out, he found that out from his day of Too Much Milk, but also she is not as heavy as 97 kg of liquid. When he tries to turn his head to look at her, his ear squashes against her nose a little so he gives up that venture quickly to avoid more awkward.]
I see. Well, thank you for your cold hands. I shall cherish them always. [As if that's the gift she mentioned. Hands which, with only the fabric of his shirt in the way, are clutching against muscle that feels tree-trunk solid.]
Yeah? In another life, I think I would've made a pretty good thief. Slip right into the night. Undetected. Like a shadow.
[ Those cold, cherished hands of hers are forgiving. She lets go with one, scrounges around in the depths of her puffer jacket's inner pocket, and produces what looks to be a red velvet jewelry box.
Since he's seen to it that her legs remain hooked around him, Haruhi uses both hands to hold his gift out in front of his face. But, oh no. No, no, no. She doesn't open it. Not yet. She wants him to know suspense. Wants him to ache in anticipation. ]
Purchased, not stolen. Pinky promise.
[ If he thinks a nose catching an ear is awkward, then for everyone's sake, let's hope he doesn't think the same of how her cheek is more or less smushed up beside his. Her arms are only so long, after all. Holding the box in front of him as she is only exposes the limitations of her human body. ]
[His world doesn't have seasons. So here he is, for the first time, experiencing the comfort of having the tip of his chilled ear warmed by the side of her head pressed against it. It makes him thoughtlessly press his head a little more against hers. She's also warm against his back.]
[Uses for humans identified- giant, wiggly hot water bottles.]
[...Though he has done nothing to be worth a jewelry box level of gift, he thinks. He doesn't answer for a while, staring at it in surprise, before finally offering-]
Ice cream.
[It is not ice cream but even he can have a dry sense of humor, flatly delivered. He guesses letting her see him had meant a lot. He finally finds a bench where he can sit her down (with great sorrow to his happily warmed ear) and then he takes a seat beside of her so he can take the box.]
Hngh. [ She actually pouts?! ] It's not as fun if you don't guess seriously.
[ Fun ruined x2, actually, now that she's properly sat on the bench. She would've made her way there eventually, but... ]
Here. Open it.
[ ...his reaction should, hopefully, more than make up for his transgressions. As such, she forfeits the gift. When he opens the box, he'll find that it's... ]
It's, ah... it's nothing fancy. I just thought it'd look cute on your coat.
[ It's a panda lapel pin! Rhinestone encrusted and trimmed with gold, the vibrant emerald of the bamboo it's holding glitters spectacularly when the sun catches it juuuust right. A perfectly adorable statement piece. ]
[He stares in shock. Like a girl given her first expensive piece of jewelry, really. He's a 'give that man some chocolates!' person, or the boss you happily kiss ass for because he's actually a good boss. But this is wild. He's never even seen anything like it.]
[He's speechless, slightly slack-jawed, holding it like it's a precious treasure. And while he doesn't ask it, there's a couple of glances where the question, Is this for me? truly is evident on his face, even with the hair in the way.]
Thank you. [He finally manages, holding it carefully.]
[This human, whose species I am here to destroy, this blessed little Earthling, got him one of the nicest things he's ever owned.]
[Goddammit, is he going to have to just take over Earth instead of destroying humanity? Because that's so much more work. But then for all their mistakes, they go and do beautiful things like this?]
[He's not taken it out of the box yet, he's just holding it, trying not to tear up over his new panda pin, so reverent but also with the little bit of a vibe that he might growl like a dog protecting a bone if someone tried to take it from him.] It's absolutely perfect.
[A beautiful, snowy, elegant day is the perfect kind of day off. Big flakes gently falling, the sound of children playing, tumbling over each other, the smell of vendors selling baked goods on cool, crisp air. It's a beautiful kind of day.]
[He's made little snow bunnies before. But this is his first adventure making a snowman. And he's got three children steadfastly helping him. The parents seem at ease, just watching their kids direct this giant stranger into adding stick arms, stones for eyes. They don't really question it when he adds leaves for ears, assuming he's being silly and pretending for the kids, not realizing this man genuinely doesn't understand the concept of making snowmen until this day. He does, indeed, need the direction.]
[He's stepping away from it to take a picture when one of the children helping him runs across the road to tell his mother that after all that work he wants a hot chocolate. It's mid picture that he sees the car barrel around the corner, and his reflexes activate before his brain.]
[He's not naturally a heroic person. At all. He's a helpful one, but not a heroic one. He doesn't even logic out this child just helped him build a snowman, he doesn't rationalize that it should enjoy every day it has before the eventual extermination of all Earthlings. He just acts, sprinting to shove the kid out of the way.]
[This child has the unfortunate core memory now of turning as he falls to the sidewalk, seeing the car hit the man they were just helping, and him go rolling as the car skids to a stop. His mother scoops him up and tries to shield his eyes.]
[He insists she looks! Because he might be hurt, but she's sure that brave soul must have died until another parent next to her gasps. When she looks? The tall guy is clumsily getting up, hobbles crankily over to the phone that was knocked from his hand, and despite people shouting for him to wait while they call for help he just yells for the driver to stay away from him (he's silently noting that car because he WILL destroy it while on duty), and just leaves the area.]
[He's not going to die, he doesn't even have a broken bone, but every part of him hurts after that.] Fucking Earth vehicles...
[ The difference between a hero and a helper is simply circumstance.
And the difference between an injured man and an uninjured one is... also circumstance. Perhaps genetics, in his case. If that's what we're calling it.
When Haruhi first received his call, her reaction was what you'd expect from any human doctor, really. Calm. Concerned. Quick to act. Maybe a little annoyed, having had to pause her show. This season of Terrace House was just starting to get good.
And yes, because she does have a vested interest in his wellbeing that goes beyond what she cares to admit: Haruhi was worried. Even now, she doesn't know how to make heads or tails of that heart sinking feeling. All she knows is that it's just awful.
But now? ]
When you say you were hit by a car...
[ It's risky, having him here. The clinic is her domain, and the patients who stumble in without knowing what's really going on around here are few and far in between. But in her brief moment of weakness—of alarm, fear, overreaction—she choses to direct him here anyway. So...
Here, he sits. On one bed of many lining the walls of an open room, painkillers already administered, holding a hot pack she gave him for his head. She prays to whatever god will listen that he does not comment on the apparent slipshod quality of this so-called clinic. This is about him, not her.
Haruhi is no longer worried—well, she is—but more than that, she's... confounded. Skeptical, maybe. For good measure, she shines her penlight in his eyes one more time. ]
[He's still cranky, but glad she'd at least give him space to sit for a bit. At least until he could check in with his own medical professional.]
[He looks around the clinic while he's here, though. He's used to Ur's. Crisp, sterile, with its high ceilings and incredible technology. This is... well, it's definitely not what he expected. But he doesn't say anything about it. He just thinks she's not getting adequate support.]
[He scrolls on his phone, ignoring the crack on the screen to find the accidental video. He holds it out, and for a moment there's just a snowman, and the view aims to the ground as warnings and gasps for the kid start.]
[But then the screen is filled with chaos. It lands, image askew as it's tilted against the sidewalk. And while him getting hit isn't seen, the sound of it, the reactions, and the last of the General's roll after being hit are seen. And that cranky, ungainly rise from the pavement he does before striding over and grabbing his phone.]
I hated that.
[He says that bluntly. He will destroy that car if he sees it again.]
...Do you have advice on spot cleaning clothing? My coat has some marks on it. [He'll heal, but he likes that coat and he doesn't want to replace it.]
[ Her face falls. The video brings her no comfort. Only questions, and the most indescribable sense of powerlessness.
There are, admittedly, several things in life that will cause Haruhi to deflate. It's the given cost of the optimism she has in spite of her expectations. Apparently today's discovery is one of them.
His fortitude and physical composition fall outside the parameters of what she knows, and therefore, he exists outside of the limits of what she can really do to help. He told her he was in pain, so she gave him something for the pain. That is where her contribution ends. She wonders whether he'll come out of this with even a single bruise to show for it tomorrow.
Call it ego, call it jealousy, but knowing that the care she provides is ineffectual when measured against what his doctor can give him... it sucks.
It just sucks. ]
Peroxide and cold water are best for blood stains. Everything else...
[ She trails off, pulling in close between his legs. Her palm suddenly rises to his face and smoothes a scuff on his cheek, thumb rolling over where the residual asphalt colors his skin, again and again, until it's finally wiped clean. If not her care, then at least she can give him her comfort. ]
You can just leave your coat with me. I'll have it looking good as new for you by tomorrow.
[He'll end up with a sizable bruise, for sure. He'll even be walking slowly as the whiplash kicks in and he might even take the rest of the day off. But right now, he's distracted as she moves closer, and as she reaches over to rub a smudge away from his skin.]
[Huh. He forgets, briefly, he has a car that he absolutely wants to destroy. He forgets that he wants to crush that human in a vice-like grip. He tips his head against her hand, like a dog seeking ear scritches. He doesn't even think about it. It's not quite as intense as the effect of baby pandas, but it does sooth a rage that's been simmering behind his eyes.]
Your clinic doesn't require the usual amount of paperwork... [He mutters absently, thoughtfully.]
If we could get you some more supplies, would you be willing to see more people like me? I'm the strongest, but other than a few of us, most are in line with- [Earthling?.... You know what? He'll say it. He'll go out on a limb and say it because of the size of the ask.] -Earthling fortitude. If they get hurt in the wild, they stand a chance of being dissected. [Or interrogated. Or imprisoned.] Would you consider letting some of us come here in an emergency?
[ Listen! He was hit by a CAR, for god's sake! By any reasonable triage metric, he lands indisputably in Level One, meaning paperwork can wait.
Or... be conveniently forgotten about. She can think of a few ways to keep his mind preoccupied on other matters. More questions, more examining him further for contusions (even if he insists it's his doctor who should clear his health), more touching—which he likes, she can tell. Plenty of options.
Even better, he brings the preoccupation upon himself, in that one word of the many he says smacks her right between the eyes.
Her warmth freezes over in disbelief. The hand resting against his cheek is all at once stiff. Still there, but stiff. As if trying to school her initial reaction, her eyes flicker wide before narrowing again. Right. She promised.
No matter what he shows her, no matter what he says, she promised herself she would steel, not startle. She won't shrink. Won't recoil. Quite the opposite, really, Haruhi draws herself a little further into his bubble. She's grown so accustomed to the comfort of his presence that she doesn't even realize when she's inadvertently seeking it out.
After what seems like hours of her silence, her lips finally move, soundlessly forming the word without before inevitably saying it aloud. Like it's something new that needs practicing. Because it is. ]
[The General goes to sleep that night holding her close, enjoying her softness, glad her scent is seeping into this borrowed sweatshirt because, given her situation, he doesn't know how long he can keep her. And that situation lingers on his mind.]
[He wakes up earlier than he'd want against his will, so he tries to not disturb her too much as he gets up. It's probably even a relief because, once he had gone to sleep, the cuddling turned into him sprawling a couple of limbs onto her and using her for a pillow for some portion of the night. He would wager she'll enjoy her reprieve.]
[But once he's down, he turns on his phone and boots up a holographic display. Screens, keyboard, datascrolls and images of distant planets in glyphs that don't resemble anything Japanese uses.]
[He sits in front of his coffee table and starts to silently type on buttons as light as air.]
[The proposal is shorter than his usual. He typically spares no detail but this time he must, as time is of the essence. That they should bring in several criminal humans and 'rehabilitate' them. Or rather, make them obedient and respectful towards the Homeworld. And once securing acceptable behavior release them back into the wild and see how they influence others around them.]
[He's barely had time to turn it in before Ur has signed off her approval. That'll move it on through the execs. He supposes Ur was bothered more than she wants to admit- he'll have to insist she takes her own time off once he's returned. But, maybe if she supports it, Muller and Trigger will. He's sure Rooney will because he would adore some more data on human behavioral testing. He'll be easy to convince.]
[018 pitter pats oh so quietly around the General, batting around one of Haruhi's stray socks. He doesn't think to take it away from him. He's too involved in getting his work from home tasks squared away before Haruhi is ready to go face whatever it is she'll need to face today.]
[ Whatever it is, the leave of his warmth is no reprieve; that much is certain. It wouldn't be all that far-fetched to call it disappointment, actually. But just as soon as she rouses enough to be made aware of its absence, Haruhi shoots up, back board straight.
This is not her bed.
...
Right. She never made it home...
Every detail of the night is suddenly pronounced in the blooming red overtaking her face, expression landing somewhere between amused and... sheepish? Yeah, thereabouts. Christ, when even was the last time she ended up staying the night at someone else's?!
Left, right, up, down, Konami Code, her head swivels around while she's coming to, like she's triaging the moment. The sun's up well past what she anticipated—another testament to a night of fucking fantastic sleep, right there next to how she's sore in the oddest of places. Sleep usually comes in fragments, like a radio with a spotty signal. She doesn't usually get shut-eye as long as she did last night. Doesn't truly rest. It's... disorienting. But nice??
Then, it's C018 she notices next, swatting a rolled up sock. (Oh, right, she's not even wearing her own clothes! Ah...) And finally, the General, seemingly hard at work.
Work... What does he do for work? Will she finally have a clear answer to the Forbidden Question? Well, not that she'd be able to read the glyphs even if she DID get a closer look, but by the time Haruhi finally drags herself down from his bed, he's already done with his proposal.
She's still a little groggy, it would seem, as evidenced by the way both palms try to work sleep from her eyes. ]
...Morning. [ Streeeeetcchhh. One of those full-body ones, too, that have her hands reaching for the ceiling and his sweatshirt hiking up a few inches on her bare thighs. In this case, their difference in size works well in her favor; his shirt positively drowns her, even like this. ]
Done with work already? [ Very faintly threaded between the lines: a subtle implication that she wouldn't have minded him having woken her up earlier.
She's nearly rubbing her arm red, looking at him with the most sleepy-eyed, bedhead-havin' expression, like she's still half-asleep but determined to be useful. ]
[He starts shutting down the various screens with waves of his hand as she climbs down, glad he finished most of it while he had the chance. She seems rested- seems like she needed that rest.]
I haven't. I didn't want to wake you up. I did have the chance to get groceries the day before yesterday- [Before moronically getting himself hit by a car] -so there should be some in there.
[Once he's closed everything he shuts his phone down, shifting from being cross-legged in the floor to the couch properly]
I have won this battle. [The cat confidentally carries the sock in his 'mouth', trotting across the house with it. The General does absolutely nothing to take it away from him. Why? Because he's decided his vanquishing efforts are cute.]
Mmn, I wouldn't have minded if you did wake me up, though...
[ NO, she is not pouting. Not that he'd see if she was, anyway, because Haruhi turns heel posthaste—marches into his kitchen. The General having not eaten yet means she's found her purpose: breakfast duty. A stocked fridge leaves her with plenty of room to show off, too. Good. ]
You relax while I'll make us something, then. [ Cue the sounds of her scavenger hunt. Cupboards rummaged, drawers dragged open, drawers quietly shut while she gets a lay of the land. By the time she's done, Haruhi knows where the knives live, tea is stashed, spices are sorted, and which cabinet hides away his worst crimes against humanity: snacks too cute to consume, admired until they expired.
Shame. Shame... ]
Let's see here... [ Pondered loudly, nose buried in the fridge. ] Would you rather something Japanese or Western-style? Ah, maybe both? There's a lot here, so I can make a whole spread. Hm, and coffee...yeah, definitely coffee—oh, C018.
[ She also permits kitty his 'spoils of war' and makes no effort to reclaim what belongs to her; she merely assigns him another task, seeing as C018's so fond of having an objective. ]
Can you find my phone for me? I think it might've gotten kicked under something while we were...
[Wow. She looks very cute in his sweatshirt! He can really take it in as she moves around in the kitchen. And for a couple of minutes, he's mesmerized- up until she needs her phone.]
[Right! The phone.]
[He turns red as he picks up the end of the couch to move it and look under it. Nope? Couch cushion time.]
I'll take either. I normally do a traditional breakfast but I'm happy to try new things.
[Ah! Here it is. He brings her phone over, nearly tripping over C018 and having to one-leg-hop to protect his equilibrium.]
Both, then. She'll make both. Eggs sunny-side over toast, pork belly fried, melon cut. Rice cooking, miso soup boiling, tsukemono doled in adorable little dishes. Within minutes, his kitchen looks like something straight out of a Miyazaki film. All she's missing is a stupid cute apron. Surely he's got one around here somewh—]
Oh. Thank you. [ Wasn't expecting her phone to be found that fast. For some reason, she looks mildly perturbed upon his delivery. Not that she's ungrateful or anything, it's just that...
Phone means business. Phone means work. Phone means stress and spiraling and and and—
As if in a trance-like state, she holds it. Stares at the dark screen. Contemplates.
...And proceeds to set it right on the counter, screen-side down.
Please, for the next half hour, let her pretend she's living a normal life. Having a normal morning making normal breakfast for her normal...
alien...
something...
Oh, for the love of—no. Nope, there's no stopping it. The question is there, front and center. Tormenting her. Sitting on her tongue, ready to wreak havoc. Ugly curiosity rearing its ugly little head. Haruhi clears her throat. ]
Ah, so...
Back home, [ his home. Homeworld, she means. ] what do relationships typically... look like?
And what about marriage? Is marriage a thing at all?
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[He ends up waiting until his actual day off to message her- because he forgets on the day he promised. He was worked out of his mind, and generally had a rough time. But he sees if she can meet him at a city park in Taito, not too far from the zoo. And then checks to see what coffee order she would want.]
[Given some time to think on it, he feels more foolish for wanting to spend leisure time with a human. He's chosen a very particular bench, beneath a blossoming Sakura tree. There's a now empty box of onigiri in a panda-decorated shopping bag sitting beside him, and he has a cat carrier at his feet. Her coffee is sitting on the other side of him, and a little doubtful part is wondering if he should just send a quick text and cancel and flee as his anxiety builds.]
[What if she realizes he's an alien and calls for help? What if she's still disappointed and somehow his judgment of cuteness is faulty?!]
[There are two yokai children humans can't see hiding behind the bench playing with little Dandelion sprites. He's steadfastly ignoring them now that they're fed, but the boy is being especially loud.]
[He excels at overthinking. He's overthinking again, as he sits there, and gives a calm tone, flat request.] Don't be mean.
[He is told from three different individuals at once that they're never mean! Though it was C018 he was speaking to. And the one from whom that response is the most untrue.]
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And if it turns out that his judgment of cuteness is faulty, then... well, that really would be a predicament, wouldn't it? Best to keep dwelling on it. Surely that'll help.
But before he can overthink himself into canceling, the General can no doubt hear Haruhi's huffing and puffing in the distance—well before she actually gets a word out.
You see, someone missed the train transfer she was supposed to take, due to her brain autopiloting her toward the clinic instead, purely out of habit.
Three times.
So she sprinted the rest of the way when she finally got it right. Because god SMITE!! her if she's late for anything ever. Once she's pulling up to the bench, she stops to bend over, both hands resting on her knees. Haruhi's more preoccupied with catching her breath than offering an apology or proper greeting. ]
I'm here! I'm here...
[ She looks up, gaze flicking from the cat carrier to the coffee cup stationed next to him. Water would be more suitable than coffee right about now, she thinks, but Haruhi is not looking to have a post dedicated to her on r/ChoosingBeggars today, so. ]
That for me?
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[Fortunately for her, he digs in the panda bag and pulls out an unopened bottle of water, something he'd planned to follow his coffee with later but-]
This one can be for you, too. [He offers it to her.]
What's happening? [a tiny, robotic voice from the carrier.] Is the human here?
Yes, she's here. [He breezily brushes past the 'human' bit because until proven otherwise, everyone is 'human' to the little guy. He unzips the cat carrier, and C018's little robot face peeks up at the panting person.]
...Is she dying? Do we need to call a doctor?
I don't think so. And she is a doctor, so I think she'll be okay. [He waits patiently for the little robot cat to come out on his own, now standing and moving Haruhi's coffee so she can collapse to the bench if she needs to.] Are you alright?
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Wha—he talks? [ That wasn't in the video! Why she was expecting a more, eh, cat-like robot, who even knows. But if you're going to go through the motions of creating an intelligent robot, having it know how to converse makes sense, she supposes.
Oh, right. It's rude to talk about someone in the third person when they're right there, isn't it. Her voice turns a pitch lighter. Cuter. Like the tone reserved for young kids and animals. She physically cannot help it. ]
No, no. I'm fine, C018. [ Alright. Breath sufficiently caught. Haruhi parks right in the spot cleared for her on the bench, takes the water, drinks, and aims the rest of her assurance upward. Toward... ] I'm fine. Just due for more time at the gym, I guess. Been awhile.
[ ...why does she know the cat's name before the owner's? Why didn't she ask?! Is stranger danger completely lost on her?(yes)
She can only get by for so long referring to him like he's just some old guy. ]
Ah... I feel so stupid for just now realizing this, but I don't think I ever got your name.
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[Meanwhile C018 doesn't help. He just looks up at him like, 'What's your name, loser? Huh', before climbing out of the cat carrier.]
...Daisuke. [He says it (completely unintentionally) like he's embarrassed by it, and not like it took him a solid couple of seconds of, 'I'm big compared to most humans, maybe this?']
[Just let him self-immolate, thank you.]
[C018 hops onto the park bench, though not in the way.] Why did you run all the way here to see C018? I couldn't escape. I was in a carrier. [Don't worry, General, he's a good cat and he can prove it. Assuming the task of attention-grabbing. Oh wait. Itchy. He scratches at a petal that lands from the tree like a real cat would.]
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...
...
Yep. Name totally checks out. No self-sacrifice needed on this beautiful day. ]
I ran because I'm here to rescue you, of course. [ Dear god, he refers to himself as C018. How cute is that?? She's going to combust.
That is to say, Haruhi's attention is so damn grabbed. She even reaches out to scritch that sweet spot just under the cat's chin. ] With me, you'd never have to worry about being caged up. How's that sound?
[ Belatedly, she glances toward his owner. Somewhat apprehensive. As if silently measuring Daisuke's reaction, hoping his expression will help her gauge whether C018 has the capacity to understand that she's only joking...
Hopefully he doesn't feel like too much of a third wheel. Splitting her attention between two interesting things at once is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. ]
Unless... you think you'd miss being with Daisuke?
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He wants to help with laundry.
C018 is very helpful- woop!
[He makes the little surprised noise as the General picks him up, and he shakes his head where the robot cat can't see, confirming that he's indeed terrible at helping. But in the same motion, he offers C018 to hold.]
He's especially helpful by being convenient to pet.
[And he is purring after his scritch. Sure he's a smooth kitty, but he's very happy to get contact.]
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busy today but i am nonetheless here (for the moment)
No problem! I'm making all my gifts this year so I've been perpetually busy.
ahh had i the time, energy or talent to MAKE gifts...
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(Optional) B-Side Story #1: Snow Day
[ With a running start and a little bit of grit, by god, she makes it. She's on his back. A koala clinging to its mother.
So long as he's in Off Mode, Haruhi should theoretically be safe from being laid out flat on her ass for the surprise assault, right? Please? Please. ]
Hey.
[ Her hands are like ice, and in their search for warmth and proper purchase, they grasp wildly for any part of his neck or shoulders that isn't covered by his scarf. At this point in time, it remains unclear if her actions against him will result in appropriate consequence, but there is no doubt as to whether she deserves said consequence. She does. However... Daisuke, thus far, has been too kind and too gentle for Haruhi to think his "wrath" worthy of any consideration in her plans. At most, she'll claim she's taking a calculated risk.
Perhaps today is the day he learns that she should not be handled with care, but rather, with caution.
She pulls herself up to his pointy ol' ear, so that he can hear the smile well before he's given the chance to see it. In exchange for the bone-chill of her fingers, he gets the hot puffs of her breath. ]
Got you something.
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[It's honestly amazing how often he lets creatures (including humans) wallow upon him.]
[So when he hears Haruhi's voice his brow tenses up in surprise under his hair.] You're light on your feet, Doctor. [He didn't even hear her coming!]
[He catches the backs of her knees to hold her up rather than make her get down, apparently having no problem carrying her (now, if he carried her several miles, he might get worn out, he found that out from his day of Too Much Milk, but also she is not as heavy as 97 kg of liquid. When he tries to turn his head to look at her, his ear squashes against her nose a little so he gives up that venture quickly to avoid more awkward.]
I see. Well, thank you for your cold hands. I shall cherish them always. [As if that's the gift she mentioned. Hands which, with only the fabric of his shirt in the way, are clutching against muscle that feels tree-trunk solid.]
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[ Those cold, cherished hands of hers are forgiving. She lets go with one, scrounges around in the depths of her puffer jacket's inner pocket, and produces what looks to be a red velvet jewelry box.
Since he's seen to it that her legs remain hooked around him, Haruhi uses both hands to hold his gift out in front of his face. But, oh no. No, no, no. She doesn't open it. Not yet. She wants him to know suspense. Wants him to ache in anticipation. ]
Purchased, not stolen. Pinky promise.
[ If he thinks a nose catching an ear is awkward, then for everyone's sake, let's hope he doesn't think the same of how her cheek is more or less smushed up beside his. Her arms are only so long, after all. Holding the box in front of him as she is only exposes the limitations of her human body. ]
Any guesses?
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[Uses for humans identified- giant, wiggly hot water bottles.]
[...Though he has done nothing to be worth a jewelry box level of gift, he thinks. He doesn't answer for a while, staring at it in surprise, before finally offering-]
Ice cream.
[It is not ice cream but even he can have a dry sense of humor, flatly delivered. He guesses letting her see him had meant a lot. He finally finds a bench where he can sit her down (with great sorrow to his happily warmed ear) and then he takes a seat beside of her so he can take the box.]
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[ Fun ruined x2, actually, now that she's properly sat on the bench. She would've made her way there eventually, but... ]
Here. Open it.
[ ...his reaction should, hopefully, more than make up for his transgressions. As such, she forfeits the gift. When he opens the box, he'll find that it's... ]
It's, ah... it's nothing fancy. I just thought it'd look cute on your coat.
[ It's a panda lapel pin! Rhinestone encrusted and trimmed with gold, the vibrant emerald of the bamboo it's holding glitters spectacularly when the sun catches it juuuust right. A perfectly adorable statement piece. ]
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[He's speechless, slightly slack-jawed, holding it like it's a precious treasure. And while he doesn't ask it, there's a couple of glances where the question, Is this for me? truly is evident on his face, even with the hair in the way.]
Thank you. [He finally manages, holding it carefully.]
[This human, whose species I am here to destroy, this blessed little Earthling, got him one of the nicest things he's ever owned.]
[Goddammit, is he going to have to just take over Earth instead of destroying humanity? Because that's so much more work. But then for all their mistakes, they go and do beautiful things like this?]
[He's not taken it out of the box yet, he's just holding it, trying not to tear up over his new panda pin, so reverent but also with the little bit of a vibe that he might growl like a dog protecting a bone if someone tried to take it from him.] It's absolutely perfect.
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[He's made little snow bunnies before. But this is his first adventure making a snowman. And he's got three children steadfastly helping him. The parents seem at ease, just watching their kids direct this giant stranger into adding stick arms, stones for eyes. They don't really question it when he adds leaves for ears, assuming he's being silly and pretending for the kids, not realizing this man genuinely doesn't understand the concept of making snowmen until this day. He does, indeed, need the direction.]
[He's stepping away from it to take a picture when one of the children helping him runs across the road to tell his mother that after all that work he wants a hot chocolate. It's mid picture that he sees the car barrel around the corner, and his reflexes activate before his brain.]
[He's not naturally a heroic person. At all. He's a helpful one, but not a heroic one. He doesn't even logic out this child just helped him build a snowman, he doesn't rationalize that it should enjoy every day it has before the eventual extermination of all Earthlings. He just acts, sprinting to shove the kid out of the way.]
[This child has the unfortunate core memory now of turning as he falls to the sidewalk, seeing the car hit the man they were just helping, and him go rolling as the car skids to a stop. His mother scoops him up and tries to shield his eyes.]
[He insists she looks! Because he might be hurt, but she's sure that brave soul must have died until another parent next to her gasps. When she looks? The tall guy is clumsily getting up, hobbles crankily over to the phone that was knocked from his hand, and despite people shouting for him to wait while they call for help he just yells for the driver to stay away from him (he's silently noting that car because he WILL destroy it while on duty), and just leaves the area.]
[He's not going to die, he doesn't even have a broken bone, but every part of him hurts after that.] Fucking Earth vehicles...
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And the difference between an injured man and an uninjured one is... also circumstance. Perhaps genetics, in his case. If that's what we're calling it.
When Haruhi first received his call, her reaction was what you'd expect from any human doctor, really. Calm. Concerned. Quick to act. Maybe a little annoyed, having had to pause her show. This season of Terrace House was just starting to get good.
And yes, because she does have a vested interest in his wellbeing that goes beyond what she cares to admit: Haruhi was worried. Even now, she doesn't know how to make heads or tails of that heart sinking feeling. All she knows is that it's just awful.
But now? ]
When you say you were hit by a car...
[ It's risky, having him here. The clinic is her domain, and the patients who stumble in without knowing what's really going on around here are few and far in between. But in her brief moment of weakness—of alarm, fear, overreaction—she choses to direct him here anyway. So...
Here, he sits. On one bed of many lining the walls of an open room, painkillers already administered, holding a hot pack she gave him for his head. She prays to whatever god will listen that he does not comment on the apparent slipshod quality of this so-called clinic. This is about him, not her.
Haruhi is no longer worried—well, she is—but more than that, she's... confounded. Skeptical, maybe. For good measure, she shines her penlight in his eyes one more time. ]
Are you sure the car was actually in motion?
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[He looks around the clinic while he's here, though. He's used to Ur's. Crisp, sterile, with its high ceilings and incredible technology. This is... well, it's definitely not what he expected. But he doesn't say anything about it. He just thinks she's not getting adequate support.]
[He scrolls on his phone, ignoring the crack on the screen to find the accidental video. He holds it out, and for a moment there's just a snowman, and the view aims to the ground as warnings and gasps for the kid start.]
[But then the screen is filled with chaos. It lands, image askew as it's tilted against the sidewalk. And while him getting hit isn't seen, the sound of it, the reactions, and the last of the General's roll after being hit are seen. And that cranky, ungainly rise from the pavement he does before striding over and grabbing his phone.]
I hated that.
[He says that bluntly. He will destroy that car if he sees it again.]
...Do you have advice on spot cleaning clothing? My coat has some marks on it. [He'll heal, but he likes that coat and he doesn't want to replace it.]
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There are, admittedly, several things in life that will cause Haruhi to deflate. It's the given cost of the optimism she has in spite of her expectations. Apparently today's discovery is one of them.
His fortitude and physical composition fall outside the parameters of what she knows, and therefore, he exists outside of the limits of what she can really do to help. He told her he was in pain, so she gave him something for the pain. That is where her contribution ends. She wonders whether he'll come out of this with even a single bruise to show for it tomorrow.
Call it ego, call it jealousy, but knowing that the care she provides is ineffectual when measured against what his doctor can give him... it sucks.
It just sucks. ]
Peroxide and cold water are best for blood stains. Everything else...
[ She trails off, pulling in close between his legs. Her palm suddenly rises to his face and smoothes a scuff on his cheek, thumb rolling over where the residual asphalt colors his skin, again and again, until it's finally wiped clean. If not her care, then at least she can give him her comfort. ]
You can just leave your coat with me. I'll have it looking good as new for you by tomorrow.
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[Huh. He forgets, briefly, he has a car that he absolutely wants to destroy. He forgets that he wants to crush that human in a vice-like grip. He tips his head against her hand, like a dog seeking ear scritches. He doesn't even think about it. It's not quite as intense as the effect of baby pandas, but it does sooth a rage that's been simmering behind his eyes.]
Your clinic doesn't require the usual amount of paperwork... [He mutters absently, thoughtfully.]
If we could get you some more supplies, would you be willing to see more people like me? I'm the strongest, but other than a few of us, most are in line with- [Earthling?.... You know what? He'll say it. He'll go out on a limb and say it because of the size of the ask.] -Earthling fortitude. If they get hurt in the wild, they stand a chance of being dissected. [Or interrogated. Or imprisoned.] Would you consider letting some of us come here in an emergency?
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Or... be conveniently forgotten about. She can think of a few ways to keep his mind preoccupied on other matters. More questions, more examining him further for contusions (even if he insists it's his doctor who should clear his health), more touching—which he likes, she can tell. Plenty of options.
Even better, he brings the preoccupation upon himself, in that one word of the many he says smacks her right between the eyes.
Her warmth freezes over in disbelief. The hand resting against his cheek is all at once stiff. Still there, but stiff. As if trying to school her initial reaction, her eyes flicker wide before narrowing again. Right. She promised.
No matter what he shows her, no matter what he says, she promised herself she would steel, not startle. She won't shrink. Won't recoil. Quite the opposite, really, Haruhi draws herself a little further into his bubble. She's grown so accustomed to the comfort of his presence that she doesn't even realize when she's inadvertently seeking it out.
After what seems like hours of her silence, her lips finally move, soundlessly forming the word without before inevitably saying it aloud. Like it's something new that needs practicing. Because it is. ]
...
...
Earthling?
[ Don't even get her started on the 'us.' ]
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phew... didn't expect to make him a yapper
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Little bit of a timeskip
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[He wakes up earlier than he'd want against his will, so he tries to not disturb her too much as he gets up. It's probably even a relief because, once he had gone to sleep, the cuddling turned into him sprawling a couple of limbs onto her and using her for a pillow for some portion of the night. He would wager she'll enjoy her reprieve.]
[But once he's down, he turns on his phone and boots up a holographic display. Screens, keyboard, datascrolls and images of distant planets in glyphs that don't resemble anything Japanese uses.]
[He sits in front of his coffee table and starts to silently type on buttons as light as air.]
[The proposal is shorter than his usual. He typically spares no detail but this time he must, as time is of the essence. That they should bring in several criminal humans and 'rehabilitate' them. Or rather, make them obedient and respectful towards the Homeworld. And once securing acceptable behavior release them back into the wild and see how they influence others around them.]
[He's barely had time to turn it in before Ur has signed off her approval. That'll move it on through the execs. He supposes Ur was bothered more than she wants to admit- he'll have to insist she takes her own time off once he's returned. But, maybe if she supports it, Muller and Trigger will. He's sure Rooney will because he would adore some more data on human behavioral testing. He'll be easy to convince.]
[018 pitter pats oh so quietly around the General, batting around one of Haruhi's stray socks. He doesn't think to take it away from him. He's too involved in getting his work from home tasks squared away before Haruhi is ready to go face whatever it is she'll need to face today.]
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This is not her bed.
...
Right. She never made it home...
Every detail of the night is suddenly pronounced in the blooming red overtaking her face, expression landing somewhere between amused and... sheepish? Yeah, thereabouts. Christ, when even was the last time she ended up staying the night at someone else's?!
Left, right, up, down, Konami Code, her head swivels around while she's coming to, like she's triaging the moment. The sun's up well past what she anticipated—another testament to a night of fucking fantastic sleep, right there next to how she's sore in the oddest of places. Sleep usually comes in fragments, like a radio with a spotty signal. She doesn't usually get shut-eye as long as she did last night. Doesn't truly rest. It's... disorienting. But nice??
Then, it's C018 she notices next, swatting a rolled up sock. (Oh, right, she's not even wearing her own clothes! Ah...) And finally, the General, seemingly hard at work.
Work... What does he do for work? Will she finally have a clear answer to the Forbidden Question? Well, not that she'd be able to read the glyphs even if she DID get a closer look, but by the time Haruhi finally drags herself down from his bed, he's already done with his proposal.
She's still a little groggy, it would seem, as evidenced by the way both palms try to work sleep from her eyes. ]
...Morning. [ Streeeeetcchhh. One of those full-body ones, too, that have her hands reaching for the ceiling and his sweatshirt hiking up a few inches on her bare thighs. In this case, their difference in size works well in her favor; his shirt positively drowns her, even like this. ]
Done with work already? [ Very faintly threaded between the lines: a subtle implication that she wouldn't have minded him having woken her up earlier.
She's nearly rubbing her arm red, looking at him with the most sleepy-eyed, bedhead-havin' expression, like she's still half-asleep but determined to be useful. ]
What about breakfast? Have you eaten?
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I haven't. I didn't want to wake you up. I did have the chance to get groceries the day before yesterday- [Before moronically getting himself hit by a car] -so there should be some in there.
[Once he's closed everything he shuts his phone down, shifting from being cross-legged in the floor to the couch properly]
I have won this battle. [The cat confidentally carries the sock in his 'mouth', trotting across the house with it. The General does absolutely nothing to take it away from him. Why? Because he's decided his vanquishing efforts are cute.]
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[ NO, she is not pouting. Not that he'd see if she was, anyway, because Haruhi turns heel posthaste—marches into his kitchen. The General having not eaten yet means she's found her purpose: breakfast duty. A stocked fridge leaves her with plenty of room to show off, too. Good. ]
You relax while I'll make us something, then. [ Cue the sounds of her scavenger hunt. Cupboards rummaged, drawers dragged open, drawers quietly shut while she gets a lay of the land. By the time she's done, Haruhi knows where the knives live, tea is stashed, spices are sorted, and which cabinet hides away his worst crimes against humanity: snacks too cute to consume, admired until they expired.
Shame.
Shame... ]
Let's see here... [ Pondered loudly, nose buried in the fridge. ] Would you rather something Japanese or Western-style? Ah, maybe both? There's a lot here, so I can make a whole spread. Hm, and coffee...yeah, definitely coffee—oh, C018.
[ She also permits kitty his 'spoils of war' and makes no effort to reclaim what belongs to her; she merely assigns him another task, seeing as C018's so fond of having an objective. ]
Can you find my phone for me? I think it might've gotten kicked under something while we were...
[ AHem. ]
...While we were playing.
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[Right! The phone.]
[He turns red as he picks up the end of the couch to move it and look under it. Nope? Couch cushion time.]
I'll take either. I normally do a traditional breakfast but I'm happy to try new things.
[Ah! Here it is. He brings her phone over, nearly tripping over C018 and having to one-leg-hop to protect his equilibrium.]
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[ Thank god for that.
Both, then. She'll make both. Eggs sunny-side over toast, pork belly fried, melon cut. Rice cooking, miso soup boiling, tsukemono doled in adorable little dishes. Within minutes, his kitchen looks like something straight out of a Miyazaki film. All she's missing is a stupid cute apron. Surely he's got one around here somewh—]
Oh. Thank you. [ Wasn't expecting her phone to be found that fast. For some reason, she looks mildly perturbed upon his delivery. Not that she's ungrateful or anything, it's just that...
Phone means business. Phone means work. Phone means stress and spiraling and and and—
As if in a trance-like state, she holds it. Stares at the dark screen. Contemplates.
...And proceeds to set it right on the counter, screen-side down.
Please, for the next half hour, let her pretend she's living a normal life. Having a normal morning making normal breakfast for her normal...
alien...
something...
Oh, for the love of—no. Nope, there's no stopping it. The question is there, front and center. Tormenting her. Sitting on her tongue, ready to wreak havoc. Ugly curiosity rearing its ugly little head. Haruhi clears her throat. ]
Ah, so...
Back home, [ his home. Homeworld, she means. ] what do relationships typically... look like?
And what about marriage? Is marriage a thing at all?
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editing to add her spiraling thoughts about interbreeding because It's Important
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