deercountry | Winter Be Gentle And Kind [Open]

Who: Shen Yuan's CR group, as well as anyone else who'd like to join in <3
What: Open CR, meeting with people to discuss the Trench almanac, FURNITURE SHOPPING 8D The regularly-scheduled Shen Yuan had just moved into a new apartment in Gaze when Decembered ended, and just because the alternate version will only be living in Trench for the month doesn't mean he's going to sleep on the floor. What is he, a college student? Get out of here.
When: Throughout January and into February
Where: Shen Yuan's new apartment and the Archives in Gaze, furniture and antique stores in the Wilful Machine, more locations TBD

Content Warnings: Oblique references to kidnapping, harem politics, casual violence and romance between a kidnapping victim and their captor. This Shen Yuan comes from an fanfic-inspired AU where he was kidnapped and wooed by a Luo Binghe who had already become emperor, and while he considers himself a fully-consenting partner in their relationship others' mileage may vary. Please contact me privately if you'd like more details or have requests about topics you'd like to avoid while we thread together.

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[the question gets a baffled double take that ends in annoyed amusement.]

Not really that much of a non-sequitor as you think, considering the wedding announcement, etc, etc.

[he thinks about making a joke here and doubles back on himself - it's a bit of a sensitive subject to poke fun at, and yeah, there's a time where he absolutely would troll, this is not that time.]

The answer's no. In all seriousness, I'm not gay.

[it's a bit of a touchy subject - and he has feelings about it that he's not going to address, because his father isn't worth the thoughtspace just now, and being gay is not an insult, though not everyone (hi dad get out not today) seems to feel that way.]

I never really gave it any thought, you know? Where do you want that drink at? [this is important. it decides whether this calls for a wardrobe change.]

Hahaha, whoops. Yeah, that came out to sounding bad, didn't it? My bad. It's not about them, I'm...I'm really happy for them.

['Or at least I'm trying to be,' he mutters to himself as he stalks down the street towards the nearest lamppost. Where did Mike offer to take him again...?]

I don't care where we go. Let's just meet up at that place you mentioned, Sanguine Station? And then we'll figure out what to do from there.

Would you believe me if I told you I thought I was straight until like, last week?

I wouldn't say it sounded that bad. I think we're all happy for them. If this place could use anything it's more of that to go around and less of ...a lot of things. Too long to list. (You've been getting an earful of those nopes on the network, I see. The posts are a good idea. More information can only help.)

^^^ That was a non-sequitor, I think. Not even an intentional one.

[mike's already in the sanguine station, funny that. and no wardrobe change! though if he needed one his room's right there. now: to remember not to get falling down drunk, and not to let a-shen get to that point either. and have a backup plan in case he does.]

Already there. And sure, why wouldn't I believe you? You're a pretty ~~straight shooter~~ [gotta reword that, it was an accident but it's gonna sound like a joke.] ~~straightforward~~ sincere guy.

Mn. I was going to wait until I had more actionable data to post anything to the network, but it turns out just asking people to share their stories got me more and better information than combing old posts myself. Not a bad idea from the other me.

[More evidence that Consort Shen is the superior version, maybe? Or at least the more confident one. Funny how often those things can look the same.]

And thanks. [Of course Shen Yuan of all people would automatically take being called sincere as a compliment.]

I never thought about it either. Or maybe I was choosing not to think about it? I don't know. But it seemed easier to just assume I was...ugh.

['Normal' was how he was going to put it, but that's such an asshole phrasing, even he can see that. And while he's still thinking it over, there's the lamppost...and there's Sanguine Station.

It belatedly occurs to Shen Yuan that this is the first time he's going to meet Mike in person. Consort Shen got to hang out with him first, but Shen Yuan only has vague, dream-like impressions of his time in Trench. So it really is the actual first time, damn. So much for making a good first impression.]

[mike would not say 'superior', just maybe more sure of himself, maybe a little more unapologetically himself. and sincere is a compliment.]

Nothing brings people together like the urge to complain. And Trench does offer that service, free of charge, probably no opt-out.

No judging. I think you'll find that most people here just don't give a shit about that, which, okay, that's a point in favor of Trench.

[because on first glance, it looks like a place that might give a shit. there's an 'old' vibe about it, but mike has learned that old doesn't go hand in hand with so called 'traditional'. (traditionally what is another story. people have traditionally been terrible to each other, he's read a lot about that!).]

Some things don't get thought about until it's their time, right? Insert some witticism about eggs hatching or something. And I assumed a lot of things about myself, too. Done the dance of avoidance with many a thought. I've been there. Same station, just a different stop.

[mike's had so many awkward meetings he's beginning to feel like an old pro at them. so he just sits at the bar sipping a screwdriver that's mostly gone to water, and it might not be exactly made with orange juice, but there's an fun little umbrella in it, and he's not drinking it as part of breakfast, so it's a good day. he gives a little wave and a warm smile when he sees the other.]

Saved you a seat.

[there are quite a few seats.]

Thanks. [Shen Yuan smiles softly and sits down next to Mike, sighing deeply with something completely unlike relief in every respect.] So, what do they have here that's good?

[The little intricacies of ordering a drink give him a little time to emotionally distance himself from the conversation, to think about what he wants to get out of it and the things he doesn't want Mike to think about him when they part ways. Which is why the first thing out of his mouth, after the bartender's moved on, is, sheepishly:]

I'm sorry if I came off like some kind of asshole about all this, I don't want to be. I just...I had to process a lot of things really quickly, while I was gone, and then coming back to this... It's a lot to deal with, you know?

I'd really appreciate it if this conversation could just stay between us.

There's not a lot that's bad, honestly. And I've got a pretty unlimited tab, so go crazy. Well, not literally. Wouldn't want to put the Pthumerians out of a job. [is that how they see it he wonders. as a job?] There's the easy shit [a nod to his own drink] and then there's some stuff that'll really put you on your ass.

[is he smug about that tab? well, a little. it'd be hard for him not to be, and it leaks through to almost be immediately replaced by an incredulous look at the asshole comment, because he's not really coming off like an asshole, just a bit high strung, bothered, stressed. all things that mike can relate to.]

No harm done. I know my way around an asshole. [if that came out wrong he doesn't acknowledge, just shrugs.] Been around way too many of them for my own good, and what do you know, it rubbed off, because I've done my time as one, too. And you didn't really come off like that. So if you're assholing, it's the unintentional kind, which I can overlook.

[another shrug.]

I've got no reason to flap my gums about it, but you've got nothing to be ashamed of. This is a judgement free zone.

[he can say that with 75% certainty - for himself, 100% - and the place isn't full. so he indicates the zone with a little wave of his hand.]

Winter Be Gentle And Kind [Open]

cw: homophobic dads

cw: internalized homophobia (discussed) from here on out

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