[Anon Text]

[ubiquitously]

[Recently, Uai gave Azura a lamp.

This may seem like a simple gesture. Maybe even friendly. Or real dumb. But to Uai, it’s a very intimate gesture. He was taught to court girls through bird courtship rituals, like nest building. Offering Azura a pretty piece of furniture for her nest/bedroom was really forward of him! It was supposed to indicate that he wants to invite her to the masquerade!

Somehow, the point didn’t get across. What a mystery.]

I gave a girl a lamp, but I don’t think she understands what that means.

Is this not how humans show interest in one another?

It was a blue lamp, btw. It even came with a lamp shade. So it’s not as if I was being very subtle.

[Subtle isn’t the problem here.]

Comments

[nepu]

That's not how that sorta thing works, lamps aren't romantic.

anon text;

[orlokbutterfly]

if you didn't hand it over to her while saying "you light up my life" then no wonder it failed

[Real helpful, this one.]

[fierybluebird]

Were you trying to attract a moth, or a girl?

A mothgirl is an acceptable answer.

[ubiquitously]

[???? It’s not????]

Would a throw pillow be better?

anon text;

[ubiquitously]

That’s embarrassing...

I just want her to go to the masquerade with me.

Not kick me out of the house for being weird.

[nepu]

No no no, giving those types of items aren't any good. You gotta go with something more heartfelt!

[ubiquitously]

Regular girl...

You don’t think I insulted her, did you? What if she thinks that I think she’s a moth?

[fierybluebird]

What's wrong with that? Moths are cute.

[ubiquitously]

It was heartfelt!!!

Lamps are very important for your room. They’re practical and pretty.

And blue is something we have in common...

[nepu]

But it might not come off as that to the other person. Most people think that sorta thing is weird to give as a romantic gesture!

[not here]

[lazuline]

[Azura can see anon posts.

Consider this notification that she's currently in the kitchen (the large one in Lakendell) squinting suspiciously at her phone.]

[fashionably_strong]

[A blue lamp? If the girl was buying new furniture for a blue room, she supposes the gift could be a thoughtful one, but it doesn't sound like that's the case.]

Considering how many different worlds people come from, I think it's best to come right out and ask her to go with you to the masquerade. Unless you've told her what's a romantic gesture in your culture, how is she going to going to know?

[ubiquitously]

What was I supposed to give her? Flowers?

I mean, you can use those for a bird's nest

but she's human. So I thought... human nests are bedrooms... so a lamp made sense.

[ubiquitously]

I don't know if "Hey, you remind me of a moth!" is how you get a date.

[not here either]

[ubiquitously]

[GOTTA BUY A THROW PILLOW.]

[ubiquitously]

[Okay, fair point. Azura isn't a bird, but... he thought this was normal.]

She's way too nice.

If I ask directly, she'll say yes so I don't feel bad.

At least this way, she can play dumb to turn me down.

[fierybluebird]

It really isn't. You should probably just ask her.

I once thought filling my room with turnips might be my wife's way of telling me she was pregnant.

It wasn't.

[fashionably_strong]

Or maybe she'd say yes because she likes you. You'll never know until you ask.

[fierybluebird]

Dude! I'm a bird and even I find that weak! You could at least do origami flowers. Light them on fire and they're torches.

[ubiquitously]

[Anyone in the Fate estate may have heard Uai squawk like a flustered bird.

Now he's texting back:]

NOT MY CONCERN BUT I GET YOUR POINT.

but

She's one of those nice people who would sooner suffer through the party with me than turn me down.

I don't want to take advantage of that... so I want to be subtle...

[ubiquitously]

No.

It can't be

romantic. or anything.

or even

[There's a long pause, as Uai has to face what he's doing. He's still in a relationship with Hana. Whatever he's pursuing with Azura, it's wrong. Giving her the lamp was wrong.

He sorta wishes she had understood the intention and then cracked it over his head.]

It's better if she turns me down. I just don't think she's purposefully turning me down right now.

Gotta make her do it on purpose

or something.

[ubiquitously]

I don't want her to think I'm a pyromaniac!

[fierybluebird]

Pyromania is a perfectly normal hobby.

[Marco's not helping....]

[ubiquitously]

This isn't helping at all!

anon text;

[orlokbutterfly]

certainly can't say that move was very bright

but let me help shine some light on the situation for you

ask her directly and just watch that face glow with delight