Deerington Inbox

[incandescentfaith]

Hello, you've reached Rei Hino.
I'm sorry to have missed you.

Please leave a message and I'll contact you as I am able.

Comments

[mypartnerintime]

[There's a mild smile on her lips.]

That's hella romantic, Rei. [There's a pause. She means it, in the best possible way. When she speaks again her tone is a little teasing.] You're such a softie deep down.

[incandescentfaith]

I won't deny that.

[She can't. And even if Max is teasing, she's going to own up to it.]

Being prickly has benefits, but I got tired of being lonely.

[mypartnerintime]

Imagine how the poor porcupines feel. [Mhmm, yes, that's relevant to this conversation.] I'm glad I met you post-prickly then.

[incandescentfaith]

Well, it was always a little less noticeable with women.

[mypartnerintime]

[She gives Rei a questioning look.] What does that mean? [A quick look of realization passes over her, which quickly turns into a teasing one.] Oh, special treatment, huh?

[incandescentfaith]

Men mostly annoy me. [she shrugs.] And I guess I'm a lesbian. I never really thought about it too hard.

[mypartnerintime]

[She shrugs right back.] You don't really have to, I guess, unless it bothers you. As long as you like someone... you'll make it work out. [She runs a finger over her cheekbone.] And I gotta admit, there are a bunch of men I don't like too, but... I've met a couple of really good ones. But I guess that's also true for girls.

[incandescentfaith]

I've met a few good men too. But by and large...

[Shruuuuuug.]

And I can't imagine kissing, or being intimate, with a man. So... [she trails off. This stayed a bit from the idea of her giving girls preferential treatment, didn't it.]

[mypartnerintime]

[Max answers that shrug with her own equally long shrug.]

Have you, uhh... been intimate with a lot of girls?

[She doesn't know how to phrase that in a less embarrassing way, but there you go.]

[incandescentfaith]

[This is a very frank discussion, isn't it...]

I don't think so? Three doesn't feel like a lot. Justine, Yuri, and Ouse, and all in Deerington. Though the first was...because of the town messing with us.

[Spiked drinks and such.]

What about you?

[mypartnerintime]

[There's a moment before Max realizes how wrong "intimate" sounds. Then a look of realization and comes over her and she groans.]

Oh, I meant, like- like being in a relationship with! Not, uh, you know...

[Not being physically intimate. Uggghhh, this is embarrassing! She sighs a little red in the face. Might as well admit this all the way, especially since Rei was honest.]

...I've only really been, uh, intimate with... with Chloe. [A pause.] In Wonderland. Not here. It's so complicated.

[incandescentfaith]

Oh. Two. Yuri and Ouse.

[She was dating them both, at the same time. Whoops.]

I haven't dated anyone else. There's not really been much time for it at home.

Is Chloe the only person you ever dated?

[mypartnerintime]

Yeah, dated and... [She trails off, a little pink in the face. Let Rei finish that thought on her own. The other girl was willing to share, so...] It's kinda weird, in a good way, that you have more time for that stuff here. I guess cuz it isn't just you keeping everyone safe.

[incandescentfaith]

Yes. And there's more people here that aren't...like me? It's a little odd to think about dating someone I've fought and died beside.

[mypartnerintime]

...You've died, Rei?

[That's definitely the most important thing in that statement.]

[incandescentfaith]

Yes? Three times.

[She...shrugs halfheartedly.]

I don't really stay dead.

[mypartnerintime]

[She doesn't know how to feel about that last part.]

Even... even back home? Because of Mars?

[incandescentfaith]

Yeah. Because of the planet, more than anything. As long as it exists, I will too.

[...]

It's. odd? I don't know how I feel about it, but it's made me not as concerned with dying.

[mypartnerintime]

...I don't know how I feel about it either. [On the one hand, at least you're not leaving behind the people you love... or that love you. On the other hand...] I'm no good at metaphysical life-after-death discussions.

[incandescentfaith]

It...it helps you any, my friends at home are all immortal. It's not like I'm cursed with immortality. It is genuinely a blessing. If one that feels weird.

omg im so late, i thought id replied to this, sorry!

[mypartnerintime]

[Being immortal with immortal friends makes all the difference, she supposes. Though it's starting to stretch beyond the realm of her imagination.]

That sounds okay, I guess. It's great you don't see it as a curse.

s'ok

[incandescentfaith]

Life's weird, and I kind of envy normal people a little bit.

[A lot.]

But surely you don't want to hear about all that.

[mypartnerintime]

...Life's hella strange.

[Boom, referencing the game name heck yeah.

Max very much wants to say how much she envies 'normal' people too, but she holds her tongue. Whatever she's been through, she's sure Rei has had it worse.]

Honestly? I just wanna know you're okay after the... dying three times thing. That's not good for people.

[She's thinking of Chloe, as she very often is.]

[incandescentfaith]

Oh. Yes. I'm fine?

[Really. She's fine!]

I don't have any lasting effects, or regrets. I was doing the right thing, Max.

[mypartnerintime]

And you still are.

[Despite anything else, she's confident in that, at least.]