AGG: HSS: Xenovia 1

AGG: HSS: Xenovia 1

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Commisisioned by Wirdo

Word Count: 1548

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Dating.

I don’t get it.

“Honestly, neither do I, but this is how courtship is conducted in modern times. It’s quite endearing, if you consider it.” Song’s admittance tells me all that I need to know. If he cannot understand the situation, then it’s not worth considering myself. It is a matter of practicality. If he considers the action merely charming, then how could I hope to find any merit in understanding it myself? With my history, and my complete lack of connection with contemporary society, I can only suppose that I’ll find it trivial at best. “But, I can’t help but think that everyone would be happier, if elders helped mediate the process, or if there wasn’t emphasis on who ought to act and who ought to react.”

Indeed, from what I remember of courtship and male-female relations, the most prominent fact is that human beings really ought to leave matters of love to those who know better than them. Studies regarding hedonism, lust, and other emotional responses, from historical anecdotes starting from Adam and Eve, the Trojan War, and several cases in modernity, have all concluded that love is best when it’s facilitated between two individuals who have been evaluated and discussed by third parties who know them better.

For example, if Lady Griselda was present to speak on my behalf, I am sure that Li Song would waste no time in taking me as his wife. I am, after all, a woman of immense strength, power, and ability. Being an exceptionally capable warrior, who has received the divine blessings of God, I am exceedingly qualified to be with anyone, but in regard to the Aspect of Conflict? A Hero? Well, though I am most certainly ignoring the need to be humble, I can confidently say that I am the most suited to the task. Lady Griselda, speaking on my behalf, would surely see me wed, bedded, and happy within the span of a few days, if she were present and accounted for.

Why she hasn’t responded to my letters, calls, and texts so far eludes me, but I shall discern the root of the problem at a later date, when I have time to spare.

For now, I must study the intricacies of modern courtship, of which both Li Song and myself were disadvantaged, and therefore equal in footing.

After all, he had a somewhat barbaric stance that focused on showing overwhelming might, ability, and vigor to seduce fragile, gullible young women. Thereafter, he’d conduct himself in an exceptional manner, until he managed to capture their hearts thoroughly, and debauch them completely and utterly until they’re thoroughly incapable of thinking about leaving him. Thus, with the young women turned into lovers and wives, he would return his Tribe into existence through copious, barbaric, and thorough tribal practices unseemly to civilized cultures throughout the world.

I had to force him into unfamiliar ground, because his master plan already had me well into the second stage, and if continue to give ground it will only be a matter of time before I become known as a knight who was overwhelmed by a barbarian and made to bear his children. Yes, indeed, if I did not choose this unfamiliar battleground, I will certainly become a ravaged, senseless maiden at the mercy of a phantasmal beast, utterly incapable of escaping his grasp, with my body and form reduced to slaking lusts.

It certainly isn’t an ending I’d put any effort to avoiding, but giving up without a fight is against my values as a warrior!

“So, if neither of us understand it, then we must both experience it ourselves.” Given his pride as a warrior, scholar, and a man, Song would not refuse. I was pleased to be correct as he swiftly nodded and assented to my plan. “Very well, then. Let us go—

“Wait. First, we need to dress both our parts.”

Eh?

…

“T-this is beyond depraved! A stray gust and this farce of an underthing will be bare for all to see!” I wore a spring dress, a light sweater, and flats. Beneath, I wore what is expected of a woman. A “bra” and “panties.” My mind could only boggle at the concepts and my heart felt only hatred. An opportune, upward gust will present my body to the world, with the sweater providing barely any protection, and I was sure they’d burst off my body the moment I released an ounce of power. Not only that, but who wore such lacy, light things for privacy outside!? An undersuit for winter, or a leotard for summers, is what’s required! Or, nothing! They may as well be! “Why in God’s name would anyone wear this!? Why couldn’t I dress as you do?”

“For a proper, formal first date, both parties dress according to the best of their orthodox stereotypes.” Li Song was dashing, even whilst disguised. He wore a light blue shirt, a matching brown vest and pants, and he wore a newspaper boy’s hat. He wore his hair over his shoulder in a braid, and his amber  glasses hid his eyes, fulfilling a masterpiece of a picture whilst hiding his identity. Naturally, he drew an immense amount of attention whilst I held onto his elbow, but not a single soul recognized him. “This is semi-formal date. We are wearing clothes that are semi-formal, since I was sure that you’d dislike modern dress more?”

Visions flew before my eyes of the dresses worn by “stars” of movies at premieres and award ceremonies. Those risqué pieces, which hid half the body and tantalized with every swaying step, were indeed far more terrible than what I currently wore. Though, the notion of seeing Li Song in a suit enticed me, as regular, mortal men seemed dashing when clad in the uniform, I found no urge to have a date that dictated such a wardrobe. Still, no individual worth their salt would be sated by the notion of a worse possibility being applicable to them, instead of their current circumstances.

I will not back down from my hatred of my current state of dress!

Not in the least!

Even if it was worth wearing to see Li Song in a similar manner!

This is a draw! Not a defeat!

So, we may walk into the sunset now, and not progress any further!

“Hmmm, I believe that we don’t need to watch a film to find a topic to converse about, so this café will do.” Eh? What’s this? A follow-up attack, right before I’m ready to sue for peace! No! I must remain strong and redoubtable! I can’t back down with him still giving his all?! What would I be if I declared defeat now, after the first strike, no matter how mighty it was! “What do you think, Quarta?”

“I-It’s fine. That sounds fine.” Through great grit and determination, I managed bulldoze past that smile and genteel assault of his. I am mighty! I am strong! I am a Sword Saint blessed by God! “Conversing and consuming our fill sounds just about right for this sort of debauchery.” This was no different to eating with him in other respects. Except that we were alone together. And, no one we knew was present. Ah. I see. What a cunning strategy. I have been utterly stopped mid-step. “Hmmm… perhaps, I’m not ready for this step, just yet?”

My defeat was all too clear. The situation, from how I am dressed to the knowledge now embedded into my mind and refusing to leave, was simply beyond my ability to confront. I have been utterly defeated.

Yet, Li Song took my hand.

“Nonsense. Everyone’s ready to learn!” Indeed, Li Song saw this as a challenge to overcome. There was a flush to his cheeks, but there was a giddiness to his step. Truly, the Aspect of Conflict was enjoying himself, and he presented a sight that saw fit to stop my heart a dozen times over. His visage was boyish, pure, and happy, instead of his typical masculine sobriety, and that utterly annihilated all my thoughts. No. It is not the situation that defeated me. I lost the moment I’d agreed to this date. His victory was never in question. I’d merely prolonged the inevitable and expended resources that could have been spent in the next battle. As expected of an expert tactician, such as him. “Let’s do this! Together! I’m sure we’ll both be able to understand dating just fine!”

I was hopeless and completely defeated, so what was the point in retreating?

All I could do now is die valiantly against the oncoming tide!

“A-alright! I’ll do it!” My cheeks felt as though they were aflame. The tips of my ears were like struck irons against the cool air. I was clad girlishly, alike so many of the others jealousy staring my way, and to the yearning of many men. However, holding my hand was a hero who I had nothing but respect for, and a friend who saw fit to educate me all he could, out of his own time and effort, and help me fit into the world I now lived in. Li Song was forcing me to learn, adapt, and conquer. “L-let’s go!”

So, I shall.

With him.