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[warpweft]

This is Hex. Leave a message. Or don't! If I wanted to talk to you, I probably would've called you first.

Comments

[warpweft]

Hello, and thank you for calling Hex. Your call is important to us, and may be recorded for quality assurance.

To leave a glowing compliment about how Hex has changed your miserable life for the better, please press 1. To swear vengeance against Hex for how she's destroyed your miserable life, please press 2. For billing, please press 3. Or stay on the line and Hex will be with you shortly.

[ugly_split_ends]

...Those aren't mutually exclusive.

[warpweft]

You're not mutually exclusive.

What?

[ugly_split_ends]

Is that a crack about Jane?

... [she sighs]

I have a question for you.

[warpweft]

...let's pretend I came up with something that clever off the cuff and say, yes. Yes it was. An incisive cut to your very core.

But because I am gracious, I will also allow you to seek my knowledge. What's the question?

[ugly_split_ends]

...

...

Do you believe in dating down?

[warpweft]

This is me we're talking about. I kind of have to, or I'd never get dates.

[ugly_split_ends]

Yeah, pretty much.

...

[warpweft]

What? You have a crush on someone but it's interfering with your steadfast dedication to your master?

[ugly_split_ends]

S-Shut up. Like any mere crush could distract me from my master!

... But, uh. Let's... build from that thought.

[warpweft]

Is it me?

[ugly_split_ends]

Mnnnngggggh.... you're one of those types who reads the ending chapter first, aren't you??

[warpweft]

No, I'm one of those types who figures out the twist in the first chapter and then smugly congratulates herself when she gets to the end.

So, this person, whoever it is, what's the issue. Are you concerned you're not good enough for them or they're not good enough for you?

[ugly_split_ends]

... Yeah. Anyone by definition would be 'dating down' for me. But then add on "went to university to learn witchcraft and can do all this other shit while simultaneous dealing with crazy Grandma and other family stuff."

...So?

[warpweft]

They sound incredible. Is that why you're suddenly beset by feelings for them?

[ugly_split_ends]

...I wouldn't say "suddenly," really. It just sorta occurred to me. Even though I was in this situation with incomprehensible people looking for this 'void heart,' it was really important to me that I stick with it and finish it. Even if it meant facing off with scary Grandma. For the 'sake' of saving this person.

And it occurred to me that this person seemed concerned for my well-being and getting me safe.

--Then you add on the physical element and how they're pretty sexy, even when the sex has been in succubus-mummy form.

So, I started to think, maybe this is something beyond friendship and more like 'affection'.

[warpweft]

Hum.

Speaking of your well-being.

How is your sight doing? Has it started to return, yet?

[ugly_split_ends]

...It's permanent, actually.

[warpweft]

I see.

How did you confirm this?

[ugly_split_ends]

I asked one of the faeries.

They said I can bargain for robot eyes that'll replace them, but that's it.

[warpweft]

[Quiet for a few seconds.]

I see.

What do you intend to do?

[ugly_split_ends]

I dunno. It's not exactly been easy for me but I'll figure that out.

...This feels like a digression. Like the rising action was building toward a climax but the author decided to spend a few chapters on world-building first.

[warpweft]

Maybe I'm just building tension.

Anyway. Advice. You wanted advice, right?

What exactly do you think you want with this person? It sounds like you feel there may be some kind of an emotional connection, here.

[ugly_split_ends]

Not advice. If you believed in dating down, personally, for you. Not in general.

... Am I wrong?

[warpweft]

If you really and honestly want to know.

It's not something that crosses my mind. Even in the real world, I find the complex alchemy of figuring out if someone is dateable to be tedious. It makes the whole thing so heatless and transactional, it might as well be another job. If I liked somebody, I would date them. Person or monster or sex demon or whatever. Or I would just say nuts to the whole thing and spend my time with Nell instead.

In this place, I'm even less inclined to think about it. I'm just doing what I want and not worrying about the consequences or how it'll affect my life after this place.