ledbythewind | [Action, early evening of the 11th]

[A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Richard made a certain offer to Asbel because his best friend is apparently incapable of going after the woman who likes him (aka Cheria) without outside intervention. He's already pulled some intervention in the form of mistletoe shenanigans, but since then, there's been absolutely no progress on that front and it's nearly Valentine's Day.

So Richard has decided to take matters into his own hands. As a king, he's had more than enough lessons in manners and the proper methods of courting ladies, meaning that he is going to make sure that Asbel knows how to treat a woman right, and what better way to do so than by having Asbel take him out for an evening the way he (hopefully) will with Cheria later? Of course, there's only one flaw in this plan, which is figuring out how to make Asbel forget that he's with Richard, his decidedly male best friend, and act like he would if he were going out with an actual woman. BUT HE HAS A PLAN. And said plan involves a purple dress, a bit of makeup, some jewelry, and his hair swept up into a slightly messy updo.

There, perfect. Now, to execute the plan...

Feel free to gawk at the lovely lady who is heading to Seventh Heaven to meet Asbel! Or just stare in horror because RICHARD IS THAT YOU.]

(OOC: Will probably be a bit slow with tags because I'm still sick, but this needed to be done before the event! And I am getting to the stuff in my inbox. :|b)

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[Proceeding to look a little more embarrassed.]

Ah -- I don't really like girly things or anything like that! I'm just wearing this because my parents gave it to me.

[At that, his smile softens slightly.]

There's nothing wrong with liking "girly" things. You should be proud of what you like, no matter what it is.

But I really don't like girly things! [She completely misses Richard's second sentence.]

Not at all?

[She shakes her head vehemently.]

It's not...it just feels weird for me. [She's beginning to sound defensive.]

And why is that?

[He's honestly curious, being a guy who is very much on the more feminine side of things.]

[Now there's a question she's pondered quite a number of times.]

I just...don't feel like I'm that kind of person. It's not that I want to be a boy or anything, but...that stuff doesn't fit me, I guess.

[plz dun judge her.]

I see. Then, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of person do you feel you are?

[It's a genuine question with no malice or teasing intent behind it.]

[She's caught off guard a little by the question, and pauses for a moment to formulate an answer.]

Well...I'm definitely very energetic! And I like to be active and stuff. [A little more seriously:] I also try to help people when I can...

I wasn't aware that any of those traits were exclusive to women or to men.

Well...maybe not the helping people part. But Natasha thinks I'm too outgoing for a girl...

Edited (wrong icon, SUCH AN IMPORTANT DETAIL) 2012-03-29 04:43 (UTC)

Natasha? Is she the ruler of your country?

[Headshake.]

She's my caretaker. She always nags me for not being "feminine" enough.

If she isn't royalty, then I don't see why her opinion matters more than your own or anyone else's. And even if she were royalty, kings and queens are only human as well. They make mistakes just like everyone else.

[If only Pao-Lin had any idea that she's talking to a king in drag right now...]

...I guess. And she's not here right now, anyway.

[Which Pao-Lin is still conflicted about, even after almost five months in Luceti. She suddenly smiles up at Richard.]

You remind me of a friend of mine, you know. He's a guy, but he likes wearing dresses and wearing makeup and jewelry, too, and he's always telling me that it's okay to be...whoever it is that I am.

[Richard chuckles lightly.]

Is that so? I can't claim to dress like this normally, but I will admit that it's turning out to be far more enjoyable than I expected. In fact, I don't think I'd mind doing it again sometime.

[And he smiles back.]

Maybe that's just a part of who I am too.

[Nod.]

Nathan doesn't wear dresses all the time either, but he definitely wears lipstick and eyeshadow and all the other stuff even to work. Your friends don't mind you dressing like this, do they?

The one who caught me going out the door didn't seem that bothered by it. He just told me to keep a tally of how many men try to hit on me while I'm dressed like this.

[whoah-ho-ho what. what.]

He really said that?! That seems kind of mean, doesn't it?

[It's not that Pao-Lin is naive on that sort of slang (and we can all thank Nathan for some education on that front), but somehow her brain skipped over a rather crucial word in Richard's statement...]

Mean? Why is that?

[He hasn't yet figured out just what word her mind skipped... if anything, he's thinking that she's assuming he's straight.]

Well, I mean...! It sounds like he's expecting a lot of people to hit you for some reason. Why would he want you to keep track of something like that?

Hit me...?

[And then it clicks in his mind and he starts laughing.]

No, no, I meant hit on me-- it's a way of saying flirting with someone. Don't worry, there's no actual punching involved.

[And now Pao-Lin's laughing too.]

Oh, okay! I guess I didn't hear you right the first time. Sorry! [She tilts her head, curious.] Are you looking for, like, a boyfriend or something? Is that why you're dressed like that tonight?

I'm afraid I'm not looking for one right now-- I promised a friend of mine that I would give him some lessons in the proper way to court a lady. I figured that dressing up this way would help make it easier for him to pretend that I really am a lady instead of his best friend.

[Another laugh.] Well, I'm sure this'll help him a lot, you're a very pretty lady. I guess you're gonna go meet up with him now, huh?

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