callmeaprincess | Inbox for labyrinthum

Do you remember that gentleman I spoke about while making chocolates? Akira? Well, I did not mention that he stopped speaking to me quite suddenly. I thought I had insulted him but then he said something about bro-code.

I was hoping you would know what that meant.

Yes, I remember... you mean he just left in the middle of it? [There's no way Aurora insulted him, when has she ever insulted anyone?]

What was the last thing you said to him, before this reaction?

I was listing who would receive the chocolates I was making, and that they were for friends. I informed him that for him to receive chocolates, we would have to become friends.

So, he either didn't trust your chocolates, or he didn't want to become friends. But he was helping you make them, so he knew how they tasted, and was fine in your company until then...

Unless you mentioned someone he doesn't like?

I assure you, he was deeply pleased by my chocolates. He tried to sneak multiple tastes. But oh, yes, that... that indeed may be the case! I had mentioned you, Poppy, Bakugou, Denji, and then the next thing I know, he knows my name. [She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.]

Is that common? Refusing to befriend someone because you are not fond of someone they are acquainted to?

OH! Oh, I remember now, he said Denji said I was off-limits and then he mentioned that bro-code. Well, that and my "perfect ways" were already tempting him? [MODERN BOYS ARE SO WEIRD, JASMINE!]

Denji... [Let's... not mention how much he suddenly wanted to hug her the last time she saw him. That was clearly caused by magic perfume and doesn't say anything about his true character.

But what does is their conversation before then, where his focus was almost entirely on her protecting Aurora, and making sure that she wouldn't hurt her as a tigress. At the time, she simply took that as a sign of loyal friendship, plus concern for her safety...]

[But according to Akira, Denji also claimed that Aurora is "off-limits". And any doubt as to what he could mean by that vanishes the moment talk of "temptation" comes into the picture. Paired with the unrealistic claim of "perfect" directed at her friend.

Most infuriating of all, Aurora herself didn't know anything about this, because apparently only Akira is allowed such valuable information. And upon this realisation, Jasmine's demeanour changes from confusion to agitation in a manner of seconds.]

Yes, sometimes people refuse other's friendship because they don't like someone they're connected to. But it sounds like Akira refused because he is too fond of Denji. [And you for that matter.]

[Aurora's brow knitted together in confusion as she tilted her head and then she lifted a brow.

And she came to the entirely wrong conclusion.] You think Akira was upset because he is in love with Denji and he believes I am trying to court Denji instead? Denji is a very sweet friend, but that is all he is. I would never stand in the way of someone and their true love, I didn't even know Akira before making chocolate that day.

I am not so sure I like being thought of so poorly.

Edited 2023-03-09 05:13 (UTC)

[There's a second where Jasmine's eyes bug out for a second - not only did she not consider Denji and Akira together as a possibility, but the way Aurora so sincerely believes it takes her aback.

She tries to chuckle it off, which is hard because she's still rather annoyed with both of these guys right now.] N-not quite...

Aurora, I think Akira's upset because his friend Denji is trying to court you.

[Now it's Aurora's turn for her eyes to widen.]

I beg your pardon?

That can't be the case, Jasmine, Denji has made no formal declaration of such intent, and even if he did I would have to politely decline, we are friends and nothing more.

And even if he were enamored, which I assure you, he is not, why would that upset Akira were it not for his own affection for Denji?

Edited 2023-03-09 05:27 (UTC)

Maybe he's thinking about how to approach it. Or he's trying to gauge how you feel first.

But if he told Akira you're unavailable, then he must have thought his friend also wants to court you and would be competition. [Competing for someone who doesn't even know she's the trophy.] If he didn't agree, do you think he would have left, or found you so "tempting"?

Regardless, what is most important here is how you feel, and no matter how Denji or Akira see you, neither of them should dictate your potential swains for you.

Ah- well... [Ever poised and well-spoken Aurora is currently speechless. She supposed Jasmine did have a point. Akira most certainly, easily, declared she was making him "feel pretty good around her."

Perhaps it was a good thing she didn't mention that part to Jasmine, she's not so sure her best friend wouldn't go and punch Akira in the jaw.]

I do not desire either man. [She offered with honesty.] Denji I see only as a friend, and Akira... well, I cannot say I am pleased that he thought my just being myself was temptation. [That... had certainly been a little weird, looking back at the moment. She wasn't sure she had done anything she would ever consider "tempting." In fact, though, it was purely from living in the woods her entire life, she had never had anyone declare her intentions for her before. Though perhaps she was being too harsh, she did not know Akira so she certainly could not say what he had intended himself.]

How might I go about correcting this matter?

[Perhaps luckily for Aurora, Jasmine has never met Akira and thus has no point of reference for the man. If she does in the future, though, there is no guarantee she wouldn't react impulsively, whether it involves punching or not.

But when one of the men in question is a friend, these things require a more delicate response. Denji clearly cares for Aurora, so the thought of inadvertently embarrassing and confusing her could very well mortify him. She looks down in thought, before sighing and turning back to her dear roommate.]

I think you should talk to Denji, one-on-one. Ask him upfront if what he told Akira is true, and then be honest with him about how you feel. Be blunt if you must, or else he might not think you mean "No".

If he's truly your friend, then I'm sure he would rather know directly what you want instead of hearing it from his other friends. [Needless to say, she doesn't trust Akira to not have a skewed perspective.]

I shall speak to Denji, as you suggest. I am not sure I shall bring up my betrothal, but at the very least, I shall have to let him know that I see him as a friend and hope he is content with that relationship.

I've never had to... reject someone's intent before. Unfortunately, we left before I could even tell... [Her voice trails off. She's speaking about her peasant boy, she curled up a bit.] He'll be arriving to an empty cottage... [She shook her head and sighed.] In any case, I hope I can convey that I value our friendship even if I do not see him as a suitor.

[Her demeanour softens as Aurora gets lost in her thoughts, and she inches closer to put a hand on her shoulder.]

Even if you were there, you would be asleep. But here, where you're awake, who you're set to marry doesn't change how you feel... so there's no need to tell him about your betrothed unless you want to.

I've had to reject suitors far too often. Even after my engagement, they would come calling, thinking they could "win" me over Aladdin just because he isn't royalty. But two that I rebuffed were understanding and remain friends from neighbouring kingdoms... so I hope Denji is the same when you speak to him.

Ageless sleep... [She felt herself smile and then it faded. She may wake up to find everyone she loved dead beside her aunts. If she woke up at all. She sighed.] I am afraid I am not so eager to return home as you, Jasmine. [She took another deep breath. No, no reason to linger on something out of her hands.]

I am not so surprised you've had endless suitors, Jasmine. [The other girl was absolutely stunning.]

I hope Denji does wish to remain friends. I've never lost a friend before.

I understand.

[She will be the first to confess that her situation is incredibly lucky compared to most. ~~(And her fiancé isn't even here yet.)~~ She could assure Aurora that someone will find a way to her sleeping self, whether it's her betrothed or her lovely peasant boy... but she knows it's harder to believe that in the moment. Especially when her roommate has so much less experience with curses and relationships to begin with.]

Just know that no matter how Denji responds... you have me and Poppy. And there are plenty of other young men here who would love to be your friend, and only that. Some others may be interested in more, but that's not your concern unless it's something you truly want yourself.

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