{2nd Card}

[keystaff]

I know there's a lot of us on the network, so this might get a lot of different ideas, but that's okay! We could make a list! But um. I was wondering, about where others might go, what you might do for a date with someone? Though I guess that might depend on the person, what they like doing, probably?

I haven't done this before, so. I'm trying to come up with some ideas. Of where to go together or what to do. So if anyone else has any ideas, that could help us decide! I mean, most of you are older, so you probably have more experience with this sort of thing, at least.

[Yes. That's right. Xiaolang finally confessed to her and she realized she returned his feelings, so. These two middle-schoolers are together now. It only took however many months at this point.]

Comments

[maskreant]

at least puppies are cute?

[cardcaptured]

That's not making it any better.

[Honestly. What thirteen year old boy wants to be called adorable, of all things?]

[maskreant]

beauty is temporary, but cuteness is eternal.

it could be worse. you could have been called a sea cucumber.

[cardcaptured]

A sea cucumber...?

I mean, I guess that is a worse thing than a puppy, but what sort of comparison is THAT?

[maskreant]

some people are like sea cucumbers. it's a sound comparison to me.

[cardcaptured]

But... how can somebody be like a vegetable? In that they sit around all day and do nothing?

[... granted, he's only seen dried sea cucumbers before in markets back home, so he doesn't... quite know they're an actual fish...]

[maskreant]

sea cucumbers are animals. cucumbers are vegetables.

i would say they're kind of the same, but sea cucumbers are actually scavengers.

[ He furiously backspaced the tidbit about them being able to breed asexually and sexually. ]

[cardcaptured]

[Yeah, no, he's a bit too young for this Discovery Channel stuff??? Good call, Akira, good call]

Sort of like how aubergines are called eggplants, but don't really look like eggs?

[American English is a fucking trip, man]

When you put it like that, though, that sounds like an even worse thing to compare someone to. And you say you know people like that?

[maskreant]

yeah, kind of. i don't understand English that well, actually.

you don't think sea cumbers are cute in their own way?

[cardcaptured]

[What in the ever loving fuck IS that]

... no. It's gross. It looks like some sort of alien creature.

[Goddamn, Xiaolang, rude to the sea cucumber?? But something Akira says about the whole English thing stands out to him, and given his name...

The next reply is written out in Japanese, although it's less than perfect and a bit awkwardly worded.]

Would it be good if I wrote to you in Japanese instead? I am not very good at it yet, but if it is more comfortable for you to read, I do not mind the practice.

I do want to thank you, too. For the advice on love.

[maskreant]

[ Ohhh, nooo. Xiaolang, he didn't mean it literally. ]

「I've lived here long enough to know English, but what I meant is that its conventions are confusing. As an example, why do we say Kansas like it is yet Arkansas differently?

Anyway, I wouldn't mind typing to you in Japanese if you need practice. I'm surprised that people your age are already picking up new languages.

P.S. I barely gave you advice. You did it all on your own.」

[cardcaptured]

[He's an earnest boy, okay.......... cries......]

... oh. That I do understand too. English is a very stupid language.

I did not learn Japanese by myself, though. Retrospec, it... [He's really trying to think of what the word for regain is here--] it gave me back some knowledge of it. It is not a lot, but there are a lot of people in this city who speak it, so it is good to know. I speak Cantonese and English too, but that was common back where I am from.

But you gave me something to work with. To make me less confused about what to say. It helped me a lot. I would be stuck with words if you did not say what you did.

[... he's trying to say that Akira's suggestion of confession was what he went with, okay]

[maskreant]

[ Good thing Akira can somewhat interpret this. Xiaolang is a good boy... He feels a little bad for teasing him before. ]

I know someone that regained several languages, too. It'll definitely give you an edge here and in general. If you keep practicing, you'll be fluent in no time.

Then you can tell her your feelings in Japanese. Romantic.

I was surprised that you did it since to most people it would seem like I was teasing you, but congratulations. You made it and I wish you two happiness.