retrospec | > Post kittens.

Ah, but why simply say they're your favorite, when you can say the reasons that they're your favorite? I wish they were less expensive, but one around the house would be a great deal of fun. Very good at improving one's mood.

The only downside is they shed quite a bit.

If you truly loved them you wouldn't care about the shedding.
I have so many broken favorite mugs because of my cats.

Ah, I could live with the shedding for that cuteness. It is really more the cost that is the issue. But, I will own one one of these days, mark my words. And I will name him Caesar, or something appropriately kingly.

Have you checked out shelters?
Maybe they have a lonely wrinkly ass pug there, waiting for you to pull forks out of your sleeve in front of it.

Actually it is the upkeep I worry over. Food, shots, health and wellness. I am saving for college, which is not exactly known for being inexpensive.

Yeah pets can be pretty expensive.
If you just have one then it shouldn't get too bad unless it gets sick or something.

I will look again at my pocketbook and if I am able, I may yet do this. After all, it is not as if my girlfriend is here, is it? Girlfriends are expensive too.

[ KARKAT WOULDN'T KNOW!!!!! he almost types this but erases it at the last second because that seems too desperate ]

How much were you spending on your girlfriend holy shit?

I never kept up a clear record of what I spent and where, but I do recall it meant I was not buying much for myself while I was back home? It's a little unromantic to keep tabs, but I'd say two-hundred dollars a month wouldn't be that odd, maybe more? Gas, food, makeup, dates, presents ...

Dating is not cheap, Karkat.

What the fuck
Why didn't you just take a bus??
What if you're on a budget?

There are ways to date cheaply, but they are a little tricky to do. People have expectations, and you don't want to make someone feel like you don't care.

I take it you have never really dated, Karkat?

And why exactly are you asking me this?

[ in this thread: karkat avoiding saying yes. ]

It might explain why you don't know quite so much about the topic. But it isn't that important, if you'd rather I not pry. I will, though, promise not to tease and try to set you up on a date.

I never said I didn't know much about the topic!
I just didn't get why you personally were spending so much money.

[ he knows nothing on the topic? he has been on two dates and neither of them were actually real dates it's hilarious. ]

Because I wished to impress her, and then later so we could have fun, and because I want her to have nice things? My, you really haven't done much dating.

[...]

I am tempted to suggest that I take you on a 'proper' friend's "date" and show you the bill afterwards. It might be educational. One of these days, you are going to find that right person after all.

[Seriously... she was starting to think of Karkat as a personal project. The boy needed help.]

We are most definitely not doing that.
This is turning into a sitcom plotline and I REFUSE to live this way.

---------

That is the line. I just drew it.

[Chloe inserted a laugh track image into the file she replied with and smiled as she did so.]

This feels like the moment to include that. Ah, but I have an idea that is not quite so stereotypical, and does not involve us awkwardly staring at each other across a table of food while the audience makes whooping sounds. I could plan out a date that will never happen, and tell you what it would cost. Sort of a "budget" of a date, if you will.

You would not even have to put your shoes on.

I am highly suspicious and everything you are saying is not alleviating that.

Give me just a moment. I will do it now. Then you won't have to be suspicious anymore!

Well, about this anyway. I think you are always a little suspicious, Karkat.

[So, it did take her a minute or two to track down some information so that she could do this properly. She'd been free of the dating scene for a few years now because somebody was across the ocean from her, so the costs were 'roaming charges,' and apple ipads were handy for controlling that, but she found it easily enough.]

Right, so your average date is Dinner + Something. You eat and you go out to do something fun, or you do something fun, and you eat. Let's pretend it isn't a first date. Those always cost more, if you want a second date anyway.

Dinner: Say you're going to Applebees or Chili's, a regular restaurant, but not an expensive one. They have those 2 for 20 or 2 for 25 meals, right? Add drinks for 2-3 dollars each and tip, and it's usually going to be about $30-40 dollars for dinner at a restaurant. If you choose fast food, it's going to be $10-18. If you go to a nice restaurant, it's closer to $70-120 depending on how nice. There's a difference between a Habachi Grill where they cook you ahi tuna and going to Red Lobster after all.

Other things:
Movies: I checked the prices and they're higher than I remember. 10-15 dollars a ticket unless it's the matinee, then it's 6-8. Popcorn and snacks are 10-15 dollars extra.
Zoo: Fifteen a head to get in. If you eat there instead of the restaurant, it's Chili's prices. I went once. If you eat elsewhere it's like before. About 20 bucks if you buy a souvenir, and at the very least, you're spending five dollars to stay hydrated while you're there.
Art Museum: Free, but there's usually an exhibit that's special and runs you 5-10 each. Can be cheap, but you only get to do it once in a while unless they're really into the art museum.

Lots of other options, some cheaper than others. Gas is probably about $5, really. Bus is close to that, but most people don't take the bus. Most people that are dating go out once a week.

Let's just say you do a cheap meal of $20 for fast food and $20 for the movies, and the two of you trade off who's paying, you might get away with 80-100 a month. But then you're always doing the exact same thing, and you're just going out to Taco Bell like you would with a friend. It probably just becomes friends, more than dating, because that's really what you're doing. If you're trying to be romantic, you're probably going to spend closer to 50 and sometimes 80-100 on dates, and these days it's normal to trade off who pays so you can both afford to go out more. You're still paying 150-200 a month on the low end.

Dating is for people with jobs, or a lot of creativity, Karkat. I haven't even told you how much Cologne, Perfume, Makeup, New Clothes, Valentine's day and Birthday gifts amount to...

Hmmmmm.
Ok I decided.
Whenever I start dating someone I am going to keep tabs on the expenses, and when they end up being lower than the number you gave me, I am going to shove it in your face.

Only if you are actually able to keep the relationship for longer than a month and a half. It's only fair that we're talking about ongoing relationships here, not short attempts.

Deal.
Challenge accepted, etc etc
If I prove I can do this and both of us are happy then I want a handwritten letter from you stating that you were wrong.

And what are the conditions for failure, I should wonder? We keep doing these little challenges. It is becoming quite the 'thing' for us, is it not?

We don't have a thing.
You get to pick what happens if I lose though.
Which won't happen.

Karkat Vantas shared a photo. 3/24 near Apprassage

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2/2 - Poor Karkat

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