Veni, Vidi, Vici

“I knew there was a reason I liked you.” El smiled up at the woman. She was someone to admire and the girl realized she had finally found her role model. Strong, independent, beautiful. It was everything she wanted to be. “It’s just my face. I just don’t have those same smile muscles!” 

Eden smiled, happy that she clearly wasn’t quite as scary and weird as she felt she’d been becoming lately. “Thank you, that means a lot.” She let out a small laugh, and flashed her own smile. “Now muscles are something I understand, spend my whole day studying them in fact, and if you really wanted to, you could probably up those muscles. However, as I said before, if you really don’t want to, then that’s perfectly acceptable. I mean it’s not as though a lack of smiling will kill your ability to live a perfectly normal, and your own version of happy, life.”

Oh, I know about that. It was a total culture shock coming here. I think I’ll try it out but I don’t know. It seems like something people are pretty wishy washy on it. Like everyone is always like “I’ll make a resolution but I most likely won’t do it.”

I don’t doubt that, but I hope it’s at least bearable. Keeping it in mind as a possibility is a great plan in my opinion, because who wants to be bogged down by the supposed should and should nots, but at the same time, you could still do the thing if you found something you really wanted to try committing to.

Guess you’ve never looked at the philosophy section of the course catalog, then, because it’s pretty much the most basic of pre-reqs for philosophy majors. And it’s much harder than people think it is; I feel like the class needs to come with a warning label so everyone will go waste time in intro level psych classes instead. Do you remember doing proofs in geometry classes in high school? Logic’s like a more fine-tuned version of that, it’s not for the faint of brain.

Guilty as charged, I only take things outside my Phys Ed bubble when absolutely necessary, and even then, I try to keep with subjects I can easily understand. Makes sense to me, especially since things that might sound easy at first, almost never are, and by the time that’s figured out, it’s too late. Oh yeah, I can remember that, unfortunately. Gods, I remember being so ready to be done with that almost as soon as it started.

I just have to ask… do people actually use those cheesy pickup lines that are “guaranteed to work” and do they actually work? Not that I’m planning on using one, but I just found one that no joke said “I’m not Rapunzel, but I’d let you pull my hair,” and I just… that can’t actually work on people.

Do people use them? Absolutely. Do they work? Not unless the other person is desperate without a care in the world the kind of person they’re picking up. Another classic is “Are you a parking ticket? Because you’ve got fine written all over you.”

“Right? And, if I wasn’t happy, they don’t have to comfort me. I’m not begging to be comforted here. Some of us just don’t have great smiles either.” Eloise noted as if that’s why she was always so grim.

“Yeah, so long as you’re not asking for comfort, then no, they shouldn’t be trying to force their twisted version of it on you. Well now that’s really not a good enough reason not to smile, not that you care for my opinion, but still.”

There’s some things I need to do before I graduate, but there’s no rush for me to get them done. 

You’re what, a Sophomore? Yeah, you’ve definitely got plenty of time for that stuff. Have you picked a major yet?

“I’m so tired of people telling me to smile! Say something funny and maybe I will. But, also, why do we always have to smile? Can’t we be content and have resting crap face at the same time?”

“You totally can! I don’t understand why anyone would just assume you’re unhappy because your face isn’t glued into a smile. I mean I enjoy smiling, but sometimes you just don’t feel like it. I guess if I’ve never seen a certain person smile, then yeah, I’d want to, just out of curiosity, but no one should have to smile if they don’t want to, or aren’t feeling it.”

Rowan: OHhHHHHH phoenix are so cool!!!

Rowan: I wanted to make a game when I was younger where you played as a phoenix and flew around and killed bad guys... then I was told it'd be too much like spyro lol

Eden: right!?

Rowan: Dragons are one of my favorite mythological creatures ever

Rowan: ITS AMAZING !!!! Its by the people who created avatar the last airbender. Its basically another adventure story where they have to protect this dragon egg and get it back to the people that breed the dragons and its just SO GOOD!!!

Whatever pet they’d allow me to have here. My initial want is to have a dog but I also want an exotic kind of pet. Not sure I’m much of a cat person. Our personalities are too alike.

Yeah a dog is probably your best bet, because personalities aside, you could be allergic to cats and not even know it. Well an exotic pet could translate get an unusual dog breed, you never know. Pit Bull Terriers are supposedly terrifying, but mine is a sweetheart, so clearly that’s more do with people, and I’ve heard German Shepherds are easy to train and super protective.

That tends to be why some people ship a person with another person. Like I used to watch that show Glee, I know totally embarrassing, but because Rachel had a crush on Finn, people started to ship her with him. Or like when Kurt met Blaine and fell head over heels, naturally people shipped them together. Then they turned pretty toxic, but that’s all on the writers. I could go on a whole rant about that show and how it turned to shit… But I digress, you’re absolutely right, we don’t want to ruin what we have friendship-wise, ya know? I mean, even if we went out on a date, I can tell you right now I’m in no way ready for a relationship. I like to be a free bird and just kind of float around and flirt here and there, put my feelers out and see what all is out there. You’re still incredibly sweet and gorgeous to boot and I will always love you as a friend.

Glee, really, that’s the analogy you want to go with here? I mean of course I understand your point, but I never got into that show, so while I get what you’re trying to say, the context is a little lost on me. Actually Rue, that was already a pretty long rant, but I don’t blame you, sometimes making sure you find the right words can take a little longer. I appreciate your candor, and honestly, I’m not ready for a relationship either, we’re too young to get bogged down in that sort of thing, and now is the time to be free and explore. I’ll always love you platonically too, no matter what, and I even feel confident enough to promise it.

My hopes are at an entirely manageable level - let’s say they’re at a Level 6, that isn’t too high. And heyyyyy, you know me, I’m not going to make it all blow up and boil over unless I have to or I get bored. I’m just excited, I guess! I love learning secrets.

No, I think out of 11 that’s a perfect median, but for a ten, it might be just a tad high. I do know that, like I said I trust you; with life in fact. I’m glad I could give you something to be excited about though, that’s a really nice feeling!

Yeah, I guess. I never thought too much into it but you’re right. If someone was saying one thing and then doing another then I’d probably think they’re full of it. I’ve got plenty of experience in liking things others don’t. I quite enjoy the rise I get out of people when I make the hairs stand up on their necks.

Exactly, as would any sane person, if you ask me, and that’s what helps us better determine who’s full of it and who isn’t. I can understand that, I really like the feeling of free falling, and not just in an adrenaline junkie sort of way. I also enjoy the sensations typically affiliated with ASMR, but that’s becoming more mainstream, so I don’t think it counts.

Rowan: DONT GET ME STARTED ON THAT NEW SERIES THE DRAGON PRINCE! ITS SO GOOD! HAVE YOU WATCHED IT YET?

Lina: Is it bad I don't want to do another ball for Valentine's day?

Lina: I'm all balled out lol though having the grounds set up for the week is always nice and it gives people time to celebrate without having to worry about a date.

Lina: If Mardi Gras was closer like it was last year then I'd suggest something for that. Any ideas?

Eden: Not at all, sometimes people just want to have a lowkey holiday, and there's nothing wrong with that.