>>308936
You are the one person she managed to open up to, and she's closing you off right now. You cannot allow this because it's just going to tear her apart. Your reply to her request of you can only be one thing: "No."

You are going to push her, you have to talk with her and you are going to make her upset. This is a time when the person you care about has to deal with pain and face it and talk about things, and if she erupts in anger or collapses in tears that's just how it has to be. You just need to be here to put her back together.

Heart heart is weak enough and with Aeryr working against her holding this in will soon kill her. And in a way that no feather or limit break is ever going to fix. Hurt her a little now so that she can heal.

Yeah? But crying just before bedtime hurts more than crying in the morning, I'm pretty sure.

>>308945
She'll be less likely to run off if she's tired.

yeah it's a comfort thing not a sex thing. she is mad cause she thinks she LOST to morgan. she treated it like contest, and she lost. this is why i suggested polyamory. basically it isn't you with morgan and saisai, but they are also with eachother. is a bit of an exercise keeping them both happy but it is a LOT easier then then being separate.

anyway yeah she needs some emotional comfort, which physical contact is pretty good at giving, so yes slide up behind her and squeeze her tight.

Okay Art, you basically have two basic choices here. You can either respect her decision not to talk, in which case her current ire may not increase; or you can insist on talking it out, in which case she may get very angry, or even try to hit you, and if not handled well, might make things worse.

I recommend that you insist on talking this out with her if you can. Remember how mad Mimi was that one time, while still insisting everything was fine?

Still, you can't force her to talk. If you really can't get her to do so, then you should probably leave, and try to find other lodgings for the night, but let her know you still care.

Well, you seem to have a few main options that do not send the wrong message.

First, you can insist on talking it out, and try to keep her from shutting you out. This risks making her angrier, but at least she doesn't bottle it up inside. Tell her that bottling up her emotions can't be healthy, and that she has to deal with them. Tell her that you care. Tell her that you want to be there for her, as a friend. Tell her that Morgan wants to be her friend too.

Second, you can take a seat nearby, obviously not intending to sleep yet, and hope she speaks to you.

Third, you can respect her decision not to talk to you, as well as respecting the situation, and leave. Find other lodgings. Mimi is about as big as a house on the inside. You may be able to sleep in the chest now. Or Morgan may just be willing to put you up for the night. But if you go this rout, at least make sure to let her know that you still care for her as a friend on the way out.

Artemis 2011/06/04(Sat)23:45 No. 309166 ID: e6df26
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"... Saisai I really think you should talk about your feelings."

"....."

Artemis waits a moment. She just stays quiet so he lays next to her. He wraps his arm around her waist. Artemis pushes him off the mattress and lays down again facing away from him.

"Don't touch me. Go hug up against that potion girl.."

"Huh?"

"You're a damn liar. You said you'd wait to give me an answer but it's obvious you like her more."

"Saisai.. I.."

"Don't lie to me. I can tell, I'm not as oblivious to things as you are. I.."

"??? What is it?"

"Why her? The girl looks like she's never even heard of a comb and I could probably beat her up without even breaking a sweat. She's not right for you.."

see, this is why i told you to tell morgan you wanted to wait as well, cause now saisai is calling you a liar cause you DID. you told her you would wait and with morgan not here that was an easy promise to keep, but when she showed up you broke it in half. saisai was fine with the promise cause it gave her hope for the future, that some day she could win your heart. she was, maybe still is, deeply in love with you and you seem to think ignoring it will make it go away, but it wont.
at least tell her honestly, what makes morgan so much better then saisai?

>>309166
"It's not about physical strength, Saisai.
I only realized I liked her after I came back from the dead; when she held me down and took my first kiss.
There was this intensity in her actions that made me feel special, like I was the only man in her world.
She accepts me, even as a girl.
But mostly? You guard your feelings with a thick shell of spikes, while she was open. I didn't even know you were interested in me until long after she claimed me.

Please, Saisai, would you at least talk to her? She's very reasonable; you might come to some sort of understanding."

>>309169
As an addendum to this, remember that if someone punches you, you can soul shield now!

Well, you're the one that picked Morgan. I could suggest reasons, but if they aren't your own, it doesn't mean much.

I do think you should tell Saisai what you see in Morgan. Saisai's been by your side on a lot of issues, and she's followed you on this quest, possibly at least in part based on her feelings. I think she deserves at least that, don't you?

>>309166
You could respond by asking: "Then who do you think is right for me?"

If you can get her to outright confess her feelings, then you can address them more directly.

I'm not going to try to assume your exact feelings about either of them, but here's some things that are true enough regardless.

"I was waiting because I thought I wouldn't be around her for a long time and people change, drift apart and grow closer. You especially are growing and changing now that you've broken free of what was holding you back. I really couldn't know what things would be like by then and making a decision would be meaningless. But with her here now it wouldn't be fair for either of you to keep on like this."

"Why her? I can't explain that well enough or let alone justify it. Something began unexpectedly and I'm going to see it through. A better question for you is this: why me? Is it because you know exactly who you are and what you want and I'm the best match for you... Or is it just that I've done so much and there is no one else you trust? Those aren't the right reasons and you know it. You need to get out and make friends and live it up. I know it's not easy to start but I'm here to help you. So is Morgan, she understands and wants to be your friend too.

"...By the way her hair just is like that. She had it straightened once then it suddenly poofed at the slightest bit of humidity. It's hilarious."

You know, there's another angle you could approach from. It's this thing called empathy.

Take her side, acknowledge her feelings.
* Agree. Her feelings about your betrayal are valid.
* Admit. You're not being fair here. You could have just said you weren't interested but you didn't.
* Apologise (last!). Just because you're inept, just because you didn't want to hurt her feelings, or just because you wanted to keep her safe for a moment doesn't justify what you did.

Of course, you have to be very careful with this approach and hit all the right lines at the right time. Letting her sidetrack your confession would be disastrous, you have to get to the apology part, AND you have to sound like you know what you're apologising for!

You can wax philosophy with her LATER if you want (like how it sucks that attraction isn't based on simple things like strength and skill), as long as you get this first bit out. Bulls*** like arguing with her is not going to help.

Not that you can leave it at that. You've got to make sure she's still fine with saving her own life (and that of the wind dragon). But there may be crying involved.. good luck.

Artemis 2011/06/05(Sun)19:11 No. 309392 ID: 899d92
File 130732627659.png - (37.56KB , 500x500 , 634.png )

"Saisai... You're right, I did lie.. I just.. I didn't want to say no to you. I know it was wrong and I'm sorry I really am. Morgan... It kinda just started off as an accident and I went with it. I like her because she's open and caring. It's hard to get close to you sometimes."

"... I.. It's hard for me to open up. I was never allowed to before. I'm the youngest child and the only one with these ears. Everything I said would just be shut down. I was put away whenever company came over and forced to act perfect when family was around. I've never had to be open.."

"I'm sorry Saisai.. I just like Morgan."

"But why not me? What's wrong with me? Is it my ears? My attitude? Just tell me why."

"There's nothing wrong with you Saisai. You're a great person just the way you are."

"..."

She doesn't say anything.

i think it's cause you think of her like a sister you never had, you fight and share secrets and stuff. but she had no one to support her at all so she fell for you hard, you didn't have that problem so you didn't fall for her the same way.

also joke with "well, maybe you could share, plenty of art to go around, haha."

>>309392
"She opened up to me first.
Look, err... If you want to be able to open up, then why not take a little truth serum?
Once you've done it once it won't be so hard to do in the future.
I could take some too, if it would make you more comfortable, but I understand if you don't trust me."

>>309392
"I mean it. You know that. But I understand if it takes a long time for you to feel that way about yourself. I'm here to help you get there. Morgan is too, and there will be many more who you haven't met yest. Allies, friends, and countless would be charmers who think they're awesome enough to deserve your love. And sooner or later one of them will be."

Well..close enough.
Anyway. Attraction doesn't follow simple logic, no matter how much Saisai wishes it does.

I get the feeling Saisai might want to rant (about how this is so unfair) at this point if you give her an opening, e.g. "It's not fair, is it?"
That would be referring to a lot of things
*She's escaped her family and that oppressive life, but that didn't fix everything
*She's lost her chance in the Knights
*She's now a target because she's got a Dragon inside (probably)
*She's gonna die because the Dragon is going to try to take over (probably) / have to get soulbound to a light elf (possible)
*And she's lost [or never had] a chance with you (and you were involved in a lot of the above!)
*AND she has to be around the girl that DOES have you (more or less)

Letting her rant about all that might well help, your job would be to nod and agree (and pay attention).
I know us male personalities usually want to suggest ways to fix things, but that's not the right way to listen.
I'd guess the risk of this action would be a MEDIUM risk.

If you need to, remind her that you're in this predicament together, and you won't abandon her. Don't insinuate that you think she would abandon you though! Haha! Just the thought..

Artemis 2011/06/05(Sun)20:46 No. 309417 ID: 899d92
File 130733197957.png - (47.00KB , 500x500 , 635.png )

No, no truth potion. I can already tell that'll go bad...

"well, maybe you could share, plenty of art to go around, haha."

She turns around

"I wouldn't mind.."

Well, it was nice knowing you kid. There's no saving you now.

there you have it, tell her straight up if she can convince morgan to share then you'll try balancing two girls at once. and maybe mimi, triple threat.

>>309417
Ooooh boy, this was not expected.
What the hell does one say to that sort of thing?
"um, ok?"

>>309417
This is good! You can use this to get her to talk things out with Morgan, and Morgan is far more understanding and skilled at this than we are.
Lean in and kiss Saisai on the forehead.
"I think you would need to work that out with Morgan, but you would need to be friends with her first.
Would you like to try, Saisai?"

>>309417
"...you've got it for me bad, don't you?"

Reach out and touch her face gently. Maybe rub an ear. She'll let you, and you need to show affection- if she really means that, then she's opening up here by showing just how much she cares about you, and you need to make sure that she knows you'll respond positively to that kind of thing. I wouldn't recommend kissing or hugging or anything similarly intimate, though.

"If that's really how you feel... you'd have to talk to Morgan about it. I care too much about you to promise something that might not be able to happen, or want to get into something that one of us can't handle. Be good friends with her, and I'm sure we'll be able to come up with a way that everyone's happy."

>>309414
Eheheh... uhm... well now. I'm not even going to tell you what to do here... but let's go over the pros and cons ok?

Positively, doing that for her would help her feel better about herself. And not in the way any old needy girl would, her one experience is a terrible pain for her and a better memory can do much to heal that. She had no control and cared nothing for him. She had sex but never made love. And doing this now before you and Morgan are really even anything means no cheating, no moment of weakness later for either of you.

Negatively, even if it isn't cheating it's almost certainly going to feel like it. Giving her a nice experience with someone she knows will probably never do so again. Not that you have said as much but there is no way Morgan would be ok with that, or you. It would be better if she was with someone else but when that would be and if that person can even handle what she needs. The main worry is things will be too awkward between the three of you afterward.

Overall it would be better for her and harder for you. If you do this, she has to at least agree only this once and never again. And that she'll not let it get in the way of her friendship with you or one with Morgan.

...And if you really are going to do this, lock the goddamn door.

>>309417
uhh

I- I don't even know where to start with you.

>>309427
she said SHARE not a one night stand.

>>309431
I addressed that, but let make it perfectly clear. I really really really don't think either Artemis or Morgan will stand for any sharing at all. It will either happen only right now, or never.

Artemis do *not* ask Morgan about sharing. There is no way in hell that can end well.

Wow, that was unexpected.

A big question is, are YOU okay with this? And most importantly, would Morgan agree to share?

I'm pretty sure Saisai's problem is that she has never been truly loved by no-one. All her life she has been treated as a freak and her feelings and opinions have been ignored. Maybe all she wants is to feel she is important to someone.

In short: she has huge self-esteem issues.

If you are okay with Saisai and Morgan sharing you, you should speak with Morgan about that.

If you don't like the idea, you should clear up any misunderstandings: "You know I was joking, right? I'm not sure how that would work out. Probably not very well". Then hug her and assure her that she matters a lot to you, just not as a romantic interest. Tell her that you'll try to help her in any way you can with her problems.

Also, tell her that there's nothing wrong with her, it's just that feelings and attraction don't follow logic.

>>309423
yes
>sharing
perfect solution! Love conquers all... Now we just need to convince morgan. absolutely no sex though (not anytime soon), it needs to be clear that all of you are sorting out your feelings, and that this is about love and not trying to get notches on your belt.

So we need to talk to morgan to convince her to at least try to get to know saisai better and try some double dating. She may end up liking it after all. and take both of them out on dates (both seperately and together).

>>309414
andherewego.png

... loverly. x.x

"... Really? Are you sure you wouldn't mind? Why... why not?"

Seriously, whether you're going to accept it, or dissuade her, you need to understand her reasoning behind it.

>>309420

What are you talking about, not expected? Art and we know that she's emotionally vulnerable. That's the perfect time to challenge a person's cultural indoctrination. Con-men, womanizers, religious recruiters, and brainwashers all know this.

This is also one of the more common ways contrived to institute a "harem" situation in various works.

Artemis 2011/06/06(Mon)00:29 No. 309482 ID: fe245e
File 130734533179.png - (43.36KB , 397x461 , 636.png )

>>309474
>>309446
"... No Saisai. That would be bad for both of you. You both deserve something better then that. I think you're just feeling really bad right now and I know when you think about it later you'll come to regret it."

Saisai blushes.

"I offer to share you with another girl and you say no!? What kind of man are you!?"

"Saisai you kno-"

"Get out! Just get out of here before I kill you!"

She throws a pillow at him. Before it hits Artemis puts up a soul shield and blocks it.

"Get out!"

Artemis leaves the room.

.... Sorry guys, there's no way I could've said yes to that.

>>309482
*facepalms so hard Art's face hurts*
Of COURSE you wouldn't do it!
The entire point of going along was so she'd be friendly with Morgan, and the idea would die on its own without you having to reject her!
Gah!

Go join Morgan for her nap, and talk to her about what happened. Don't spare the details, since Morgan's better at dealing with emotional stuff than any of us and she needs to know the details in order to help.

I like you better than Cecil already.

>>309482
While i respect your conviction to monogamy, you could have made that clear to her in a much more tactful manner then just a flat no!

>>309482
You did the right thing, but this is just going to make it harder to help her. She could deal with not being your one love but you turned down being a fuckbuddy, that's a double rejection. We can only hope she stays put and calms down a little instead of doing anything rash. We need to do something about her but I have little idea what more we can do. Throw potential boyfriends her way?

Nothing else to do right now though, so head to Morgans. Explain how things went down and therres no reason to hold anything back about it. Except maybe the weak joke that prompted Saisais offer, you can fail to mention that bit.

:I
Well, I don't blame you; there's no way you could be as wise as Sable was on relationships. Just try not to shatter what you have with Saisai. Remember that the less bonds you have, the more we become a useless piece of rock.

Well, that didn't go as well as could be hoped, but it went better than could be feared. I'm glad you didn't take advantage of her.

I agree that you should head over to Morgan's. It's already late, and you have training in the morning though. Morgan already seemed tired. You should seriously consider just telling her the general reason why you're there, that you had a fight with Saisai, and you don't think sleeping there is a good idea. Ask if you can stay over, and talk about it in the morning.

End of Chapter 9 Artemis 2011/06/06(Mon)04:08 No. 309499 ID: fe245e
File 130735853936.png - (10.67KB , 500x500 , 637.png )

You're right... I probably could have handled that better..

And who's Cecil?

Anyway I guess I'm crashing with Morgan..

Artemis walks over to Morgan's shop. He sees Eistia in front of the store.

"Good evening brother. I was just going to see the newcomer."

"Ah, you mean Morgan? I knew her from Central and I needed to talk to her."

"Oh? Very well, I shall save my questions for tomorrow. Before you go may I ask a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"That amulet, may I borrow it?"

"Huh? Sure."

I'll see you later guys, thanks for the help.
And try not to kill my little sister.

"And he is such a lump! I mean what was that?
Now Saisai is probably run off and do something rash... Ah"

Greeting Sister of Artemis!

Good day Eistia. We've been tasked to kill you. How have you been?

Not. NOT to kill you. He's concerned we might get you into trouble, but I don't see why he's concerned. He's only died once with us and that turned out really well.

Hello there.
Is there something you needed us for?
Hopefully we can all be pleasant and helpful.

>>309503

His death wasn't even our fault that time, it was because he and his girlfriend were messing with mana infused potions.

>>309499

So sis, what do you need? Wanna talk about math? I love math!