selfhelp | [Voice/Written/Action] go go fight for romance

[God, okay, enough procrastinating and feeling depressed. He is doing this before something terrible happens again to delay it. Ugh.]

Hey, Luceti. Couple of things.

First, gonna remind everyone that this town has an LGBTQQA+ club that still meets pretty regularly, you know, when circumstance allows. If you don't know what that all means, feel free to ask and I'll expand on it, but the short version is people who identify as a sexuality or gender that goes against what society views as "normal". Meetings aren't required or anything, it's basically a support and discussion group. Consider this an open invite to ask about it or join up if it sounds like something up your alley.

Second point is, uh. The whole Luceti group thing kind of accidentally took over the club name, Alliance. So maybe we should pick a name for ourselves, instead? It was always kind of a throwaway name because we didn't have anything better at the time... just something I've been thinking about.

Thirdly, and more importantly, it was mentioned on the network not that long ago that we ran a speed dating thing last year. I've been meaning to have another one, but the timing was kind of crap last month... anyway, I think it's time! So here goes. The 2nd Annual Luceti Speed Dating.

Short explanation from last year: we get together, pair up, talk to your partner for 5-10 minutes max, just to get a first impression and meet as many new people as you can. Last year we did both romance and friendship options, and I think it worked out pretty well! We had a couple success stories, far as I recall. Anyone want to offer some feedback for it? Testimonials? "Speed dating changed my life"?

Oh, and like last year, this is open to all, not just the club. I'd like to do it this coming Saturday, so if you want to sign up, swing by the plaza any afternoon this week and find me.

[Like last year, the message is also in written format, and all week there'll be a table with some posters and sign-up sheets, and occasionally Billy if you want to swing by to talk about it. Discussion is also welcome and encouraged over the journal network.]

((ooc: and you can sign up here!))

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[Teddy remains like that for a while longer, a grin and a blush on his face that he can't possibly control, with his eyes shut to revel in all of the emotions he's feeling. Joy, happiness... love. Absolute love for this man in front of him, this man that he'll marry someday. And now he gets to show it off, too...

It takes some effort to pull away, but this is important. When he does pull back, he looks down at his ring again, still marveled at how wonderful it looks, but also...]

So... what about my shifting? [He's pretty sure Billy thought about it, what with always seeing Teddy rip through clothes when he shifts.]

[Aha. Billy leans back with a secretive smile, crossing his legs up under himself on the couch and turning to fully face Teddy. He'd been hoping that Teddy would ask, but he'd certainly have brought it up otherwise.]

Try shifting. See what it does.

[Visions of the ring breaking around his finger causes Teddy to hesitate, first looking at Billy, then down at the jewelry, then back at Billy again.]

... Are you sure?

One-hundred-percent positive.

[Billy tries his best to look confident; he'd tested it pretty thoroughly, sure, but that was some time ago, and while he's certain that the enchantment hasn't worn off, Teddy's worry is contagious.

Well, at least he can fix it easily enough if it breaks. He's more worried about Teddy hurting his hand on the silver.]

[Okay. Oookay. Going to shift now and see what happens; Billy can always fix it, but still, Teddy would feel terrible if -

He closes his eyes, as if that'll help any, and lets his hand grow big, rough and green. He expects a tiny shattering sound, he expects the cool-turning-warm metal around his finger to fall...

But none of that happens. He's first curious enough to open one eye, then surprised enough to open the other. The ring shifted with him, fitting around his larger finger as if it had been made to fit it.]

... How did...? [He knows, he does, but that's just... amazing.]

[Billy grins immediately and leans in again, reaching out to take Teddy's hand and get a closer look. He looks incredibly pleased - both with the results and himself - to see that it worked just as planned.]

Oh my god, it works even better on you! I was testing it in sims and on sticks... anyway, it's enchanted. It should grow and shrink whenever you do, assuming you don't get too big. So, uh, fair warning in case you're going to turn your hand into a frying pan or something.

[Teddy's surprise fades to enthrallment, and he takes a little scoot forward to look down at the ring himself. Enchanted... no wonder it's working like that. And it's such a thrill, such a thrill to see Billy using his magic for something like this again. Something good, just a little thing to make someone else happy.

But all that aside, now he has the coolest ring in the world.]

Are you serious? Wait, hold on -

[He pulls his hand away so that he can stand up, then change into his Hulkling form. Not entirely, seeing how that would just rip his already straining clothes apart, but enough so that his hand isn't the only large and green part of his body. And sure enough, when he looks down at it again...]

Dude, Billy, this is... Well, look! [He holds his hand out, still fitting perfectly and all.] This is one of the coolest things you've ever done! [He can't help the grin on his face; he's just so, so happy, and so excited about the fact that he can actually wear a ring without being afraid to break it.]

[Billy beams like a total dork, gazing at the ring on Teddy's hand, glittering blue and silver over the familiar green. It really is wonderful to see it finally where it belongs, rather than sitting woefully in a box. And now that he's seen that it fits well even when Teddy's shifted to Hulkling, he can relax properly.]

It's kind of cool, yeah. So I can assume that you like it?

["Kind of" and "like it". Teddy can't help letting out a fond, slightly exasperated sigh and roll his eyes before leaning in, large hands on either side of Billy's thighs, and leans in with a smile on his face.]

I love it. I love you.

[And then he leans in to kiss him, Hulkling form and all, to show just how much he appreciates it. He definitely more than likes it.]

[Admittedly he was trying to be a bit of a sass, but the words always come from somewhere whether intentional or not, so the sigh is at least partly warranted. Billy can sense that much, so he lifts his hands to rub apologetically along Teddy's arms as he tilts up into the kiss and returns it without hesitation. He'll never say no to Hulkling kisses, at least.

And he's happy. He's really, really happy. Teddy loves him, he loves the ring, and it works just as planned. This couldn't have gone better.]

[Voice/Written/Action] go go fight for romance

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[action] PRETEND HE LOOKS HAPPIER IN THE ICON

[action] I WILL USE MY IMAGINATION

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