I'm glad to know you aren't setting up my girlfriend for a date with someone else. [ It's a joke, Wu! Just a joke! Mostly because she kind of figured she was the plus one, even before he had to make it clear with a winky face and all. ]
I'll tell her, but really, there's no need to be sorry. I think rather than blaming you, she'd just wish you good luck with the opening. And I guess I would join her in that sentiment.
[ There's no 'guessing' about that, but Ange would not be Ange if she didn't feel an inherent need to downplay every nice gesture ever. ]
Don't drive yourself crazy by working too hard on all the organizing.
I would never!!!!! [ He's insecure enough that he wouldn't even joke about it. Imagine Mako, on a date with someone else!? No, thank you. ]
I know, I know. Even so, I wish we could both do both! But I'll send something along to her. Wish her happy birthday for me!!!
[ It's funny, no one would ever accuse him of working too hard, back home. But here? It's different. Here, he really wants this, he's passionate about it. And that's why he would ever make a great King ]
I will do my best! And same to you, organizing a party! If you need leads on any supplies, tell me. Mako and I have connections like crazy now!
[ Connections like crazy, huh? Has Wu been running around all over town, trying to get people to help him out on his theater business? ]
That last part sounds kind of shady or terrifying, depending on how you look at it.
[ "Connections", you know. ]
It's okay though, I'm not organizing anything nearly as big as you. I just enlisted Oscar to make food. And I know Ruby would just appreciate a fun home party more than something big and flashy.
I promise you it is neither shady or terrifying! We've just met a lot of nice craftspeople and merchants in town and can get things for less because we have business relationships with them. Business relationships!!! Like a real business!!
[ Although, Mako could probably shake a guy down if they were hassling you, Ange. ]
I'm sure it's going to be amazing, because you're doing it for her. She's going to love it!!!
[ Wu, please. How can one person be this supportive? There's no way Ange can handle that, and so she subtly just focuses on the other part of what he's saying.
.. if not just because she feels like he might be taking a forced break while texting her, and Wu can probably use that right now, if he's been working hard for the opening. ]
Were you that into the idea of having a business? I had no idea.
[ She's not wrong. He's been running around all day, but right now, he's lounging on the couch in the lobby, off his feet for the first time that day ]
Well no not really. I'd never really thought about it before! But I saw this place, and I just had this vision for what it could be.
I don't think I'm passionate about the business part of it. I'm excited about creating this space, a space for art and for people to gather. Mako's handling the business stuff.
So which part of it exactly is what draws you? Having some art going on in this place? Giving people a space to come together? Or something entirely different from either of those things?
I think it's both. I really love art, back in Republic City I would go to plays and movers and concerts and museums all the time, and in Deerington, there was none of that. There was barely any live music, only a few people who liked to play the piano. I want people to value art the way I do, and I can give them a place to do that.
And bringing people together, that matters too! We're a community, no matter how different we are, and I really liked being able to offer Sleepers the safe house Mako and I worked on in Deerington. I'm so glad Ruby is keeping that going, by the way! I think a place to gather and just have a moment away from whatever awfulness this place throws at us, that's really important too.
I also like having something to do. I was so useless back home, I just did things, I didn't create anything useful. I want to give something to this community, and I want to do it in a way I'm good at and enjoy, and I think this is it!
[ Usually Ange would be a little more tempted to fight someone on an 'useless' claim if they were to throw it around so easily, but on the other hand, it seems like Wu is at least positively comparing himself to that now - so maybe it's not that bad to just let him say it then. ]
That's pretty great.
[ A pause, and then, added: ]
I mean that, by the way. It's pretty hard to come across as sincere over text like this. But I think it's kind of amazing how you think about this stuff. Thinking about what your passions are, and what you can do with it in a place like this, especially to the benefit of others.. that's not just something anyone can do.
[ Well, now you're making him blush, Ange, especially with that sincerity. He doesn't disbelieve her in the slightest, at least that that's what she means, and it warms him right to his core. ]
Thank you. Really. That means a lot. I suppose I learned a lot in Deerington, about what I can do, and I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do, sort of. I had some time. In between almost dying and dying. You know.
Do you know what you want to do here, Ange? A lot of people don't, but I don't think that's a bad thing! So many of us never got to imagine what our lives could be, we were all just told to do one thing, and we did it because we didn't have a choice. But it doesn't have to be that way, here!
[ It's weird. Something about the way he words it - it's almost as if he can read her thoughts or something. And considering how nice Wu was to her last time, maybe she ought to open up a little bit. Maybe it's safe here.
God, she's really hoping it is. ]
I have no idea what I want to do, yeah. Because of that exact thing you mentioned. I was raised by my aunt, who was constantly trying to push me into becoming the ideal person to take over our huge family company, even though I didn't want to. And even though she kept insulting me all the time and saying I'd never be good enough. By the time she died, I had no idea who I was, what I liked, or who I wanted to be. And I didn't really have the energy to find out either, so I'm still not really sure of any of those things.
And it's been hard trying to think of where to start with it, even in this place.
[ That hits far too close to home, down the details. Wu stares at the text for far too long, until he realizes that that probably isn't helping. He knows Ange well enough to know that her sharing something like this means something ]
I had an aunt like that too. She was the Queen of the Earth Kingdom, and my guardian after my parents died. She didn't like me very much, didn't like that I'm loud and talk a lot, that I'm skinny and that my mother was common. It's hard to get over those kinds of things. And maybe I'm not over them, either.
I'm sorry, that your aunt did the same kinds of things to you. I think it's okay if you weren't good enough for what she wanted, since that's not what you want. I wasn't good enough to be the kind of prince my aunt wanted me to be, and I think that's a very, very good thing. She was really awful, and anything she approved of was pretty much guaranteed to be awful!
As for being here... there's no reason you have to figure it out right away. That's the strange upside of this place. We aren't who we were back home. There are no thrones or businesses we have to take over (I hope!). We can be who we want to be. And that's really scary. It's scary to try new things, to risk messing up. But I think that that's also kind of great? Messing up isn't so bad, if no one gets hurt.
So weird. Even if there's still quite the difference between taking over an entire kingdom and a business - no matter how big the Ushiromiya Group had gotten at that point - it still reads so weirdly similar. An aunt too, of all things. A critical one, on top of it. Commenting on Wu's personality and his looks, disapproving of his parents.
It makes it so easy for her to imagine what he must have endured - because she did too.
She's not dismissing what he says after it, but she can't help but zoom in on the earlier part. Not when it feels like it's hitting her so hard. ]
You're so amazing, Wu.
Even though you went through all that, you're still the way you are. You're still so cheery, and unashamed of yourself, not to mention helping out others and chasing your passions..
Honestly, I think it makes me look kind of bad next to you.
Ange!!!! No, no, no I didn't mean to make you feel bad!!!
Honestly??? Back home I tried really hard not to be myself, everything I was wasn't okay! But I found that kind of freedom here. And I was always really bad at it....
[ At not being himself. He doesn't really know what to say to make her not think worse about herself, so he just... tries ]
There's no reason that you have to help people to be a good person. I guess if we're being really honest with each other sometimes I don't know if I'm really worthwhile if I'm not helping people? And the Raccoon Room is kind of selfish, even if I do want other people to have a good time there, it's also for me.
I don't know, it's really hard to figure out what you want to do. It's hard to feel okay about myself, too. I guess that being cheery is sort of how I deal with all of it.
[ And, there's a piece of him that's scared that if he isn't cheerful all the time, there's no reason to be around him. He's worthwhile when he's happy, when he's bringing a positive energy to things. He doesn't really see why anyone would want to deal with him if he wasn't upbet. ]
I think it's okay if you don't know what to do, and whenever you find what you do want to do, you're going to be amazing at it. But even if you don't find one thing, you're going to try stuff out and you're going to be a great friend and a great girlfriend to Ruby! All of those things are worthwhile in and of themselves.
It seems like we both had not so great experiences growing up, so I really get it. I get what it's like to be told that you're not okay, that you're not good enough, and it's not true! I don't know who your aunt was, but mine was a really awful person, and once she was..... dead.... then I could really see how she'd been treating me. You know one way to be a good person? Don't act like our aunts did. Just by not doing that, we're doing something good in the world. And I don't think you act like that at all. You don't tell people what to do or how to be.
...that was all a lot. This stuff is really hard. If you ever want to talk, not over text, about this stuff, you know where to find me.
[ There's a lot there. A lot to think about. And as always, whenever Ange finds herself thinking about Eva, she also finds herself growing rapidly more antsy. Her hands fidget for something to do with all the nervous energy, and she ends up biting the nail of her thumb as she glances at the message.
Wu is such a kind idiot. He must have been so busy these past few days, and yet here he is, going out of his way to say this stuff to her. To write it all down for her. ]
I think we should talk about this in person. [ It's her effort to do something in return for all the kindness and effort he's showing her here. After all, there's a reason Ange never talks about this stuff with anyone. Out of all of the stuff that happened to her, somehow it's the deep dive into her relationship with her aunt that gets her the most antsy.
Especially while talking about it in person. But Wu understands. And he's.. ] I trust you with it.
But some other time. You first have your big opening to focus on, you know? I'm not going to take time away from someone who's super busy with that. Sometime when it's been open for a while and you've found your swing with it, we should get together and talk about all this.
[ At first, Wu feels a little let down, shut down, but after a moment's reflection, he gets it. It is hard to talk about, it's hard to process all of this over text. He's still new to texting as a medium, and it's hard to get everything across the way he wants to.
And it's kind of her to offer to wait until he's ready. ]
Thank you, Ange. I'd like that. We can talk about it, in a little while. After your party and the opening, when we can slow down a little.
You're not taking anything away from me, though! I'm more than happy to talk with you. Honestly? It feels nice that you get it. Not everyone has a terrible auntie!
[ Of course neither of them know the curse of saying 'when we can slow down a little' in a place like Trench, that immediately proceeds to make the next month awful.
But without knowing that, Ange kind of feels a weird mixture of emotions. Looking forward to it a little, since like he says, it's rare to find people who really get it. But at the same time feeling oddly nervous.
But she tries to push the latter feeling down as she texts back. ]
It's a date.
Good luck with everything, Wu. I'm sure the opening will be a success, considering the amount of passion you're putting into it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Hey, it's fine. No need to worry.
[ At least, she's assuming that's what the caps lock is for..? ]
You're busy with your big night, I get it. If anything, maybe I should be sorry that I'm keeping her from stopping by there instead.
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I'll send a present. Tell her I'm sorry for me!!! And that she has two free tickets to the Raccoon Room for after her birthday!!!
(The second ticket is for you ;) )
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I'll tell her, but really, there's no need to be sorry. I think rather than blaming you, she'd just wish you good luck with the opening. And I guess I would join her in that sentiment.
[ There's no 'guessing' about that, but Ange would not be Ange if she didn't feel an inherent need to downplay every nice gesture ever. ]
Don't drive yourself crazy by working too hard on all the organizing.
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I know, I know. Even so, I wish we could both do both! But I'll send something along to her. Wish her happy birthday for me!!!
[ It's funny, no one would ever accuse him of working too hard, back home. But here? It's different. Here, he really wants this, he's passionate about it. And that's why he would ever make a great King ]
I will do my best! And same to you, organizing a party! If you need leads on any supplies, tell me. Mako and I have connections like crazy now!
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That last part sounds kind of shady or terrifying, depending on how you look at it.
[ "Connections", you know. ]
It's okay though, I'm not organizing anything nearly as big as you. I just enlisted Oscar to make food. And I know Ruby would just appreciate a fun home party more than something big and flashy.
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[ Although, Mako could probably shake a guy down if they were hassling you, Ange. ]
I'm sure it's going to be amazing, because you're doing it for her. She's going to love it!!!
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.. if not just because she feels like he might be taking a forced break while texting her, and Wu can probably use that right now, if he's been working hard for the opening. ]
Were you that into the idea of having a business? I had no idea.
You sure sound excited about it, at least.
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Well no not really. I'd never really thought about it before! But I saw this place, and I just had this vision for what it could be.
I don't think I'm passionate about the business part of it. I'm excited about creating this space, a space for art and for people to gather. Mako's handling the business stuff.
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Colour me a little curious, I suppose.
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I think it's both. I really love art, back in Republic City I would go to plays and movers and concerts and museums all the time, and in Deerington, there was none of that. There was barely any live music, only a few people who liked to play the piano. I want people to value art the way I do, and I can give them a place to do that.
And bringing people together, that matters too! We're a community, no matter how different we are, and I really liked being able to offer Sleepers the safe house Mako and I worked on in Deerington. I'm so glad Ruby is keeping that going, by the way! I think a place to gather and just have a moment away from whatever awfulness this place throws at us, that's really important too.
I also like having something to do. I was so useless back home, I just did things, I didn't create anything useful. I want to give something to this community, and I want to do it in a way I'm good at and enjoy, and I think this is it!
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That's pretty great.
[ A pause, and then, added: ]
I mean that, by the way. It's pretty hard to come across as sincere over text like this. But I think it's kind of amazing how you think about this stuff. Thinking about what your passions are, and what you can do with it in a place like this, especially to the benefit of others.. that's not just something anyone can do.
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Thank you. Really. That means a lot. I suppose I learned a lot in Deerington, about what I can do, and I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do, sort of. I had some time. In between almost dying and dying. You know.
Do you know what you want to do here, Ange? A lot of people don't, but I don't think that's a bad thing! So many of us never got to imagine what our lives could be, we were all just told to do one thing, and we did it because we didn't have a choice. But it doesn't have to be that way, here!
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[ It's weird. Something about the way he words it - it's almost as if he can read her thoughts or something. And considering how nice Wu was to her last time, maybe she ought to open up a little bit. Maybe it's safe here.
God, she's really hoping it is. ]
I have no idea what I want to do, yeah. Because of that exact thing you mentioned. I was raised by my aunt, who was constantly trying to push me into becoming the ideal person to take over our huge family company, even though I didn't want to. And even though she kept insulting me all the time and saying I'd never be good enough. By the time she died, I had no idea who I was, what I liked, or who I wanted to be. And I didn't really have the energy to find out either, so I'm still not really sure of any of those things.
And it's been hard trying to think of where to start with it, even in this place.
no subject
I had an aunt like that too. She was the Queen of the Earth Kingdom, and my guardian after my parents died. She didn't like me very much, didn't like that I'm loud and talk a lot, that I'm skinny and that my mother was common. It's hard to get over those kinds of things. And maybe I'm not over them, either.
I'm sorry, that your aunt did the same kinds of things to you. I think it's okay if you weren't good enough for what she wanted, since that's not what you want. I wasn't good enough to be the kind of prince my aunt wanted me to be, and I think that's a very, very good thing. She was really awful, and anything she approved of was pretty much guaranteed to be awful!
As for being here... there's no reason you have to figure it out right away. That's the strange upside of this place. We aren't who we were back home. There are no thrones or businesses we have to take over (I hope!). We can be who we want to be. And that's really scary. It's scary to try new things, to risk messing up. But I think that that's also kind of great? Messing up isn't so bad, if no one gets hurt.
no subject
So weird. Even if there's still quite the difference between taking over an entire kingdom and a business - no matter how big the Ushiromiya Group had gotten at that point - it still reads so weirdly similar. An aunt too, of all things. A critical one, on top of it. Commenting on Wu's personality and his looks, disapproving of his parents.
It makes it so easy for her to imagine what he must have endured - because she did too.
She's not dismissing what he says after it, but she can't help but zoom in on the earlier part. Not when it feels like it's hitting her so hard. ]
You're so amazing, Wu.
Even though you went through all that, you're still the way you are. You're still so cheery, and unashamed of yourself, not to mention helping out others and chasing your passions..
Honestly, I think it makes me look kind of bad next to you.
no subject
Honestly??? Back home I tried really hard not to be myself, everything I was wasn't okay! But I found that kind of freedom here. And I was always really bad at it....
[ At not being himself. He doesn't really know what to say to make her not think worse about herself, so he just... tries ]
There's no reason that you have to help people to be a good person. I guess if we're being really honest with each other sometimes I don't know if I'm really worthwhile if I'm not helping people? And the Raccoon Room is kind of selfish, even if I do want other people to have a good time there, it's also for me.
I don't know, it's really hard to figure out what you want to do. It's hard to feel okay about myself, too. I guess that being cheery is sort of how I deal with all of it.
[ And, there's a piece of him that's scared that if he isn't cheerful all the time, there's no reason to be around him. He's worthwhile when he's happy, when he's bringing a positive energy to things. He doesn't really see why anyone would want to deal with him if he wasn't upbet. ]
I think it's okay if you don't know what to do, and whenever you find what you do want to do, you're going to be amazing at it. But even if you don't find one thing, you're going to try stuff out and you're going to be a great friend and a great girlfriend to Ruby! All of those things are worthwhile in and of themselves.
It seems like we both had not so great experiences growing up, so I really get it. I get what it's like to be told that you're not okay, that you're not good enough, and it's not true! I don't know who your aunt was, but mine was a really awful person, and once she was..... dead.... then I could really see how she'd been treating me. You know one way to be a good person? Don't act like our aunts did. Just by not doing that, we're doing something good in the world. And I don't think you act like that at all. You don't tell people what to do or how to be.
...that was all a lot. This stuff is really hard. If you ever want to talk, not over text, about this stuff, you know where to find me.
no subject
[ There's a lot there. A lot to think about. And as always, whenever Ange finds herself thinking about Eva, she also finds herself growing rapidly more antsy. Her hands fidget for something to do with all the nervous energy, and she ends up biting the nail of her thumb as she glances at the message.
Wu is such a kind idiot. He must have been so busy these past few days, and yet here he is, going out of his way to say this stuff to her. To write it all down for her. ]
I think we should talk about this in person. [ It's her effort to do something in return for all the kindness and effort he's showing her here. After all, there's a reason Ange never talks about this stuff with anyone. Out of all of the stuff that happened to her, somehow it's the deep dive into her relationship with her aunt that gets her the most antsy.
Especially while talking about it in person. But Wu understands. And he's.. ] I trust you with it.
But some other time. You first have your big opening to focus on, you know? I'm not going to take time away from someone who's super busy with that. Sometime when it's been open for a while and you've found your swing with it, we should get together and talk about all this.
If you're okay with that.
I think I'd like to try.
no subject
And it's kind of her to offer to wait until he's ready. ]
Thank you, Ange. I'd like that. We can talk about it, in a little while. After your party and the opening, when we can slow down a little.
You're not taking anything away from me, though! I'm more than happy to talk with you. Honestly? It feels nice that you get it. Not everyone has a terrible auntie!
It's a date!
no subject
But without knowing that, Ange kind of feels a weird mixture of emotions. Looking forward to it a little, since like he says, it's rare to find people who really get it. But at the same time feeling oddly nervous.
But she tries to push the latter feeling down as she texts back. ]
It's a date.
Good luck with everything, Wu. I'm sure the opening will be a success, considering the amount of passion you're putting into it.