BXBX NOVEL Chapter 842
“Nothing guaranteed... I know when you are in a straight relationship that sort of thing is more easily dealt with. Most women struggle to measure how attractive they really are, same as most men... the issue you face is that Lily has both a better and worse idea. Better because she actually knows what makes a woman attractive, at least to her. She can judge herself based on her own tastes quite easily...
“But on the other hand, she’ll almost certainly never find herself attractive. Not the way she can find other people attractive. It’s just not how it works for most people. I went over it a bit already... but what you would normally do is point out the fact you aren’t dating X person who is supposedly more attractive. Seeing as you don’t lust after anyone you can’t use it as a compelling argument.
“You could try the angle of ‘it doesn’t bother me what you look like’ which... while likely true probably sends the wrong message at this point. She already doesn’t think she looks great, so instead of thinking you mean exactly what you say... she’d probably jump to, ‘you’re not very attractive but that doesn’t bother me’ which is not what you want at all...
“Hmm... didn’t she get a new body though? With the whole race change thing,” Kat nodded, “Ok. And she picked it all out?” Kat nodded again, “I’d probably focus on that. Point out that she’s one of the lucky few people to choose what she looks like in totality. Bring up the fact that with countless possibilities at her finger tips she looks the way she does now by choice.
“Now, that might cause issues... but Lily is a smart girl. I’m sure she thought about it quite a lot. Lean not on how pretty she is, but that she chose this. That she should be comfortable with her own body because it is exactly as she wishes it to be,” explained Gramps.
“So... that’s your recommendation?” asked Kat hopefully.
.....
Gramps sighed though, not quite able to commit to it. “I suppose it is... but Kat please understand I’m just giving you the best advice I can with my own experience. I’ve never dated a man, and I’ve certainly never been a lesbian. Then add on top of that the fact your asexual and you’ve already moved out of my personal experience. That’s not even including all the magical stuff Kat.
“Perhaps just making use of the key factor in any relationship. Understanding, or perhaps, compromise and understanding. I’ve told you how best I think you might go about it... but ultimately just sitting down and taking some time to speak with Lily might yield better results in the end. That’s a distinct possibility,”
Kat pouted but Gramps pointedly ignored the look. “The thing is Kat... this is your girlfriend, and hopefully partner for life. I can give you suggestions... but it’s like asking a boat captain for advice on how to fly a plane. Sure some of the basics are similar, and maybe that captain had a chance to see how an old pilot did his job... but he’s never been a plane pilot. He can only give so much instruction,”
“I know... I know... I just don’t want to screw things up. I think I’m doing alright... but my biggest worry right now is Lily’s feelings of inadequacy I think. It’s the most obvious at least. I can’t judge how... intimate... we should be or what a good pace for that sort of thing is... though I’m working on trying to make sure she’s always comfortable around me now.
“I think I’ve mostly gotten her through the ‘yes you’re actually dating me stage’ at the start she was still quite scared or perhaps ashamed whenever it came to her more... forward thoughts. And normally it wasn’t anything too bad... but she’s trained herself to push them down. I know it was so I wouldn’t figure it out... but now she doesn’t need to do that and she’s been getting better in that regard.
“So, I guess I’m just looking for advice where I can... I mean... I’ve never done this before... and ideally, I’ll never have a second shot at it either. I mean sure I’ll forgive mistakes and so will Lily... but that’s all part of the same story in the end. I try not to let it worry me often because Lily would be able to tell... but I do still worry,” said Kat.
“Hmm? Why can’t she hear your thoughts now?” asked Gramps.
“Oh, it’s because she’s asleep still. I can also block my thoughts and emotions but sometimes I think the emotions at least might be able to sneak through. So... use this chance to ask me things you don’t want Lily to know I’m thinking about till she wakes up I guess,” said Kat.
“Well, if Lily is the same as before we’ve still got plenty of time then. I suppose... the big question then is marriage. What are your thoughts and plans there? Ceremony or just paper signing, how big would you want it if you made it an event? Would you go to a church or just find a nice plot of land? That sort of thing,” asked Gramps.
“I don’t really know,” said Kat easily. It wasn’t that there had been no thought on the matter... but it didn’t really mean to much to her. “I’d marry Lily officially in a heartbeat if she wanted... but yeah... it’s not that important to me personally. Especially with a magical connection. Why would I need a ring when I’ve got access to her mind?
“Still... I have thought about it and things would be complicated. I’m not sure how hard it is to coordinate things across dimensions either. In an ideal world we would probably have it in the Hub... but there’s a bit too much demonic energy just built up there to be entirely healthy for others to visit without something to prevent it seeping in.
“The issue I guess is that everyone who matters here on Earth knows that we’re together. Maybe Lily would be interested in telling some of her extended family... but I don’t know anything about Vivian’s family and I know Callisto hates hers... but none of our new friends would be able to come here easily. Especially not if the world rejects the for some reason. I’m honestly not entirely sure that Nira even could enter the world without either it throwing a fit or breaking... not sure what’s more likely or worse...
“And the fact I have friends now... but now that I’m dating Lily, depending on how you count it, I have zero friends on Earth. Then there’s just the fact that Lily and I aren’t human anymore and don’t look it. Public appearances aren’t really high up on our list. I think in the end... it’ll be a problem for future Kat and Lily,”
“Well as long as you’ve given it some thought you can’t be surprised.” Gramps let the sentence hang for a while before asking. “How is it going with your living arrangements? You’ve mentioned a few generally positives things... but how is it really?”
“I... I feel like I’m mostly on Contract even if that isn’t entirely true. Um... the room is nice and so is the bed... Callisto has been great for Sylvie, she’s really got a new role model to look up to that isn’t me. As cute as it was... it’s also pretty clear that Sylvie is a radically different person to me and trying to emulate me wasn’t likely to work well... but I worry that Callisto is a little too... herself.
“While certainly closer to Sylvie’s temperament then me... she doesn’t sleep and abusing that fact to do a lot of extra work. With that and her high intelligence... I worry Sylvie might chase unrealistic goals. Callisto is over a decade older, literally has more time in your average day... and is likely just as smart as Sylvie so I worry about that...”
“Yes but what about for you?” asked Gramps.
“That’s a bit harder... I think the big sticking point is I struggle to know what I am exactly to Vivian and Callisto. A little less so Callisto. She’s the crazy aunt, but Vivian... I don’t know if she’s more of a big sister or a mother figure. It was a bigger deal a while back and I came to terms with the fact that isn’t really that important... but I’m still trying to settle into a box rather than existing halfway. If that makes sense,”