Slow Study
Suddenly finding it rather difficult to get dates, Orion seeks help from his Halidom companions. Though hesitant, Cleo and Elisanne volunteer to help him understand how women think.
Elisanne: Women have rather high ideals, Orion. I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.
Valentine's Orion: I would be happy to learn anything you have to teach me, fair maiden. I shall reach ANY ideal the ladies of the world wish of me.
Elisanne: You see? Just that answer reveals how very far you have to go! First things first: No one will be won over by a man who pursues any woman unlucky enough to enter his field of vision. I know that if I were on the receiving end of such behavior, I would be not charmed, but wary. And I'm certain the vast majority of women agree with me in this.
Valentine's Orion: But I do not simply call out to any woman who happens to wander by!
Elisanne: From what I've seen, you call out to literally every woman you see.
Valentine's Orion: Because I fall in LOVE with every woman I see! Every meeting I have is ordained by fate, which means they are all deadly serious! You seem to think this is flippant, but I assure you, it is not.
Elisanne: You may truly believe that, but I promise you are the only one who does.
Valentine's Orion: Impossible! I'll not stand here and listen to this another minute!
Cleo: This is no time to be sulking, Orion. Instead, hear what I have to say.
Valentine's Orion: *sigh* Very well. My breast is bared. Unleash your cruelest arrows, milady.
Cleo: You are far too impulsive. If you act the instant an idea enters your head, it will never resonate with people. This is actually something you need to apply to your life in general as opposed to simply your romantic endeavors. You are a bodyguard—you have the ability to build relationships over time. Do that.
Valentine's Orion: But must a man not strike while the iron is hot?! If I pass on a first opportunity, there is no promise of a second!
Cleo: Patience is often a virtue when it comes to making lasting relationships.
Valentine's Orion: Truly?
Cleo: Truly. And on that note, it's time to practice.
Valentine's Orion: Then we are going into town? Ha ha! NOW I'm excited. Let us make haste!
Cleo: No. You are going to pretend to be escorting one of us—WITHOUT any hint of flirting or romantic attachment.
Valentine's Orion: Ah! Excellent! So which of you will it be? Cleo? Or Elisanne?
Cleo: Noootte!
Notte: What is UP, my dudes?
Cleo: It's too soon to let you loose on the town, Orion. It would only end in tragedy.
Notte: Oh, and we're going to be judging you SUPER strict, so take this seriously.
Valentine's Orion: I shall behave as a model gentleman.
Elisanne: Just so we are clear, there will be NO thoughtless invitations or flirting during this exercise.
Valentine's Orion: Fear not, my ladies!
Notte: Right, here we go. Ahem! Mi mi miii... "Gee willikers, Orion! Thanks so much for escorting me today!"
Valentine's Orion: (Think, man! Think of the perfect response for this situation!)
Notte: "Well, this is my stop. Thanks again!"
Valentine's Orion: (What is the perfect thing one can say in this moment...? Yes, of course!)
Valentine's Orion: "It was nothing, my sweet maiden. I'm simply pleased you came to no harm."
Elisanne: Hmm. I suppose we have to count that as a passing grade, coming from yo—
Valentine's Orion: "And yet! It would be such a shame to let this chance meeting go to waste. Join me for tea, and I will satisfy your every wanton—"
Cleo: BZZZZT! FAIL.
Valentine's Orion: But that was sheer perfection!
Notte: You invited me for TEA, you idiot! ...And wontons, maybe?
Valentine's Orion: But I waited a moment before doing so!
Cleo: An acceptable thing to say in this situation is "I would be happy to escort you again."
Elisanne: I quite agree. You should start as friends before attempting to become more.
Valentine's Orion: I never would have thought of that. Oh, I feel my confidence slipping away!
Notte: NOW do you understand what you need to be focusing on? At the very least, resist the urge to flirt with people the literal second after you meet them. If you can master that, it'll go a long way.
Valentine's Orion: Hmm... Resisting the urge to do something isn't really my way.
Notte: But ladies are going to see you much more favorably if you DO. You want to turn your bad luck around, right? Then give this a shot!
Valentine's Orion: Well, if you say so... I will take responsibility for my words and show you just how serious I am!
Elisanne: Do not let this lesson go to waste.
Valentine's Orion: I won't. Next time, you will see a new me! But first I need to find someone to show my patience WITH—so I'm going to find a woman in need of an escort! Ta taaa!
Elisanne: Well, he certainly went off in high spirits.
Cleo: Mmm? I'm not so confident.
Elisanne: You can do it, Orion! We believe in you! ...For the most part. ...I think?
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