[video]

[cobbledtogether]

...Akiha-sama.

[That's the first thing Lambda says when she appears on the Vine. Which, despite her broadcast clearly being addressed to one person, has not filtered the message in anyway. If possible, Lambda looks even more unamused than normal, and a peek at the background of the video reveals she appears to be standing in the interior of...]

[...A luxury spa? Since when did the Gardens have one of those? As if to clear up the confusion on that very subject, she continues:]

I have detected another anomaly within the mansion.

[She finds walking into one of the wings only to find it has been replaced with something completely foreign to be rather troublesome, it seems.]

Comments

[cobbledtogether]

The nature of the relationship is determined by negotiation between the involved individuals rather than behavioral factors such as the presence or absence of sexual activity?

[Hm...]

Then what is the appropriate term for a woman with whom you are sexually but not romantically involved?

[ritsu_kouyou]

N-no, there are behavioral factors involved, but there does need to be a mutual agreement to be in such a relationship.

[If Lambda were to look up at Akiha, she would see the girl with a somewhat red face.]

As for women one sleeps with where there isn't romantic involvement... Friends with benefits tends to be an accepted Western term for it. F-friendship isn't required, though. It is entirely possible to really dislike another and still want to engage in sexual activity with he-- THEM... With them!

[cobbledtogether]

[Lambda takes that precise moment to glance up at Akiha and tilt her head slightly, obviously confused by her response. This is more complicated than she had anticipated.]

Which behavioral factors are required? Does the absence or lack of mutual agreement take precedence over these factors? [...] Then "friends with benefits" does not necessarily express the tone which characterizes the relationship and may in actuality be a misnomer? Should more specific terminology not be required, then?

[ritsu_kouyou]

There are no required factors! There isn't a specific formula! There just needs to be a certain level of a varying number of behaviors in coordination with an agreement!

[Akiha's face is just getting redder and redder. She's flustered enough about this subject that she might be pulling a bit on Lambda's hair as she continues to brush it.]

J-just call it 'sleeping together'. That applies to any couple that are having sex regardless of the type of r-relationship.

[cobbledtogether]

...Understood. [She pauses for a moment, seeming to consider something. Then, she says:] Akiha-sama, you are handling my hair with more force than is necessary or comfortable.

[ritsu_kouyou]

O-oh!

[She lets go and looks down.]

S-sorry.

[cobbledtogether]

An apology is not necessary.

[With that said, she falls quiet for a moment. One might even think Akiha has escaped their previous, awkward topic of conversation. But then—]

How does one determine whether or not they are romantically interested in another person?

[If determining the nature of a relationship is so complicated on its own, the question seems worth asking.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Yes, Akiha had thought she'd gotten out of it. She'd started to calm down and even picked up some on the hair again. She almost dropped the brush.]

It's... complicated.

[...]

...warm. If another makes you feel warm inside. Safe. Happy. Content. If you look forward to spending time with another and you can't really explain why.

If you would do just about anything for them...

[cobbledtogether]

[She stays quiet as she listens, not immediately responding to Akiha's words. It's several seconds before she feels she has sufficiently mulled over the answer given to her, and when she does she declares:]

...Interpersonal relationships are complex.

[And for all that Akiha tells her she isn't a weapon, she doubts she'll ever be able to grasp something like that.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

They are.

[Akiha moves to the last section of hair.]

But worth it.

[cobbledtogether]

I still experience difficulty understanding them.

["No specific formulas" is probably what did it.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

Perhaps it's just something you need to experience to understand.

[cobbledtogether]

I am unsure how to obtain such experience with limited comprehension.

[ritsu_kouyou]

...is there anyone you like?

[There. Hair finished. Akiha sets the brush down then pulls all that hair back behind Lambda. She then twists it up and clips it so it's conveniently off the cyborg's neck.]

[cobbledtogether]

"Like"?

[ritsu_kouyou]

Yes. Someone you enjoy spending time with for non-logical reasons. Someone you have any level of romantic interest in.

[cobbledtogether]

[She thinks over that question.]

...I do not think I have experienced any feelings which meet the qualifications of "romantic."

[ritsu_kouyou]

Perhaps 'romantic' is too much for you right now. How about an 'interest' in someone instead? I don't mean interested in their abilities or what they are, but of who they are. Personality, background... all that stuff.

[cobbledtogether]

[There's another pause. She doesn't take quite as long as she did with the previous question, but it is noticeable.]

...Subaru.

[After all, she hasn't met anyone else similar to herself.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Akiha nods. Subaru understands the whole cyborg thing.]

She's a good person. And I don't say that often about anyone. Perhaps it would be a good idea to spend some time with her. Free time.

[cobbledtogether]

...Yes.

[She hesitates for a moment. Then—]

I also enjoy your presence, Akiha-sama.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I suppose stranger things have happened.

[cobbledtogether]

This is strange?

[ritsu_kouyou]

Not many enjoy my presence, Lambda. I don't have the patience for most people.

[cobbledtogether]

[She ponders that as well.]

...I can find no reason to feel otherwise.