there's something beautiful and fascinating about this strange planet called Earth

[notapinkhime]

[Indulge Ahim for a moment or two. She's fascinated by the most average and mundane things. For instance, a beach.

It hadn't started off as fascination for a beach, but rather a bikini. She knows women dress differently all over the universe, but the tabloids on display at the supermarket had been shocking; so much skin revealed, with no one seeming to care at all. People were frolicking in the ocean, enjoying themselves.

Ahim wants that.]

Gai-san told me this was a beach and people visit it all the time.

[She holds up the tabloid, pointing to the cover, where two couples hold hands while standing in the waves.]

I would like to visit. It does require special clothing, however.

Comments

[ajoeface]

That's fine.

[Maybe he says that a bit too hurriedly. But he thinks quickly, always has had to, and he figures even if Luka has a wicked streak and a dangerous sense of humour... Ahim wouldn't let Luka provide him with anything too ridiculous, right?

He needs to stop wondering what Ahim is going to look like when they've... shopped. And wait-]

...This isn't one of those Earth mating ritual things, is it? Gai definitely said other groups of people go? Ones who... don't hold hands?

[notapinkhime]

Oh thank you, Joe-san! I know just what to pick out for you.

[Nothing too ridiculous, even if Luka wants something hideous for Joe. She's not going to torture their first mate that much. She wants him to enjoy the time at the beach, not be miserable and uncomfortable. She wants all of them to enjoy the beach!]

Gai-san said that groups of friends often go to the beach just to have fun. All sorts of people go! Some of them take dogs and others play games? And some do this thing called surfing. So we don't have to hold hands.

[She reaches out, tempted to pat his cheek, but settles for touching his shoulder instead.]

[ajoeface]

[She knows just what to pick...

What does that mean?

After all, Ahim's personal tastes tend towards... Pink. Or White. And kind of... frilly.

No, she's much more sensible than that. Best not to panic.]

Maybe I'll talk to Gai about this myself.

[Then he can really see what he's letting himself in for. Surfing? If it's a sport maybe he can try it. Maybe it will keep him far away from Ahim in this bathing suit thing she's determined to try out.

Boy it's nice when she touches him. Her hand is small but kind of warm, and-

He bolts upright.]

Maybe I'll go do that right now!

[notapinkhime]

[She isn't going to pick something based on her personal tastes. She knows Joe wouldn't want to wear something frilly or pink. He would look best in blue. Or black, perhaps, so he can match his sempai.

But she can't think about it any longer, not when Joe bolts up, looking fairly panicked.]

Are you okay, Joe-san? If you look in the article, there are a few people not holding hands, if you're so unsure about it...

[ajoeface]

[Oh sure, that's all he needs. To be made to look at all these pictures of Earthlings in too-little clothing.

There's a name for that on Earth. And it appears to be a covert sort of thing, because that one time Luka found Gai's stash of magazines he got incredibly over the top about it, and not in the usual excited way.

At least Joe knows not all Earth magazines are like that. Because the very idea of Ahim looking through something like that-]

It's fine, I trust you.

[He couldn't have mumbled that any less convincingly. Or held his hands up protectively any faster. A+, Joe Gibken.]

[notapinkhime]

[Joe was acting very oddly, but Ahim wasn't going to push it that afternoon. She settled for standing up and leaving the magazines on the table.]

Joe-san, would you like some tea? It might help your anxiety you seem to have today. I can make some before going out shopping.