The friendship beyond love (Paragon Times 1.6.07)
By
Coile,
Posted on: 2007-06-01 13:08 in Roleplaying
I'd post Minx's reaction to the article but it wouldn't be safe. 
They seem a sweet pair. Which makes me worry about what you're probably going to do to them. 
@Dante EU - Union Roleplayer and Altisis Victim
The Militia: Union RP Supergroup - www.themilitia.org.uk
We also have a couple of Nadia in ambush.
(( Disclaimer: I usually find it hard to promote my own character IC. It is easier to write damaging trash than praise. However this article sort of just pushed through as a natural reaction after over half a year of Paragon Inquirer's slanderous reporting.
Second disclaimer: If you find yourselves in a dire need of insulin after reading this then sorry, I used it all. I'll never touch chocolate again nor add ever any honey in my tea.
A version with layout and pictures will come later. This is posted now as it appeared in today's paper. -C ))
Paragon Times, 1.6.2007
by Erinella Dusk
The bald and the beautiful - The friendship beyond love
I am sitting in a comfortable and homelike living room in Atlas Park. To my left on a bookshelf there are beautiful decorative items that tell about taste and a broad sense of art at the same time. A section in the shelf is dedicated for awards and accolades. There are many.
In the apartment lives Diana Bright with her parents. She is the sole daughter of two hard working people and made her fame in various archery competitions during the past few years. The awards belong to her. She was once hailed as the most promising new talent and widely speculated to be a US champion before her twenty first birthday.
She is also a hero. She fights crime and evil as a masked hero Love Angel belonging to the Silent Tempest.
Diana Bright does not live alone. In addition to her parents there is a fourth person occupying the house. A man. He is not just any man. He is Andre Kraft who is also known as Coile, a hero with a mixed reputation and the leader of Silent Tempest. I am sitting in their living room opposite to them. They are both smiling.
Andre has been living with Diana for several weeks now. Ever since he lost his wife in early April. "Miss Nadia, miss Dustine and I agreed that it would be most wise that Andre comes to live with me.", says Diana. "Considering the situation it was the best thing for him." Andre seems anxious about the topic having the memories of his dead wife still causing deep sorrow. Diana presses closer which seems to sooth him. "I wished to help Andre! To make him feel better!", she summarizes.
Their friendship is a deep and unique one. Whenever either is feeling bad in the slightest the other is ready to comfort. This becomes evident very quickly even to the most absentminded. A concerned frown is met with a reaching hand, a touch that wipes the concern away. It resembles a subtle dance that is conducted with hands and directed by hearts.
One things must be mentioned at this point - despite outward similarities what these two have is not romantic love. The hazy line between platonic love and deep friendship is rendered meaningless. This relationship is not about lust and passion. Its cornerstones are complete trust and devotional commitment to the other's happiness.
Truth be told this friendship transcends any conventional view on the matter. When they explain what they have it leaves me baffled time and again but in the end it makes fearful sense. These two youngsters are roommates. They even sleep in the same bed. "If you trust a friend with your life, there is no worry that he will abuse that trust.", crystallizes Diana. But where does this trust come from? Is it the reason why Love Angel joined the Silent Tempest? Did it exist from the beginning?
I ask when did they first meet. Diana remembers it more clearly than Andre. "It was in Pocket D! I was just visiting and all and Andre was there! I had seen him before in the papers. And miss Dustine was there too and she gave me this magic bow. Andre was pretty oblivious to me then. We didn't even talk." Their first meeting has clearly been a topic in the past as well, as underlined by Andre. "If we never even talked then no wonder it slipped my mind."
When did they properly meet for the first time? "First time we talked was several days after seeing in Pocket D when Freedom Corp teamed me with him, Rakila and Phi in the Hollows.", remembers Diana. Andre recalls the same. "She was doing quite okays as a newcomer and helped us with the tasks that we had." I am interested if Andre at that time even remotely saw it possible that he would be living with her within half a year. "No no. No way! I was with nadia at the time and thought it would last forever, and Diana, she was kinda really young. Just sixteen. I was sixteen once, but that's still kind of a kid's age. Not someone you would live with." After that they engage in a banter who was more adult and how Diana thought that Andre was dying after receiving a knock on his head and proceeded to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation. "Well I didn't know how hard a head you have then!", she remarks.
How did Love Angel come to join Silent Tempest? Was it immeadiate for either? "Actually when he asked me to join later I was really surprised. And I had to think about it.", says Diana. Andre adds that the invitation was a result of careful thinking. She was seen as an asset to the team. "Yes, of course. Why else would I ask anyone to join? She had proven to be able to handle herself in tight situations. She was young but enthusiastic, capable and made the team stronger. There were a lot of reasons to invite her."
However becoming teammates which happened in November did not yet imply friendship. It came later. I am interested when was the first time that they thought of each other as friends. "Christmas!", exclaims Diana enthusiastically. She is seconded by Andre. "That's it, really. When we had the time to spend by just the two of us." He remembers a special moment. "I had cut down this tall tree and we decorated it. When it was finished we flew up hand in hand and put on the star." The fond memories seem to make him emotional.
Iit was not all a season of joy. "There were a lot of worries! A lot!". Diana shakes her head while Andre bows his. "I was quite sad and Diana sort of kept me afloat. Through all the hard stuff. I guess then I realized how much she cared about me." Seeing how Andre is now living in her house it brings to mind that she is there for him a lot. Does it work both ways? According to Diana it does. "Well, I never had such huge problems as he did, but yes, he was always there when I needed him." Andre seems to be surprised by this which is one of his topmost qualities. Acting on instinct without overanalyzing. Diana has to list examples for him. "Well of course you were, silly. Like when you told my parents about me being a hero, and during the time I got sick because of what followed from it, and when I got flu, and with my parents overall. It's just that there are not much bad things happening with me so you don't have so many chances as I do." She giggles happily and Andre seems to be at ease.
They have both of course changed since their early days. "She is still enthusiastic and capable, but now she's older, wiser and, more beautiful." Such assessment makes Diana blush. But has Andre changed? "He grew up a lot too! Became more responsible and all!" Smiling she adds, "And I like to think it is because of my good influence on him!" In a roundabout manner the man leading her team finally concedes. "Diana has helped me, in many ways."
Looking around the room reminds that these two youngsters do not share this apartment alone. Diana's parents live here as well and even with a hero license she is still a minor. "We explained them the situation, of course. And even now mom and dad are really cautious, but Andre has proven himself to be nice and reliable." Even with a good reason it must have looked peculiar to have a man living with their girl. Did they ever suspect that there was something more going on? "Oh, of course! I guess it all looked strange. But it is okay now.", says Diana. There were also some misunderstandings along the way. "Like when mom barged in my room several times while we were playing and just being silly." I remark that that does not sound like a round of Monopoly. Andre can shed some light into one of the incidents. "Well, for example when all those condoms fell from the box, and we were picking them up, and Jane walked in." This makes Diana's cheeks flutter with color again. "But that was silly because mom made me buy them. Then she didn't believe that we are just friends." Andre agrees. "We tried to explain that we just sleep together, but she insisted that there needed to be precautions, but that is just silly because we don't feel that way." Now that turmoil seems to be at an end. "It finally seems like they trust our word now and are cool about it."
Now Andre feels as if he has been accepted. "I think very nicely. I help around the house with chores, go shopping, help with all sort of stuff, like laundry, vacuuming, washing dishes. I help in kitchen, and I helped to pick a new vacuum cleaner. I'm sort of the man in the house when Diana's father is on a trip." A man in the house could be seen as a bold statement. However Diana concurs. "Oh yes! Well, as I said, they are still a bit cautious, of course. Because they don't really know him, but as time passes they are getting to know Andre just as I do. So yes, he is sort of a family member now. If they thought Andre is not worthy to be here he would already be thrown out." Andre himself feels, finally, reassured of his position. "I feel like I have committed myself to this household. This family. I feel like I have given a lot. And I will keep doing that because they are my family. I think I've proven my worth. "
All this makes it sound like a long term arrangment. Andre certainly is in no hurry to leave. "I like being here, and I'll stay as long as I'm allowed to. Diana is probably my best friend in the world and I get to live with her. Why would I wish to leave?" Diana seems to be taken by surprise being the best friend but believes in the assurances. This situation of course applies only as long as they live in Paragon City. Or does it? Diana might have to move away depending on which college she decides to go to. However for her it would not necessarily mean an end to their living together. "Andre can still be my roommate if I go somewhere." That would be a big change for sure. Would Andre be ready leave behind his current life? It is apparently something that he has not yet given much thought to as he ponders for a long while, but finally there is a resolution. "I'd move with Diana." Once again Diana herself seems to be surprised. "You would? Really?" Their dedication runs deeper than they have realized even if certain words have been spoken before. As Andre puts it, "We said we wouldn't leave each other, right?" Diana's questions about leaving friends, Silent Tempest and hero life are met with sound reasoning. "Well, you're my best friend and I like being with you. I can be a hero anywhere, and we can visit this place whenever, you know. We can fly."
Speaking of friends there were also suspicion among them, and even bouts of jealousy. However both wish to avoid speaking about their friends in this manner since they are not present. Diana has this to say about the current situation. "I think it is okay now." Despite some muttered, under the breath comments Andre does not disagree.
This kind of arrangement about living and sleeping together sounds quite unique. It is not common even among their other friends although their situation is not strictly isolated. Andre has shared a friendly bed with another friend and Diana would have if allowed. She explains, "People sometimes just need some closeness. Someone to be wth them. Just that." Would they be prepared to do this with anyone? Diana: "Yes, if there is a need, and of course if I know that person. I would not do that with complete strangers, of course!" Andre is a little more reserved. "I would feel comfortable only with people I really trust. I mean, for closeness. If sleeping arrangements made it necessary, I guess keeping enough clothes on and closing your eyes is enough." In both of theirs opinion this situation is special despite their closeness to others. "Andre is a special case, really. We know what's in out hearts and dreams because of miss Subaiku showed us that and there is no fear." Diana is referring to a mystical ritual where they both shared a dream and got to know each other on a fundamental level. Andre's final analysis mirrors what his best friend just said. "Diana is the one I can be with like this. She really is the special kind." With great tenderness he takes her hand. "Really special." The touching of hands is a physical interpretation of their friendship. It contains more intimacy than a passionate kiss would.
Just how long are they going to live together? "As long as Diana will have me around.", says Andre while Diana is more practical. "Until Andre finds a girlfriend, I think." Having a romantic relationship with others would disrupt their sleepovers. Or would it? Diana sees possibilities still. "I think it would a bit. I mean it would be a bit disrespectful to our girlfriend or boyfriend. Although if she or he approves it is okay. Like Nightsparrow said that we can do that but not in their bed." This of course implied a great deal of trust from Nightsparrow, Andre's now dead wife, as well.
Diana has a specific idea about her future boyfriend. "My dream is someone like mister Xan. Smart, kind and wise! And who cares about me and people. His looks are not important but being tall as mister Xan or dad would be really nice too!" She giggles and returns to reality. "That is just a fantasy. But I think he just has to be kind. " I cannot resist pointing out that by my observation Andre has been kind and attentive the whole time that I have talked to them. This seems to have escaped Diana's attention. The red tint on her cheeks compliments her features nicely.
Near the end of the interview I do something unprofessional and suggest that I would not mind a cup of coffee with Andre. I have two motives. One is to see their reactions and the other is even more straightforward. I would like to get to know this man better. For that I have also two motives. First he seems to be an interesting person worth getting to know better and secondly I see a deeper story in his life. Maybe I will write that, some day. Diana seemed first to favor the idea of a small date but her idea about having a cup of coffee seems to differ radically from the norm. "Well if you do, you must be really good! You know? And you must be sure that you want to be with him. Andre is not a guy for like, short romances! And if you hurt him in any way I will be really angry at you and you also should not come on to him like this fast, you know? Andre lost his wife, you know? And he is really not ready for any relationships now so you should wait really. And if you like really-really like him it will not be a problem to wait, right?"
I must confess being stunned by this outburst at first. I point out that people meet each other to see how much they like each other in the end. What Diana says sounds like I should be ready for a lifelong commitment if I ask a guy's phone number. She does not seem to regard such a view as wrong in any way. I ask if she really expects that from her future boyfriend. Readiness to commit to a lifelong relationship before he asks her for an ice cream. I fully expect Diana to see the strangeness of her expectations. Her answer is a hesitant "Maybe." I find it likely that she will come to marry one of her closest friends because no one else would be ready to commit to that extent. When I ask if Andre shares this view he explains how he has actually next to no experience about dating. "As I explained, Kitia lived with us practically after her aunt died. With Emmily we just got together, without going for movies or anything. Nadia I lived with before we became a couple. I guess Melanie is the closest I had for a date since we met in Pocket D a lot, but when we did it was just as friends without dating, and then I asked her to marry me." I can but repeat what I said to Diana how he also is likely to be with someone whom he has known for a while, and knows well. Perhaps the pieces will click before long and both will be happy with their respective soulmates.
Finally I ask the question that their friends and Diana's parents have already asked countless times. Is it possible that one day their friendship turns into love? Diana seems to be too preoccupied with some thoughts to offer a verbal answer. Andre has this to say. "Of course it's possible. I mean, what's impossible then? I could become a couple with you too, it's not impossible, you know? Of course, it's more likely with Diana than with you, but t's not saying anything about the actual chances still."
After talking about romantic literature I take my leave and depart the two sweetest people I have met in a while. They protect the innocents of the city, risk their lives in order to keep their loved ones and everyone else safe from harm, provide for the needy and try to make the world a better place for all mankind. As I walk across Atlas Park towards the station I feel warm inside. Happy. What those two have is contagious. I marvel at their courage to take on such a lifestyle despite what all the rest of the world expects of them. In Andre's words, "If you care for someone, it's what matters. Not what people might think or say."
I will let Diana conclude with her personal philosophy. "Even bad people can become good. Really. I know. And I know that there are more bad people out there but it's because people stopped thinking about others and they think only about themselves. If every tenth, or even more, person in the world would care a bit for others, we would have a beautiful world!"
Standing on the station ramp I look around and see that it is indeed a beautiful world. Thank you, Andre and Diana for your part in it.