[001] Text

[queenofkur]

Sender: Ereshkigal
To: Everyone
Subject:

[ There is a strange phenomenon happening with this text entry, what with the header appearing twice. That's because Ereshkigal browsed past entries and figured that she had to write the header herself if she wants to be "Anonymous!" Alas, she is completely unaware her name is in the true sender field for everyone to see. ]

Sender: ANONYMOUS
To: Everyone
Subject: Social Skills

Hello (* ^ ω ^)

Much as I would like to begin by formally introducing myself, I am afraid a most pressing matter led me to pick the quill and put ink on this page. I need assistance with a truly difficult task: engaging in social interactions! (;;;*_*)

I cannot say much lest it reveals my identity, but my line of work is a solitary one that has caused me to become somewhat lacking in what people call "social skills." As such, I believe myself to not be what any sane soul would consider "pleasant" company. Someone as gloomy and evil as myself does not fall under the common conception of a "good person," I am afraid. (｡•́︿•̀｡)

Yet, I very much desire to make friend with as many of you as possible. Unfortunately, mine is a position of such importance, it would be unseemly to openly ask for help when I am supposed to figure out such thing on my own. This is the reason behind this anonymous entry. I realize the suspense behind my identity may be somewhat difficult to bear, and I apologize for any anxiety this might cause you. ｡ﾟ･（>﹏<）･ﾟ｡

I humbly ask that you share with me what wisdom you may have regarding social interactions, so that I may improve and become worthy of friendship and companionship. While I believe this to be a tall order, I shall perpetually strive to improve! Any and all advice are very much welcome. (´｡• ω •｡`)

Thank you for your time. (o^▽^o)

Comments

[queenofkur]

[ Gah! Once again, people mistake her ruling over the underworld with actually going out and killing people. Well, she's not spoken of the underworld so perhaps she just genuinely gave that impression...

... This just confirms she is indeed a very evil goddess! ]

What? No. (￣ ￣|||)

While my duties involve caring for the dead, I do not go out of my way to kill people.

[dadinside]

[Oh. So the opposite of what he does.]

Mortician?

[queenofkur]

I cannot say more lest it reveals crucial details as to my identity. (`ー´)

As it is, I believe I have already said far too much!

[dadinside]

[Hmm. Sounds fair. Not one to pry, he doesn't question beyond that.

So. Advice.

Ad... vice?

...

There's a pause because... he's at a loss, being a shut-in himself who wasn't taught any proper social graces (who also might be considered evil and gloomy??), so his knowledge is heavily limited to his personal experience.

Which isn't much.]

Find an annoying roommate.

[That's it. That's the advice.]

[queenofkur]

[ Find an annoying roommate...? Does he mean someone like Ishtar? But... T-That's not going to help her! It's going to encourage her to clam her shell all the more, right? ]

How

How is that supposed to help me? (￣ ￣|||)

[dadinside]

[Why just look at him--

Okay, so don't use this shut-in as an example, however if it weren't for an annoying roommate he wouldn't even be doing this much.

Actually he'd be dead.]

They'll cook, clean, and nag you a lot. Before you know it you'll be talking to them every day.

[They end up starting to mean something to you.]

[queenofkur]

[ ... Something sounds very wrong about that example. ]

That sounds like exploitation! ( ` ω ´ )

I could never let them do all the work. (＞ｍ＜)

[dadinside]

[Exploitation? Don't know her.]

He wanted to.

[Doesn't bother speaking hypothetically anymore apparently.]

[queenofkur]

Wait...

Is this something that's happened to you? ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ

And you let your own roommate do all the work?!

[dadinside]

Yeah.

[Clearly sees nothing wrong with it.]

Doesn't pay rent, either.

[His roommate, The Couch-crasher.]

[queenofkur]

You do not?!

That is scandalous!

How dare you let your roommate pay and do all the work! ヽ( `д´*)ノ

[dadinside]

[Uh. He stares for a moment because there seems to be a misunderstanding.]

He doesn't pay. We made a deal.

[queenofkur]

Oh.

[ O-Oops. Tone is super difficult to read in this journal... Why is she so bad at this? ]

My apologies. 〜(＞＜)〜

I suppose if you have one such agreement, there is nothing scandalous about this.

[dadinside]

Plenty of other scandalous stuff. Just not that part.

[Their jobs. He means their jobs. Of course that's not being properly conveyed here.]

[queenofkur]

I see. (・∧‐)ゞ

[ She would rather not know what that other scandalous stuff is, thank you very much. It's best to switch back to the original topic and avoid digging deeper in. ]

Would you say your social skills are now better than they were before thanks to your roommate?

[ ... Wait, that's exactly going to dig in deeper, isn't it? ]

[dadinside]

[Nevermind that his phone is dead and he doesn't have his gaming console, so nothing good to distract him. Pretty much why he's bothering with this journal crap at all.

But.

It wasn't too long ago he had a similar talk with Kazuki. About change.

Weird having someone else bother to ask, and it's weird that he has to think about it for a second even though he knows the answer. It's no earth-shattering revelation here.]

Think so. Miri helped too.

[queenofkur]

Another roommate, I suppose.

[ See that's the issue, he... He is starting this out with friends! Whereas she isn't... Or at least, her one friend isn't around to help her. ]

Thank you. I suppose I shall consider this as an option.