“I think whoever wrote them wanted to get everyone together, but basically they took facts from the census and made it into love poetry, right? That doesn’t really mean you’ll swoon over him… it sounds like… he likes comfort? and either also has a child or won’t be bothered by you having a child? Just because the poem was implying something romantic doesn’t mean the person it’s about is interested in romance, either.” He shrugged, not exactly interested in poetry analysis as much as Andrei was, “It sounds to me like city hall has a matchmaker, but that doesn’t mean the person being written about even cares about the romance of all this. After all– mine has wedding bells in it but you said that doesn’t mean my match is interested in having a wedding right away. The same goes for your match, right? Just because they may like kids doesn’t mean they’re interested in being a second parent for Ilie…”
Heracles spoke his mind on the matter, but he was antsy about seeing the photo. He loved cats, so seeing the lynx near Andrei made him a bit jealous, though he knew it was for the best that the lynx not be taken from his environment– and it was unlikely that Hera would ever visit the place in the photo. Still, he smiled kindly and put a hand under his chin to indicate that he wanted to look at the picture a while longer. “Can you zoom in on the lynx? I want to see its fur.”
“I don’t really care about the intentions behind this,” Andrei sighed, frustrated. “Not a soul around here knows me well enough at all to even guess at what kind of relationship I would want out of a person at all–platonic, romantic, and familial alike. I’m a stranger to everyone–an outsider, in spite of me trying to slot myself a place over the past months I’ve been here, purely out of wanting to make life more comfortable for my son. And here I am, the weird scientist at the end of the road, not unlike the mysterious wizard in so many stories, whom everyone’s heard about but no one’s ever actually met.” He shook his head and pressed his forehead with a palm. “It’s been terribly difficult for me to find my place here in this little village, so it certainly doesn’t make me feel like there’s someone fated to be my…bestie or partner or whatever they’re meant to be, not here at least.”
As he’d much rather focus on his actual love, Andrei gladly zoomed in on the picture so the cat could be seen more clearly. “He was fairly young, less than a year, which I think is why he was so curious. His mother was nearby and she didn’t want to come very close to us. I did my best to try and touch him but that wasn’t going to happen. He was so gorgeous though. It felt very special and I’m glad my colleague got the occasion in photos.”
Still looking at the photo of the lynx, Heracles tapped a finger on his chin, “well... I’ve actually met you and I’ve actually held a conversation with you, just now. And nearly everyone in town comes to this coffee shop at some point or another. Doesn’t really feel like you’re an outsider to me... but regardless, I think you’re focusing too much on the ‘fate’ that the local government is trying to sell you...”
Hera sighed and let him take his phone back, becoming a little irritated (it was nearly his nap time) because he wasn’t getting his point across clearly, “...So what if you’re not destined to be lovers or best friends?! Isn’t it enough to know there’s someone in town with a few common interests? That’s how friendships are made, even passing ones, or even just a way to make friendly conversation with neighbors. You only become a part of the town by actually talking to people in passing and really /living/ here... instead of a rabbit hole.” He chuckled, but then coughed as he realized that was probably a little harsh. “Even just having this conversation with me, despite the fact that we’re not close friends, brings you closer to becoming a member of this village.”
