How to Charm the Socks Off A Non-Human
A Special Guide by Lena Aquino and Adrian Laverack
So you're in love. Wonderful! Love is an odd thing but it can also be real amazing.
Only issue? You're a human, and the one who's caught your eye is... well, not.
No problem. Expert non-humans charmers (ie. two lucky idiots who happened to catch the eye of a non-human) and travelers of Limitless Lena and Adrian have compiled a handy general guide to get turned in the right direction.
1. Put it in your mind that you! Are! Of different species!
Say it aloud. Remember it. It is vital that you do so, because the make-up and culture of other species can and will differ wildly from ours, and it will impact most, if not all, of your interactions. Humans of different nationalities and ethnicities have a hard time understanding one another all the time; how do you think they fare with other species?
And if you have it bad for a demon? It's even more important to remember, because demons vary even more from humans than faeries. Heck, folk and demon couples are hardly even accepted by most of society, being deemed "incompatible". This misconception was disproven long ago, but it goes to show just how different we are.
Acknowledging your differences sets your mind on learning more about your partner and how to make your relationship work.
2. Figure out the extent of a) your knowledge of their culture, and b) their knowledge of ours
Is your sweetheart a dwarf who's lived their entire life in a dwarven mountain in town, only having left recently? A pandean who lives in a diverse city with friends of different species? And how much do you really know about orcs? Do you still believe the myth that elves live forever?
Learning about each other's cultures is an essential part of any relationship. If you accidentally make a gesture considered rude by sirens, your lover may be offended (Lena learned this the hard way). If you know how to celebrate an imp's birthday, you might touch their heart. On the other hand, if you hand a bouquet of flowers to a troll not well-versed in human courtship, they will be very confused.
So being aware of how much you and your partner know of each other's cultures sets a precedent of what you have to learn. And if you know squat about the elven naming system, no worries! Just proceed to step three...
3. Don't be shy! Ask questions, answer questions.
It's as simple as that. Be honest. Be curious. Make an effort to learn. It's the sweetest thing when someone learns things for you; it's one thing that is true for any culture or species. It's the same for teaching them about yourself. (But only as much as they want!)
Not sure where to start? Our expert charmers recommend figuring out the three F's, helpful in any kind of courtship:
- Food
- Flowers
- Family
#1. Food - You know what they say: "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Learn your what your sweetheart eats. And be prepared. Though species such as elves and imps eat similarly enough to humans, even they can have dietary habits a little... out there. Pandeans don't eat meat products. Most fiends are carnivores. Pixies and goblins are thaumativores. Then there is the business of finding their favourites...
#2. Flowers - As established earlier, trolls do not tend to use flowers in courtship, not do most demons and several faeries. Flowers do not mean literal flowers, but little tokens to show that you care. Ask around a bit like you would for another human. Does your sweetheart like little treats or toys? Pro-tip: dwarfs love stones, and pixies adore practical jokes.
#3. Family - One thing you absolutely need to know is family traditions. Family, as you know, has a big impact on one's life. If you think one's human parents-in-law are monsters, what about Adrian, whose father-in-law was an actual monster? Familiar traditions vary too much to go in depth, so do your research and good luck!
Final Remarks
Inter-species romance can be complicated. But through open-mindedness and dedication, it can be made possible. Thoughtfulness is recommended. Learn your partner's birth name, if it differs from their trade language name. Teach them how to hug (a human invention, believe it or not).
Really, if you genuinely try and care for each other, you'll be just fine.
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In response to the prompt I want to woo the person of my dreams. In your world, how do I go about this?
Honestly, this is one of the few articles for this prompt that doesn't fill me with sadness and despair. Thank you for writing and sharing!