Coming Out
Apr. 16th, 2019 08:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mesotablarThis is my entry for the April 2019 Carnival of Aros.
One of the prompts was for coming out stories, so that is what I have done. I am not out to many people and so I shall veil my experience in the magical shroud of a fairy story to protect all those involved (‘Cause some of my friends were horrible at that time, though they are mostly better now that they understand more).
Trigger Warnings: Mention of suicide. May contain Amatonormativity and nuts.
Fun fact! These are not my most Aphobic friends.
The Tale of the Aromantic Revelation
Once upon a time in a land under the world there were three princesses. The first princess was the Princess of Care whose smile dimmed the sun. The second princess was the Princess of Numbers whose clothes were the grandest in the land. The third princess was the Princess of Knowledge who was patient as a saint.
The princesses all lived in different kingdoms so it was very rare for them to be able to sit and talk together. They sat and talked and shared sweet delicacies and smiled. Their laughs ringing out like bells in the courtyard of the castle.
Soon the conversation turned to princes. The Princess of Numbers bemoaned the political and economic shifts that separated her from princes. The Princess of Care complained about being hounded by lords. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
The Princess of Numbers cried about Prince Charming really being a frog. The Princess of Care smiled at nothing as she dreamed up her wedding dress. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
The Princess of Numbers laughed about letters of introduction she received from princes. The Princess of Care worried about being young enough to have many children with her future prince. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
“Why are you so silent Princess of Knowledge?” Princess of Numbers asked.
“I have nothing to say here” she replied.
“But all princesses have opinions about princes! Princes of her past or the Prince Charming of her future. Speak now for we shall listen” said Princess of Care.
“There are those who would not seek a prince. Not only not seek one, but simply do not understand why princesses and princes pair up. Those people whose hearts speak all the languages of love except the one for romantic love. They are of a tribe called A…Aromantic. Like me” the Princess of Knowledge blushed and her eyes dropped as her courage strained waiting on their reaction.
“Aromatic you say?”
“No, Princess of Numbers. Aro-man-tic” she corrected
“What? Princesses such as these don’t exist! You are having us a jest Princess of Knowledge. Your brain may be full of trivia but I cannot believe beings that strange….THAT STRANGE…”
“I shall look it up in the library” Princess of Numbers interrupted and quickly left as Princess of Care continued her rant
“Surely those imaginary princesses would have such miserable and sad lives they would be dead of their own hands as soon as they realised that without princes all that lay before them in the future is the vast empty wasteland of what could have been a great life. Ha ha ha what a joke ha ha.” The Princess of Care was interrupted from her maniacal laughter when she started choking on a bite of flaky almond pastry.
That is how the Princess of Numbers found them. Both princesses gasping air after a successful Heimlich manoeuvre.
“So being Aromantic is about love. Romantic love. Not experiencing it. Precicely…” Princess of Numbers mused as she sat. “I have never been in love but I am not one of them. I am not like that. I will find The One and marry and have children and it will be perfect” she continued.
“I have not been in love either but I must find my Perfect Prince to find love! That is how it works” Princess of Care chimed in.
Princess of Knowledge looked at them both.
Then changed the subject.
When it was time the princesses returned to their kingdoms. The Princess of Knowledge thought about her friends and in time she received letters from them.
….This way of life is perfectly great for you, but I cannot. I must marry….
…I understand not wanting to court and change partners, I myself wish to only spend time with the one I will marry…
..are you happy? Because you could always try to be like us..
.It seems so sad.
The Princess of Knowledge knew they spoke from places tinged in fear and ignorance. They put expectations on themselves from what their families say and do. They are tortured with tasks from the royal courts and they think a Prince will come along and save them. They are blinded to other ways of life, other possibilities. But understanding didn’t change the hurt they caused.
Feeling wounded and alone the Princess of Knowledge reached out to the princess in the neighbouring kingdom.
“Don’t be caustic or hostile, but I am Aromantic”
“Hark sister! I am Demi”
With those words the Princess of Knowledge could finally see the rainbow of possible reactions. Not all other princesses were so hurtful. Though still wary she lived happier, ever after. .
One of the prompts was for coming out stories, so that is what I have done. I am not out to many people and so I shall veil my experience in the magical shroud of a fairy story to protect all those involved (‘Cause some of my friends were horrible at that time, though they are mostly better now that they understand more).
Trigger Warnings: Mention of suicide. May contain Amatonormativity and nuts.
Fun fact! These are not my most Aphobic friends.
The Tale of the Aromantic Revelation
Once upon a time in a land under the world there were three princesses. The first princess was the Princess of Care whose smile dimmed the sun. The second princess was the Princess of Numbers whose clothes were the grandest in the land. The third princess was the Princess of Knowledge who was patient as a saint.
The princesses all lived in different kingdoms so it was very rare for them to be able to sit and talk together. They sat and talked and shared sweet delicacies and smiled. Their laughs ringing out like bells in the courtyard of the castle.
Soon the conversation turned to princes. The Princess of Numbers bemoaned the political and economic shifts that separated her from princes. The Princess of Care complained about being hounded by lords. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
The Princess of Numbers cried about Prince Charming really being a frog. The Princess of Care smiled at nothing as she dreamed up her wedding dress. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
The Princess of Numbers laughed about letters of introduction she received from princes. The Princess of Care worried about being young enough to have many children with her future prince. The Princess of Knowledge stayed silent.
“Why are you so silent Princess of Knowledge?” Princess of Numbers asked.
“I have nothing to say here” she replied.
“But all princesses have opinions about princes! Princes of her past or the Prince Charming of her future. Speak now for we shall listen” said Princess of Care.
“There are those who would not seek a prince. Not only not seek one, but simply do not understand why princesses and princes pair up. Those people whose hearts speak all the languages of love except the one for romantic love. They are of a tribe called A…Aromantic. Like me” the Princess of Knowledge blushed and her eyes dropped as her courage strained waiting on their reaction.
“Aromatic you say?”
“No, Princess of Numbers. Aro-man-tic” she corrected
“What? Princesses such as these don’t exist! You are having us a jest Princess of Knowledge. Your brain may be full of trivia but I cannot believe beings that strange….THAT STRANGE…”
“I shall look it up in the library” Princess of Numbers interrupted and quickly left as Princess of Care continued her rant
“Surely those imaginary princesses would have such miserable and sad lives they would be dead of their own hands as soon as they realised that without princes all that lay before them in the future is the vast empty wasteland of what could have been a great life. Ha ha ha what a joke ha ha.” The Princess of Care was interrupted from her maniacal laughter when she started choking on a bite of flaky almond pastry.
That is how the Princess of Numbers found them. Both princesses gasping air after a successful Heimlich manoeuvre.
“So being Aromantic is about love. Romantic love. Not experiencing it. Precicely…” Princess of Numbers mused as she sat. “I have never been in love but I am not one of them. I am not like that. I will find The One and marry and have children and it will be perfect” she continued.
“I have not been in love either but I must find my Perfect Prince to find love! That is how it works” Princess of Care chimed in.
Princess of Knowledge looked at them both.
Then changed the subject.
When it was time the princesses returned to their kingdoms. The Princess of Knowledge thought about her friends and in time she received letters from them.
….This way of life is perfectly great for you, but I cannot. I must marry….
…I understand not wanting to court and change partners, I myself wish to only spend time with the one I will marry…
..are you happy? Because you could always try to be like us..
.It seems so sad.
The Princess of Knowledge knew they spoke from places tinged in fear and ignorance. They put expectations on themselves from what their families say and do. They are tortured with tasks from the royal courts and they think a Prince will come along and save them. They are blinded to other ways of life, other possibilities. But understanding didn’t change the hurt they caused.
Feeling wounded and alone the Princess of Knowledge reached out to the princess in the neighbouring kingdom.
“Don’t be caustic or hostile, but I am Aromantic”
“Hark sister! I am Demi”
With those words the Princess of Knowledge could finally see the rainbow of possible reactions. Not all other princesses were so hurtful. Though still wary she lived happier, ever after. .
