Page 64 of CHOICE Lover
I, F141, am having regular, very vigorous sex with three men as none of us can currently afford manupartners. On the surface, everything seems ideal and we all agree we want the same thing out of the arrangement, but I suspect I’m missing out on something and I keep asking myself, is there more?
Electra reads the words hungrily. She knew it! People are craving more.
What I’m wondering is, should I ask the men if they would like to add two women to our dynamic, or should I just experiment with these women on my own?
She slumps back, deflated. That’s what she gets for getting her hopes up. Wait. Here’s one. She opens the next message, whose subject reads:
Are Relationships Dead for Good?
The message:
Dear Electra,
I’m 42 and identify as nonbinary. I have a confession. I think I have a crush on my longtime neighbor. We often go to the sports center togetherand share meals in her unit. I love being around her, and I think she feels the same about me. The problem is I want more. My FRIENDS group suggested propositioning her for sex. I’ve had a few manupartners, so I know I like sex, but that isn’t the only thing I’m looking for. I’ve been watching the old K-dramas from hundreds of years ago, and I think they’re messing with my head. My question is twofold. Would it be in violation of the Respectful and Considerate Conduct guidelines if I asked her to change the nature of our relationship? That leads to my next question: are relationships really dead for good?
Nervously,
Born in the Wrong Century
Electra’s grin is uncontainable. This is the perfect question to answer to start her column.
Dear Born in the Wrong Century,
Let me start with your last question, then I will work backward. No, relationships aren’t dead. Humans are inherently wired for connection. It’s written in our DNA via evolutionary biology—not modern bio-tinkering—to form social bonds. While relationship dynamics and societal expectations may change over time, the need for human-human companionship is still alive and well—just like in the K-drama days. Now people may mask their needs with manupartners, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. What you’re feeling is perfectly normal, and I guarantee there are others living in MSP who want the same thing.
Our real question is, does your neighbor?
She realizes she’s extrapolating, but based on what she’s observed and read online, she’s confident her statement is true. It has to be. Maybe by reading this entry, others will be brave enough to go against modern social conventions and voice their desires aloud.
She shouldn’t have gotten down on herself. She just needed to give people time to find her column. Soon, people will find her. She’ll get dozens of subscribers. Eventually she’ll monetize. Then she’ll really be able to make an impact and carve out a place—don’t get carried away, Electra. Enjoy these small victories, but remember they aren’t what gives you value.She takes measured breaths. Solid advice, Janet. It’s still awesome, though. Now it’s Electra’s turn to dish some out.
Before she answers the next question, she needs to do a little research. What in the fucked-up future are Respectful and Considerate Conduct guidelines? That definitely wasn’t in her intro video starter pack.
As she thumbs through educational videos, she’s pretty sure she’s the oneFloating in MSP.
20 – Bewildering Mess
Res6
November 10, 2390.
The more time that passes without Electra collecting on the favor she bargained for, the more ominous the debt becomes. He’s already come up with a dozen wild ideas of what she might ask for. Horrifically, she’s rubbing off on him.
Keeping her distracted, therefore, is a reasonable plan. She came up with a great idea to buy a desk and system herself. That she didn’t just order what she wanted is a mystery to him. Why would she feel guilty when he clearly owes her? If a system makes her happy, it’s a smallprice.
“I have a surprise for you,” he says as they arrive back at his unit after lunch. The system he ordered for her is still in its unmistakable brightly colored packaging, but the new desk and chair are set up.
She stops barely inside the doorway.
“Where would you like to position your desk?”
Her brows crease adorably. “You bought me a system.”
He takes her hand, pulling her into his unit. “Yes. I knew you wouldn’t do it yourself, so I did. You can pretend it’s my second system that you exclusively use, like my room, if that would make you feel better.”
Her head snaps up. His mouth twitches at her shocked expression. These little smiles she elicits are happening more and more lately.
“Are you teasing me?” She tries to pull her hand away, feigning defensiveness.
