[ Danse is not drinking anything at the moment, and yet manages, at this, to sound a bit like he's choking. ]
I hardly think that's an appropriate--
[ Well. He did say any questions. Technically, this one's kind of on him. Besides which, it wouldn't be the most unreasonable thing someone could ask if they were thinking about joining up, so if he'd answer it in that context, he can overcome the embarrassment of answering it here. ]
--uh, no. The foundational text of the Brotherhood does not mention any expectation of celibacy whatsoever. If there's a chapter out there that requires it, they're not deriving that policy from the Codex, that's for sure.
[ It is something of a running joke among the East Coast troops that Western Chapters Be Crazy, but vows of celibacy are on a level even Danse wouldn't necessarily have expected of those weird little outfits and their occasionally-cultlike beliefs. ]
As to education, that...wasn't exactly my...I mean, my involvement in the squires' instruction was limited to combat and recon training, so if there was a specific curriculum for that, I wouldn't really be aware. I joined as an adult. It wasn't a...field of knowledge that the Brotherhood was concerned with imparting to me in any, uh, official capacity.
[Really, Mr Danse, it's just sex! No need to get all worked up about it.]
Max said that was expected of knights. And he had some really unfortunate misconceptions about sex in general. [She is not upset with Max at all, but she is upset with whoever taught him that -- or more critically didn't teach him. How horrendous it must be to believe that the natural impulses and reactions of your body are somehow wrong and gross. Don't they know that's how people get completely fudged up about themselves?] I thought that was a general rule in the brotherhood, but Arcade mentioned it super wasn't.
Well, if it's a matter of providing a counterpoint to whatever Arcade's told you about the Brotherhood, I'll answer anything you want.
[ They're friends, really. There are still just...a few eensy little points of contention there. It's fine. ]
In this case, though, he's entirely correct. And it's particularly strange for a chapter from your side of the country. One of the deepest conflicts between our East Coast ways and the protocols they still adhere to out West is that we recruit, and they typically don't. They want troops born into the Brotherhood and raised in its code of ethics from infancy. Celibacy wouldn't merely be counterproductive to the traditionalist chapters, it would be a death sentence.
[ It wouldn't even begin to occur to him that there would be a chapter of the Brotherhood anywhere in the country without something at least approaching gender parity, either. Where else are the tiny, power-armored babies supposed to come from? ]
I just can't imagine what that's even supposed to accomplish. I would ask if you were sure he wasn't just talking about the standard policy against fraternizing with civilians, but...you mentioned, uh, unfortunate misconceptions?
Oh yes. He was apparently under the impression that orgasms were... unnatural. Possibly unhealthy. Which is wrong in so many ways. Especially for men, they are great for prostate health!
[Hang on, Lucy has a great idea!]
Oh, perhaps you could talk to him about this. I've been explaining things to him, of course, but I can only give him my perspective as a woman. As a man, you'd be able to give certain insights I cannot.
[ Danse has not historically availed himself of much of the East Coast Brotherhood's tolerance for casual hookups, but neither had he spent his entire career in voluntary celibacy, and he's been quite busily making up for years of lost time with Deacon now that he's here. This is still the first time in his life that he's ever actually heard the word "prostate" spoken out loud. ]
I...to be perfectly honest, you're giving me insights I didn't already have. [ She's like a delightful, cheery PSA. About prostate health. The more you know! ] I'm not so sure you are less equipped to talk to him, even taking into account the question of...
[ Of, well. Equipment. Danse considers phrasing it this way, can't quite scale that low fence of embarrassment about it, and leaves it implied. ]
I suppose it could always be a joint effort. It does sound like there's...a lot of ground to cover.
And I take it this isn't exclusively for his benefit.
[ His tone is dry, but the hint of amusement in it is warm. Who doesn't want to encourage young love, really? ]
I think the fact that you both have penises could mean you might have some insights I don't.
[Listen, Lucy has handled her fair shares of penises. Well, okay, technically, she has only handled three, but at least one of those was handled very extensively! Still, all her experience comes from only one end of the equation, and it might matter.
At his last comment, her expression turns a little impish. Or as impish as Lucy ever gets.]
Well, I find these things are usually best if there is mutual benefits. For everybody. Possibly even multiple times.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I hardly think that's an appropriate--
[ Well. He did say any questions. Technically, this one's kind of on him. Besides which, it wouldn't be the most unreasonable thing someone could ask if they were thinking about joining up, so if he'd answer it in that context, he can overcome the embarrassment of answering it here. ]
--uh, no. The foundational text of the Brotherhood does not mention any expectation of celibacy whatsoever. If there's a chapter out there that requires it, they're not deriving that policy from the Codex, that's for sure.
[ It is something of a running joke among the East Coast troops that Western Chapters Be Crazy, but vows of celibacy are on a level even Danse wouldn't necessarily have expected of those weird little outfits and their occasionally-cultlike beliefs. ]
As to education, that...wasn't exactly my...I mean, my involvement in the squires' instruction was limited to combat and recon training, so if there was a specific curriculum for that, I wouldn't really be aware. I joined as an adult. It wasn't a...field of knowledge that the Brotherhood was concerned with imparting to me in any, uh, official capacity.
...Can I ask what prompted this?
no subject
Max said that was expected of knights. And he had some really unfortunate misconceptions about sex in general. [She is not upset with Max at all, but she is upset with whoever taught him that -- or more critically didn't teach him. How horrendous it must be to believe that the natural impulses and reactions of your body are somehow wrong and gross. Don't they know that's how people get completely fudged up about themselves?] I thought that was a general rule in the brotherhood, but Arcade mentioned it super wasn't.
I figured you'd be the best person to ask here.
no subject
Well, if it's a matter of providing a counterpoint to whatever Arcade's told you about the Brotherhood, I'll answer anything you want.
[ They're friends, really. There are still just...a few eensy little points of contention there. It's fine. ]
In this case, though, he's entirely correct. And it's particularly strange for a chapter from your side of the country. One of the deepest conflicts between our East Coast ways and the protocols they still adhere to out West is that we recruit, and they typically don't. They want troops born into the Brotherhood and raised in its code of ethics from infancy. Celibacy wouldn't merely be counterproductive to the traditionalist chapters, it would be a death sentence.
[ It wouldn't even begin to occur to him that there would be a chapter of the Brotherhood anywhere in the country without something at least approaching gender parity, either. Where else are the tiny, power-armored babies supposed to come from? ]
I just can't imagine what that's even supposed to accomplish. I would ask if you were sure he wasn't just talking about the standard policy against fraternizing with civilians, but...you mentioned, uh, unfortunate misconceptions?
no subject
[Hang on, Lucy has a great idea!]
Oh, perhaps you could talk to him about this. I've been explaining things to him, of course, but I can only give him my perspective as a woman. As a man, you'd be able to give certain insights I cannot.
no subject
I...to be perfectly honest, you're giving me insights I didn't already have. [ She's like a delightful, cheery PSA. About prostate health. The more you know! ] I'm not so sure you are less equipped to talk to him, even taking into account the question of...
[ Of, well. Equipment. Danse considers phrasing it this way, can't quite scale that low fence of embarrassment about it, and leaves it implied. ]
I suppose it could always be a joint effort. It does sound like there's...a lot of ground to cover.
And I take it this isn't exclusively for his benefit.
[ His tone is dry, but the hint of amusement in it is warm. Who doesn't want to encourage young love, really? ]
no subject
I think the fact that you both have penises could mean you might have some insights I don't.
[Listen, Lucy has handled her fair shares of penises. Well, okay, technically, she has only handled three, but at least one of those was handled very extensively! Still, all her experience comes from only one end of the equation, and it might matter.
At his last comment, her expression turns a little impish. Or as impish as Lucy ever gets.]
Well, I find these things are usually best if there is mutual benefits. For everybody. Possibly even multiple times.