Chapter 3

Alex met Bruno at Picture & Sink, the modern lounge.

Bruno:

hot: 0.75

open: 0.07

con: 0.7

extra: 0.27

agree: 0.19

neuro: 0.56

commit: 0.77

libido: 0.26

exp: 0.16

confidence: 0.83

interest: 0.25

interests: politics, sports, academics

Alex noticed Bruno's easygoing confidence. Alex walked gently toward Bruno. Bruno returned a flirtatious glance. They exchanged several friendly words, before agreeing to meet again sometime soon. Bruno left with Alex's email.

Alex with confidence 0.01, interest 0.6 has 30.8% chance to initiate contact.

Alex successfully initiates contact.

Bruno with interest 0.25 responds with 0.34 enthusiasm.

Relationship successfully advanced to the courting stage.

The next night, Alex noticed a message from Bruno.

Having a strong preference for what he wanted to do for date night, Bruno begged Alex to watch physics videos on YouTube together. "Sure!" Alex replied. The two had a good time. Alex would consider doing a similar activity again.

While on their date, Bruno gushed about politics, sports, and academics.

Phase.COURTING

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.03-open experience.

Activity proposed: academics. Alex interests: food.

Alex has open 0.44 and current concession damage 0.56. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.65.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.94.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in open, took 0.56 concession damage.

The relationship health is 0.81.

Wanting to surprise Bruno, Alex wondered if it would be fun to go to DC together. "I'd love to!" Bruno replied. The two had a outstanding time. Bruno loved the date.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.56-open experience.

Activity proposed: politics. Bruno interests: politics, sports, academics.

Bruno has open 0.07 and current concession damage 0.04. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.23.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Bruno accepted the invitation. Due to difference in open, took 0.04 concession damage.

The relationship health is 1.77.

On Saturday, the couple cuddled on the couch. Alex smiled coyly.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.27-libido experience.

Alex has libido 0.53 and current concession damage 0.74. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.23.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 1.0.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in libido, took 0.26 concession damage.

The relationship health is 2.57.

July brought muggy air and barbeques.

Alex had yet to meet most of Bruno's friends.

Current relationship health of 2.57 exceeds threshold of 2.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Bruno with interest 0.25 and commitment 0.77 produces relationship advancement interest score of 1.

Interest score did not exceed threshold of 1.0. Relationship advancement failed.

Monday came around. The two of them savored a tranquil evening watching a movie. Alex was happy to hang out with Bruno this way.

As they got to know each other better, Alex could gather that Bruno was nervous about romantic relationships. With Alex, he seemed to be ready for something serious.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.37-extra experience.

Alex has extra 0.58 and current concession damage 0.46. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.1.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.99.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in extra, took 0.2 concession damage.

The relationship health is 3.27.

Bruno continued to use dating apps from time to time.

Current relationship health of 3.27 exceeds threshold of 2.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Bruno with interest 0.25 and commitment 0.77 produces relationship advancement interest score of 1.

Interest score did not exceed threshold of 1.0. Relationship advancement failed.

Later that week, Alex wanted to see Bruno, but Bruno was busy.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.84-extra experience.

Bruno has extra 0.27 and current concession damage 0.37. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.69.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.57.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Bruno rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 3.07.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.05-open experience.

Activity proposed: sports. Alex interests: food.

Alex has open 0.44 and current concession damage 0.56. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.98.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.79.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Alex rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 2.87.

On Sunday, Bruno asked Alex if they wanted to hang out, but Alex was busy.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.05-open experience.

Activity proposed: sports. Alex interests: food.

Alex has open 0.44 and current concession damage 0.56. Reluctance to accept invitation is 1.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.69.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Alex rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 2.77.

At three the next morning, Bruno sent Alex a text message.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.07-open experience.

Activity proposed: sports. Alex interests: food.

Alex has open 0.44 and current concession damage 0.56. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.98.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.96.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Alex rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 2.67.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.28-open experience.

Activity proposed: food. Bruno interests: politics, sports, academics.

Bruno has open 0.07 and current concession damage 0.04. Reluctance to accept invitation is 1.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.45.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Bruno rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 2.57.

Thursday came around. The pair made out passionately in the back of the rideshare upon seeing each other. Bruno sighed with pleasure.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.49-libido experience.

Bruno has libido 0.26 and current concession damage 0.52. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.28.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.7.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Bruno accepted the invitation. Due to difference in libido, took 0.23 concession damage.

The relationship health is 3.16.

Bruno considered sending Alex a message, but decided not to.

Current relationship health of 3.16 exceeds threshold of 2.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Bruno with interest 0.25 and commitment 0.77 produces relationship advancement interest score of 1.

Interest score did not exceed threshold of 1.0. Relationship advancement failed.

The next morning, Alex sent Bruno a text message.

On Sunday, they made out vigorously outside Alex's apartment upon seeing each other. Bruno smiled coyly.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.55-libido experience.

Bruno has libido 0.26 and current concession damage 0.52. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.51.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.55.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Bruno accepted the invitation. Due to difference in libido, took 0.29 concession damage.

The relationship health is 4.06.

Alex smiled quietly to themselves. Perhaps the right time to talk to Bruno would come some day.

Current relationship health of 4.06 exceeds threshold of 2.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Alex with interest 0.6 and commitment 0.57 produces relationship advancement interest score of 3.

Interest score exceeded threshold of 1.0. Next, Alex with confidence of 0.01, has 1% chance of initiating relationship advancement.

Confidence test failed. Alex remains silent. Relationship advancement failed.

Wednesday came around. Bruno and Alex shared a kiss. Alex sighed with pleasure.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.3-libido experience.

Alex has libido 0.53 and current concession damage 0.74. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.26.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.75.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in libido, took 0.23 concession damage.

The relationship health is 4.96.

Bruno asked to start dating. Alex agreed very enthusiastically.

Current relationship health of 4.96 exceeds threshold of 2.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Bruno with interest 0.25 and commitment 0.77 produces relationship advancement interest score of 1.

Interest score exceeded threshold of 1.0. Next, Bruno with confidence of 0.83, has 82% chance of initiating relationship advancement.

Bruno successfully initiated relationship advancement.

Alex with interest 0.6 and commitment 0.57 produces relationship advancement interest score of 3.

Relationship advancement succeeded. The relationship has reached the courting stage. Bruno experienced growth in commitment, interest, and confidence, as well as a reduction in neuroticism. Alex experienced growth in commitment, interest, and confidence.

The relationship health is 6.96.

As the two got to know each other, Alex discovered that Bruno was a beautiful person with a cat-like personality. He was detail-oriented and could not be convinced to try new food when they ate out together. When it came to their relationship, Bruno was nonchalant yet argumentative.

Later that week, the pair excitedly spent a day hanging out with friends. While Bruno enjoyed Alex's company, Bruno yearned for a quieter social experience.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.64-extra experience.

Bruno has extra 0.27 and current concession damage 0.37. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.2.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.47.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Bruno accepted the invitation. Due to difference in extra, took 0.37 concession damage.

The relationship health is 7.42.

Alex sighed. Bruno seemed so amazing. But would he return Alex's feelings?

Current relationship health of 7.42 exceeds threshold of 4.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Alex with interest 0.6 and commitment 0.57 produces relationship advancement interest score of 2.

Interest score exceeded threshold of 1.0. Next, Alex with confidence of 0.01, has 1% chance of initiating relationship advancement.

Confidence test failed. Alex remains silent. Relationship advancement failed.

One morning, Bruno was discussing Alex with a friend and realized that Alex pushed Bruno to socialize when he didn't want to. Bruno exhaled slowly. Perhaps it could be resolved with a simple conversation. Bruno resolved to bring it up to Alex next time they saw each other.

They arranged a time to talk. Alex accused Bruno of not being invested enough in the relationship. The pair failed to reach a conclusion. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-07-29.

Bruno has concession damage in category extra of 0.37 and neuroticism 0.55.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Alex with agreeability 0.57, commitment 0.57, interest 0.6, and neuroticism 0.6, contributed 0.42 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Bruno's interest in relationship declined to 0.25

The relationship health is 6.5.

One day, the argument they had 3 days ago about how Alex didn't understand that Bruno did not enjoy socializing the way Alex did floated back into Bruno's head. Bruno let the thought fade away, and went back to his coffee.

The date is 2045-08-01.

Bruno has concession damage in category extra of 0.37 and neuroticism 0.41.

Neither were sufficiently high to start a conflict.

August brought golden mornings and sweat.

Later that week, Alex asked Bruno if he were free, but Bruno forgot to return Alex's message.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.5-libido experience.

Bruno has libido 0.26 and current concession damage 0.52. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.56.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.43.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Bruno rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 6.4.

Later that week, Alex spent the evening arranging their books by color and subject. Bruno was happy that the two of them shared similar habits.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.57-con experience.

Bruno has con 0.7 and current concession damage 0.13. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.3.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.44.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Bruno accepted the invitation. Due to difference in con, took 0.13 concession damage.

The relationship health is 7.09.

Alex sighed. Bruno seemed so amazing. But would he return Alex's feelings?

Current relationship health of 7.09 exceeds threshold of 4.0 and last event improved relationship health over 0.4.

Alex with interest 0.6 and commitment 0.57 produces relationship advancement interest score of 1.

Interest score exceeded threshold of 1.0. Next, Alex with confidence of 0.01, has 1% chance of initiating relationship advancement.

Confidence test failed. Alex remains silent. Relationship advancement failed.

The couple met up to continue the conversation. Alex told Bruno that Bruno was not sexually compatible with Alex. Bruno had to admit that he and Alex had a gap in expectations. Alex's voice was harsh. Bruno took a deep breath. Bruno was livid. The couple argued venemously. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-08-28.

Alex has concession damage in category libido of 0.49 and neuroticism 0.71.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Bruno with agreeability 0.19, commitment 0.77, interest 0.25, and neuroticism 0.56, contributed -0.28 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Alex's interest in relationship declined to 0.6

The relationship health is 5.04.

The next evening, Bruno noticed a message from Alex.

The couple later met up at Lettuce & Roses to discuss. Alex told Bruno that Bruno only wanted to do activities related to politics, sports, or academics; only things Bruno liked to do. It seemed like there was a gap in expectations. Alex folded their arms, glaring at Bruno. Bruno was shocked. Bruno accused Alex of not liking them enough. The couple fought bitterly. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-09-03.

Alex has concession damage in category open of 0.56 and neuroticism 0.55.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Bruno with agreeability 0.19, commitment 0.77, interest 0.25, and neuroticism 0.56, contributed -0.61 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Alex's interest in relationship declined to 0.6

The relationship health is 2.76.

September brought beautiful evenings and beautiful evenings.

The next morning, Bruno noticed a message from Alex.

They met up to talk. Alex again was upset because they felt that Bruno was only interested in staying home. It seemed like there was a modest gap in expectations Alex folded their arms, glaring at Bruno. Bruno was shocked. Bruno was upset. The couple fought heatedly. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-09-09.

Alex has concession damage in category extra of 0.2 and neuroticism 0.55.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Bruno with agreeability 0.19, commitment 0.77, interest 0.25, and neuroticism 0.56, contributed -0.1 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Alex's interest in relationship declined to 0.6

The relationship health is 1.87.

Tuesday came around. The two of them excitedly spent a tranquil day watching a movie. Alex was happy to hang out with Bruno this way.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.32-extra experience.

Alex has extra 0.58 and current concession damage 0.46. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.62.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.75.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in extra, took 0.25 concession damage.

The relationship health is 2.4.

Later that week, Alex asked Bruno how he felt about the relationship. Bruno refused to participate.

Alex invited Bruno to a 0.69-exp experience.

Bruno has exp 0.16 and current concession damage 0. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.58.

Bruno with interest 0.25, commit 0.77, agreeability 0.19 produces motivation to accept 0.32.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Bruno rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 2.3.

Later that week, Bruno and Alex cuddled on the couch. Alex smiled coyly.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.27-libido experience.

Alex has libido 0.53 and current concession damage 0.74. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.6.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.7.

Motivation exceeded reluctance. Alex accepted the invitation. Due to difference in libido, took 0.25 concession damage.

The relationship health is 2.85.

At six the next afternoon, Alex sent Bruno a text message.

Alex again told Bruno that Bruno didn't want to be intimate often enough. It seemed like a chasm in understanding. Alex folded their arms, glaring at Bruno. Bruno gasped anxiously. Bruno accused Alex of not liking them enough. The couple failed to reach a conclusion. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-09-27.

Alex has concession damage in category libido of 0.74 and neuroticism 0.6.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Bruno with agreeability 0.19, commitment 0.77, interest 0.25, and neuroticism 0.56, contributed 0.07 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Alex's interest in relationship declined to 0.6

The relationship health is 0.68.

On Saturday, Bruno wanted to see Alex, but Alex was busy.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.22-libido experience.

Alex has libido 0.53 and current concession damage 0.74. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.94.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.62.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Alex rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 0.58.

On Tuesday, Bruno asked Alex if they were free, but Alex forgot to return Bruno's message.

Bruno invited Alex to a 0.25-extra experience.

Alex has extra 0.58 and current concession damage 0.46. Reluctance to accept invitation is 0.89.

Alex with interest 0.6, commit 0.57, agreeability 0.57 produces motivation to accept 0.69.

Motivation did not exceed reluctance. Alex rejected the invitation.

The relationship health is 0.48.

October brought gentle foliage and warm air.

Alex again was mad because they felt that Bruno only wanted to do activities related to politics, sports, or academics; only things Bruno liked to do. There was a gap in expectations. Alex folded their arms, glaring at Bruno. Bruno gasped anxiously. Bruno was furious. The pair failed to reach a conclusion. The fight spelled disaster for their relationship.

The date is 2045-10-06.

Alex has concession damage in category open of 0.56 and neuroticism 0.58.

One of previous scores exceeded 0.5 threshold. Conflict initiated.

Bruno with agreeability 0.19, commitment 0.77, interest 0.25, and neuroticism 0.56, contributed 0.03 to conflict mitigation.

Contribution does not exceed concession damage. Alex's interest in relationship declined to 0.6

The relationship health is -1.25.

They never saw each other again.

This relationship lasted for only 3 months, reaching the dating stage before ending.

Chapter 3.5

Alex knew the break up was for the best, but it didn't feel that way. After the relationship ended, Alex had the dawning realization that they could be too particular about their partners, and they journaled about their intent to change. Every now and then when Alex was getting groceries they couldn't help but think about the smell of Bruno's skin as they held each other. In that moment Alex felt overcome with affection, and loss.

Alex journaled about achieving their goals and wondered if they were not fun to be around.

October brought beautiful mornings and colorful leaves.

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