AN: This one, admittedly, is very self-indulgent so I definitely wasn't super focused on the actual quality of it. Also, I decided not to tag this as Dianthus/Ein, even if I think it always comes off that way when I write them together.
Dianthus stands outside of Ein's home at Bird's Eye Brae, staring out at the farm as the Omen wait for the door to open. She wonders how someone who's done as much as Ein finds themself content with just a small farm, but that is part of their charm.
"Hellooooooo?" Ein says as the door opens, a bright smile growing as they look at their visitor. "Oh, Didi! This day just keeps getting better."
"It does?" Dianthus asks, before moving on. It's no use trying to understand the way Ein speaks so highly of her. "I hope I am not bothering you. This was far more sudden than I would've preferred."
"Of course not, don't ever think you're bothering me." They walk back in, waving for Dianthus to follow. "I actually just finished making food. Wish you could eat it."
"Even if I had the ability, there's no reason to…" Dianthus looks at the table set up, a plethora of food laid out. "Are you…having other visitors?"
"Hm? Nope, this is all for me. Hard work never goes without reward!" Ein says. "So, Didi, what'd I do to bring you all the way down here?"
"You've done nothing. There is just something I've wondered for a time now about you and past humans." Dianthus asks.
Ein pulls up another chair for Dianthus to sit at the table. "You sure you don't want to ask Aria? She knows way more about all that than I do, or maybe one of the others. They've been here longer than me."
"That would not be sufficient." She accepts the offer, sitting down on the opposite end to face Ein. "This is something only you can answer this."
"Woah." Ein stares for a moment. "Welp, I'm all yours. Ask away."
"Thank you." She says, taking a moment to let the silence flow. "I may have come to a misunderstanding, but you do not align yourself with the same labels of men or women, correct?"
Ein raises an eyebrow. "Guess not, but I never really thought about it that much. Sorry, that's probably not very helpful."
Dianthus raises a hand. "Do not apologize. Anything you say is valuable to me. However, what you say is interesting. This concept sparked many debates for the humans of Aria's home."
"Really? Never seemed like that big of a deal to me. What kind of stuff did they talk about?"
"It's not simple to say. Regarding the many viewpoints of those discussing it, and when those discussions began." Dianthus thinks to herself for a moment. "What do you believe? I have my own thoughts on the matter, but I'd like to hear your own."
"Well, I don't really know a lot about this…" Ein says, using all the power in their brain to give a satisfying answer. In the end, they just sigh. "I don't know, sorry, Didi."
"Hm…" She hadn't expected this, but it makes sense. Ein wouldn't have some grand reason for why they are who they are. Ein is Ein, and that is all that's necessary for them. "Would you like to hear what those humans thought? You are not required to, of course."
"No, you can talk! But, I would like to hear what you think about it. You're always way smarter than I am," Ein says, eating away as Dianthus speaks.
"Very well." She hesitates a small amount, hoping not to upset Ein with some of the more unsavory views. "There were many humans like yourself, those who did not prescribe to the 'binary,' as they called it. I'm not sure when these concepts first came to be, but fortunately, there were many around the world who accepted them. Though there were many who didn't. There were those who'd wish people like yourself become a forgotten moment in history." Dianthus looks to Ein for any kind of reaction. Thankfully, they seem fine. "Some believed the idea itself was unnecessary, and tried to hold on to that long-lasting concept of two sides, men and women. They'd go to far lengths to preserve that idea."
"Geez, that's sad." Ein says. "But what do you think about it?"
"I see no reason not to accept it, but I was curious about how they found these labels did not apply."
"You really love getting the details. Makes me feel even worse that I can't…" Ein stops, a switch flicking in their head. "Hey, Omens follow the same thing, right? Men and women?"
"It's more appropriate to say we adopted it from humans, but yes."
"How do you know you're a woman?"
"It's simply what I am," Dianthus answers, Ein leaning forward a little. "I see…"
"I'm sure there are people who had a harder time figuring it out, but I'm just who I am. And that's someone who likes to farm, and cook delicious food for my friends. Even if they can't eat it." They stop eating for a moment. "I don't need anyone to believe it, but you said that way better than I could."
"Said what?" Dianthus asks.
Ein clears their throat. "'Throughout history, those who changed the world were always 'wrong' according to the common knowledge at the time.' I remember the entire speech, even the words I didn't really get, like proto…be…"
"Protobiont. I didn't think you would remember that."
"Of course I would. You're the one who said it, after all. I'd never forget something a friend told me," Ein says. "It's like you said, there are people who'll brush me off, but I won't let that stop me. The only people I need to accept me are you guys."
Dianthus sits in silence for a moment. Did Ein intend to include her in that group? She knew they considered her a friend, but she was important enough to where Ein wanted her acceptance? It wasn't a bad feeling, knowing they thought of her like that.
"Didi…" Ein looks at her with a grin. "You're smiling, aren't you?"
"What?" Dianthus turns away. "That's not possible. You know this."
"Come on, you don't have to look away. You're so pretty when you smile!" Ein says, scooting in their chair, trying to look at her.
"My face cannot change, and stop trying to look," Dianthus says.
"Okay…" Ein says, moving the chair back. "Oh, I know! You should spend the night, then you can ask me all the questions you want. Isn't that a good idea?"
"That-" Thrown off guard by the question, Dianthus thinks about the request. "It would be a very inefficient use of my time."
"Aw, really?" Ein frowns.
"However, you did not have to entertain my curiosity." Dianthus thinks the idea is appealing. "Another day. I have more research to look into."
"Really?! Thank you, Didi!" Ein shoots up from their chair. "You won't regret it, I promise. You can learn how to farm, get to know the faeries, it'll be great."
Dianthus stands from her seat, ready to leave. "I already understand the process behind farming."
"That's not the same as getting out there and really doing it, but don't worry, you'll see," Ein says, walking her to the door. "Don't let me keep your work waiting unless you need a break!"
"Breaks are unnecessary for us, but your concern has been noted." Dianthus says.
"Everyone needs breaks, especially you and Aria. Should I invite her too? But there's only two beds…" Ein says, talking to themself as the door shuts.
"Especially me?" Dianthus says. "Perhaps spending a little more time on the airship before returning wouldn't affect my work…"