puppycrush2 | week one

[. . . curiously]

But now that they've been revealed as an official match, what happens? If you have to "pencil Wednesday in," then does that mean they left. . .?

[ the pool is looking more inviting by the second. maybe it'll cool her warming cheeks, though her hand raises to play with her hair to sort of hide them. ]

Mmhmm. I'm pretty sure they get a place to themselves -- that's how it usually goes in these shows -- but they said they'll still come by and visit. I gave Ryuji-kun a lot of advice on what kinda date spots he should take her to too, since they'll have the time to go on a lot of them.

[for some reason, his gaze immediately tracks the way her fingers brush against the blue locks of her hair. distracting. . .???]

[gives his head a small shake]

A place to themselves. . . [a beat] With no cameras?

[jealous!! that sounds so luxurious!!]

You're really rooting for them, aren't you?

Oh, I have no idea if there's no cameras or not, so I'll ask next time I see them. And duh! I want love to succeed! I'll make sure it does, even if I've gotta stick my nose in their business!

[ a little fistpump!!! if they won't communicate she will. this is a threat. ]

Soooo, what's with the package? Souvenir from home? They didn't give you too hard of a time, did they?

[. . . hehe. how cute. . .]

I think that's the most positive threat I have ever seen.

[again he teases, but in a complimentary way. she already knows he truly admires this side of her!]

[and then she brings up the package, and with a smile he holds it out to her, cradled carefully in two hands]

It's redgrass-roasted bidou. You said you wanted to try it.

Edited 2024-11-16 15:38 (UTC)

[ tttthat's her! postive threats! oh thank god there's something to distract and

god. fortune favors her. this is great. anna's eyes shine as she takes it and sets it in her lap, carefully opening the cloth so nothing rolls off into the pool -- which she would swim after, mind -- and breathing in deeply as the spices waft up. oh yeah, she could definitely work with this. ]

I'm totally starved from all the energy I burned earlier, so this is really gonna hit the spot! Ritsuka-chan got some too? Or was it something else?

[ if it's a different food she might seek to trade bite for bite. ]

[it smells fabulous! very herb-y, but with hints of heat in every waft. the chicken. . . may be a little singed, but please spare him, he didn't have time to make it perfect]

Ritsuka asked to taste it, too. So I made another helping for her.

[SO: SAME FOR SAME]

[. . . but, speaking of Ritsuka. . . and Anna talking about having burned a lot of energy. . . Will hooks his fingers into the strap of his bag, clutching it tightly as he studies Anna's expression, his own features soft]

I also heard things got a little. . . heated? Between you and Akechi earlier.

[ that's fine anna isn't picky. especially since he made it, which makes her pause. okay. so. she definitely has to pay attention to this bird then.

her expression sours when he brings up akechi though, open as ever, and she huffs as she decides bidou's a finger food now. unless there's a fork included. ]

Yeah, 'cause he's a major jerk! And totally pathetic. I handled it like a champ though, so you don't have to go fight him for my honor or anything.

[ a little silly, right?

but it held a different meaning when he'd said it. anna likes straightforward people. she's not really into reading between the lines like that. but... it wasn't just "a little silly", considering all else he'd said. it does eat at her appetite though, furrowing her brows as she tries to enjoy the bidou anyway. ]

It's just... totally obvious he's never even thought about love before. And he doesn't want to. Which is fine, enough people are here for that wish -- and you're here for your reason, too -- but he reduced it to nothing. It really ticked me off, especially after badmouthing Ryuji-kun... who at least knows what a shoujo is.

[THERE. . . IS NOT. it's fine it's cut up bird (and it's not a big bird, either) it can be a finger food!]

[and after everything he has learned about her this week. . . for someone to reduce love into nothing in front of Anna's salad. . . it really makes sense for her to get so upset about it. not everyone has the same kind of wistful romanticism as Anna herself does-- and that's okay, people all have different opinions and viewpoints on the world. he imagines there are reasons Akechi feels the way that he does, and he wants to learn what those reasons are. but Anna is throwing her whole heart into this competition, and Will thinks. . . that should be respected. admired, even]

[her had work is what is going to earn them their wishes, after all. it's not fair to insult her by saying that work has no meaning!1]

. . . are you okay?

[he knows she handled it like a champ. he can imagine it, even if he wasn't there to witness it. but that doesn't mean she can't still be hurt by it, right?]

... Of course I am. [ not really. but he shouldn't worry about small things like this. ] He can't shake my unwavering faith.

[ it isn't like there's feelings involved, anyway. she can keep telling herself that. not a homewrecker, not someone who falls in love at the drop of a hat... one of these can be true. but she really does need to find out that camera situation out for sure -- if not from them, maybe tenma knows. he's the host. he should. and she can decide their next step from there.

...

whether it's better to go in or stay put. provided neither of them are chosen to pick tomorrow anyway, which would put her thoughts in the trash. ]

The match ceremony's tomorrow. [ mmmmm. this is really good. just the right amount of heat. ] Got any ideas on who you'd pick if you're called?

[ since. it doesn't have to be her, and all. ]

Good.

[something else to be admired about Anna. the way she believes in the things that are important to her, no matter what]

[he'd almost like to dig into what happened with Akechi more, but she is quick to change the subject, and he does not want to press if talking about it makes her feel uncomfortable. so there is a small pause before he replies, head tilted, features curious]

[but then he answers confidently]

And I do. But who else would I pick but you, Yana-chan?

[because the more they talk. . . the more confident he feels that it's a very real possibility they're a match]

[ pause.

putting that bird in her mouth. he's really that confident? but if that space away has no cameras, then it's bad for him. he has a throne to sit on, at least for a little while. he has people to protect, until he sets that mantle aside. he has tribes to bring together, and a lot of important things do to, and if his confidence isn't unfounded...

... if they are a match, like she keeps claiming and he seems to think is true...

...

anna nods as she's got her mouth full, humming in agreement. nothing worth worrying about until after tomorrow, she's deciding. nothing she can do until then anyway. ]

Right, we're a total match! There's no doubt about it! I'd say you too, of course, I'm dead serious about this. But thinking about leaving these guys to their own devices gives me ulcers -- who's gonna be around to matchmake them if we're off someplace else, you know? [ sigh!!!! ] I feel like a mother bird watching her chicks trying to jump off the nest.

[watching her eat the bidou is giving Will the warm fuzzies. she must like it, despite it being a little crispy. . . yay]

[he laughs a bit at her response, and the way she compares herself to a mother bird. . . and now he is imagining her with FEATHERS and CUTE LI'L BEAK, which just makes his grin widen even more]

We'd come back to see them, of course. I can't imagine you completely abandoning any of them.

[he doesn't want to just UP AND LEAVE the rest of the cast. he's just getting to know them!1]

. . . it's awfully kind-- [cute, actually. cute is the word he wanted to use] -- to worry about them so much, too.

[ he's allergic to the word "cute" which is great because she'd break out in a sudden unexplainable rash if he called her it. not that the laugh helps any, it's... nice. ]

Well, they're my friends! Of course I'm gonna worry about them. Even the people I haven't talked to yet. I mean, we're all in this together.

[ it didn't take any time at all for her to consider nukumizu one. of course it wouldn't take long for these bozos.

some of them aside. women's intuition never fails (neg)

she. does think about telling him about her thing with mitaka, how they aren't... friends anymore, but. it's fine. it's no one's business but their own (lol). also as a note, anna's something of a messy eater, so she's absolutely ending up with something from this dish on her cheek. ]

You must be dead on your feet from traveling. I just wanted to talk a little before you went to bed, so...

[Will can be pretty quick to become ride-or-die for people too, so in that respect, they are alike! besides, he thinks Anna is right-- they are in this together, and some people have important wishes that need granting. they won't achieve that if they don't try to coordinate, right?]

[(LAUGHTRACK IN MATCH CEREMONY REVEALS)]

[but at any rate. . . for now, Will shall remain blissfully unaware of what happened with Asa. he hasn't had the chance to speak to Asa himself yet, but he had noticed that she and Anna got along pretty well. that's something he is going to ask Anna about next week, for sure!1]

It actually wasn't so bad. The trip was surprisingly short.

[. . .]

And I'm glad we had the chance to talk. I actually didn't want to go to sleep without at least saying goodnight.

Edited 2024-11-17 04:16 (UTC)

Aw, c'mon, you're too sweet! You really know what to say to a girl.

[ really putting on a good show for those cameras. see how devoted he is? if to one person, why not a nation? considerate and caring... they're important traits for everyone to see. ]

... But I was planning on staying up until you got back, so let's call it even.

[ thank goodness he got back when he did though a midnight vigil would've gotten her teased for sure. sitting by the window like some lovelorn teenage girl. mmmmm. her appetite's definitely back, she's really enjoying her meal now. ]

[does he? does he really know what to say?? he's just being honest, but. . . for some reason, that does make him feel a little happy]

All right. We're even, then.

[a beat]

[a few tags ago Peace said Anna was a messy eater, so-- don't mind Will as he suddenly reaches out to brush his thumb across the corner of her mouth, dusting away a bit of crumbs]

I didn't think about it, but I should have brought you a fork, too.

[gently endeared]

[ (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)

her cheeks flush and she turns her face away to wipe at any other potential ones, suddenly very done with her meal even if she isn't as she folds it back up. ]

I-I'll save the rest for later when I have one, then! It's a pretty good finger food, but it's definitely meant to be eaten properly. Um, it's really good. Like, really really good. You were totally right about the spices. Do you cook a lot?

[ please let's just get it off her ]

[a gentle chuckle when she turns away, and his hand drops back into his lap]

I do when I'm on the road. Mostly with my friends. I find cooking to be a great bonding experience.

[all the recipes he knows he has learned from other people!]

I won't say I'm great at it, but I really do try.

Me too. I make my own lunches back home, so I know a little of this, a little of that. I've even made a perfect omurice before!

[ flipped that baby like a pro... heheh. so proud of that. ]

What're your friends like?

Omurice?

[WHAT IS OMURICE. HE WANTS IT!]

[but he perks up when she asks about his friends, his smile turning more into a beam, because clearly he loves talking about them!]

[TIME FOR A WORDY DUMP]

Strohl is like an older brother to be-- he's a noble who has been working to restore peace to his people after their village was destroyed. He was the first to throw his support behind my cause.

Hulkenberg is a royal knight. She can be a bit old-fashioned, and she has strange taste in food. . . but she is the most loyal person I have ever met.

Neuras is an inventor who is fascinated by anything mechanical. He drives our gauntlet runner, and its through his innovation that our vehicle was able to sail across the ocean.

Junah is a famous singer. She's playful, but kind. She can be a little impulsive, but her heart is in the right place and you can always count on her to give things her all.

Gallica is my shoulder fairy. She has been with me since my time in the village. . . it's been strange not having her here, because we've rarely ever been separated. But while sometimes she picks on me and scolds me, I know she'll always have my back.

And Eupha. . . she's our newest friend. She's a priestess of the mustari tribe, with a heart of gold and passion to match. She'd do anything for her people, and I can't help but admire that.

It's a rice and omelet dish! Super yummy.

[ she'll have to make it for him sometime... hope he likes his eggs a little sweet. the yanamis do.

but she listens to him talk, noting... how many girls... are in this group of his a little unhappily. with that many, there's no way he didn't feel some kind of attraction??? even like, a moment? a milisecond of a crush? she exhales shortly, kicking in the water a little more. not enough to splash just... movey. ]

They sound nice. [ chilly. ] You sure have a lot of girl friends, though.

[ he's getting to experience her first major flaw....... ]

[oh my god]

[OBLIVIOUS AND UNAFFECTED]

Gallica, Eupha, Junah, Hulkenberg. . . oh. I've never thought about it, but I suppose so.

[ALSO I]

[FUCKING FORGOT HEISMAY]

[BECAUSE I'M A HORRIBLE PERSON]

[please pretend he also said something like, "Heismay is the oldest member of our group, but also the sharpest and smartest. He seems harsh at a first glance, but deep down he's kind and nurturing. Sometimes. . . he feels a little bit like my father."]

[ u got it babe. balance those numbers a little. ]

Close with any of them? Besides your "fairy", I mean.

[ like, seriously? even giving her a cute title like "shoulder fairy"? ]

[just as many guys as girls. . . how could I forget Heismay he is the best]

I only just met Junah and Eupha, but I think I would consider myself close to them all. . .?

[giving her a puzzled look now??]

. . . they're all supporters of my cause. I appreciate that about them. I don't think I could have come as far as I have without all of them by my side.

[and by "all of them" he means the girls AND the guys]

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mid-game metaphor spoilers don't look!!! I'M WATCHING YOU PEOPLE ON FLATVIEW!!!!!

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