puppycrush2 | week one

[ Well, Mark doesn't think he's here to entertain at all. Really he's just been stumbling through this, but with each passing day he does seem to be stumbling a little less, and that feels like kind of a victory in and of itself.

Case in point: that he can chat with Dorothea pretty easily, overly cheesy lines aside. ]

It is, isn't it? It's kind of a lot, but I guess once you get used to it it isn't so bad... I mean, we know we're all gonna be paired up with someone here. It isn't an endless search. I guess there's a kind of comfort to that?

[ A beat. ]

Even if it doesn't work out... at least it's an experience?

[ And not a bad one, from his tone. There are things that can be so much worse than this... The novelty is interesting, at least. ]

[Yes, she’ll take the novelty of the situation at the very least, even if she’s banking a little on the hope that she might find something that works out. Whether with romance, or with a wish…]

Having the time limit helps a bit too—we won’t have to flounder in search of the answers for long, and it’s a good motivation to get everyone moving.

[The last thing something like this needs is people dragging their feet. Though… some of the more shy ones are certainly needing a little push.]

I’m so curious to see how all the pairings work out, aren’t you?

[ He doesn't think Dorothea is the type to make a pointed remark at him, since he has been kind of dragging his feet over the course of the first week. But since Ryuji is so happy now, and things paid off for him, and the fact that they do need to get a move on with this...

He just nods. It really is good motivation. ]

Yeah... I wonder who I got. I mean, I don't think I'd ever find anyone this quickly otherwise.

[ He definitely would not. ]

And Ryuji and Wednesday are pretty opposite. I wonder if it'll be like that for everyone...

[ He is not sure who would count as his opposite here! ]

[Maybe not quite so pointed, but she has no problem giving people a well-meaning prod if necessary.]

We certainly have plenty of varying personalities around here, so it could be possible…

[She takes a moment to glance around at all the gathered contestants conversing here and there. She hadn’t thought about that possibility too much, but after the first match being confirmed…]

Perhaps that’s something to keep in mind when it comes to future voting, then. It’s at least something to try.

Yeah... though I wonder what the chances are that it'd apply to all of us? I mean... you'd think our matches would be a good mix, right? Otherwise wouldn't that get boring?

[ Since it is all on TV... and not that he's here for drama, but if that's what the show is angling for...

He follows her gaze around their fellow contestants before looking back to her. ]

What do you think — would you be a better fit with someone more like you, or opposite?

[She can’t help the way her brows furrow a bit at the question. Honestly, it’s something she’s been trying to figure out long before even coming to this show. All that effort at the Academy to try to court the scions of noble or wealthy merchant houses… it’s kind of steeped entirely in the idea of opposites, considering her broad disdain for that sort. Which probably explains why she's hardly gotten anywhere she truly liked with that back home.]

I don’t know about an exact opposite, but… I think the differences people can have make life interesting. I guess in an ideal world, I’d want a partner whose differences compliment my own.

So like... [ He's thinking. He doesn't want to blurt something stupid out; not after the thought she's clearly put into answering his question.

That, and it makes sense. ] Someone who can challenge you? ... Better you, maybe?

[ Because now that he's thinking about it, he's realizing he might need that, too. ]

Bettering, sounds more like it to me. Certainly.

[Challenges… she’s navigated that plenty. She’s due a break, particularly with something that would impact the rest of her life.]

I’ve had enough challenge in my life already. I’d prefer something more comforting, I think. In an ideal world.

[But the world is far from ideal, isn’t it? So she may sound a little resigned about it. She’ll take what she can get, as long as there’s something appealing to be found in it.]

[ Enough challenge in her life already... That sounds potentially heavy. And like something Mark can relate to.

He gives her a friendly little nudge with his elbow. ]

Maybe this is how we can find that ideal world? I mean... if you think about it, it's kind of a lot to have us all here. So maybe that just means there'll be good payoff. Aren't happy endings supposed to make for good TV?

And yet some of the most popular operas I’ve performed in have been tragedies…

[A wry little smile, then a laugh as she waves it off.]

But they’re certainly not my favorites. I’ll choose to hope that a happy ending might be waiting for all of us at the end of this.

[ He blinks at her wry smile, brows furrowed. Did he say something wrong—

And relaxes when she laughs it off, but not entirely. Just. Man, he wants things to work out for everyone here... ]

I think there will be. [ What does he have to base that on? Absolutely nothing, aside from doing the same thing she is — choosing to hope. ] It just... feels right, you know?

[ It has to — it just has to. ]

week one | overflow

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