week two | mingle

[showhost]

Welcome to week two, Teens Who Are Definitely Searching for Love!

Hopefully everyone got a lot of rest over the weekend, and are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the upcoming week, because there are a few things of interest this week.

But first, some changes of note in the house!

First: there is a giant rectangular box on the living room table, addressed to Lessing. It is a care package. The only thing in it is his sword.

There is some Bauernbrot bread on the counter. Ask Lessing about that too.

There is now a hot tub near the pool. It’s large enough to seat about six teens comfortably, but you can get more in there if you really try for some reason.

Okay I think that’s everything. Additionally, Tsukasa is here early this week! He’s looking pretty perky, seemingly recovered from the Match Ceremony, and he’s got some interesting info to share with everyone.

Embrace Space | Property Damage, etc | Dates | Mini-Event
Truth Booth Voting | Match Ceremony Submissions

Comments

[singurarity]

Maybe.

But whoever that someone is, I don't think it's any of us besides Minami. I could list at least three other people I would have thought of before him.

And no, that's not an invitation to explain that.

[haircared]

[ His smile turns wry, and he leans over a bit to bump his shoulder with hers in understanding, comfort. She doesn't need to hear I'm so sorry or for him to pity her - he'd rather focus on the strength it must have taken for her to survive. ]

I hear you... my old man didn't even know I existed until this year.

[ His bitterness is more resigned - like he's accepted it, at this point. He won't ever fully get over it, but it is what it is. With laid-back, sincere admiration: ]

But damn, you're pretty tough, coming up all on your own. Probably more than anyone gives you credit for.

[willandaway]

[oh my god]

Then. . . I'll explain.

[a small exhale]

Minami is a demon. He is currently. . . hunted? By someone who apparently blames demons for every bad things that happens, whether it's truly their fault or not.

[. . .]

He did say himself that demons do bad things, but regular people do as well, don't they? That sort of unfair treatment. . . [a beat] It reminds me of home.

[hgeegh]

[Friggin' Will.]

I'm afraid that's the only way things will change.

[Because even from Will's end of things, the publicity he's gaining here might suffer if this drags out for too long. In the best case scenario, how he handles Anna's confession might cement his popularity with the people (however that's supposed to work). As for Anna . . . whatever happens, she'll have friends there for her. Most of all, Sanji can't stand to see her suffer like this.]

[singurarity]

... So you think you might be matched because you're both used to being treated unfairly due to your species?

[ oh buddy, let her tell you-- ]

[boneface]

[ DOROTHEA, MY SWEET. Perhaps that is when Ryuji and Dorothea meet. Ryuji looks a little alarmed for a moment at the nickname before he is — yeah, he's looking shy in response. Ah! ]

Y-Yeah, that's me! Hiya Dorothea. Doing good?

[boneface]

[ oH..... OH THIS IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN, HUH. ]

H-Hey, Mark.

[ he's scooting closer...! Ryuji feels a little flustered already and nothing's even happened yet. ]

How's it going?

[boneface]

[ a belated bro!! Ryuji looks a little alarmed with the bottle lands on him and then... there's Ritsuka.

Hm. He's double guessing his choices here. ]

Bro! [ Wait, should he call her bro? Bro is gender neutral, right? ] Uhm. Hi.

[singurarity]

... You don't have to look so panicked, I can just kiss you on the cheek.

[willandaway]

That may be part of it.

[he knows it's shallow, because when it comes down to it. . . he doesn't think he and Minami are very compatible personality-wise]

But maybe the people who decided on the matches saw what I was fighting for, and thought that Minami might benefit from it?

[singurarity]

I won't say it's not a possibility, and we can consider it if we don't somehow rule it out tomorrow or next week.

But let's see how it goes first.

[willandaway]

. . . all right.

[that he can do. because while he brings this possibility up to Ritsuka. . . he isn't 100% sure about it, either. and. . .]

[he also. . . didn't want to talk about it in front of Anna]

Are you very confident in yourself and Lessing?

[singurarity]

A little more than I was before, honestly.

[ So maybe that counts for something. ]

[willandaway]

[it absolutely does!!]

[a tiny little smile]

Have you two grown closer?

[singurarity]

...

[ A little huffed-out laugh. ]

Yeah. I think we reached an understanding.

[willandaway]

"An understanding.

[a huff of his own. it's almost a laugh]

That does feel a bit like an understatement.

[makeine]

... I'll sleep on it.

[ because she doesn't want to act rashly only to see a moment's hesitation on will's face, or worse -- pity. hear the beginning of her name in the tone sosuke had before he ran off. ]

I mean, maybe literally, we had a whirlwind of a time lately so I'm still pretty head over heels about it, I just... want to be careful. A little. For once. But thanks, Sanji-kun -- I do feel better after talking to you.

[willandaway]

Before bed.

[they have their ritual now, so. . .! he knows he'll see her. if he can steal her time, just for a bit. . .]

[. . .]

[nudges her gently]

You can tell me anything, okay?

[makeine]

[ if nothing else, lean on him as a friend.

that's what tsukasa had requested, so she leans over to peck his cheek. ]

I know. I promise, I won't skimp. Okay?

[ ...

not that it'll change anything, but. it might at least give will more pause. if only for a second. ]

[willandaway]

[he needs no further encouragement than that! the fork is in his hand seconds later as he scoops up a big bite of rice and chicken, devouring it like a man who hasn't eaten in. . . well. weeks]

[it is different. of course it is-- nobody could match Miss Fabienne's recipe, especially with different ingredients. but even though it's different. . . it's still amazing. a dish that stands out in and of itself]

[his expression lights up as he chews, and his response is probably more than enough to get across what he is thinking]

Mmmmmm-- [MOUTH FULL CAN'T TALK BUT THOSE ARE DELICIOUS NOISES]

[willandaway]

[he doesn't feel that way, but her encouragement. . . he likes that, and he lets out a little laugh]

I'm not sure it's the same, but. . . [tilting his head up a bit so his smile is directed at her] Your confidence is very inspiring, Yana-chan.

[willandaway]

[it's strange, how easily it is for him to tilt his head into that kiss. like it's muscle memory. like it's. . . instinct]

Okay.

[a pause]

I'll bring us more marshmallows.

[makeine]

[ marshmallows.........

anyway they can dip to the kitchen and then to the firepit to get their roast on. this probably isn't a conversation anna should behaving next to an open flame but it's okay. she's going to take her happinesses where she can get them as she turns the skewer she'd stuck hers on. ]

Akechi-kun and I went to the aquarium together this week. I wanted to see if I could learn more about him for his good enough match -- Minami-kun and I went out for the same reason, but I actually had kind of a good time with him.

[ so. the beef is a little fresher than before. ]

[hgeegh]

[He nods. It takes courage to speak from the heart; that's what she said. If she needs a little bit of time to put herself together for it, no one can blame her.]

I'm glad to hear it. And, ah . . . I'm sorry for bringing it up so suddenly.

[It was important, but he feels bad for springing it on her after a joyful stint in the kitchen, and at such an early hour, too.]

[makeine]

... You're almost as dramatic as Sanji-kun. [ a laugh more in her words than at him. ] He shed real tears when I made him breakfast as thanks for lending me a hand -- just advising and company.

[ but

it does make her happy, beaming at his enthusiasm. cooking is love, sanji had said -- and she had put her heart into it, her gratitude and adoration. ]