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

[makeine]

He's...

[ a pause. thinking back to the ceremony, and then to their interview together. ]

... Holding it together.

[ firm and assured. ]

But that's why I think we should invite him! I mean, he's about our age and he's expected to run this whole show? With other worlds and demons and stuff? I still can't believe it, but I guess it does explain a couple things.

[ like the odd "culture differences" between her and will. ]

[warhawks]

Uh, have you talked to the people here?

[ Bitch have you looked in a mirror? ]

[warhawks]

No.

[ Famine Devil calling her little sister doesn't count, right...? That's Yoru's family, not hers. But they share a body...

She stands there considering this for a few seconds. Not a great start for what should probably be the easiest question on the list. ]

... Definitely not. [ She finally adds, not at all suspiciously. ] What about you?

[warhawks]

[ Ugh. She promised Ritsuka she'd try and move forward, not back, but she didn't expect to have to deal with the consequences of that promise so soon. ]

Hey, Sanji. [ She glances in his direction briefly, then goes back to staring at the wall again. At least she's not chasing him off? ] Sorry, I just needed a drink. I'll get out of your way in a minute.

[haircared]

[ He gives him a wry smile in return to the nervous one he gets, eyes softening. It's obvious this isn't easy for Mark, so Josuke really respects that he's pushing himself, despite his fears. Leaning forward a bit, he puts his hands together in his lap, holding his own card between them. For once, he looks a little pensive and uncertain over what exactly to say, and he keeps his gaze pinned on the paper, rather than at Mark. ]

If it's one of the harder ones, then... I guess there's something I've been regretting like crazy.

[ This is going to be televised, so he's not sure how far into the details he should get. Moreover, Mark is a normal person (crowd laugh track) that shouldn't get involved in Stand business. The core of the matter — the most important parts — he can share, though. ]

In Moiroh, my hometown, the rate of people going missing is seven or eight times higher than the national average.

[ His brow tenses, heart aching more as he continues. ]

There was this kid me and my best friend used to hang with — Shigechi. He was a middle schooler, you know? We let him tag along when we got ice cream or drinks from the vending machines. Sometimes we'd go over to his school and eat lunch with him. [ Josuke chuckles, seeming genuinely happy reminiscing about the kid, in a fond, annoyed sort of way. ] He was a greedy bastard who was always pinching pennies and wanting to tattle. When it wasn't annoying me, it was really cute.

[ Now, the next part... he has to lie. There's no way around it. He can't say that he knows Shigechi was killed in cold blood — most of Morioh doesn't even know a serial killer was stalking their streets for the last fifteen years. ]

He's... missing. Some rumors say there's evidence he's dead. [ In some ways, being able to talk about it, even in as vague and secretive of a way like this is a relief. In his hometown, only Stand users are even slightly aware this is all part of a bigger pattern. But despite the lies, he can be honest about the deepest part of his regret in all this: ] I wish I could have protected him. He was just a kid. I don't know if I've ever regretted something so much in my life, hah...

[ A somberness hangs over his typical laid-back tone, but he doesn't let it consume him — only simmer in the background. It's a heavy topic, to be sure, but he does what he can to handle it with the respect it deserves without completely ruining the atmosphere. ]

[hgeegh]

[His breath catches in his throat at the realization that she's talking to him. Not only that, she looked at him just now. Is she—]

No. No . . . You don't have to do that. You're not in my way.

[If anything, he's the one obstructing her. Sanji steps into the kitchen proper, giving Asa a comfortable path to clear away (if she so desires) as he approaches the island from the opposite end.]

. . . Are you hungry?

[titlecard]

[ There's something I've been regretting like crazy, and Mark sucks in a breath. Regret. Okay, he... maybe he can talk about regret in turn, but first, he sidles up next to Josuke, hoping his presence can be some kind of comfort for what they're about to get into.

And he listens.

He smiles a little when Josuke talks about Shigechi, because it's a happier memory at first, he can tell. It speaks to the kind of person he is — someone who would look out for a kid younger than him, and he assumes there was a reason for that, like Shigechi needed it on some level. And Josuke was happy to provide it. It's... it's sweet.

Until he connects the two: the rate of people going missing is high, and Shigechi is among them. It's instinct for Mark to take Josuke's hand, give it a little squeeze. ]

Maybe he's still out there? [ Optimistic. Mark has to be optimistic, because if he doesn't have that, he doesn't know what he'll have left. Being an optimist is why he's here in the first place, and he can extend that to someone else — maybe a perfect match; definitely a friend. ] I mean... rumours are just that, right? Rumours? So... I know the odds may not be great, but you never know until you know...

[ He sighs. He's trying to keep the atmosphere up too, except when it'll be his turn he's pretty sure it's going to plummet. Because Josuke being unable to protect a kid has brought up a recent memory, and he just... squeezes his hand. ]

I get it, though. That's not a good feeling. That's... [ exhale. ] I get it.

[ But he'll let the moment sit here first, praying he's fostering some kind of comfort before he inevitably brings it crashing down. ]

[titlecard]

Oh, that's so cool. I always thought it was maybe like, an extra step, or something that looked cool, not that it was essential. Making the perfect pizza...

[ He sighs, leaning back against the hot tub's inner wall once again. ]

I wanna do that. Later, I mean, because this is so nice. But, man... I only know how to make, like, burgers and fries. Pizza? Tossing dough? That would be so awesome.

[titlecard]

[ Mark can believe it, but mostly because he's had all kinds of weird shit thrown at him over the past year. This all feels really tame in comparison, especially since a number of them do seem to come from the same world — or if not that, then worlds close enough to each other that the difference is negligible.

But the other thing... ]

I can't believe there's a fucking demon here. [ He says it casually, but also like, seriously?? ] I mean, how many people here are equipped to deal with that? Is Tsukasa? No, I'm with you, we should definitely invite him. I think he's more than earned something just plain nice by now.

[warhawks]

[ Hi. ]

Yeah. They wouldn't make it easy on us... [ She sighs, but Wednesday is the closest to someone normal she's going to get (insane statement). ] Since you're here, I'd like to try and do something worth three points. [ Beat. ] Obviously not any of the... you know. Or the — um, you know.

[ wow can you be less specific ]

[warhawks]

Not really.

[ She feels bad saying it so bluntly, but she'd feel worse if she said yes and then couldn't eat. ]

I had a bad dream. [ A shrug; her attempt at being reassuring. ] The same one as usual... it's been a few days, so it caught me off guard. I'm just glad I didn't wake anyone up.

[hgeegh]

Good, because you'll be doing that.

[Despite his seemingly blasé tone, Sanji's words are sincere. If Mark wants to make the perfect pizza, Sanji will gladly show him to the first step. The rest will be up to him, but it'll be a start.]

Everyone starts somewhere. All you need to bring is your heart.

[hgeegh]

[It's not about him, he knows. He has to value her honesty in the moment. More than anything, he's grateful that she's still talking to him.]

A few days . . . ?! [His shock comes at a volume just above that of a harsh whisper, mindful of their sleeping peers and Asa's sensibility. How often does she have this nightmare? How many nights has she woken up alone, here and back?] Does this happen often?

[titlecard]

[ Maybe Mark responds well to clear direction, maybe he can tell Sanji's words are sincere; maybe it's both. Because his eyes are bright as he looks back at him, a pure sort of excitement in them. ]

I'll do that! [ And he says it so earnestly, because he really wants to. ] My last job was fast food, and it was just. Not fun. Being able to actually care about what you do?

[ He sighs. Being able to actually care about what you do and it being low stakes? ]

That sounds like the way to live.

[ Maybe despite being a pirate Sanji really does have it all figured out... ]

[warhawks]

Um, not every night...

[ ... But close to it. More often since she died. Belatedly realizing that comment probably isn't as reassuring as she intended it to be: ]

I-I'm fine, really! [ Too loud. She lowers her voice again. ] It's only a dream, not something that can actually hurt me. I was a little startled, that's all.

b

[titlecard]

[ What a proper introduction after a week of living under the same roof. But it's fine; Mark's only a little taken aback as he stares at her. ]

Probably? [ God, he hopes so. It's not like he wants things to be weird either. ] Um...

[ Frantically skimming his own sheet. ]

Holding hands would be easy but probably still weird, huh.

[ Okay maybe this will be harder than it looks. ]

ia

[titlecard]

[ The living room vibrating is enough to throw Mark off for a second, leaving him stumbling before regaining his footing. That was... weird...

Not as weird as Lessing smiling, though. While holding a sword, and Mark is left to do a quick mental tally on just how many weapons are in this house now before giving up. It's more than zero, which means it's more than he would have thought there'd have been.

Still — Lessing is smiling! And Mark has recovered, as he shoots him a curious look. ]

Special delivery?

[ no seriously how many more weapons are going to be here ]

[hgeegh]

[This job must have been a new level of hell for Mark to dislike working with food. Sanji would like to give management a piece of his mind.

But it makes him think. Previously, Mark established that he was still pondering his choices without a clear direction. Is this wistfulness caused by that indecision? Either way, he hits the nail on the head insofar that Sanji grins widely at the fresh memory of those bright eyes.]

Yeah, it is.

[That's freedom—the right to live and laugh as one pleases.]

Who knows? Maybe you'll find that feeling in the kitchen soon.

[hgeegh]

Maybe not your body, but your heart . . . !

[He sucks in a sharp breath between gritted teeth. No. He needs to get a hold of himself, or he'll contribute to the problem all over again. If he scares her off now, he'll be the scummiest scum of the earth.

So what now?]

Can I brew you some tea at night? I'll still keep my distance. But if it'll help you relax and sleep better . . .

bread.........

[warhawks]

[ She's still a little (unsure) about approaching Lessing after their first meeting, but even she can't mess this up. Probably. Where there's a will (not Will), there's a way. ]

H-hi, Lessing... [ Using his name and looking at him... is this character development? Maybe her expression's a little weird, but we can't have everything. ] Mind if I try some of that?

[warhawks]

Definitely still weird.

[ But you know what? ]

... Let's do it anyway. It's on my sheet too, so it's really two points. [ She won't h*ld h*nds with a boy for one point, she's not a ho. ]

[titlecard]

[ Mark agrees, Sanji should absolutely give his old management a piece of his mind. It'd be better than Mark doing it.

Still — Mark's enthusiasm is there now. He's enjoying being immersed in the hot water, both for its soothing effects on his body and the pleasure of it all. He's also enjoying the points they've both picked up, one step closer to getting a hint. And he's enjoying that look Sanji is giving him — it looks like approval?

Approval is so nice. ]

That'd be... so cool. [ A wistful little sigh. Should he maybe try becoming a chef? At least if he was just working for himself, he could maybe make it work with his erratic schedule. ] I mean, the way you do it... I kind of feel like it'll be a lot more fun?

[ Fun is so nice, too. ]

[titlecard]

Alright, yeah.

[ Look, he can appreciate the practicality. And the straightforwardness is almost refreshing.

He reaches out to take Asa's hand in his. Mark's own hand probably feels normal; maybe a little dry, but in theory there's absolutely nothing special about it. He's just. Holding her hand. ]

... Do you know how long we have to do this for?

[hgeegh]

It won't be like your last job, that's for sure. [He points at Mark.] Since it's for the show, I'll go easy on you. I don't think I have to worry about this from you, but you should know that I won't tolerate any disrespect toward food. Got that?

[It's a perfunctory, if still very necessary, shovel talk for pizza. Cooking can be fun, but it's also everything to Sanji, who isn't at all ashamed to act on that passion.

His hand drops back into the water. It's damn nice in this tub. He wouldn't mind soaking in here for a while longer.]

[warhawks]

[ Her eyes widen a bit. ]

Seriously? After I treated you like that...?

[ She's raising her voice again, but she can't help it. The kindness is making her feel hysterical; if she doesn't get mad, she'll start crying. ]

What's your problem? Nobody's this nice without a reason! I'm not going to have s-sex with you, so you can drop the act!