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

[titlecard]

[ His eyes widen, like he's just said something incriminating. And then he blushes a little, like he's just executed an effective pickup line and didn't even know he was doing that.

Mark glances away for a second, feeling his cheeks get hot all over again. It was so natural for him to say... maybe it is effective after all.. ]

Um. [ Nervous little laugh, but following it up with something a little too earnest: ] Maybe? I've, um. [ And this is where he's going to find his footing: ] Been known to be called that before. You know, once or twice.

[titlecard]

Right. [ And, a little more confidently: ] Right. Exactly.

[flaweddetective]

[He lets out a chuckle.]

I look forward to seeing it one day. I appreciate the sampling of what Baltimore has to offer.

[titlecard]

[ Mark's generally easily flustered himself, so someone else outdoing him? Only serves to give him confidence, apparently. He leans in, gaze looking right at Ryuji's lips before glancing over at his cheek instead.

Then his eyes. ]

So, what're you thinking? [ His heart's pounding, but he's putting on a very brave face right now first. ] Since you're already taken and all.

[titlecard]

[ Losing track of who knows... Only Ritsuka knows about him, and he hadn't been planning on telling anyone. He doesn't envy Kat there; he does envy that she's in a position to apparently tell people secrets, though.

And use her powers openly. That too. ]

... Oh. [ Well, that's as clear an answer as any. Mark blinks, but then matches her smile. ] That seems kinda intense, to not remember anything. But I mean, you're still so nice, so as long as you're doing alright... who knows, maybe we will uncover something?

[ Gotta think positive! Especially for someone as sweet as Kat. ]

[ohwoe]

[Mark 😭]

I understand.

[Wednesday is the opposite of an idealist; she is a cynic. She does not see the world in black and white—despite how she dresses—and knows there is no single, correct solution for what Mark is going through. None that she can provide him, anyway. It seems like a very personal sort of journey.]

For what it's worth, I hope "shit sucks" less during your time here. This place will undoubtedly try to wring out drama for the ratings, but don't give the producers the satisfaction of taking advantage of it in your case.

Understood? [asked like that's some kind of command, I'm sorry]

[gravkitty]

Sure! But you might wanna step back a bit... people sometimes go flying because the force of the field is pretty strong.

[There are no rifts to pull in anyone here, at least... and the roof would do a good job stopping anyone who got too discombobulated by being caught too close to her powers.

Kat glows like the night sky, red lines appearing like veins or bones along her limbs, and the normal pressure that keeps the ground acting as the ground just...changes. Weightless and noodle-armed, she floats in the direction of the ceiling, then lands on it feet-first like she was standing on the floor instead.]

[titlecard]

[ Wednesday...

He relaxes at her words, expunging a tension he hadn't been aware was in him. Even as she essentially gives him an order, but after her simple acceptance of him, his reasoning, he finds it to be a relief. It comes from a good place. He'd hug her if he thought she'd appreciate it. ]

Got it. [ And Mark beams at her, because sorry, she's just... made him feel noticeably happier. ] I've got no intentions of letting the drama get to me, [ he says, relatively early in week 2, like things aren't going to explode at any point later.

And: ] Shit does suck less when you're around, though. So thank you for that.

[ In lieu of being able to ask for a hug, he... sticks out a hand, instead. Shake on it? ]

[boneface]

[ ... :D? ]

'Course I remember! But you're also my bro, so...

[ finish the sentence, ryuji ]

[singurarity]

So...?

[boneface]

[ He's taken?! Then he remembers, right, Wednesday and that flusters him some more because now he's thinking of kissing Wednesday. And just, phew. So many pretty people in this house...! ]

Ahhh, yeah! It's just a game though, right? So you can kiss me wherever. [ wait. ] Mouth or cheek! Whatever makes ya less nervous.

[ says Ryuji, who is definitely the nervous one here. ]

[boneface]

[ ... ah. ]

So, I guess I just... don't think of you like... that? You're like... [ hmmmm. ] Oh, Futaba! You're like my friend Futaba. She's great but she's got her own stuff going on. And we're just kind of like, ya know, buddies.

[ Could not say Ann, Makoto, or Haru because like. Would. ]

1/2

[singurarity]

[ Why does this feel like she is not being viewed as attractive at all :') ]

[singurarity]

[ Oh, well!

She'll just lean in swiftly to leave a kiss on Ryuji's cheek. ]

That's for the best, anyway.

[willandaway]

[. . . it's a nice sentiment. you can always go back home. Will wishes it were true]

[but he doesn't say that aloud, instead pulling up another smile for Mark. despite that brief, bittersweet thought, it has been nice to talk about someone he cares for so, so much]

[and. . . it's nice to think. . . about how things might be, when everything comes to an end]

When my journey is over, I definitely intend to see him again.

[to. . . watch and smile, as he ascends to his rightful place on the throne]

So even if we're apart, I know that we won't be forever.

[counton]

[ What the hell is a nickel?

Honestly, insert any coin used on Earth into that and he'd have the same confusion, but he won't focus on that right now. The fact that someone is in the same boat as him is sad to hear. ]

It might... Either way, my friend isn't doing that badly right now. There's still time even if nothing comes out of this.

[counton]

[ Yes... the answer to that question is yes. Lessing's almost died more than once, but without being asked directly it's not information he would think to volunteer. It's not exactly something that people feel comfortable here, or really know how to respond to.

Though even if Mark can't get any useful information out of Lessing regarding that, he'll at least get another small smile out of him as he looks back at his sword. ]

Thanks. It's been with me through a lot.

[counton]

[ A firm nod at that. It's good to see that Mark looks a little cheered by that idea. Good job thinking of it, Anna. ]

That was always the plan, right?

[ That was always his plan at least. ]

[gravkitty]

[The truth is, it's not even really a secret. Most people in Hekseville don't really care about Kat's past, where she comes from, or where she goes when she's finished talking with them. The people she loves all know and understand, but what else can they do? There's so little to go on - just Dusty, just an apple, just a few strange feelings.

In some ways, it's freeing. In others, it's unbearably lonely.]

Dorothea said something similar... well, if something comes along, that's fine! I'll take any clue I can get.

[What does it sound like when someone wants to know but also isn't sure that they do? Well, it probably sounds a bit like Kat does right now.]

[titlecard]

If Dorothea said it, then it's probably true. [ Nevermind little old him... ] I mean, that's really all you can do, right? Just... roll with the punches, kind of?

[ He can hear the uncertainty in Kat's tone, and kind of envies that a little, too, however unfair it is of him. There are some things he's learned recently he'd love to not know, so he gets it. Wanting to fill that gap, but at the same time, maybe it's better off not knowing something.

It isn't his place to tell her that, though. So, ] We'll have to see what comes up. And if nothing does... we can work with that too.

[titlecard]

[ Oh, Ryuji is dying out here. Mark is dying too, but mostly on the inside, and in kind of a good way? Ryuji is just...

... Wednesday might think it's funny.

... Fuck it, before he can get as in his own head as Ryuji is, Mark just goes for it. The only hint is his gaze going back to Ryuji's lips before he leans in for a quick peck, pulling away just as fast, chest heaving like he's just run a marathon.

Hooooly shit he really just did that... ]

How was that? [ wow. wow!! ] Since it is just a game...

[ exhale. woooowwww. ]

[titlecard]

Yeah — we can't let anyone down.

[ average protag answer, but he also really, genuinely means it. ]

[titlecard]

I can imagine.

[ Because of the whole... life and death stuff. He's relaxing a bit more though, both because 1. if it's important to Lessing, then it's important to be cool about the sword; 2. it probably can't hurt Mark anyway; 3. Lessing is a pretty chill guy, so the chances of him using his sword for anything nefarious seem really, really low, so there's nothing to worry about. He's probably one of the most trustworthy guys here, actually. ]

Well, in that case, I'm glad you've got it here too... even though you hopefully shouldn't need to use it.

[ wouldn't that be something if he did, ]

[inparfait]

Mmm maybe not considering how you're so stubborn about food. But a reminders always good, right?

[hgeegh]

[It was supposed to be scary, wasn't it?

The nightmare is one that opens with terror, yet ends in contrition and something more. It's not just about food, although Minami isn't wrong to point that out. Feeling a tremor come on, Sanji huffs once, twice, then fishes out a lollipop from his pocket to gnash on as he turns away.]