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

[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.

[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... ]

[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.

[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. ]

[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.]

[titlecard]

[ He is pointed at, and suddenly this feels a lot more serious. And Sanji's words confirm it — Mark feels vaguely threatened, but not in a bad way. Just in a. A way that means he really does have to take this seriously, which... yeah.

Yeah.

He nods, and mimes crossing his heart. ]

Got it. [ Small smile, now that he feels like it's safe. ] I won't let you down.

[ It sounds way too earnestly serious coming from him. It's probably just the protag nature.

Mark's hand falls back into the water, and he slips his eyes shut. ]

Maybe in like... five or ten minutes, or something... or half an hour...

[ The water is just soooo nice, they're in full agreement on that. ]

[hgeegh]

[What is he doing, gesturing like that across his chest? Maybe it's symbolic for how earnest Mark is being. Sanji can't say that he doesn't believe him, which makes it easier to rest now.]

What're you in a rush for? Half an hour's fine. How often do you get the chance to relax like this?

[titlecard]

[ Oh, good. He slides further into the water at that, resting the back of his head against the hot tub's edge.

Yeah he's definitely not in any rush to go anywhere. ]

Not nearly enough. I think this might be the best thing ever invented?

[hgeegh]

[If only there were mermaids . . . then this would be the greatest invention known to man, second to kitchen appliances as a whole.

Sanji gives Mark a curious incline of his head.]

You don't loosen up often, do you?

[titlecard]

[ Mark is maybe a little too relaxed in here, inadvertently making him a little too honest.

With a contented little sigh, ] I don't really get the chance anymore. I'm never taking this for granted again.

[hgeegh]

[Huh.]

Does school keep you that busy? I thought it was about the length of a regular shift.

[titlecard]

[ His eyes shoot open. He doesn't move otherwise, just staring up at the sky, silent for a little too long to be normal. ]

Uh... yeah. [ He wouldn't even believe himself. ] That and, um. Extracurriculars. And my grades aren't actually the best, I really should be working harder at those...

I guess I just lose track of time a lot, is all.

[ which is one way of putting it. ]

[hgeegh]

[Sanji stares. Mark is definitely doing something else with his free time. But he's not about to rat the guy out on a broadcast, so he cracks a wry smirk instead.]

Ah, right. Extracurriculars. How could I forget?

[It's a bogus reply from someone who has no experience with public education. Sanji isn't trying too hard, and he thinks the knowing glint in his visible eye should tip him off.]

[titlecard]

[ Mark rights himself to see the way Sanji is smirking at him. ]

... What do you think extracurriculars are??

[ why is he looking at him like that,, ]

[hgeegh]

[Mark looks confused, genuinely this time. Maybe Sanji overestimated him. His smirk evens out as he closes his eyes and leans his head back.]

Who knows. Extra classes?

[titlecard]

[ He's still sitting up, staring at him. ]

I... yeah. Extra classes.

[ He could lie and say something like he's on the wrestling team, but... no. People back home would figure that out pretty quick. This is the least specific and most plausibly deniable, so thanks for the inadvertent out, man.

Mark leans back against the wall of the tub, trying to think about how to make this less awkward. For him. ]

... I haven't taken any culinary ones, though.

[ And food always feels like a safer topic, ]

[hgeegh]

[They're definitely extra classes. Mark is way too honest and obvious as a result, though; does everyone always believe him back home?]

Neither have I.

[titlecard]

... You're self-taught?

[hgeegh]

I learned from books when I was a kid. [And he was pretty bad.] The damn geezer taught me the rest once we opened the restaurant.

[titlecard]

[ A moment of contemplative silence. ]

I guess learning like that was better for you in the long run, huh? I mean, like — on the fly, not having to worry about grades and tests and stuff. You just had to get it right right away.

[hgeegh]

Yeah. If I didn't, the damn geezer would kick me across the kitchen and scream himself hoarse.

[He recalls this with an amused smile. These are fond memories.]

[titlecard]

[ ... ]

I mean... if it... worked?

[ buddy that sounds like child abuse. ]

[hgeegh]

[Are you sure?]

It did, didn't it? We're going to make pizza together.

[titlecard]

... Right! [ does his best to match Sanji's happiness. It's a little strained, but he's trying. ] Right, that's gonna be good. Just maybe... nobody kicking anybody across any kitchens.

[hgeegh]

What, are you afraid? I wasn't going to. It'd be a waste of a perfectly good kitchen.