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

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[singurarity]

[ She ain't a coward. She's got a white and orange striped bikini and she's willing to use it, and really, she's already in the process of slipping into the hot tub when she spots Lessing and offers him a wave. ]

Oh, hey! Company!

[ Maybe a little weirdly, maybe not, she's also... got a myriad of scars? On her torso and upper legs, places she's more or less had covered by her normal clothes. ]

[counton]

[ It doesn't surprise him in the slightest. He doesn't know a ton about the world that Ritsuka comes from, but given what she's told him about her own battles with tyrants, it seems likely she'd pick up a few scars.

It doesn't mean he won't notice them, but he is quick to let his attention settle on her face.

He'll also make sure she's got plenty of space to climb in though as he settles into the water. ]

Seemed as good a night as any for it.

[singurarity]

It sounds like we had the same idea.

[ Truly a good night to soak in the hot tub, and she settles in with a sigh of contentment. He's left her a lot of room, after all. ]

Not as good as hot springs, but pretty nice, right?

[counton]

I've never actually been to a hot spring, so I can't really compare.

[ For a guy who overtaxes his muscles though, the hot water is very nice, and he's happy to lean back and let his eyes drift shut. ]

[singurarity]

Oh, really? I wish I could say I'd take you to one after, but...

... [ Well. ]

There's still a lot going on.

[counton]

[ A hum of understanding on that one. ]

I doubt we'd have the time for it unless the production crew arranged for it.

[singurarity]

I guess we could request it as a date spot sometime?

[ ... If he's up for it. ]

[counton]

[ He considers it for a moment, eyes finally opening. ]

Depending how this next matching ceremony goes, it might be nice to escape to something like that for a bit.

[singurarity]

Oh, okay. [ good-natured ribbing. ]

So if it doesn't go horribly, that's a no-go?

[counton]

[ He's quiet for a few seconds as he looks at her, before offering a rare smile. ]

I might still be interested.

[singurarity]

[ She blinks at him, a little thoughtfully. He's really not as entirely stoic as he'd first come off, huh. ]

... You know, you'd be incredibly popular if you smiled at more people like that.

[counton]

[ Every stoic has a little emotion hidden under layers of :|

Lessing really isn't even trying to be that way, it just comes naturally to him, but when he is feeling more expressive he doesn't try to hold it back, even if he is naturally a little subdued in it. ]

You think so...? It wouldn't feel genuine if I did it all the time though.

[singurarity]

So it's just that you don't feel like smiling all that often?

[ Hm. ]

... Okay, I've gotta put more effort into it, then!

[counton]

[ Help... Ritsuka why? ]

You really don't have to spend your time on something like that.

[singurarity]

It's spending my time on you, and I want to.

[ Simply. ]

[counton]

[ Oh... oh?

Hmm...

Hold on a second, Lessing is just going to squeeze his eyes shut tight again for a moment. A little red in the face, but he was already getting kind of red from the heat, so it's hard to really tell. ]

Alright...

[singurarity]

[ What a blessing that they don't have to brawl over this. Though he also looks red... if he hasn't been in hot springs before, maybe he's not accustomed to hot tubs either? Hopefully he knows his limits...

But speaking of spending time... ]

... It doesn't have to be today, but... is it okay if I have you help me out on one of my scavenger hunt tasks? It's... one of the bigger ones.

[ And she says that almost like she's forcing it out, so she can't just back away from it. ]

[counton]

[ Back on tasks helps him sidestep his own subtle fluster. His ears twitch as the perk up a bit, wondering which one she means (he'll be helping her with one of them later regardless). ]

I don't mind. Which one is it?

[singurarity]

[ Ritsuka closes her eyes, as though she needs the help remembering it.

She doesn't. She remembers every word. ]

"Tell someone something you don't think you should be forgiven for."

[counton]

[ He's quiet for a second, before giving her a decisive nod. He understands. ]

Yeah, I can help with that.

[singurarity]

[ A long, slow exhale when she opens her eyes again, glancing at him. ]

Thanks, Lessing. If I can help out with anything for you, just let me know.

[counton]

I appreciate it. There are some things on my list that I could use the help with.

[ Though he doesn't have the checklist with him here in the hot tub. ]

[singurarity]

[ Understandably. ]

We're partners, after all--I wouldn't leave you high and dry. Especially since you're doing me a huge favor.

[counton]

Even if you couldn't, I wouldn't hold it against you.

[singurarity]

Appreciated, but still. I want to help where I can.

[ He's a good guy... ]