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

[willandaway]

[. . . quietly]

Even them.

[wrinkles his nose]

Even if he isn't really happy about it, and they're completely wrong.

[makeine]

[ ugh. ]

You don't even know what he...

[ ...

anna shakes her head and buries more into him. ]

Forget it. Befriend, understand, whatever and whoever you want. You're not a biased king, after all.

[willandaway]

[. . . ?]

I-- will try not to be.

[. . .]

Yana-chan. . .?

[is she okay]

[makeine]

[ ...

not really, but. is this the time? ]

He just said some things that bothered me, that's all. You know, nothing out of the ordinary.

[willandaway]

[. . . FROWNS. during the fight last week, perhaps. . .?]

Can. . . we talk about it later?

[makeine]

Sure. Before bed.

[ since she's sleeping with asa tonight... ]

[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]

[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. ]

[willandaway]

[yes he is definitely noticing how she is only saying she had a good time with ONE of those people]

[he frowns as he skewers a marshmallow on a stick, holding it out ABOVE the flame (not in it, as instructed by Tsukasa) and letting it cook]

[ALSO: WHAT'S AN AQUARIUM]

What happened. . .?

[makeine]

Oh, you know. We started talking. Narrowed down his prospects the more I asked him this and that. I learned a bit about the kind of guy he is, and the sort of people he's been... mm. At ease? Or at least comfortable around in a way.

[ hers... gets a little on fire, in a fairly controlled way as she rolls the marshmallow carefully to let the small flame travel across the white surface. ]

And the one person he mentioned was someone that could keep up with him back home. Akechi-kun mentioned that you and Mark-kun were people who could too, so that's why he thought one of you could be his match.

[ ... blowing out the flame this time since apparently it freaks will out that she just eats them before she puts the toasted sweet in her mouth. ]

I talked a little bit about your dream. Just to see how he felt about it, since I figure that's important if he's gonna be your match. He said it was impossible. I blew up at him and told him he's the last person that could match with you then, since there's no way you'd be paired with someone who couldn't believe fully in what you're doing, and... he said I was the least likely person out of anyone here that'd be useful for your cause. [ a small shrug. ] He's got merits for miles, so I'll give him that.

[ ...

it never really matter to anna what people said about her. she heard it, but it never stuck. it's more that akechi would herald all of this and not understand it means jackshit if he can't put his whole faith into what will wants to accomplish; even if she's got nothing else to contribute, there's that. ]

[willandaway]

[I]

[HONESTLY WILL JUST LOOKS. . . KIND OF BEWILDERED?? AT THAT??]

Why would he say something like that? Out of anyone here, you're the one supporting my cause the most.

[he does not mean, though he doesn't specify, their relationship for the cameras. he's talking about her belief in him, and the support she has thrown behind him. that's the most important thing he needs right now]

[makeine]

Right, and that means diddle-squat after the fact.

[ her belief is fine now, and she shoves two marshmallows a little more violently than necessary onto the skewer. ]

Akechi-kun's worked with all kinds of people. Despite his bratty attitude at the ceremony last week, he can apparently be diplomatic. He's smart, picks up on things fast, and can think pragmatically. He'd be a good advisor. It's just... he doesn't think that it'll ever work out. Your dream.

[ which!!!! pisses her off!!!!!!! she's putting them right into the fire. burn. burn you bastard. ]

... He threw in some other mean digs at me and we ended up splitting early. I really can't stand half-assed guys.

[willandaway]

[. . . mean digs?? HIS FROWN DEEPENS. his marshmallow is also toasty, and he holds the stick out to her so she can claim the first bite]

. . . I can understand why someone would be hesitant to believe in the future I want to create. But. . . you're right, in that I'd prefer someone I was close to to actually understand it.

[and support it, much like Anna does. just by cheering him on, and giving him advice, and. . . teaching him how to be a better king]

What do you mean by "mean digs," though?

[makeine]

[ anna looks at his marshmallow and then takes an oddly small bite from it, watching her own fall into the fire. wow. kind of mesmerizing to watch them crackle. ]

... That I'm just some girl who's only good at spouting nonsense and preaching about love, who hasn't experienced any kind of real hardship, that I just threw myself at the first guy who was nice to me. You know, kinda like what Mii-chan said to Kat-chan.

[ something of the same vibe. that anna's easy, at least in terms of the heart if not the body. she plucks another marshmallow out and squeezes it between her fingers, pretending it's akechi's head. stupid, stupid, stupid. ]

It's fine, it's not the first time I've heard stuff like that -- just not to my face. More around the corner, echoing out of the bathroom kind of thing.

[willandaway]

[. . . hrrrrgh. his grip on his roasting stick tightens as his expression pinches together, visibly displeased]

He's wrong.

[that is immediate]

Anyone who would say those cruel things about you-- they're wrong.

[makeine]

[ ... cruel?

she's never really thought of them as cruel, apparently, from the wide, open surprise of her expression as she turns to will. ]

Really, it's whatever. I don't care, I'm still gonna do and say what I want even if he hates my guts for it. I was more mad at how he spoke about your ideals.

[willandaway]

[he can say what he wants about Will's ideals, it's whatever!! he knows that his dream is difficult to believe in. especially in a world that is harsh and unkind]

. . . that's good.

[she should still do what she wants, and he is glad he isn't letting it get to her (SO IT SEEMS), but--]

It is cruel, though. And it isn't fair to you. Just because you're positive and optimistic-- which are some of your greatest strengths.

[he knows Akechi is probably lashing out from a place of hurt and bitterness, but still. still!!! he definitely looks kind of mad about it!!]

[makeine]

[ oh... he's mad on her behalf about it... that's sweet of him, and she scoots closer to kiss him shortly and sweetly, just the crackle of the fire beside them for a moment before she draws back. ]

Thanks. I just wanted to let you know though, in case it changed your mind any.

[ she doesn't think it will. will's stubborn, like her. it's a pain sometimes. ]

[willandaway]

[yeh I'm sorry Anna he is Like This (TM)]

[he seems a bit surprised by the kiss, sudden and short as it is, but-- he doesn't mind it, either. his cheeks turn a bit pink when she pulls away, and his irritation melts back into a smile. an Anna smile!]

He's. . . complicated. It doesn't excuse what he said, but his life has been. . .

[he trails off]

[he knows better than to give too many details. it's not his story to tell]

. . . difficult.

[makeine]

I didn't ask about it too much, but I know his mom died. That's pretty rough. That's about all I got -- he feels like he's overcompensating, though.

[ ... just a hunch, from how he'd gone on and on like he was trying to prove something. another marshmallow onto the skewered, and this time she's roasting one for will to enjoy too -- the same way she had before, letting it catch a little flame and rolling the stick between her fingers to move the fire. ]

Well, whatever, not my business. It's his life to choose if he wants to be a jerk in or not.

[willandaway]

He's definitely overcompensating.

[pushing people away on purpose, because loneliness is more familiar. safer. it's. . . a little sad, honestly]

[. . . maybe that's why. . .]

[. . .]

[a small shake of his head, and once the marshmallow is ready, Will reaches out to take the stick from her, very purposefully resting his fingers against hers]

. . . I just want him to realize that he isn't as alone as he thinks.

[makeine]

[ ... yeah, she knew nothing would change.

it irks at her, but will... is just a good person. anna keeps a hold of the stick, turning it to his mouth. ]

You'd pick up a lot of stray animals in the city.

[willandaway]

[oh my GOD]

[ANNA??]

[c-chokes out a small laugh]

You say that like I'm going to start a farm.

[of STRAY ANIMALS]