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]

[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]

[makeine]

You totally would, though? C'mon, you'd be super cute.

[ working with animals... in the field... and when it got hot, he could ta........ke ..............

.....................................

hm. ]

On second though, collect all the strays you want.

[willandaway]

[I'M. . . . . . Anna is gonna be disappointed the first time he takes off his shirt I'm sorry]

I have no idea how to tend to a farm. [HMM. . .] But that doesn't sound like a bad life either way.

[quiet. . . peaceful. . . none of this trying to become king business, gosh]

[makeine]

[ can we pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase ask mark for some tiiiiiiiiiips his body rocks ]

Okay, but I'm totally staying indoors and tending to a garden or something. You can do all the hard work and I'll make dinner.

[ ...

like they're married... ]

[willandaway]

[TEACH WILL TO BODY BUILD--]

If you me another helping of that dish you gave me yesterday, then I wouldn't have any complaints.

[a beat]

But I'd want to help out in the kitchen sometimes.

[BECAUSE COOKING TOGETHER IS BONDING!!!]

[makeine]

[ oh my godddddddd she's laughing a little ]

I said you could before, right? You're always welcome into my kitchen. As long as you promise not to snack on my ingredients.

[ since she'll already be doing that, tbh................. ]