week two | dates

[showhost]

You worked up your courage and asked someone out on a date! Good job!





Now you have to hope the producers are kind re: where they send you.

Comments

will & ritsuka

[showhost]

Welcome to... The Flea Market.

It is massive--stalls upon stalls upon stalls to wander between, filled with the most inane and wild and unusual of items.

There are even a few incredible deals to be found, if you can dig long enough.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

- you've got a budget to be able to bring back some gifts for people, if you want
- it's very bright and sunny today. maybe wear sunscreen
- there might be cursed objects here

[singurarity]

... Maybe we should get you a hat first.

[ Since she's brought one along, just a simple baseball cap to tug down. ]

[willandaway]

[yeah, he is not wearing a hat. . . nor any sunscreen, actually. he does lift a hand to shield his eyes from the searing daylight, but most of his attention is focused on the sheer size of his marketplace. watch him gawk in awe!]

Wow. . .! This place is. . . I've never seen a market so big!

[even Grand Trad's night market pales in comparison to this place]

[what was that about a hat?]

[singurarity]

...

[ Genially puts her hands on his shoulders to steer him over to a stall with bucket hats. ]

Hat.

[willandaway]

Huh? But-- wait--

[DESPITE HIS PROTESTS, it is easy enough to steer him towards the hat stall]

[singurarity]

We can go look in-depth after we get you a hat!

[ NO ARGUMENTS. ]

It's way too sunny out now to not do some kind of protection, trust me.

[willandaway]

[he supposes. . . she has a point. he did get a bit too excited there, didn't he?]

All right. . .

[time to browse the cute bucket hats!!]

But what color should I get?

[singurarity]

Maybe white? Black's gonna make your head hotter.

[willandaway]

Yes, probably. And it'll match my coat.

[he picks out a cute bucket hat and plops it on his head, turning to Ritsuka for her opinion]

How does it look?

[singurarity]

Perfect! You'll have to show it off to Anna-chan when we're done here!

[ Okay. He is now properly equipped. She can relax. ]

[willandaway]

[time to find out how Anna feels about bucket hats!!]

I will. I hope she likes it.

[he tugs a bit bashfully at his scarf as he pays the vendor for his hat. and yes, he does take a moment to stare in confusion at the currency they were given. what is this strange coin????]

[singurarity]

How're things going for you guys, by the way?

[ perfect date talk. ]

[willandaway]

[?]

[now that the hat has been purchased, Will is drifting towards a stall that appears to sell various antique nick knacks. he has no idea what these items are, but they look cool!]

What do you mean?

[singurarity]

I mean, you look like you've gotten closer since... uh. The last time I asked about it.

[ Will saying the nicest vaguest thing ever. And she'll keep this casual, picking up an elaborately carved... harmonica? ]

/2

[willandaway]

Oh!

[that's what she meant. . . the way Will brightens is pretty palatable as he scoops up a pocket watch. this, at least, is familiar, though the watch has long since stopped ticking]

We have. I've learned a lot about her. Like that her favorite colors are blue and yellow.

[. . .]

[willandaway]

[a bit bashfully]

Like. . . my eyes.

[singurarity]

...

Sorry, hold on, that was so cute, I need a moment.

[willandaway]

[HE KNOWS!!!]

I don't know if she planned it that way or not, but even if she did, it was kind of. . .

[light pink cheeks]

[singurarity]

Did you maybe feel a little targeted?

[ Cute... ]

[willandaway]

A little.

[but he seems very good-natured about it. things like that can throw him in the moment, but looking back. . . it was just another example of Anna being her aggressive self, wasn't it?]

[Will places the pocketwatch down and reaches for an antique tea kettle next, turning the item around in his hand curiously. he knows what this is!! it's. . . for tea!!]

All that to say, I've been enjoying her company. I look forward to learning even more about her as the competition continues.

[singurarity]

... I'm not sure why, but that was still a really diplomatic answer.

[ Oh, this woven bracelet is cute... ]

[willandaway]

[noooo he meant it!1 sincerely!!]

Was it. . .?

[singurarity]

I mean normally it'd be like "wow she's like no one I've ever met before"! Or "she's really enthralling me more by the day"! Saying "I enjoy her company and look forward to getting to learn more about her" is like the sort of thing you'd say on Day One or Two.

[ Even she knows this, Will. ]

[willandaway]

[HELP]

[. . . earnestly! chin lifted, eyes slipping shut as he thinks about this]

She's like no one I've ever met before. She's really passionate, and isn't afraid to go for what she wants, even if it might be awkward or strange. She speaks her mind without fear and stands up for the things she believes in, even if people are against her.

. . . she has experienced pain, but still believes in the things that hurt her. She's kind to everyone around her and truly wants the best for everyone in the competition. And I think she might also be the bravest person I met.

[turns out he does have a lot to say. . .!]

[singurarity]

[ Whoa. It's like cranking the tap on a leaky faucet and watching it finally go!

Ritsuka blinks, slowly. ]

Have you told her all this?