WEEK THREE MINGLE

[potatomance]

ᯓ⭐ WEEK THREE MINGLE

Happy third week, lovebirds! Here's to hoping you're riding high on the wave of success of one whole pair being correct! Surely you must have an idea by now how to win this thing!

Probably?

The good news is that you're not going to have to find yourselves in any weird clothes this time around, except maybe that just leads to a strange sense of foreboding for a future scenario...? Who knows. You can't quite brace yourself for it this time.

But don't worry, it's not like there's nothing happening. On the contrary!

For the entirety of this week, you'll find yourself feeling... clingy. It's going to start feeling very strange if you're not leaning on someone, holding their hand, cuddling with them, sitting in their lap, stealing a kiss, or engaging in some other form of affectionate physical contact. And if it's someone you're already feeling fond of OR someone you actually can't stand, guess what?

That feeling is doubled!

You may realize this is an unusual feeling, but so what? Trying to ignore it is only going to make it feel stronger and do you really want to make yourselves feel miserable?

Shut up, masochists.

FAQ ⭐ Truth Booth Voting ⭐ Mysterious Thing ⭐ Sex Dungeon ⭐ Perfect Match Voting

Comments

[cosmoid]

We can see the Moon when it's at its fullest, but to see the stars we need to peek above the waves. [ he casts a look upwards at the dotted sky. ]

Are you here to wish upon them?

[helmswoman]

[ Yukong is staring out from the ramparts when she hears that flutter of wings, and then suddenly Lucifer is there, doing a very good job of trying to act as her scarf. She blinks, and while normally she might have found this forward sort of behavior to be rude, it doesn't bother her right now.

It's nice to have him this close, in a way she can't quite explain. ]

Hello, Lucifer. [ She turns her head to look at him — as best she can, anyway. ] Not much, if I'm honest. [ Just... staring at the sky, as you do. ] How have you been?

mfw i was just about to tag you on scenario

[alcoheal]

[That won't last for long, indeed, because the moment Yukong sits down next to her, Manuela flops dramatically into her like she's the world's cuddliest fainting couch.

In response to her question, Manuela makes eye contact and heaves a very large (and equally dramatic) sigh. No sound comes out with it safe for the passing of her breath. She's suffering terribly, clearly.]

you can do that too 👀

[helmswoman]

[ Oh, they're just going to flop against each other now, it seems. Yukong huffs out a laugh, mainly because it reminds her of younger days, when she and Caiyi might flop onto a couch together after a particularly difficult flight or battle.

Then laugh together deep into the night...

Manuela's sigh says it all, though, doesn't it? Yukong shifts one arm to wrap around her back and lets her lean in further against her if that's what she wants. ]

We can just sit here like this, if you like.

[helmswoman]

[ Ori absolutely deserves to take it easy and Yukong is relieved to find that she's doing something other than making food on their behalf, or just generally being helpful. She should take some time to herself.

Yukong also goes outside often during her time here, wanting to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while she can before she returns to her duties back home, which involve long hours spent indoors.

When she spots Ori dozing off, curled up on a blanket that's been laid out on the grass, she feels a sudden urge to sit down next to her. She leans back on her hands and lets out a long exhale, enjoying the sensation of the soft breeze on her face.

She'd be content to let Ori rest, but then she feels something curl around her wrist. Yukong tenses, wondering for a moment if it might be a snake or some other animal, but then she glances over her shoulder to see it's Ori's tail.

Ah. She can't help but find it cute... ]

hehehe maybe i will

[alcoheal]

[The less resistance she gets to flopping, the farther and farther she'll sink into the couch and Yukong both. If they stay like this for too long, she'll eventually slide off her shoulder and side to lie fully across her, but for now, she's just slumped against her shoulder.

Even without speaking, Manuela can be quite expressive. It's a gift, even in situations where she'd prefer to talk. Her words, after all, can be quite compelling. She raises her hand and flaps her thumb against her fingers in a mouth-yapping gesture, then looks at Yukong expectantly. If Yukong wants to talk, then she can. Is there something she wants to get off her chest?]

[hearthwarming]

[ Miss Manuela... ///

Ori is utterly defenseless and helpless against this invasion of personal space, her body immediately freezing in its motion when Manuela presses in close, though the other woman would find the tiefling's body to run rather warm... perhaps even more so, for the heat that rises in her cheeks. ]

O-Oh... Hello, Manuela. How are you today? I— I was hoping to press these for everyone, actually. Maybe make some bookmarks...

[hearthwarming]

[ Honestly, it's been quite some time since she'd been able to simply find a nice, comfy spot outdoors and have a little snooze. It reminds her so much of her younger days, and in the continued stress of their collective situations here... it's hard not to want to seek the warmth and familiarity of an old habit.

All to say, she doesn't stir when she's joined on the blanket just yet, apparently having fallen into a deep enough slumber to remain unbothered, deep enough that she doesn't wake even when the compulsion to be close to another bids her to act. Her tail winds just a little more around Yukong's wrist, a snug fit, and the tiefling too shifts just a little closer to the other woman's side, humming with contentment in her sleep. Close as they are, it would be difficult to ignore the innate warmth of her tiefling body... ]

[hearthwarming]

To wish upon them? Ahaha, no... I'm a little too old for something like that, don't you think?

[ But her gaze follows his up to the night sky. ]

Assuming that we somehow manage to solve the rest of this puzzle, and that we'd still get our wishes... what would you wish for, Uroko?

[alcoheal]

That's so thoughtful of you. [More than most people here, she thinks Ori is the emotional center of the entire group, always looking out for the others. It might have worn her out more than she realizes.]

... Dear, are you feeling all right? You're a little warm. [She takes Ori's hand in hers and presses two fingers to her pulse point. It's about all she can manage to translate from the library of knowledge that she knows is still in her brain but can't make come out as words or actions.]

[cosmoid]

Hmm, I wouldn't fault you if you did.

[ he's seen the lengths people will go to when they're at the end of their life, or when they're desperate. faith and hope are almost like a bell curve in that way, when it comes to the elderly and the young.

and as for wishes and himself... he leans closer to her with a mischievous grin. ]

Maybe I'll ask for wings so I can traverse the sea and the sky. Winged fish are rare, but they do exist.... [ she can probably tell he's playing, though; after a moment. ]

I'm not certain. My concern has always been with the safety of Shioshishio, which the created implied was at stake in some way, in this game.

[hearthwarming]

It's only a small gesture of—

[ Oh... Manuela is holding her hand... ]

Tieflings tend to run warm! [ A little chortle. ] It's the fiendish blood in our veins, you know?

[ Her tail flicks a bit anxiously, though really... positioned as they are, it's almost natural for it to just lightly wind around Manuela's back, along her waist. A little tail hug... ]

[alcoheal]

Fiendish? [The word surprises her.] You're the furthest thing from that I've ever met.

[It's sobering, to think that Oriphi would likely be met with fear and suspicion in Fódlan, like anything monstrous. Her appearance isn't exactly a common one, for all that it's lovely and unique.

Surpise may have made her slightly off in her tracking, and she couldn't do anything with the information anyway, but it seems Ori's pulse isn't anything that would telegraph a fever. She should let go of her hand now... but doesn't quite have the strength to drop it. Instead she brings it back to the flowers and the books before releasing it gently.]

[ringsmaster]

[ Lucifer has also noticed that he’s feeling a bit clingy… hence the bodily curling around people, even if not everyone wants a hug from a snake. ]

How about– [ POOF! He simply turns back to his usual form in a shower of gold sparks. He offers Maruki a hand. ] This better? I think you still owe me that stroll, and it’ll be easier if I have legs.

[ringsmaster]

[ Oh. He happily leans into those scritches with a pleased little trill, but he still gives her a bit of a concerned look. Manuela usually always has something to say. ]

What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?

[ Or… potato??? ]

[ringsmaster]

[ Lucifer goes where guided, perching next to the Archon and leaning fully against him once there. He likely would be a little touchy normally, given all they’ve shared with each other, but now that feeling has increased tenfold. ]

Yeah, with only one match to go on, there’s too much we just don’t know. [ His mouth curves into a frown, gaze flicking up at Zhongli beside him. ] If you want to hear more about me and Charlie, I’m happy to share. Not all of it’s happy, though. We were estranged until very recently.

[ringsmaster]

Nah. I’m more durable than I look.

[ He tilts his head a little, flicking his tongue a time or two. ]

Am I bothering you?

[ringsmaster]

Doing alright.

[ Yeah, he’s definitely going to keep draping here. She’s as warm and fluffy as he thought she would be, and there’s a sense of contentment that washes over him with the contact. ]

It’s really nice to see you around the castle. We miss you guys!

[psychs]

[ All too quickly, when Lucifer transforms back into his normal self, Maruki takes his hand, eager to reestablish the physical contact between them. ]

That's right, I do. I hope you don't mind if I stay a little...close.

[ He wouldn't normally be so forward, but he's grown a little immune to stammering and blushing his way through saying such things by now. Thanks, Riri. ]

[voxnozzz]

[ she's close. as close as oz allows the central wizards to be, at times; even then he doesn't subconsciously push himself closer as he does right now, something he realizes belatedly. thanks, potato. he has to check himself. ]

I have only ever done one specific kind of song.

[ it's an admission oz seems almost hesitant to make. ]

... What are you doing?

[ what is she asking for.... ]

[hearthwarming]

[ At that, Oriphi must sit prop herself up on her elbows just slightly, turning her head to look at him properly. ]

Shioshishio is? The whole village? Spirits, Uroko, that's... Awful.

[ She shakes her head. ]

We have to do better, so that nobody's loved ones get hurt... [ ... ] Having wings, though... Hah. I could have taken you flying, if I could turn into a giant owl right now.

[hearthwarming]

[ And Manuela isn't too off the mark in that line of thinking; Ori has certainly traveled to places where there aren't many of her kind, places where her mere appearance is enough to rouse suspicion. ]

I do get that a lot. I'm flattered, Manuela, really.

[ And she does, for her part, nothing to address the hand-holding situation. Instead, her free hand moves to hold a fresh flower up at the other woman. ]

Would you like to join me? If you're not too busy, that is.

[ringsmaster]

I don't mind at all. I'm feeling a little clingy myself.

[ No doubt the stupid potato is to blame, but he can't say he minds too much. Maruki is pleasant company. ]

Wanna walk through the gardens?

[cosmoid]

A snake is just a land eel. [ which is to say he's not bothered at all, and he resumes walking at a leisurely place. ]

Did you grow tired of your usual form?

[alcoheal]

[Manuela slumps forward - exaggerated, but not quite enough to dislodge him - and nods. Communicating like this is taking so much energy... but maybe it will be better in the long run when getting to the bottom of things quickly.

She places her hand to her chest and mimes belting out a quick scale, then brings that same hand across her throat in a cutting gesture.

Short, sweet, and to the point. How easy to say what you mean when you don't have to say it!]