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

[ziplash]

I've thought about that. Phoenix, maybe — he works as a defense lawyer.

If the matches are based on merit at all, then yes, I'd have to be matched with someone who felt like I do about justice. [ a beat. ] And not with those with a capacity for crime.

[ UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE IN THIS HOUSE ]

[psychs]

[ So it was a path chosen out of necessity, but as such, he's even more glad to hear that she's been able to leave it behind. To do something with her life of her own choosing. Even, yes, when that includes kidnapping princesses.

His slight smile falters at her question, and he takes another swig from his bottle. ]

Truthfully, I'm...not really sure. I've been a little aimless since I abandoned my research, which is partly why I wanted to come here. [ To shake things up, to find a new light to move towards. ] After all this, I don't really want to go back to driving cabs for a living.

[ At least he's relatively sure he won't be arrested for, you know, trying to change reality. The only people back home who would even believe something like that is possible already know and were responsible for stopping him. ]

What about you?

[mechanideptus]

Major but not dark or uncomfortable identity reveal - 10 points

[hearthwarming]

Uh-huh...

[ Slooowly angles her head to wherever Maruki's government-assigned spot is at Lin's table. ]

Maruki made himself vulnerable by saying what he did... and I think Phoenix can see... how much he wants a second chance to do right by the people who made it possible for him to even want one... Hic. Ehe. That's what I think, anyway!

[ She casts Lin a knowing look. Second chances are important, right? ]

Anyway, if that falls through... maybe you and Manuela? Too bad she doesn't seem interested in women, thouuuugh...

[ Yup. We're just saying that out loud now. ]

[psychs]

[ A shake of his head. ]

There's no need to apologize. While the method could have been something more desirable, the more out in the open my history is, the better. I don't wish to keep the truth from anyone.

...You make a good point, though. We just have to trust that the producers were aware themselves when they made our matches. [ A beat. ] Would you be able to accept your match doing something like that?

[ It' a litmus test now. ]

[alcoheal]

[He's already told her that much; what would be the difference in hearing it again? What would he say if he knew people were already making that effort and not giving up on that goal?]

Aw, come on, don't half-ass it. [She looks to the rest of the group and the incredibly broad spectrum of secrets that are being shared, each of them getting about the same amount of gravity (except the one we won't talk about).] Except maybe do.

I don't know that I can tell you something equal to what you share. My life may have had its thrills and glamour, but I always strove to be myself.

[hearthwarming]

Oh, Phoenix... I didn't know— hic. It must have been difficult...

[ And she may not even understand the full extent of what that undertaking must be like, given her limited knowledge of, uh. Modern legal systems, but Phoenix has been nothing but earnest, and it's easy enough to understand that it must not have been an easy path. ]

If that's how you feel, then I think you two could very well be a Perfect Match...! You know, heee... [ gestures with her bagel at wherever Maruki has been seated by Lin ] Told me before he's big on second chances... Who's better at giving second chances than someone whose life's work is making sure others get just that after being accused? Ehehe...heh.

[ Rare Wise Ori moment? Is she being wise? She's being wise, right?? ]

[psychs]

[ Perhaps a bit too quickly, reflexive— ]

Not quite everything. They were still recognizable as themselves, but...no, I shouldn't excuse it. It wasn't right of me to try to force people to live happier lives. Life is...complex, and I had forgotten how to recognize the beauty in that complexity.

It doesn't matter what my intentions were. I realize that, now.

[ It was a lesson hard learned, one that had nearly broken him, that had robbed him of his will to live, but...he's not that man anymore. ]

[alcoheal]

[He totally did! Manuela somehow has her riding crop again, and she gives it a demonstrative flick toward him.]

Sure, sometimes - like when it's a thing for them.

Don't worry, Phoenix, your secret's safe with me. [It's very cheeky, considering the absolute nightmare that just converged in the wake of secret-sharing.]

[voxnozzz]

[ do they. ]

In this space.

[ oz looking at the environment of forced, uncomfortable secret sharing and thinking really?

well, actually- ]

... Perhaps you are right.

[ oz will accept. he takes the glass, not quite saying thank you, but the nod that he offers is basically that. ]

[ozzz]

My sentiments exactly.

[voxnozzz]

i mean it's dark i guess but also normal for him - 10 points

[alcoheal]

[Always practical, Yukong, but she can't fault her for that, either. Most people don't offer up their secrets for no reason.]

I've been trying to treat this all like it isn't that big of a deal. I can't mend people if they're sick or injured and I can't share things with them; no big deal. I've got my looks and my wits. I can get by like I have before. [And Dorothea's tough; she doesn't need Manuela to escort her home from that strange kingdom she's traveled to... though as soon Manuela figures out exactly where it is, she has half a mind to start an international incident.)]

But it turns out... I'm really not ready to give all of that up yet.

[psychs]

[ He's holding his breath more than he realizes — at least until Phoenix confirms his opinion, and Maruki finds himself smiling easily in return. ]

I'm glad to hear it. Then, if everyone else agrees, I'd be happy to take that chance with you.

[ And...who knows? Even if they don't come out of the well as matches, in won't be in vain. They'll still have learned something, and maybe they'll be pleasantly surprised.

That would be a nice change of pace. ]

[hearthwarming]

[ He has made an effort, and she would be remiss to be blind to it, when it's exactly what she'd asked of him when he first made such crass comments towards her. Though she has always been close with nature's elements, from wind to earth to fire to water, the forest has always been her home. She hadn't expected someone, anyone here to so thoroughly open her eyes to another of nature's realms she'd not given much consideration to in the past.

She'd thought her adventurous spirit snuffed out for a long while, now, but... because of everyone here, she's beginning to think that maybe that isn't quite so. A long while for her, however, has been a decade or two— but Uroko speaks on the magnitude of centuries, understandably so, but for that she must look at him in awe.

For the first time in centuries. With her. ]

What... do you mean? What things?

[bewrightback]

...I see. So it was really like some kind of... mass hypnosis? [He makes slight juggling motions while making sense of it. At least if feels a bit less fantastical now that it's clear he's not rewriting the laws of reality.]

And you tried to use that to basically make people forget their pain. But then, how did that turn out?

[helmswoman]

[ Ah, that's quite a tight hug, and now Yukong's whole front is going to be damp from Ori's tears. Still, she takes it in stride, using one hand to pet Ori's hair yet again. ]

Of course. I did not expect a sleepover to become quite so spirited, but I feel that we learned a lot.

[ For better or worse... ]

Don't worry too much about the details for now. [ Someone can always catch her up in the morning. ] We should get you some water.

[alcoheal]

[It should be reassuring to be reminded that Dorothea sees past her vices as just that - just vices. Things that everyone has that don't always tarnish the quality of the character underneath them. And yet... has she really given many people here the chance to see that? Maybe they think differently.]

H-hey now... just because I've failed at womanhood doesn't mean I've hit rock bottom yet! ...Oh, Goddess, do I really come off that way?! Am I at my lowest? You're so nice, Ori, but you don't have to mince words with me!

[Hold on, the stabbing discussion will have to wait for this much more dramatic life crisis to be resolved. She was about to pull her forehead away to continue lamenting this, but instead keeps it pressed to Ori's as she begs her opinion.]

[bewrightback]

[(Ori's really been hitting the grape juice!)

He smiles as he listens to her. And blushes a little.]

You're saying some real smart things, Ori. It's definitely helping me feel better about our chances! I know I'm ready to be in his corner. Thanks for helping me out!

[bewrightback]

[He definitely winced at the flick of the riding crop, don't trigger him now-]

There is no secret! [He whisper-hisses at her.]

L-let's get back to deliberations now!

[helmswoman]

[ Manuela's frustration comes through loud and clear, even though she can't speak a word, and as she flops back against Yukong she can't help but laugh as she steadies her against her side, one arm sliding across Manuela's shoulder blades. ]

You're quite adept at making yourself clear, even when you cannot say a thing.

1/3

[bewrightback]

[He has a real good feeling about this! He grins widely now that everything's confirmed. It's oddly exciting!]

Good. I'm really glad we got that settled. Our chances are looking good, and I'm ready to take that truth booth on!

[bewrightback]

...Wait.

[bewrightback]

[He grips Maruki's shoulders.]

How are we getting down the well??!!!

[helmswoman]

Is that why you were so careful with listing people at first? I see...

[ Of course, it makes sense that there is more to all of the people here than they might have known at first glance. In that way, it's been gratifying to start peeling back some of the layers. ]

If this question is too forward, you don't have to answer, but have you been with anyone romantically since that girlfriend?

[ Because if the answer is no, that also explains a lot. ]