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

[alcoheal]

[Sigh, but playful(? maybe?).]

Just take the damn compliment, Oz.

[... Probably playful, because she's compelled to lean a little closer and cradle his cheek in her palm, speaking directly to him. There's no pushing the secret sharing because why bother? What's the rush? (Brennergate is the rush.)]

Think of it like a gift.

[alcoheal]

[Ori is too good for this... someone else should clean up after her for once. Especially since Ori might have the world's biggest hangover? Manuela looks at her with a little concern, but since she's upright, she won't ask any questions.]

I had to find... alternative methods when Maruki was trapped in that tower. I feel perfectly equipped to go down there now, though, if I get so lucky.

[hearthwarming]

No, but... as you'd said, you've lived for a very long time.

[ She'd made the assumption, then, that at some point along his lifetime... he must have...

Ori takes a deep breath in, then looses it in something that's an exhale, a laugh, and a sigh all at once. ]

I wonder if you would find me so unique if your world were more like mine. Where there are many tieflings, adventurers, and so on...

[hearthwarming]

[ yes they have matching braids! pls ]

Wait ...Is it...?

[ genuinely, she asks. That's not to say that he doesn't have a sort of... divine? Aura about him, but it speaks more to how truly varied the world Oriphi comes from is... ]

[mechanideptus]

[ Xianyun sits and listens as the flood of his inner turmoil washes over them both. She's not surprised that he needs an ear, and she's more than happy to provide it. It's a familiar position for her, albeit not with Rex Lapis of all people; how many times has she listened to one of her disciples unload her troubles like this in an indirect request for guidance? More times than she can count.

As an added benefit, this allows her to focus on something that's not her simmering anger for a little while.

From what he says, she's able to piece together what it is about Lucifer that's set off this whole mood. He allowed his people to come under fire, and of course Zhongli has drawn parallels between that and the manner in which he has stepped down from his role as the Archon of Liyue.

Somehow, that revelation is both surprising and not. Luficer's sitaution and history are fraught, even with what little she knows of it, and... well, perhaps it's better to start there and work her way through the rest. ]

One wonders if Lucifer's sin was borne was despair, not apathy.

[ It's Pride, actually, but that's neither here nor there. ]

He said to one earlier this evening that he is responsible for all of the pain and evil in his world. Whether or not that is actually true, such a belief is a monstruous burden to carry. One can imagine a soul like his to simply shut down and remain guarded and detached from the happenings around him in response.

One sees how the burdens you carry as the Geo Archon affect you. The logic only follows that his burdens affect him as well.

[ She knows almost nothing of Khaenri'ah aside from the effects that the Cataclysm wrought on the rest of Teyvat. He is under contract to not speak of it, and honestly she wouldn't ask him to even if he could. Whatever happened there has left its mark on him, and she has no interest in reopening old wounds.

The name Azhdaha is not one she's heard for a long time. His fate was a tragic and unavoidable one, and she knows that it brought Zhongli no joy to have to seal him away. The loss was another weight set upon a heavy heart, and a terrible reminder that time comes for them all besides. When considering a future with someone so timeless, it's only natural that he comes to mind--especially after speaking again not so long ago. ]

Perhaps the fact that Lucifer is ascendent as your own godhood diminishes is not the incompatibility that you—or our hosts here—believe. Much has been spoken of "complementary opposites," and what better example of that concept is there than one soul soaring high while the other remains more grounded?

[ She gives him a warm smile and snakes her arm around his waist in an affectionate, hopefully comforting gesture. ]

One encourages you to think of yourself as a ballast rather than a sinking stone. He will need someone to keep him from flying too high too quickly, lest everything fall apart before it has a chance to fully come together.

One cannot think of a better person than you to be that ballast, old friend.

[helmswoman]

[ Yukong is also helping with cleaning duty, as much as she can, because it shouldn't just be down to Ori! (Especially since Manuela is quite a messy cook.) She also is in and out of the kitchen, doing that dad-stand-and-watch-TV pose while she dries off plates. ]

A good question. This is something we tried to keep in mind, though I also don't think it should have prevented us from sending them. Hopefully they sort it out, or we might have to send Xianyun to help.

[ Or is that against the rules... ]

[mechanideptus]

Assuming one is even allowed to intervene on their behalf, of course.

[ Hi, she's here! For the first time since she flounced from the pillow fort, as a matter of fact. No, she doesn't want to talk about it. ]

[cosmoid]

[ cheekily, though he's like this on a usual night even if he hasn't had a lot to drink. ]

Should I walk around baring all my scales?

[hearthwarming]

[ We're letting her have Lesser Restoration as a treat but maybe it's not enough to completely do away with a hangover from however much she had... But anyway- ]

Really? You didn't have to climb on his wig or something, did you?

[ Oh wait, there they go. ]

Oh, they're going. Slow and steady does it, boys...!

[cosmoid]

Oriphi. If you're trying to convince me that I shouldn't like you, you'll have to do a much better job.

[ not to mention he is either incredibly lax or incredibly stubborn with no in between. he pokes her cheek. ]

Or would you rather I not?

[alcoheal]

[NOT THE DAD POSE...Manuela is far from an ideal homemaker herself and might not be the best judge of the skill in others, but seeing Yukong parked there like that brings a smile to her face nonetheless. She deserves thanks, also, for liberating them all from Manuela's shortcomings.]

We definitely shouldn't just be picking on who can carry each other down a well...! This is a worthwhile sacrifice. [She doesn't mean that sincerely, as evidenced by the mocking hand placed on her chest.] Well, I could always toss them down there...but getting them back up...

[alcoheal]

Oh, you bet your little horns I did. [Manuela sounds annoyed. Can't cast Warp on yourself!! Which is stupid.] Maybe I got a little impulsive, but I was sick of waiting around on the ground like that.

[Oh, there they go.]

If he makes it look easy now I'll be the reason he ends up in the infirmary, not the attending.

[thefinalcontract]

[Despair, hm? He's more familiar with that than apathy. He has felt it and felt it keenly. But it has only been the driving force to push forward. His empathy for the people, Adeptus and Gods around him driving him onward and to not give into it. If he had given into despair at Guizhong's death they all would have met their end. Or perhaps faced a fate more akin to the God of Salt's whose people attempted to save her the suffering that would surely have come had Gods and monsters descended on her small abode.

After Khaenri'ah he kept his head above water. One of the few who did. Barbatos went to sleep and Beelzebul locked herself away and Focalors set her stage. What is the state of his soul? Was stepping down his position in a most deceitful manner the same? Perhaps in some small ways... The wear and tear of a long lived life and the present and heavy exhaustion within. The loneliness that pangs every time he takes a sip of this very wine.

And even this retirement he's taken. While he does enjoy meandering around it does boil down to listening to old tales exaggerated and made up of old friends. He offers his small corrections when he can and offers debate where it makes sense to. But as this stretch of pretending to be human continues it finds itself being less fulfilling. Empty and devoid of purpose and now with a twinge of concern with the Hydro Sovereign regaining his footing within his realm. While it will not threaten Liyue it is a bridge he does not wish to cross. He is less than enthused about a trial over something he had to do to protect his own.

And this whole show that may throw his identity into the open and call him back to duties he had attempted to skirt from. The Heavenly Principles that watch on high will not take kindly to an Archon attempting to slip free, especially after the destruction of the Hydro throne.

It leaves a more uncertain future than ever. But there has been a shimmering glimmering hope in all this. A golden light that has been found here. Promising and warm... Something everlasting. Something that he does not wish to lose nor drag into the problems that will one day fall upon him.

Zhongli lets out a sigh, deep and heavy. Exhausted and weary. But he does meet her warm smile with a small one of his own. Her words have given him quite a bit to chew on. This conversation is missing the gentle melody of Streetward Rambler in the distance and Guizhong's encouragement to just: Go forth. It makes him long for their lost past. How wonderfully Lucifer would have fit in the with rest of them in their Guili Plains and mountain top homes. Nothing lasts forever, alas. Even mountains eventually topple and the sturdiest stones crumble to naught but dust.]

A ballast, is it? [He lifts a hand to run through the long tresses of her hair before settling at the back of her head so he can bring her in close for a gentle forehead kiss. Due to the effects they're still currently under. And due to the deep affection he has for her. It can be both up here high on the ramparts and away from prying eyes and ears.] Then that is what I shall attempt to be.

[Unseen support that no one thinks of save for those that already know it's place. Is that not what he is for Liyue still? For the friends that have withstood the test of time? For the Traveler and some of her treacherous quests? And now still with with these new connections. Such a load bearing stone he has become even in retirement... But the foundation of good relationships is the give and take. Should he start to sink, as he was presently, there will be someone to make sure it's not too far nor too deep. To remove the weight and carry it for a stint. He must be sure that is in place before allowing his heart to entwine any deeper with this dearest find from the show.

He allows a few moments of silence between them, holding her close and in a way that he hasn't done in an age.]

Before this is over.... Should one wish to push someone down the well I can be certain to seal it and have none be the wiser.

[ozzz]

[His eyes narrow.]

I don't fear being alone.

[There are worse fates than that. That won't kill him. Solitude is familiar—simpler—but it must be his choice.]

If it means I can live freely, I am prepared to go without a single person by my side.

[hearthwarming]

[ Ori gives a laugh at that, because she does so enjoy Manuela's sass, but then down the Two Men go, and her laugh gives way for a gasp. ]

O-Oh! Th-They fell!

[ ]

[thefinalcontract]

[Comes in late with tea to see the fall.]

Oh. [Oh dear.] Hopefully they're mostly unharmed.

[hnl]

[lol eat shit maruki]

[voxnozzz]

... It is not what I yearn for now.

[ because he, at all times, has to be the absolute biggest headache.

just kidding, he continues. ]

I would not disagree with that still. It does not manifest in the same way, but we do not do well when others attempt to constrain us.

[ us being wizards. not that he's going to go into a phd thesis about how to specifically herd cats. ]

[voxnozzz]

[ oz who can teleport people across the world, watching two men fall into a well: ]

... Like so.

[ maybe he'll help clean discreetly with a bit of magic here and there if the mess gets to him enough. disappearing dirty dishes, wow. ]

[helmswoman]

[ It's good to see Xianyun, and to be honest, Yukong was with her every step of the way as she wrapped her fingers around that man's throat.

She's not going to bring that up now, though, realizing that it isn't the time to discuss such things. Nonetheless, she gives Xianyun a bright smile of greeting and a nod. ]

True. Riri would likely prevent you. But it also doesn't want them to actually hurt themselves, so I can only hope it would intervene, if anything went amiss.

[helmswoman]

I agree, we don't want to limit ourselves just based on that criteria. Everyone seemed to agree they were our best shot at finding a match, so...

[ Now it's time to see if their instincts were correct. They couldn't have been more wrong last week, but now more information has been shared, and the air has been cleared. Phoenix's words to Maruki were quite heartwarming, so... she sincerely hopes this works out. ]

You're right, the climb out will be even challenging. For now I suppose all we can do is cheer them on.

[ And they've started to climb down now. So far so good... ]

[cosmoid]

[ uroko who can also teleport: can't relate.

he's brought over some tiny meatballs and sliders along with chips since he is a black hole. ]

It could have went worse. I don't think they actually broke anything.

[ probably. ]

[voxnozzz]

[ it does sound quiet.

oz is reminded of the terrible volume of the silence following arthur's departure, a lack of sound that he recalls with a deeper clarity than many events in his life.

among other things. obligations, heavy and not. his gaze drifts elsewhere... until he focuses. ]

A duty you may not ignore.

[ ... ]

Will they wake and then sleep once more?

[cosmoid]

[ uroko tips his head rather than give verbal confirmation: it is a duty he can't ignore, though it is one he is in fact ignoring right now. not purposefully, but the fact that he has is yet another thought entirely. ]

That depends on the Sea God. The land took too much from the sea, and this is his recompense. He shelters his children from the long winter but does nothing for the land as punishment.

[voxnozzz]

[ excuse him.

there was something to be said to that playful (?? playful?) phrase, but it's brushed to the side by manuela's touch. oz blinks, something awkward in the way he processes and settles into it, keeping his gaze on her. unflinching and unbending, even through the slight uncertainty. ]

... I am not used to it.

[ in some ways, that is the admission, the secret. that it is still odd to be given things after all this time, in this way. ]