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

[ringsmaster]

... I didn't think you'd just come out and say that to everyone.

[ But also he looks ready to fight anyone who gets too up in arms about it. ]

[psychs]

[ That's so sweet... 🥺 ]

I thought it better to rip of the band-aid, so to speak. Especially given the challenge this week.

[ Now his conscience is clear...ish. ]

[ringsmaster]

Guess so...

[ He puts a hand on Maruki's shoulder. ]

If anyone gives you too hard a time about it, let me know. They can take it up with the guy who put the pain and suffering into the world to begin with, okay?

[psychs]

[ For a moment, he can only blink at Lucifer, nonplussed. He's not used to people going to bat for him like this, especially after admitting his own wrong. The devil has certainly come a long way since the beginning of the show.

Then his expression softens, fond, as he leans into Lucifer's touch just slightly. ]

Thank you, Lucifer-san. I really appreciate that.

[ringsmaster]

Don't mention it. And, uh, please. Call me Lucifer.

[ They've moved past honorifics, surely. ]

So, guess I owe you a secret in return huh?

[ Well, since they're sharing the big stuff. ]

... Every year, Heaven would send an army down to thin Hell's numbers. I'm the one who let them do it, with the only stipulation being that they didn't hurt my family. I doomed thousands and thousands, probably millions, of mortal souls to eternal death just because I was so disillusioned with humanity that I didn't care.

[thefinalcontract]

[Ah.]

[ringsmaster]

[ Oh. Hey there. ]

If you're waiting for a good excuse, I don't have one. Charlie showed me the error of my ways, and I'm trying to be better, but that doesn't change what I allowed to happen.

[thefinalcontract]

[He knows pieces of this from the memory. But he'd thought it went a little differently than that. He didn't know Lucifer just allowed this all to happen so long as his family weren't hurt.

He's processing.

It's impossible to justify. And he's not sure he actually has words to speak to Lucifer. This has left him uncharacteristically speechless. Because when the people of Liyue were in danger he...

It's also getting rowdy in here. People are arguing. It's a little difficult to think. He needs order and quiet for just a few moments.]

I need a moment, if you please.

[Before the whole fort comes down on them he'll step out.]

[ringsmaster]

... Yeah, sure. Go ahead.

[ This was sure nice while it lasted, huh? ]

[psychs]

[ Like he doesn't have people often going to bat for him, he also doesn't often have people ask him to drop the honorifics, even if they might not be such a thing back home for Lucifer. It's still...nice. ]

Okay. You can call me Takuto too, you know.

[ But — right. Secret sharing, the name of the game. Even if he might be sitting next to him, that won't stop Maruki from glancing over at Lucifer to watch his expression shift as he shares his this truth with him, and it's not an easy one to hear. By his own admission, countless people suffered, yet...

Just like him, he can see the error in his past judgment, can't he? ]

But you realize that was wrong, now. [ A statement, not a question. ] What changed your mind?

[ringsmaster]

[ When someone dies in Hell, that's it. No more chances. You simply cease to exist. Countless souls, simply gone to his indifference. ]

Charlie did. She wanted to save our people more than anything... [ just like in the SONG ] It was her dream to see souls in Hell redeemed and sent to Heaven instead of sentenced to die. When she drew the attention of the Exorcist army for her beliefs, she didn't back down. She fought, and those souls she'd gathered at her side fought with her.

[psychs]

[ Charlie...he really does love her more than anything, doesn't he? It's so heartwarming to see, and idly, Maruki wonders what it must be like, to love someone so dearly. To hold them so close to your heart, you would even face the worst parts of yourself for them.

...Hmm. ]

So she gave you the strength you needed...but even if she was your inspiration, the choice to change, to grow, to face your mistakes...could only be made by you.

[ They both deserve some credit, when others so often seek to take it away from them. ]