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.

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[A beat, and then a small nod.]

That's correct.

That cannot have been comfortable.

[ Yukong cannot think of many species off the top of her head where such a thing would be anything approaching edible. Surely he received some medical care afterward, or made himself vomit it up. ]

And this was... in hopes of protecting your girlfriend? Did you know she was guilty at the time?

[He answers the first part with just a nod, as he's not really keen to recall any part of that 'meal'.]

I didn't know. ...Actually, it would be more accurate to say that I absolutely refused to believe that she could have been guilty, despite witnessing some incriminating behavior. I was blindly devoted to her... and that's where my devotion led me. If it weren't for Mia Fey, the defense attorney who became my mentor, I would have just unwittingly taken the fall for that woman.

I am glad that you had someone in your corner then, too. [ Yet another inspiration for his career, she would guess. ] I assume you now understand that your feelings for that woman were obsession, not actual love. [ A good distinction to make in a game that is purportedly about the feelings of the heart. ] I can't imagine how difficult it was to come to terms with the truth, in that case.

[ Talk about a wake up call. ]

Thanks. It did really change my life for the better. And... yeah, I did eventually come to an understanding like that.

[It's actually more complicated than that, but Phoenix doesn't really want to get into explaining the whole twin thing right now.]

It was something that haunted me for a long time, until I was finally able to make peace with it all. And I guess it made me a little more guarded with my heart. I feared experiencing a betrayal like that again.

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. ]

I- I don't know if that's the entire reason for how uncertain it was, but you could say it was a factor...

[It may have certainly helped shape an indecisive heart. But one that's still ready to care a lot for someone.]

That's fine. It's a little embarrassing to admit it, but you're correct. I haven't been in any relationships since then. [(As passionate as my feelings could be...)] S-so I guess I'm a little rusty, eh? [He chuckles.]

[ Yukong expects it's also because Phoenix had been worried about making anyone feel bad for not naming them, or for getting someone's hopes up, and so on and so on. Granted, she avoided being put on the spot like that herself due to her early luck, but she can imagine how it felt.

And... hmm. So her instinct was correct, then. She shakes her head. ] Please don't be embarrassed. I didn't mean it that way, but it does provide some additional context. You were grievously betrayed your last partner, so I suspect you would do well with someone who you feel you can trust implicitly. Or am I assuming too much?

[ Clearly this experience had an effect on Phoenix, if he hasn't been with anyone since then. ]

To be honest, it's been quite some time for me as well. I imagine we've been caught up in caring for our daughters.

[There were a few factors indeed! Phoenix offers her a small smile while he nods.]

I think you're close to the mark, Yukong. That feeling of betrayal is something I want to avoid experiencing again at all costs. An ideal partner for me would definitely be someone I can trust with my heart.

[Luckily he has plenty of people in life he can trust and love, but no one who he's had that particular kind of relationship with.]

And you're right about that, too. Taking care of Trucy has keep me busy for the last eight years... [(And I adopted her only months after that trial where I found resolution regarding Dahlia and Iris. I've really kept myself busy since then... I haven't really given myself the chance to try again.)]

That is certainly something to keep in mind as we press forward with this challenge, then. Someone upright and trustworthy would be best for you.

[ It doesn't surprise her at all to hear that Phoenix has been busy with Trucy, and Yukong suspects that's why many of them have "yet to find love," as the show might frame it. ]

I know it's been exhausting to be on this show, but thinking on it now, do you feel like it's time to find someone? Even if it isn't anyone from this contest.

Those do sound like good qualities...

[Phoenix isn't a hundred percent sure what he's really looking for, but that definitely sounds like a start.

And then he looks more contemplative, looking off to a wall of the pillow fort as he answers the question.]

...It has been a thought on my mind. And Trucy can get on my case about finding someone! I do have a lot going on back home, but... now that I do have two lawyers working for me, maybe it is time to think about slowing down and focusing more on that sort of thing...

Two lawyers working for you? That does make you sound quite accomplished.

[ Not that Yukong knows much of anything about how that all works where Phoenix is from, but it does at least mean that all the work doesn't fall to him. ]

Our children do always want the best for us, don't they? Either way, I'm sure she'll be curious to hear about everything you went through here.

That's right! I guess I have come a long way. And they're great, too. Almost like extra kids of mine.

[(One of them actually being blood-related to my daughter aside...)]

Actually, I got a message from her just before she came here. It sounded like she's actually watching the show... [(Along with practically everyone I know.)] So I hope I haven't made too much of a fool of myself!

Oh, dear. I get the feeling that my daughter might end up watching as well.

[ The general would see to that, she suspects. She'll have to have a long talk with him after all this. ]

Hopefully you haven't had to share any secrets that will be too incriminating for her to hear...

Trust me, I have plenty of reasons of my own to not say anything incriminating on this show! Not that I exactly have anything to confess to anyway.

[Give or take one forged bit of evidence-]

Anyway, here's hoping they mostly catch our best parts!

[(And that I have best parts to begin with!))]

WEEK THREE MINGLE

ᯓ⭐ WEEK THREE MINGLE

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