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]

[Manuela is in high spirits or at least high in energy to kick off this week. She can be found after breakfast in the garden, walking back and forth along the path, crop laddering up and down in the air at her side. She's speaking to herself, saying a line of normal words and then another line of short, punctuated syllables. Though they're toneless, a familiar ear might recognize them as solfeggio, just spoken in monotone.]

... No, I think I need to redo that line... [She spies: one intruder.] Oh, perfect! I've been going a little stir-crazy trying to figure this out on my own.

[She's very quick to rush over and grab any interloper by the hand, drawing them in only long enough for her hand to settle around their waist instead.]

That's better. Say, how are you with following directions?

---

[Later, a much quieter Divine Songstres is... sulking in one of the castle's many comfortable lounges. One might mistake her for ill, either naturally or of her own making, but that simply isn't the case.

Anyone who catches her eye runs the risk of being beckoned over by the sharp, short quirk of two of her fingers before she pat-pat-pats the couch next to her. Pat-pat-pat...pat-pat...

Anyone who doesn't answer this invitation will be physically fetched and brought over to sit next to her, Manuela wound delicately around their arm. Unless someone completely resists...but who could say no to that face?]

[ozzz]

[Mithra is in his usual attire on a couch somewhere in the castle. The furniture is still, forgiving and cooperative in the absence of his attempt at sleeping, as he sits with a deep scowl and angry streaks of red all over his body.

He touches his cheek where an especially ugly burn snakes down the curve of his jaw and the length of his neck. It fades with the press of his palm and a pulse of magic, raising healthy skin back into place in a matter of seconds, and it's as if nothing ever happened. Even so, Mithra brings his hand up, baring a forearm burned raw, and cards his fingers through his hair with his eyes narrowed in displeasure.]

🌩🧙‍♂️

[ozzz]

[zzz]

[ringsmaster]

[ One can find Lucifer around any of his usual haunts this week (the garden, the ramparts, the kitchen) but he’s also just popping up all over the place, too. With a sudden flutter of wings, there’s a fallen angel draping himself over your shoulders from behind, peering over at whatever you’re doing. ]

Hey! What you up to?

[ Or you might be minding your business and look down to find a little white snake with a red and white striped belly, and an all-too familiar top hat coiled around your ankle. He blinks up at you with wide eyes. ]

Ssssssup?

[ If you want him to be something more cuddly, he can be. ]

[voxnozzz]

[ i put the starter here so you can't edit the top level and it bothers you.

whether mithra is looking for oz to fight or for charcoal to eat, oz is doing the disgustingly normal thing (wow) of sitting in the kitchen... drinking tea. this is perhaps wildly offensive by virtue of him breathing, but that's mithra's issue and not his.

he's got his own problem to deal with that he's doing a wonderful job ignoring. less of a wonderful job when this specific company walks in, but if oz is bull-headed enough to try to change the rules of their world, he's bull-headed enough to choose being miserable in the face of wanting to... what? get close? hold a hand?

He Will Not, Potato. ]

... Mithra.

[ leave, thanks. ]

[alcoheal]

[Mid-couch sulk, Manuela has made the grievous mistake people make when they don't cover up in bed at night: She's put one leg down on the floor.

When a snake. Comes. And coils around it.

She shrieks - or she could shriek if she were capable of making sound, leg snapping back toward herself. Mid-kick, she notices the tophat.

Wait, Lucifer? She silently mouths the words, but there's really no stopping the reflex that's already been set into motion.]

[voxnozzz]

[ he was just here in the garden to Exist and now it's a double whammy of processing what's happening, from the muttering to the hand around his waist. the latter quells an unfamiliar feeling within him, which is the only reason why oz doesn't immediately put space between himself and her when she pulls him closer...

... what was that about directions? he blinks slowly. ]

I do not follow directions.

[ spoilers: he does follow directions, depending on who asks. amazingly, even. ]

I'm here for my daily Lucifer, thank you

[thefinalcontract]

[Zhongli has taken to the ramparts as of late. That's where he can find Cloud Retainer usually and Lucifer. It's close to the sky, the sun is nice. It's quiet, most of the time. And it's away from most of the nonsense that's going on in the house.

He's grown a bit weary of Riri and his "games".

The Geo Archon sits, cross legged, upon the stone roof and takes a sip of tea. Or attempts to. The flutter of wings and then a gentle weight upon his shoulders.]

Good afternoon, Lucifer. [The Archon tilts his head back a touch to glance the Devil's way and offers him a sip of his tea, holding the cup up towards his lips. It's delicious and cinnamon flavored.] I was merely pondering our current state of affairs. Do you find yourself feeling restless on this fine day?

[psychs]

[ Talking snake...a little on the nose for the guy with all the Garden of Eden imagery in his Palace, but he recognizes Lucifer immediately, even if it's a little disconcerting. ]

Is that...really an ideal form to take?

[ He has no arms or legs??? But he is rather cuddly, come to think of it. ]

[ringsmaster]

[ He should have known this would happen. ]

Whoa-oh!

[ There he goes, flying through the air. Mid-yeet, however, there is a brief flash of golden light and a shower of sparks as Lucifer transforms into a bird. With a few flaps, he circles back around and comes to perch on her shoulder. ]

That’s quite the kick you got there!

[ringsmaster]

[ He didn’t expect to be offered a sip of tea of all things, though he takes it gladly. It’s nice, and he hums a little in satisfaction, nuzzling the side of his face against Zhongli’s neck. He doesn’t seem to realize he’s doing it. ]

Little bit. I was just thinking it’d be nice to see you.

[ringsmaster]

It’s great for giving hugs.

[ Not even a hint of irony in his tone. ]

I can be something else if you want. Cat? Dog? Komodo dragon?

[alcoheal]

Oh. [Manuela looks nonplussed for a moment, though her expression soon returns to its welcoming, affectionate smile. Some people would find it hard to turn down such a direct approach, but this is just how Oz is, she supposes. She should be used to that much by now.]

Well, that's all right. [She leans into his arm, her snuggle one of forgiveness.] How about singing?

[thefinalcontract]

[Zhongli doesn't do public displays of affection save for some hand holding. It simply isn't done and he also has old sensibilities. But there is an urge. And when strange sensations are afoot in this castle it's best to stay away from everyone else. That's how he's decided to handle all of this.

But with Lucifer he'll allow it and easily. He closes his eyes for a moment as the Devil sweetly nuzzles into his cheek and he contently leans into the gesture of affection, taking his cup back and setting it to the side.]

I am glad that you managed to find me then. Come, sit with me. [He reaches for Lucifer's hand to help lead him to be beside him.] I've been turning over possible matches in my head endlessly. Too many combinations and not enough information to be had. I would much rather listen to the things you have to say and learn more about you and Charlie.

[thefinalcontract]

[He was not intending to stay, simply passing through the garden, but she has gone and snatched him up.]

I am quite good at following directions. Are you in need of some sort of help?

[alcoheal]

[Oh, thank the goddess she didn't kill the devil by kicking him clean across the room. Manuela presses a hand to her hard-beating heart in relief.

As Lucifer comes to alight on her shoulder, she tucks into herself, bowing her head in contrition. She was just startled, promise! One finger comes up to scratch the short feathers at the nape of his birdie neck.]

[psychs]

A full-body hug. I can see what you mean...

[ Even if it means he doesn't get as much contact in return. It hasn't escaped him how he's craving it more than usual, too. He's not normally what he would consider touch-starved, but today... ]

Ah, no, that's okay. You're welcome to stay in whatever form you prefer.

[alcoheal]

I'm looking for some musical assistance, actually. [Though, now that he's here instead, she might see if he has any more histories to turn into limericks... she could set them to song later, after Aya murders me in my house he's woven a tale conducive to a full number.]

I can't sing right now, and it's driving me up the wall.

[hearthwarming]

[ Miss Easy? More like Miss Taking It Easy in the early days of this third week, milfs and dilfs. Ori doesn't spend quite as much time in the kitchen preparing for meals and snacks and everything in between as she has in the first two weeks, having apparently decided that she's a bit tired of this castle.

Instead, she'll be spending quite a bit of her time this week outside, cloudgazing or stargazing or dozing off on a blanket in the grass outside, taking cuttings of flowers and plants in the garden, and talking to trees. No, she still cannot hear anything they may communicate back to her without her powers. And no, she doesn't seem to care.

When she is inside, she's making little floral arrangements to keep in the various decorative vases that can be found throughout the house, or she's sitting in some sort of study or library, pressing flowers by stacking books and such together.

There's a restless sort of energy about her, as if she's trying to do pretty much whatever she can with her hands to busy herself with random things, anything, really, so that she doesn't end up just walking up to the next person and clinging to them, lest she be branded an inter-dimensionally easy woman once more...

Her tail, however, seems to have a mind of its own; whenever someone draws near, they might find themselves with a long, thin tail with a spaded tip curled around their hand, wrist, possibly even waist. Oopey! ]

[ozzz]

[Diabolical.

Mithra is in the mood for raw meat (no) (yes?) (no). Tea sounds like a good idea, too, but such a thought is summarily dashed when he enters the kitchen and sees Oz's annoying face where he wants to be. Naturally, it makes him want to get up close and grab Oz—to shove, of course.]

Oz. [He shoves his hands in his pant pockets.] I would've thought you'd be sitting in front of a fireplace by now.

[That's clearly what Oz, the dull man without class, does all day.]

[cosmoid]

[ uroko's outside in the gardens, so a presence of a snake isn't entirely out of left field. usually they don't have top hates, though. ]

Aren't you afraid of being stepped on? [ he doesn't move to dislodge lucifer any. ]

stargazing

[cosmoid]

[ hey ori. don't mind uroko plopping down right besides her on the blanket with nary any real greeting. he might be a little closer than he would normally be, but maybe that's because it's dark! ]

The stars are one thing the surface has over the sea.

[hearthwarming]

[ sure, blame the darkness... Ori's tail has been curled around herself while she lays here, though when Uroko joins her, it unfurls just a little bit. ]

Hmm...? Oh... I suppose you wouldn't be able to see the stars at all from so deep, would you? I hadn't thought about that... All the more reason for you to enjoy the starry skies while you're here, then.

[alcoheal]

[Manuela is here to make all of Ori's efforts a problem, since she's leaning into the urge for physical touch by staging a fairly aggressive coup against personal space. She's popping up right over Ori's shoulder, leaning in so she can see the flowers she's pressing between the pages of some thick and ancient tome. Hanneman would lose his mind.

Charades with Lucifer was doubtless a fun experience, but for everyone's sake, perhaps it's better that she runs into Ori on Tuesday once she's regained her voice.]

Are you pressing these to take home with you? They'd make a nice souvenir.

lounge

[helmswoman]

[ Maybe in another situation, Yukong might have found that pat-pat-pat a bit rude. She might have ears and a tail, but she is not an animal, after all.

But 1) Manuela looks like she is in dire need of some company, and 2) Yukong has felt unnaturally drawn towards all sorts of physical contact all day. So, the idea of cuddling up next to Manuela on the couch sounds perfectly nice to her right now.

So with that, Yukong strides over and settles next to Manuela on the couch. She does manage to stop herself from immediately leaning in against her side, but that won't last for long. ]

Did you need something?