WEEK FOUR MINGLE

[potatomance]

ᯓ⭐ WEEK FOUR MINGLE

Heya, lovebirds! You're entering the final week and things sure are... great.

Right?

Well, whether you're feeling great or not, you're going to find yourself looking your best in formal wear this week! Suits, gorgeous dresses, fabulously outlandish outfits, you name it, you're stuck in it. No sweatpants or lab coats for anyone this week. We have standards.

And we also believe in telling the truth, one way or another!

That's right, if you're asked a question, any question at all, no matter how innocent or dire, you are compelled to speak your most truthful answer. It could be who you think is the hottest in the castle. It could be your opinion on orange juice. Whatever it is, there is no longer a brain-to-mouth filter in place!

And maybe you'll figure that out and all decide to be merciful, but Riri will be popping up every now and then. And Riri? Riri will not be merciful.

Except for one thing, and that's a note in the main room that states simply: You all suck at this, so this week, our good ol' lesbian duo can now speak normally. You're welcome. ♥

FAQ ⭐ Truth Booth Voting ⭐ Mysterious Thing ⭐ Sex Dungeon ⭐ Perfect Match Voting

Comments

[aureated]

Very much so. [It's been AWFUL.] But even so, I suppose I have been more fortunate than you all have been.

[Even if she does just have to watch from the sidelines. Well. Until now.]

[thefinalcontract]

[He holds up a hand at Lucifer's shouting.]

I... don't. Not entirely... [He wants to get into this, he does. He wants to learn and understand. But Lin is about to start yelling at him.] It's a different concept than what I am familiar with...

[hnl]

To be honest, I haven’t given much thought to the wish itself.

[And whether they realize it or not, because of the truth effect, this isn’t a lie.]

It was never my priority; only an extra reward. Though I suppose if I had to pick… I’d have all my children unlock their potential earlier.

[cosmoid]

[ oh this is good. pours himself more wine. ]

[ziplash]

Oh, well, [ SARCASTIC CHUCKLE ] It's looking like it's going to be the latter.

[ She waves a hand dismissively, chasing away the lasting vulnerability in her features and voice. ]

Doesn't matter to me, since sending either one will give us an answer, but this 'we should send someone else entirely' strategy is a bunch of crap.

[ringsmaster]

[ Ah, he didn't mean to start shouting, either. He stops his little tirade, not exactly deflating, but finding some sort of balance. He reaches up to take Zhongli's hands. ]

I'm sorry. I just... You're really stubborn. I understand you know what you want, but I'm asking you to please be open to the idea.

[ He squeezes Zhongli's hands, gaze imploring. ]

You and Lin have a lot more in common than you might think. She loves rules and order, and she's dedicated to upholding both, even when her own family is involved. She does what has to be done even when it's really hard and she doesn't back down from that. Just because she's a mortal and you're... not can't be the only thing that matters.

She'd have kicked me out of Heaven in a second, if she'd been there. And I think you would have, too, once upon a time. You've learned to be more than the order that governs you. Maybe she needs that.

I know there's still a chance that you might not be matched at all, but if you are, I don't think that's a bad thing.

[ozzz]

Yes. That's because you don't know me.

[cosmoid]

[ ah?

he's tuned zhong li out but of course he hears ori.

ah. don't mind him hiding his face with his wine glass. ]

[hnl]

Remember what I said? You’re inscrutable. It hasn’t been for a lack of trying — and since week one.

So what do you stand to lose if we fail?

[ozzz]

[These are too many words for him to follow, but Mithra shifts in his seat toward the end of Lin's outburst. This is why he tried and couldn't come up with the exact answer for Manuela just a few days ago . . . ]

[ziplash]

It's about more than just the booths, it's about the entire game! It's about more than your particular interest!

[ She slams her fist on the table, getting more pissed off by the way he seems so calm, despite the tea cup cracking in his hand. The silverware rattles with the movement. She almost wishes he'd yell back, or at least show some level of investment in the argument — because this game is life or death for her. Or, it feels that way. ]

People have lost things, people — I'd consider being matched with anyone to get those things back, no matter how I personally felt about it!

[ So if a possibility exists, she's going to entertain it. Even now, she doesn't think it's impossible that they're matched. ]

I don't care whether we're matched or not, and maybe you can look at this all so neutrally — just being "math" and what not. [ AIR QUOTES ] But if we'd known this from the start, we could've thought about how the game might manipulate that wish against you. How do you know they won't match you with a mortal to spite you? You don't.

[thefinalcontract]

[His fingers curl around Lucifer's and he lowers to rest his his forehead against their linked together hands.

He's so tired... And he's been away from Liyue, the source of everything, for much too long.]

Stubborn, is it? I suppose that must be true. Mountains do not bow to the howling of the wind. [Nor do Gods.] I think there is more against than for... But I would never purposely throw the game. I will go as directed... I want you to have your wish. I know it means a great deal to you.

[These matches really don't matter. And after what happens within the next like sixty seconds with him and Lin it will only further condemn his interest in matching with her.]

[ziplash]

[ i'm replying so there's always evidence that was here ]

[ozzz]

I remember.

[This is answered directly after Brenner asks, so Mithra talks over him for a couple of words. Then he lies in the water with the next question for a moment, after which he begins to list off the what in a daze:]

. . . Everything. Rutile and Mitile . . . My life and magic . . . Tiletta's smile.

[thefinalcontract]

[He does not yell back. He simply sits where he is, tea cup clenched tightly in his hands.]

Geo is an element of patience. Thoughtfulness. Practicality. Hard work. And stability. Geo is also nurturing and seeks to draw all things together with itself, in order to bring harmony, rootedness and stability.

The Earth is the center to which all movements tend to go to or come from.

This... Whatever this currently is that you are displaying is not that. I find you unworthy of the element you claim to wield.

[Sips tea, I guess.]

[hnl]

[The short “interruption” is odd, but for now it means nothing in the wake of an actual answer.]

And who are they? Friends of yours?

[His entire life and magic though… they can loop back to that.]

[alcoheal]

[Before things start getting more serious and therefore less pleasant to drink to, she might reach over and try and bum a glass off of him.]

[ozzz]

[He blinks.]

Tiletta was my master. Rutile and Mitile are her childre . . .

[The words tumbling out of his mouth catch up to him at the last syllable, and Mithra's eyes widen as he slaps a hand over his mouth. With a loud splash, he all but throws himself upright into the water in visible alarm.]

[mechanideptus]

[ Um. Sir. You let a detail slip there. It’s fine though, she’s about to do the same. ]

Rex Lapis, by that logic should we not also consider that one is also millennia old? Phoenix is but a mortal man.

[thefinalcontract]

[Girl...]

well yall we tried

[ziplash]

[ To have what she considers to be her trying to protect everyone's interests thrown back in her face as not being thoughtful and practical... for it to be insinuated that she's being hysterical for being angry and stressed about the potential for them to lose this game... that she doesn't work hard....

Yeah, her temper blows immediately. Anyone close enough to see would see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. Every ounce of respect for him is lost, because he's shown to her that he does not care about any of their plights, and sees himself above it all. Or, is at least comfortable with dodging any sort of responsibility. She sees this as a blatant attempt to antagonize her and derail.

In one swift movement of her leg, the metal table flips up and goes on a crash course to barrel into him. Claim to wield? Well, she'll show him just how worthy she is, daughter of the best earthbender in the world. ]

Go on, keep running away and deflecting! [ She lowers herself into a fighting stance, trying to send him and the table at the wall, meaning to crinkle the metal table around him and magnetize him to the light fixture. He'll have to fight back, now. ] Seems like that's all you're capable of doing!

[mechanideptus]

. . .

[ Oh. That is such a difficult feeling to have to work through—and to be pulled away so soon after is a cruel thing indeed. ]

One did not realize. Your vigilance is understandable—as is your determination now.

[ She saw you yell at Zhongli. And also attack him. She’s not mad about it, surprisingly. ]

[thefinalcontract]

[It's somewhat to be expected. She's clearly short tempered and so when the table comes flying at him he lifts a shield to protect himself and whomever is next to him.

The cup finally crunches in his free hand, small pieces of porcelain sticking into his glove but it is unimportant.]

Enough of this childish behavior. This is hardly a suitable venue for it nor the time or place.

[He does not grab his spear nor make any further movements with his geo abilities. He simply stands, with his shield protecting himself and those that were on his side of the table.]

[mechanideptus]

[ What? ]

[voxnozzz]

[ ............................... friend? f...riend. friend.

he doesn't hear language like that from someone zhongli's age, and he really has to wonder why those who are his age speak like the children from back home.....

it's not a negative thing. it's just such a complicated emotion, to hear the opposite of the sentiment he expects from those he considers at least a little more similar superficially. why does it make him feel more ancient...? ]

You do not have to worry about my interfering with those matters.

[ the heart. he didn't come here for that, nor does he expect such a thing from zhongli. that's- yeah. ]

... I also do not know if I can provide suitable [ ... awkwardly: ] friendship. Why is that something you seek?

[ no commentary on zhongli's character or his interest. oz has simply been alone for almost all of his life, so to say he could provide something like suitable companionship is....... funny, really. ]