perfectmatch | week one

Entry tags:

week one | arrival

The characters will arrive one by one, in whatever vehicle suits them the best to the front of estate. It's a beautiful estate filled with plants and trees and little ponds and all kinds of little hideaways. But it all cumulates at the main house, where they will be dropped off and greeted by a familiar face who stands outside the house and welcomes them in. They will be able to bring one suitcase with items and clothes as well as their pet(s?).

The main thing to notice when you step into the house though is that cameras are everywhere. Despite the many little hideaways of this house, there's no privacy whatsoever. Oh well!

When everyone is gathered together, the host from earlier will greet everyone with a merry:

"Welcome, my affection seeking friends! This is where you'll be staying the next few weeks. Find a place to settle in and get to know each other! I'll be around, in case you need anything."

He genuinely seems to mean it, at least?! But that seems to be it, he'll slip away in the meantime and leave you all to it.

A few things to note, of course:

There is only one "bedroom" which is a large room, with a closet full of futons to roll out and use in said room. Sleepover time!

There is an extra, extra, extra, extra large futon for Messmer.

In one of the rooms of the estate, there is a lovely piano ready for use. Feel free to ask for more instruments, if you'd like.

The kitchen is filled with food of all kinds and modern appliances so folks can cook whatever they'd like! There is also a bar in the kitchen, stocked with alcohol.

In the living room, there is a screen showing everyone's profiles. It is touch screen, so feel free to swipe through!

There is, of course, a banner in the living room reading 有緣千里來相會 (which, for the keen-eyed, translates to "Fate brings together those that are a thousand miles apart"). This was definitely written by the host.

There is a welcome cake.

Boom Boom Room | Property Damage
Truth Booth Voting | Match Ceremony Voting

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, don't worry. It's not just for display. I... requested that the manor have one. You know, to keep busy in the idle hours of the day.

[So, perhaps that answers Nico's question.]

So yes, I play a bit. But I'm also not going to hog it all for myself.

You did? You do?

[ Oh, he practically lights up. ]

I am delighted to meet a fellow musician! You must play for me as well sometime!!

Sure. Why not?

[Verso doesn't offer a lot about himself—which might make this whole dating thing a bit harder for him, but it's fine—yet he's far more keen on leaning into his appreciation for music, even with a complete stranger. He doesn't quite light up in the same way, but he does smile in turn.]

You show me yours and I'll show you mine.

[Meaning they can exchange performances, if he's feeling up to it.]

[ Just when you think it's impossible for Nico to sparkly any more than he already is, he somehow manages it. (Still not a Twilight reference.) ]

That sounds like a deal to me! Prepare to be amazed, mon ami!

[ Without further preamble, he takes a seat at the piano. His fingers fly over the keys for a few quick chords, like he's getting a feel for it, and then he launches into something bright and bouncy. ]

[Enthusiastic one, isn't he? That was the vibe he gave off during their arrival, and it remains steadfast here, too.

Well, once he starts playing, Verso draws closer. The melody is bright and almost joyous, and it's as though he might take some of that feeling himself into himself if he's near enough. If he watches just how Nico plays, his fingers gliding over each key with ease.

He can't help but think that this piece matches his personality, too, based on first impressions. Music is art, too, after all, and it reflects the soul just as keenly.]

Bravo.

[Verso does seem impressed, actually, when Nico's done. He claps for him, and the sound reverberates through the room.]

You are a proper musician.

[ Nico stands and does a flourishing little bow, all smiles. ]

That is very kind of you to say. Monsieur Verso, yes? I took some time to study the profiles already.

[Ohh, fancy. Verso presses a hand to his chest and gives a little performative bow in turn, mostly out of humor than anything else.]

That's right. And you're Monsieur Nicodème, non? I shouldn't be surprised, then, that you're a deft hand at the piano, given your "fun fact". You practically ooze artist.

I am! Please, call me Nico.

[ His full name is a bit of a mouthful, even if Verso seems to be able to speak the language. ]

Aha, hand me a violin and I shall really dazzle you!

[ NOT A TWILIGHT REFERENCE. ]

[STARTING TO THINK THESE ARE ALL ACTUAL TWILIGHT REFERENCES RAMEY]

Ask for one, then, Nico! Our Overseer might indulge you, then we can dazzle the entirety of the estate with a little duet.

[A duet no one asked for.]

[ I'M SURE I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. ]

Do you think? I would hate to be selfish... ah, but if he could that would be wonderful. I would love to play a duet!!

And I'll do my best to keep up. Piano's my forte, though. [Pun not intended. Or maybe it was!] I'd be useless on strings, so I'd be your accompaniment.

[The duet had been suggested as more of an offhand joke, but Nico seems so very infatuated already by the idea. So. Why not, he supposes.]

Oh, yes! You must show me what you can do, mon ami!

[ He steps aside, motioning enthusiastically for Verso to take a seat. ]

Right.

[He takes his seat, rolling his shoulders performatively, and resting his fingers on the keys. Glances sidelong at Nico.]

Better prove that I know what I'm doing, non? So, what are you in the mood for: something beautiful, or something dramatic?

I wish to hear the music that is in your heart.

[ Said like it's the simplest thing in the world. ]

[Oh. That loses Verso's gaze. To label it as such feels a bit too revealing, even if he's more likely to do this with music than literally anything else — but it's only day one!]

Put me on the spot, why don't you.

[Deflect.]

Middle ground, then.

[And to be fair, it is the sort of music that Verso gravitates towards, so it'll have to do for now. He settles his fingers into the right positions, and plays.]

[ Nico still gave Verso a choice of what to play, even if his deflection was none too subtle, he decided on something anyway. That's telling in and of itself.

Nico listens with rapt attention, watching Verso's fingers glide over the keys. The song is gorgeous... a little melancholy, perhaps. Or nostalgic.

When it's over, Nico is looking genuinely moved, and he claps his hands together once, softly. ]

Oh, mon ami. That was gorgeous.

[Art reflects the soul. Even if Verso had chosen to play chopsticks, it would be impossible not to infuse a piece of himself into the melody. The same applies here; the melancholy mood is chosen purposefully. He gravitates towards it.

When he's done, he straightens. Hands on his lap. ...How nice to get to play again. How nice to move another heart with a song.]

You flatter me. But thank you.

[He finally looks over at him, and a moment passes before he plies a little more humor again.]

Stamp of approval, then?

Of course, but it is not flattery, it is the truth.

[ He motions to the empty spot on the bench next to Verso, seeking permission to sit. ]

Music is a window into the soul, non? Will you tell me why you chose to play that piece?

[He scoots over, giving him ample room to sit if he wants.]

Well... because it's beautiful. And a little melancholy. It feels like an old memory.

[ He sits, hands coming up to start playing a soft melody, something he's clearly making up on the fly, but he's curious to see if Verso will join him. ]

Ah, I felt it. Nostalgia, so bittersweet.

[He listens, parsing out the rhythm and quiet melody for a moment, his thoughts straying to both the music and the notion of memory.]

Yet welcome, from time to time.

[Finally, he places his hands on the keys and plays along, the bass notes adding chords and structure to what Nico’s coming up with. It isn’t hard for Verso — it comes to him naturally.]

But getting too lost in the past can be a bad thing, too. Maybe I’ll come up with something happier before these four weeks are over.

[ Oh, this is lovely. Verso is a natural, and Nico practically beams when they find a rhythm together. ]

Mm. I hope that you do, mon ami. Perhaps someone here will cause your heart to soar. I would love to hear your music when that happens.

Ha. We’ll see.

[There’s a sense, in those few short words, that he’s not betting on it.]

Is that what you’re hoping to find? While you’re here.

[ Why is no one here as excited about finding love as he is?? ]

It is my hope. But I am something of a romantic, personally. Not everyone here feels the same.

[Maybe some of us are jaded and tired, gosh.]

I doubt anyone's going to look down on you for being a romantic at heart, though. A game like this one was made for you.

[He should thrive. As opposed to Verso, who has to keep convincing himself he has a right to be here.]

So, what are you wanting in a partner?

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject