week one | arrival

[marriagebroker]

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

Comments

[poans]

[Oh, yes. He's one of those.]

This screen. It provides a glimpse of what isn't ordinarily seen . . . Unlike a mirror, it can be unlatched and interacted with.

[gamboler]

...My friend. Windows offer a glimpse to things ordinarily seen, I'd say.

[ Also he's pretty sure they could pry the monitor off the wall, but that'd be going a bit too far to disprove this shoddy metaphor. ]

[poans]

[Friend again . . . ]

. . . What is ordinary lies in the eyes of the beholder. Particularly here, where a plethora of societies intersect.

[gamboler]

[ Better get used to the F-word, Yi Sang... ]

That's fair enough. Indulge me, then - what do you see out the windows where you're from, if not what's already outside them?

[poans]

[The scandal . . . ]

There were no windows whence I came, only squares within squares. Once I departed the white square, the outside world awaited me.

[gamboler]

Those are called panes, friend.

[ Is this poor man just severely sheltered? He usually has a better radar for bullshit than this... ]

[poans]

[No . . . ]

. . . Whatever the case may be, I have not seen a proper window in some time. Until now, that is.

[gamboler]

...Ah. Well, I certainly hope this is a welcome change of pace for you. If I may ask...who were you talking to before?

[ Though despite the way this conversation has gone, he won't pry further if Yi Sang doesn't seem forthcoming. ]

[poans]

My left-handed self . . .

[He trails off, then straightens to study the profiles again. Coincidentally, the screen features one (1) Kakavasha.]

It matters little. As you have said, it was merely a ponderous reflection. Rather, it would be to our benefit to view the players on display with focused lenses.

[gamboler]

[ There he is, doxxed on main...really, it shouldn't bother him. It's not like anyone here knows the meaning behind his name, even if there are seldom few back home that know he even has a name besides Aventurine. It's fine! ]

That's the most sensible thing you've said so far. So, anyone jumping out at you as your destined soul mate from across the stars?

[ He is expecting no sort of straightforward answer to this. ]

[poans]

Not as of yet, no; however, there are individuals here whose minds I should like to borrow while we are here.

[If nothing else, he can hear what others have to say. Perhaps one of them will have the answers. It's not a soulmate he necessarily seeks.]

What of you?

[gamboler]

[ Borrow in what way....... ]

It's far too early to reveal my hand, but suffice it to say, there are a few who have caught my interest. Who knows? Maybe you'll wind up surprising yourself with a few attachments yourself.

[poans]

[Wouldn't he like to know?

If he comes away with such things, he will be truly surprised, indeed.]

You keep your cards close to your chest. I suppose we'll be seeing that hand at the ceremony, then.

[gamboler]

Only one card at a time. Besides, there's no guarantee that I'll be choosing a match this week. Who knows? Maybe it'll be your lucky day instead. Maybe you'll even get to go into that little booth of theirs and put your affections to the test...

[ God. It better not be him they send in there. ]

[poans]

[Time to send in Aventurine.]

Should the players will it, I shall put myself up for the test alongside their chosen partner.

[gamboler]

[ A cocked brow. ]

You'll really just go along with whatever the group decides for you? That's all?

[poans]

Indeed, I have no reason to refuse.

[gamboler]

[ Simply, without affect: ]

You have a reason if it's something you don't want to do.

[poans]

. . . I shall remember those words.

[gamboler]

[ After a moment, he sighs. ]

Good. After all, if you give the wrong person the right reasons to use you, they will.

[poans]

Such is life in the City. I am quite used to being taxidermied, however.

[gamboler]

[ ,,,um ]

Beg your pardon?

[poans]

It is of little consequence. Pay it no heed.

[gamboler]

[ He WILL pay it heed, thank you very much. ]

If I may ask...what brought you here? I don't mean literally. As in...why did you sign up to participate?

[ He doesn't sound accusatory, but he sure does sound dismayed. ]

[poans]

['tis fortunate that he specified why, because the answer otherwise would've been feet.]

It was the first opportunity I came upon after realizing that I had the freedom to go wheresoever I chose. As there was no set destination in mind, I decided to stop here for a time.