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

[enscene]

[Somewhat confused, but rolling with it out of intrigue alone:] Oh, I see. So it's as if you...didn't really eat it in the first place?

[That would...actually be a blessing in disguise in some ways. Keeping her figure on a mostly carb-based diet isn't exactly easy. She's caught up in musing this long enough for Nico to get that bite of cake in so she can respond to him.]

It's marvelous, isn't it? Clearly a layman's confectionery, and yet they presented the perfect balance of flavors!

[crimsin]

More or less! At least I am able to taste it at all! I would be devastated if I could not experience such a variety of dishes.

[ Human culinary arts are so fascinating to him, and the sheer amount of flavors never cease to amaze. ]

Yes, I see what you mean. Our host certainly made sure we were well taken care of, did he not?

[enscene]

Any good host should be attentive, but he really takes the cake. [Hehe.] He really surprised me with how intently he got down to business when it came down to the wire.

[Wei Wuxian was very talkative and, for the most part, put her well at ease. But he was also much more focused than that demeanor initially suggested. She has to wonder if that's how people see her and what it might mean.

Though she was nervous around him to begin with, Nicodeme is having a similar effect on Furina now. All she has to do is act normal and chat normally, right?]

It's truly you good fortune that you can still delight in fine foods! What do you normally eat?

[crimsin]

He was a delight at the interview, oui!

[ Nico really likes their host, though that's not difficult. He likes most everyone. ]

Oh, I am a vampire. I must have blood to survive.

[ SORRY FOR THE WHIPLASH ]

[enscene]

Huh? Did you say blood?

[THE COLD SWEAT IS BACK]

Does that mean you hunt a lot of animals?

[crimsin]

N…o…

[ Ah. Here they go. He’s dealt with people who don’t think vampires are real, and someone who was all too-eager to learn about him, but not yet with someone who might find him frightening.

He considers a moment. ]

Do you have vampires where you are from?

[ I’m so sorry I have to ask you this Shay. ]

[enscene]

[ramey there are no words for how i hate you for this

I will take the coward's way out.]

Maybe not exactly, but it sounds familiar to some stories I've heard before. [That's not the issue; truth is strange than fiction. However...] They're usually very dark.

[It would explain, at least partially, why she had a little bit of a prey response to his initial appearance. Still, it feels different from...other certain encounters she'd rather not remember. If his friendliness is an act, then it's a very good one.]

[crimsin]

[ I SAID I WAS SORRY ]

I do not know these stories of yours, but I suppose I am not surprised if they are dark. My people feed on the blood of humans to survive.

[ He raises both his hands, plate of cake left forgotten on the table. ]

I am not here to hurt anyone, I swear. I never, ever feed without permission.

[enscene]

[It's not his fault that a ripple of hesitation goes through Furina or that she takes a step back when he lifts his hands to placate her. Her eyes get a little dewy but remain blessedly tear-free.

Though she's clearly a little petrified, Furina doesn't flee, even though she isn't locked in with him and even though it would be much easier. Instead she steels herself and tries to listen to his words.]

It'd...be difficult for you to get away with that with all of it caught on Kamera, wouldn't it? [She frowns.] You don't find it difficult to be around humans or dislike them?

[crimsin]

Mademoiselle, if I make you uncomfortable, I can leave.

[ The last thing he wants to do is scare anyone. It’s why he tries his best to be friendly and unassuming, so people know he means no harm. ]

On the contrary. I find humanity captivatingly beautiful, but I certainly would not blame anyone if they were afraid of me. My kind has done humanity more harm than good. I am not like they are. I take only what is freely given and no more.

[enscene]

[No, she is being very brave about this!! Though Furina's throat does bob with a swallow before she's able to speak again.]

How could I ask you to leave? [Her voice, which had gotten a little high-pitched with nervousness, becomes softer.] Then I'd just be judging you by the nature of your birth and not who you are. [In other words, it would be a complete miscarriage of justice.]

[crimsin]

Oh...

[ She's still clearly nervous, but it's obvious her words have touched him, his hand coming up to his chest. ]

Mademoiselle, I— Thank you. For your kindness. If there is anything I can do to assuage your worries, then I will gladly do so.

[enscene]

[After her fearful outburst, Furina thinks probably shouldn't push it by asking what will happen if he runs out of blood or if Wei Wuxian isn't able to supply the house with the food he needs.

(This is a secret tool that will help us later when she gets so worried about his collapse in the garlic bread thread. Sometimes multi-thread drifting is useful.)

It also doesn't really feel like kindness or benevolence...it's just right.]

Perhaps you could answer a question for me. What have you learned about humanity? [The way he answers that question could be more than enough to put her mind at ease.]

[crimsin]

[ (This IS a secret tool that will help us later.)

Nico gets the distinct feeling he's being given a test, but for him, it is an easy one. One he keeps the answer to close to his heart always. ]

A great many things, but most of all I have learned how indomitable they are. Humanity lives and fights and loves so hard for the precious little time they have on this earth, and they do not let that inevitable end stand in their way. I cannot help but admire them for it.

[enscene]

[That's good enough for her.

Though she'd taken her few steps away, Furina returns for the abandoned cake. Her appetite isn't fully back yet, but she does take it up in her hand.]

I have to agree. It's a beautiful thing to live as a human in the world.

[crimsin]

You are not human, then? I read the profiles, your age suggests you are something more than mortal.

[ Before coming here, he’d never met anyone else long-lived other than vampires and the few werewolves who trust him enough to let him hang around. ]

[enscene]

Oh, that.

["Oh, that," she says, dismissing it out of hand almost immediately.] Don't read too much into my biography; it's not even an officially licensed publication. Though it may look exceptional, I'm just a regular human.

[crimsin]

[ Hmm. He might doubt that a little. ]

Really? I suppose I have been taking them all as accurate. I did not consider that they might not be.

[enscene]

Oh, it's accurate.

[That just makes things more confusing? It doesn't help that she's being honest without being clear, not elaborating on things that still feel too tender to palpate.]

But just...treat me normally, all right?

[crimsin]

I am sorry... you are a five hundred year old human?

[ Squint. ]

I would not dare to treat anyone here differently than anyone else. I am just wondering how that works.

being direct enough to get into minor spoilers territory ig

[enscene]

[She's especially cognizant of the Kameras now, but she'd also like to wash her hands of anything that might require her to be misleading. People might get the wrong idea from her age or think of her as something she's not.]

Due to the power of a god, I was immortal. I separated from the source of that power. So you see, I'm simply Furina, now that that's done.