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]

[At some point, they'll certainly learn more about things - at the very least, some of how the people of Fontaine know it.

But for now, she would prefer to focus on things only as they are now, and her reason for not having found the time to travel recently is reason enough.]

Why would I need to know how to pack if I haven't been traveling anywhere? [Take that...very logical rebuttal!] Anyhoo, the performance troupes I work with have been hard at work with productions. Just because you don't see something happening on-stage doesn't mean that it isn't happening...those in the wings are doing just as much as the stars. Never mind that the Fontinalia Film Festival just wrapped.

[reverso]

For the day that you need to travel somewhere!

[But it's clear from how he says it, he's just giving her a hard time. If he was really put off by her less-than-stellar packing skills, would he be helping her at all?

Just assume he's trundling a step or two behind her the entire time.]

So that makes you... [A pause definitely to feign thinking, and not to hide another grunt of effort.] ...a stage performer?

[enscene]

[Though she has traipsed a couple of steps ahead of him, light on her feet as you please, Furina pauses to look back at Verso for a moment. She waits until she's glanced away again to respond to his question.]

Actually, I withdrew from performing onstage some time ago. I set a hard limit with myself to never return, but then I got involved in working behind the scenes and found I possess a true talent for it.

I think that's what I prefer now, but I no longer hate the thought of stepping back into the spotlight every now and then... Hence, my arrival at this austere locale!

[reverso]

[He's doing fine, don't worry about him! Is he, again, more trundling than walking? Yes? Does he flash her a winsome(?) smile when she gazes back to briefly check on him? Yes!]

I see. So the freedom to step away from what once wore you out- ["wore her out" seems generous if she used the word "hate", but he's being polite] -renewed a spark to return. That must be nice.

[MUST BE NICE,]

Though I'll admit, though the estate is beautiful, the game's an odd choice for a debut partie deux. [heh.]

[enscene]

Something like that. [Though it was a little embarrassing to make such a big deal about departing the stage forever and learn quickly enough that such a hardline approach had given her no room to adjust.] I thought I'd drawn my line in the sand, but before I could cross that line, what I really needed was to find myself. [Her voice needed to be recovered before she could sign again.]

I'm a crack director, though. really - the world has yet to see the full breadth of my work! But don't worry; I'm not just here for self-promotion. [Said a little bit like: I don't need to get it from a place like this, but also with earnestness attached to it.]

[reverso]

[He hears that unspoken bit. If only he had that kind of confidence, never mind how he wishes others to perceive him.]

I'm not judging. I'm here, too, after all, and a game centered around romance will be filled with drama, I'm sure. It just shows where your interests have led you, maybe, in that time you went to find yourself.

[That's an assumption, and he knows it. She could be here not for romance at all, but really to just put on a show for all to gaze upon and popcorn at. Or she fancies the wish.]

So how did you do it? Or is that too personal of a question?

[How did she seek herself out, after being freed from the stage. Art turned obligation.]

[enscene]

Sorry, I already told our host that it's better to keep our focus on the current production. Like you said, the drama.

[She needs to hold onto her feelings about the past on her own a little while longer. A lot of it is personal, and she's already said a lot.]

You're helping with my luggage, so. The troupe had lost their director and wanted to give a final performance in her honor before disbanding, and I... chose to help them make it happen once I learned what had happened. I think that probably covers your question well enough?

[reverso]

[Verso, guy who keeps all of his cards close to his chest, hears that for exactly what it is: she doesn't want to talk about it in depth. Naturally, this piques his curiosity, for personal reasons, especially, but they've just met. They're literally hauling their luggage to the manor, not even settled in.

Pockets this needling thought for another day, then.]

Well enough. Don't mean to sound overly nosy — those that take to the stage just pique my interest, that's all.

[enscene]

[Hey, she still gave him something as thanks for carrying her oversized luggage! And she'll also do the work of not dallying with bright distractions on the way through the estate (overlooking, for example, that beautiful wisteria) to wayfind their path.]

Are you a fan? Just don't ask for my autograph while we're here; I'm a fellow contestant, same as you, so it's only fair. Though it has a thriving arts scene, from the stage to the cinema, justice is paramount in Fontaine. [The rule of law is therefore bracketed with bright lights and splendor, with all the good and all the negative that comes along with that.]

Well, we have to be getting close, but the layout of this architecture is like a maze.

[reverso]

[Strained-]

Don't worry. I'm fine.

[Wheeze. But also. In the grand scheme of things, he's been through worse than carrying heavy luggage, so Verso will diligently continue until they at least reach the manor, and probably the bedroom if she needs further assistance.]

And no, that's not what I meant. I used to play piano. Not at all the same thing, but still perfromance.

[enscene]

"Used to?" Is it my turn to ask what led you to leave the stage, or did you make a clean break from the past?

[Sure, he's fine, and they've made it here a lot faster than if she'd been left to struggle at the aquabus landing by herself. Furina glances back again, then sighs, and she stops her in her tracks with the heavy exhale.]

Let's take a breather here. You can sit on it; it won't break. [A large water bubble pops into existence just behind her, and she plops down on it.]

[reverso]

I— uh, no, nothing like that. I just don’t play often. Anymore.

[Distracted by the casual way she’s summoned up that bubble. He blinks. Briefly stops, setting both suitcases down.]

My circumstances don’t allow a lot of time for performances. Sorry, but- how are you doing that?

[Chroma, surely?]

[enscene]

[Sounds like there's more to the story there, too, but they're both apparently going to keep things to themselves. It's fine, really; still hasn't fully sorted through how much of the past should be held and how much can be refreshed anew, even if the Furina that set foot on these manor grounds feels, in many ways, finally like she's been freshly reborn.

And that fresh rebirth comes with a better mastery of the bubble supporting her, and the Salon, and all of the other ins-and-outs of having to rely on a Vision for power.]

Oh, this is the power of Hydro, which...from your expression, you must not possess a Vision, or might not have even heard of them. To put it simply for you, I can use the element of water.

[reverso]

[It's okay. Maybe through the power of their First Date, they can talk about a few more personal items. But for now, he's fine with focusing on these odd abilities of hers.]

...Can you make me one?

[Clearly the important thing to focus on here.]

[enscene]

[You will pay for making me think about the logistics of this.

Furina, however, also has to think about the logistics of this. She's never thought about using her Vision to create seating for others around her. Wouldn't that make it much easier to have an impromptu tea party?]

It might pop on contact with you, but I can certainly try. Believe it or not, this is a new skill of mine, so I'm not fully used to it.

[reverso]

[Suffer.]

Oh? But what better way to practice it?

[He just wants to see If He Can.]

[enscene]

Well, if anything goes wrong... [Not that it will! She's certainly never flooded any apartments with the use of her Vision, or anything like that.] Just remember that I can't be held liable for improper usage of a Hydro construct.

[As she stands, the bubble under her butt dissipates, so when Furina twirl and summons water into a bouncy little sphere it stands independently.

Whether Verso can sit on it or not is something that will be left up to fate.]

[reverso]

[You mean it will be left up to the rule of funny because I said so]

I promise I'll not hold it against if you if I end up on my arse.

[Anyway. He will curiously round to the water bubble and sit... just as experimentally.

His slow, careful manner is a waste, because it immediately bursts in a big splash, and he does, indeed, land on his arse.]

[enscene]

[Verso ends up on his ass, and after a tiny jump at the sound of water collapsing into itself, Furina...

Well, she can't help but let out a tiny giggle at his undignified collapse. Yeah... There's some mischievous energy in this bubbly girl.]

Oh, I'm sorry...but! You did promise not to hold me at fault.

[Let her help you up, Verso.]