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]

[Two things can be true at once. She's used to people looking at her, and yet, being stared at with no context makes her feel a little cornered. It'd be different if it were more than one person, but even Edamura's confusion alone does feel a little crushing.

It's not really so dire, though, and she puffs her chest out with a little laugh as he smiles and makes his way over.]

You're not the first person to say that! This cake is a little light for such a bitter appertif, but that doesn't mean you have to be deprived. Rumor has it there's a full kitchen somewhere in this estate; maybe there's a coffee press? Or we could have a pour-over. [Shoko used the Mr. Coffee but Furina is trying.]

[ordimame]

[unfortunately for Furina she has taken a left turn right into Beanstown. mentioning the kitchen and the coffee implements gets him to perk up, visibly excited!]

Oh! I haven't seen the kitchen yet, but it makes sense! We all have to eat. And caffeinate.

[strokes his chin, thoughtful]

Though I think the true magic of the drink lies in the bean itself, not the implement used to make it. Though some brewing methods really are better than others.

[enscene]

Of course the food is more exquisite the richer the ingredients are. It's almost impossible to falsify luxury.

[... As long as she doesn't think too hard about how at least once she's been duped by the perfect replication of a counterfeit handbag.]

The most excellent chef can accomplish wonders no matter the ingredients they have at their disposal, though, don't you agree?

[She raises a hand, palm up, somewhat authoritatively. It seems that, for Furina, passion is the most essential element.]

[ordimame]

[FURINA OUT THERE BUYING EXPENSIVE DUPES. . .]

Oh. . . well. I guess that's true, too.

[it seems Edamura has never thought about it that way, and he strokes his chin contemplatively]

Maybe for normal food? Not so much for coffee. It's really hard to save a low-quality blend.

[enscene]

[THEY'RE VERY CONVINCING...]

You can do a lot with what you add to it... [Though as the resident Bean Guy, Edamura probably has little interest in Starbucks-style coffee milkshakes.] But I usually just take cream in mine.

[In sort, he's right, but she's not going to yield the floor to that quite so easily. She drums her fingers.]

Aren't we getting carried away with ourselves, anyway? You don't even know what you're working with, here.

[ordimame]

[the way Edamura would be the one selling them]

[she's right though, the stuff from the most popular coffee chains does not tickle his fancy like the brews you buy from the most hole-in-the-wall cafes]

It's true; I don't. Maybe I should temper my expectations. . .? It's possible all they're going to give us is drip coffee. . . blech.

[enscene]

They've provided a welcome cake but no alternatives for those who don't like sweets... while our dear host may be quite observant, I don't think he or the crew are omniscient.

[That's an assumption that may very well get proven incorrect long down the line, but for now, she has no evidence to the contrary. Wei Wuxian is simply a very astute observer and a clever man, and the setup on the estate is simply to force them into close proximity.]

But not all is lost, so don't despair yet!

[ordimame]

I'm not despairing! But I will be. . . cautiously practical.

[that seems like the best thing to do until he sees what, exactly, the staff has stocked up for them]

But as long as it isn't instant, I think we'll all persevere.

[enscene]

[Heavens help him if the instant coffee in the kitchen is the first kind that he finds...]

Then, for your quest, I bestow upon you... just a greeting for good luck, because that's all I can give you!

[What, did he think she could hand out a blessing or something like that?]

Shall I serve you a slice of this cake for when you return?

[ordimame]

[thank god that it isn't]

[that gets a small laugh out of him, endeared by the playful turn of phrase]

I'd be honored, ma'am. It'll be something to look forward to.

[enscene]

See, even if your journey doesn't take you where you hoped, you'll have something waiting for you when you get back!

[She's not sure she really qualifies as a ma'am just yet, though, even if she's getting older (500 year-old hag here).]

Whose name should I put on this slice?

[ordimame]

Edamura Mokoto. You can just call me Edamura.

But it's only fair if I get yours in return, right?

[enscene]

Then, Monsieur Edamura, this cake will be waiting for your return!

[He doesn't even know how generous that's being, but the cake is for all of them, after all.]

Just come back at request the Furina special! ...On second thought, just find me and I'll give you your cake. [Waving him off before he has time to realize she said something incredibly silly.]