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

[reverso]

[He scoffs, amused a little at the rejoinder. Fair enough, he did interrupt. A shrug of his shoulders.]

If you're worried about things being forced, you might be on the wrong, er, "show." Just take one look at the sleeping situation.

[To say the least.]

But if you'd prefer for others to interrupt you while reading to say hello, instead, well. I'm a regular trailblazer.

[researcherstory]

[ That earns him a short, amused laugh, and she gestures for him to take a seat. Or a lean. Whichever. ]

Ha! I'm used to that, really. I traveled with a group that would usually sleep in the same room. It cuts down on costs.

[ Which is what she's assuming is mostly the case here, since there's really no reason not to at least separate it into two. ]

I don't hate trailblazers, in any case. Someone has to start the well-worn path. [ Better someone witty than loud. ] Do you fancy tea as much as you do trains, Verso?

[reverso]

[He will take a seat at the kitchen island, which I am assuming exists. Some facsimile of it exists now because I said so.]

Oh, me too. [Well, camping. Not sharing a room. But the idea is the same.] But not with this many at once. I'm sure it's going to be a new experience no matter what.

[But at the last bit, he does have to scrunch his face up in a slight cringe.]

Already had a glance at the profiles, did you? In my defense, I didn't know what else to put. But sure... I could go for tea if you're offering.

[researcherstory]

[ She'll fetch another cup then, settling back down with a sigh. Just a minute longer... for her loose leaf tea, superior to bags. ]

At least you had something in mind for yourself, though I admit I haven't heard of a "train" before outside of what one does to the body, so consider my curiosity caught. [ Wei Wuxian cheering from the sidelines. ] I am assuming it is something different, given it wasn't used in an actionable way.

[reverso]

[He watches, having no horse in this tea race. If she wants the fancy loose-leaf stuff, he'll not complain.

Meanwhile, Verso blinks, taking a moment to process what she's implying. It sparks in his grey matter a second later, and he gives a low "ha."]

As pretty as I'd be wearing a train, no, I don't mean that. A train, like the, uh... "choo-chooooo" kind?

[Does that help.]

[researcherstory]

[ ... ]

The... "choo-chooooo" kind.

[reverso]

[ ... ]

Yes. The- [clears throat] -"choo-choooo" kind.

[Help. He assumes it rings zero bells then.]

...It's a big locomotive that pulls large passenger or freight compartments behind it on a steel track. It runs on steam. It's the duty of a fireman to keep the coals burning hot the entire journey, in fact.

[researcherstory]

Fascinating. Vaugarde could certainly use something as convenient as that, given its size... Ka Bue, on the other hand, feels too small to need it.

[ ... Siffrin would enjoy it, that much she knows. And it would make keeping in touch easier too -- for all their sakes. Maybe she'll introduce industrialization to the world. ]

And are you a fireman yourself, or do you simply think of trains a remarkable milestone of humanity's innovation?

[reverso]

[]

No, nothing like that. I had a pretty impressive toy train set when I was younger. I suppose my fascination with them has lingered after all this time. Charging through beautiful vistas on a set, steeled path... There's a bit of romantic adventure to the whole notion.

[Days gone by...]

Vaugarde, Ka Blue... Sorry, I don't know what those are. Cities?

[researcherstory]

[ Romantic adventure... Siffrin really would like them. The clear unfamiliarity with either of them makes her snort lightly, pouring Verso's tea before her own. ]

Countries. Each with their own values and beliefs, across the world from one another. While I was born in Ka Bue, I've been traveling Vaugarde for some time now.

[ Not a long time, but some time. ]

I'll hazard a guess and say Poteria doesn't ring a bell for you either, then.

[reverso]

[The tea scents pleasantly in his nostrils. Verso's always been more of a wine man, but this is still nice; relaxing, in a way, to share a cup with someone, even if he doesn't know Odile well at all.]

Hmm. Nope. [Unsurprising, though.] Have you traveled there, too? I'd be inclined to call you a rolling stone, Odile, if so.

[researcherstory]

I have, and you may. I've been traveling for... oh, half of my life now, at the very least. I enjoy learning.

[ A long, long time... The tea is pleasant though, relaxingly warm in her hands and delicate enough when she tastes it. It eases her mind a bit. ]

[reverso]

And that makes you a...?

[If it's all prepared and ready, Verso cups his own tea in his hands, feeling the warmth.]

Professionally inquisitive mind?

[researcherstory]

[ Oh, that's new. And indeed it is. ]

One of the finer, or so I've been told. My professors were hard-pressed to recommend me a book I had yet to read across the academy's libraries.

[ It's... a bit of a nostalgic memory, now. One cupped in hand as she shrugs a bit. ]

And yourself, Verso? If you're used to sleeping with countless others, then I assume you travel much yourself.

[reverso]

[Oh, yes, he knows the type. Someone with an interest in learning, nose always in a book… No time or patience for nonsense.

He’s bringing the tea to his lips as she asks him that, and he has an inelegant moment of sputtering slightly before it reaches its destination.]

You— [Scoffing, he waggles his other hand at her.] Maybe don’t phrase it that way, Madame.

[“sleeping with countless others” rip]

[researcherstory]

[ A quiet laugh, hidden by her next sip, and she sets the cup down again once she schools her expression back to simple amusement. ]

You are the one who thought that way, not I. An older woman like myself doesn't have the time for dirty jokes.

[ Maybe she's fine with a bit of nonsense, Verso, she's clearly having a fun time at his embarrassed expense. ]

[reverso]

[To his credit, he recovers easily enough. He takes a sip anew, this time not sputtering at all.

Yes, it's clear she's having fun at his expense, but he's hardly bothered. Ahem.]

Uh-huh. All buttoned up, are you? Not sure that'll work in your favor here.

[researcherstory]

Nor will calling my peers "youths", or so I've been told. But that would only be the case if I was seeking a romantic partner.

[ Which means she's not, thank you. ]

Now, back to you. Travel much?

[reverso]

[That tells him one thing, at least. She's here for the wish, not for the love.]

I see. At least you know what you want coming in.

[Well, he'll answer her question then.]

Yes and no. I've roamed only a single continent for many years of my life; hardly a man who goes from nation to nation. But oh, the roaming I did. Lots of making camp, and all that.

[researcherstory]

[ When he finds out it's more complicated than that. ]

Any particular reason you roamed?

[reverso]

That's a full tale that requires more than just tea.

[Like wine. Or hard liquor.]

But the short version? I'm an Expeditioner. We usually travel in groups across the Continent, seeking a way to reach a certain destination. The journey's often fraught. It wasn't a kind land.

[researcherstory]

[ She'll remember that for later then. ]

Your face says as much. [ ... ] Do you see well out of that eye?

[reverso]

[Ah, the scar. He had wondered when someone might ask about it.]

I know it looks nasty, but my eye’s undamaged. I can see out of it just fine.

[Perfect vision here!]

Besides, I sort of like the scar. Gives me a handsomely rugged look, right? [Hard to tell if he’s joking or serious, but either way, he says it airily enough.]

[researcherstory]

It gives you a look, yes. A companion of mine suffered a similar injury that left him blind in that eye, so I was curious.

[ Lowkey wondering if she'd end up looking out for him the way she did them but, well. Good that she doesn't need to concern herself with counter corners. ]

They act the same way about it, funnily enough. All travelers are the same in the end.

[ But it's said lightly enough, don't worry. ]

[reverso]

A handsomely rugged look.

[If she won't say it, he'll say it for her!!!

Another sip of his tea.]

Are you saying travelers are vain? Aren't you one, too?