perfectmatch | week two

Wow! Not that our lovely estate is lacking, but the air really feels different out in a space like this, doesn't it?

[ Rom had wandered a few steps away upon reaching their destination, but soon ambles back with a grin. ]

We'll have to thank the staff for the smart choice later.

[ Did Messmer hear him earlier, when he talking to the staff requesting somewhere outdoors, if possible? Maybe, maybe not. Rom sure isn't going to mention it himself, though. ]

[ nowhere in the shadowed lands remains untouched by destruction or civilization, so this is somewhat novel for Messmer - it's been hundreds of years since he was in an untouched piece of nature. He feels very much like he doesn't belong here.

But at least it's quiet, save for the irritating administration that has to follow them everywhere. He ignores them. ]

Their thanks will come once the wish is granted, [ he comments, unenthused as ever, and begins walking up the trail past Rom. ] Come. I would question thee.

[ apparently, he did not hear Rom's request. His good deed goes unnoticed... ]

[ Damb ... and here Rom chose the nature route in hopes that Messmer would feel more at home than at the estate surrounded by modern tech. He's really trying his best, okay.

-- though it probably doesn't look like he's trying at all when he sees Messmer forging on ahead and responds with: ]

Eeeh ... is there really a need to rush like that, Lord Messmer? This is meant to be a date. [ He does start trotting after Messmer, of course. But he's still going to bother calling out, sing-song and annoying: ] My Lord, not all of us have legs as lovely and long as yours, please have mercy~

[ if it weren't for the fact that his status means nothing here (and less than nothing back home), he might assume Rom is trying to cozy up to him for some kind of upward mobility or godly favor. As it stands, he's just being weird. Which has been true for almost every conversation they've had. Messmer keeps walking, although he does try to slow his pace a little, despite everything; he remains facing forward, but one of his serpents turns in profile to watch Rom. ]

Prying eyes track us. Surely it hath not escaped thy notice.

Mm, well ...

[ He blinks when the snake turns to him before giving it one of his usual unreadable smiles.

It makes sense enough that Messmer would find the camera staff bothersome. He's relatively used to being in front of a camera, and even he's finding it pretty exhausting staying alert 24/7. Messmer must be truly weary of it all. So he'll refrain from making any further comment about the rush for now, instead huffing a little as he tries to keep up with Messmer's long-legged gait. ]

... are you bothered that I really did choose you for my match last time?

[ if he had a choice, he wouldn't be in the public eye half as much as he is - but, unfortunately, such is the role he was chosen to play. It doesn't mean he won't try to get away from the constant observation when he sees a chance. Rom won't find it too difficult to catch up with Messmer; his strides are long, but his motions are somewhat stiff and uncomfortable.

The question is an odd one. He turns it back on Rom ]

Didst thou think me bothered?

Ah, is that not the case?

[ He's managed to find a pace that comfortably matches Messmer's, so now he makes sure to maintain casual eye contact even if it's bound to give him a crick in the neck in the evening. ]

You sounded so insistent on questioning me ... I wasn't sure if I was in some sort of trouble, haha.

[ Said shamelessly, like he isn't one of the most ???????-inducing guys in the cast. ]

[ BRO DOESN'T KNOW HE'S WEIRD!!! ]

Thy manner begs question far more than thy deeds.

[ but that's not his point here. While he maintains eye contact with Messmer, the snake is the one keeping its eye on him. ]

Thy choice offendeth me not - I gave thee mine agreement. Yet I would know why it were made.

[ he could have just as easily made that deal with Serpilia, but he picked Messmer, said it was because they had something in common, and then insisted he meant those words. He could very well be lying - he has the bearing of a liar, generally speaking - but Messmer wants to hear his excuse regardless. ]

[ Oh it's worse than that. He fully knows he's being weird, and is being extra weird on purpose, but also acts like he's not. There's a method to his madness, I promise.

Anyway Rom heartlessly ignores the snake peering at him as he smiles up at Messmer. ]

I know I had your agreement, Lord Messmer, and you don't seem the type to go back on your word. But this is still meant to be a show about finding one's match. It wouldn't sit right with me to make a choice that you find unpleasant and simply tolerate.

[ That said, he casts a glance over his shoulder at the camera crew huffing and puffing along a short ways behind them, the gap slowly widening even further. The lav mics unfortunately mean they don't get true privacy, but at least it won't feel as bad as getting caught on camera, if he decides to come clean.

Rom gives a brief hum in thought before continuing. ]

... you think of me as strange, don't you? I'm sure most people do. Including most of our group here.

[ Messmer still doesn't know what a microphone even is, so he figures just being out of earshot is good enough. It's fine - it's the principle of the thing, really. ]

I think thee strange, yes. An opinion thou hast curated with purpose.

[ because it would be very easy for Rom to not treat everyone the way he has been, or speak like he's in on a joke that nobody else can hear - Messmer recognizes it all as quite pointed. ]

Thou art not unpleasant to me. Merely suspect.

[ Rom blinks at that, owlish as always, though perhaps Messmer's snakes are keen-eyed enough to note the way his smile thins a little, just for a second. After all, it's not often that someone will so blatantly call him out as playing a part; it's much easier for most to assume it's simply in his nature to be so strange, or for those that do clock onto his mask, to find him appropriately insufferable. ]

I see. Thank you for your understanding, then.

[ There's the crunch of dirt and twigs under the heel of his boots as he continues ambling along at Messmer's side, quiet for a few paces before he continues. ]

But most wouldn't be so merciful to me in their assessments, you see. Even without the, ah -- curation, as you would put it. Even without that, I'm of the sort that would have trouble being accepted by the vast majority of people.

[ despite everything, Messmer's quite tolerant of other people's nonsense, if only because it can't possibly bother him more than the rest of his life does. Rom's cloying demeanor is nothing compared to a hundred years of battle or a lifetime of kindling burning through his gold-graced veins.

He narrows his eye at Rom slightly over that statement. Looking at him, he sees nothing out of the ordinary. A man - a scruffy one, perhaps, with circles under his eyes, but an average man nonetheless. As Messmer figured, he must be hiding something. ]

Thou art bold indeed, to claim so before one like myself, [ he drawls. Not offended, still; simply neutral. ] For what reason art thou shunned?

Haha. I know it must not look that way to you, Lord Messmer. But I promise I'm not trying to be bold. I'm simply saying what I know to be true.

[ A quiet exhale before he continues. Honestly -- he's already said too much. None of this is the sort of thing he'd ever even dream about saying in his usual videos and livestreams. 'A fair price to be paid for staying on this show and attaining that wish,' he tells himself. ]

I mentioned 'spirit tuners' are rare where I'm from as well, yes? It was an understatement. They're exceedingly rare. Especially those as sensitive as I am. [ He glances towards the snake, then back up to Messmer, gauging for a reaction, before continuing blandly: ] What I am, the very way I see the world, is impossible for most people to imagine or accept. Funny, isn't it.

Edited (i noticed a typo don't look at me) 2025-06-12 04:14 (UTC)

[ his face remains as impassive as ever. Rom seems to be quite serious in this confession, for once - provided he's not simply acting, but it's different from his normal schtick. He still doesn't entirely see why such a skill would segregate him from the rest of society. ]

Yet such a talent would be easily concealed.

[ if he doesn't mention it, then surely no one would know either way. Is it that he's so sensitive that he's beset by spirits at all times? Messmer supposes then that he would have no one to turn to for support. ]

Edited 2025-06-12 16:52 (UTC)

[ He smiles vaguely at that. ]

Things did get easier for me once I learned to conceal it, yes. It was a rather difficult thing to get used to as a child.

[ His gaze briefly dips aside as he considers what to say, how much to say. -- no, that doesn't feel necessary to mention just yet, so Rom speeds up another step to better look up into Messmer's face. ]

-- is that what you would do, Lord Messmer? If you were capable of it. If you could simply hide something that defines you, and pretend to be just like everyone else. Would you like living like that?

[ he turns his chin just slightly, sightless golden eye resting more pointedly on Rom. ]

I hide mine nature true from thee even now, Rom.

[ his circumstances are different, he imagines; Rom's curse is not so wretched as his own. Does he enjoy living while hiding it? No. But, he imagines, the alternative would be worse. It's been proven to him before that the truth will turn those he trusts on him. ]

[ Rom meets that golden stare evenly, in his usual slightly uncanny way. ]

... of course. I should have known.

[ No mercy, huh. Well, it's not like he thought this would be an easy conversation in the first place. Maybe he should just consider himself lucky that he's managed not to upset Messmer so far. ]

Wouldst thou claim thyself different? Thy wan smile yet concealeth plenty from me.

[ he's sure there's plenty about himself that Rom isn't sharing, too, despite how unhappy living an act might make him. Maybe this was a ploy to try and get him to share some details about his inner life, for whatever reason. ]

Thy spirit-speak is not all that defines thee.

[ His smile thins a touch. ]

I believe it defines me enough.

[ Before he lets his gaze drift over the scenery around them. It really is a nice area that the staff have brought them to, even if it's marred by the usual ghastly stray spirits and ghosts that he's used to seeing everywhere. It's a pity he can't seem to make the mood anything Messmer might enjoy more. ]

But couldn't the same be said for yourself, then? Your true nature.

[ he lets his eye fall shut, apparently resigned. ]

I should pray that it doth not.

[ he struggles against it every day. How much worse would it be if he let it define him? If it weren't for the light of Grace, what would become of him...? He doesn't want to know the answer. ]

[ Wrong move. Sounds like he hit a sore spot. This truly is difficult.

But those thoughts don't reflect in his demeanor as Rom smiles up at Messmer -- mimicking the cadence of his voice just a little as he drawls, ]

Then, thy true nature is not all that defines thee, my lord.

[ Maybe that's a little tactless? But he's never been much for tact, unfortunately. Rom chased up that impression with a little wave of the hand. ]

At any rate, I believe this would answer what I'm sure you wanted to ask. [ This has really not explained much so far. ] You wanted to know what I meant by things we might have in common, yes?

[ his nose wrinkles just slightly in distaste at the mimicry of his speech, perceiving it as mockery. But he's sure that a reaction is exactly what Rom is looking for, and, ultimately, Rom was agreeing with him, tactless as it might have been. It doesn't define him - he won't let it. ]

I did.

[ they're reaching that nice lookout point now, and Messmer doesn't seem too winded by the walk - it's not much compared to the marches he'd once led. The scenery from high up is quite idyllic, but he finds himself looking expectantly at Rom instead. ]

Surely thine answer extendeth beyond an abnormality of birth.

No, it's just that.

[ Maybe it's bold saying so much, and with his usual opaque smile, straight to the face of someone as imposing as Messmer, given how this conversation's been going so far. But if Rom has confidence in anything, it's in his ability to keep a straight face no matter the circumstances -- in some ways, it's the only thing that's kept him alive this long, after all.

Rom continues walking so he can also get a good look at the view, even as he elaborates: ]

It's partly just a gut instinct, admittedly. But I'm pretty confident in my intuition, Lord Messmer. And I'm sure you wouldn't want me to assume more about you than you've already told me. So that's all I can say for certain so far ... -- wow! Look at the view, my lord! This really is a prime spot they've brought us too! [ Yes he is absolutely going to spend a shameless moment interrupting himself to admire the view before abruptly looking back over his shoulder to Messmer. ] Oh, right. But I do believe we might be similar in how this show views us. That's important. So I thought choosing you as my match partner might one of the best choices to save us from the possibility of disaster.

Edited 2025-06-14 02:08 (UTC)

[ the view is very nice, objectively. Were he younger, he might have been moved by it. Now, it stirs nothing in his exhausted heart besides a vague yearning for home. Nature is beautiful, but it isn't enough. Nothing ever is.

At least Rom is enjoying it. Maybe. It's still hard to tell how much of him is genuine. ]

... Such a simple thing thou wouldst stake thy chances on.

[ The comment isn't dismissive, merely bemused. Rom seems well-educated about this world's technology, its culture - all of it is far beyond Messmer, much too far for him to even attempt to comprehend, and so maybe Rom is right about "how the show views them." ]

Thou fearest assumptions. Then shall I test thy intuition?

[ He briefly considers arguing against the wording -- pointing out that he doesn't fear making assumptions, and that it's simply a strategic choice. But it doesn't feel like the sort of thing that would make a significant difference to Messmer.

'Lived a long life,' Wei Wuxian had said. And that he sees the world in a different way than most. A factor that he thinks holds promise, thought finding the right angle to broach it from remains a problem. So for now -- ]

A test? How scary. That's quite the intimidating thing to propose, you know. [ So he says, but his demeanor and delivery remain unchanged, even his posture staying lax as he meets Messmer's eyes. ] But I suppose it would be anticlimactic for the audience if I were to refuse, so -- I'll do my best to meet your expectations.

week two | dates

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

i feel it... the legendary fumbler is fumbling again.........

NOOOOO i believe in you messmer .........

😔

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

1/2

(no subject)