perfectmatch | week two

[ ...

The House had felt something like that, but she'd paid little mind to it; what use was there to give it attention, when someone she cared for was in greater danger? ]

Because the burial rituals across the lands ensure the peaceful rest of those who have passed. I do not come from lands of strife, as Verso and Messmer do. It is a peaceful world which allows those who have passed to pass on.

Oh?

[ A slight cant of the head, intrigued. It makes him look especially owlish when he peers at her with his usual, uncanny intensity. ]

A peaceful rest for all who have passed? People can always die quite suddenly. And sometimes all it takes for a ghost to manifest is for a person to pass with wishes left unfulfilled. A promising life snuffed out.

No one save our long-lived companions have time to finish aught they wish, and even then they are not so blessed to be free of constraints. We do what we can to ease those who have died unready to pass.

[ But she is very, very firm on there not being a lingering. Odile straightens a little, chin lifting as she stares down at him. ]

Simply put: they would appear if so. I have fought countless Sadnesses, manifestations of the peoples' grief, whilst on the road. They have only recently abated with the falling of the King, who caused unneeded trouble with his own... attachments to the land. Were ghosts to truly exist, they would undoubtedly be the same.

[ This is really the way they're spending their time until a guide comes to fetch them, isn't it. ]

[ What better way of bonding than arguing about spirituality and supernatural phenomenon!

On his part, Rom genuinely is intrigued by what she's saying -- a world without hauntings. It sounds wonderful. Though -- ] These ... Sadnesses? They don't sound too different from the root cause behind ghosts, though. Can you be so sure that similar things don't exist in other places?

[ Also I totally forgot Odile is the taller one here ... not that Rom balks at it at all. Still meeting her gaze evenly as he prattles on: ]

We have an artificial intelligence and an alleged [ he hasn't spoken to Nico enough yet ] vampire amongst our numbers, after all! Clearly, we hail from very different realities. Is it so hard to imagine a place where these Sadnesses are out there, simply unseen to most? It sounds like it would be quite scary!

[ For her part, she is similarly intrigued, it's only in her nature to use pushing as her method of investigation. Worlds without a physical manifestation of extreme negative emotion? Certainly, it was rare that it had at all -- as far as she had learned -- and had seemed unthinkable before then...

... Well. Now it seems almost obvious that there would be, and to be without is the oddity. ]

Indeed. Being able to vanquish that which appears before you is far simpler than solving it by other means.

[ Like talking it out. The guide seems to have been obtained though, at last, and Odile is a little relieved. Though she tries not to show it as she inclines her head. ]

That's right~! [ A little clap, as if he's pleased that she's reached the same conclusion. ] Resentments and grudges that still linger, unseen, without physical form. Still able to cause plenty of harm, but because they don't have a body, they can't just be beaten off with physical force. Scary, isn't it? And you see, that's where someone like myself comes in --

[ Thankfully, it's at this point that their tour guide nervously makes an appearance, saving Odile from a marketing blurb advertising his services. For now. ]

... aah, I suppose we shouldn't keep our guide waiting. Let us be on our way, shall we? It would be a shame not to enjoy this place to its fullest.

[ Said shamelessly before he starts ambling along after their (clearly unnerved) guide. ]

[ She would have shot him down, so this is more for his sake than hers,

But Odile follows with a steadying exhale, ready to observe each piece with a critical eye. Not to critic, or to question... at least not outloud; her desire to understand art is something else. Sorry Rom. You are the talkative one between them, same as anyone. ]

[ For as generally annoying and insufferable Rom is, it's not like he can't conduct himself properly in public (when he wants to). So as the tour guide starts their tentative explanation and walk through, Rom tags along in placid fashion. Other meandering here and there when the guide dwells a little too long on a painting he apparently has no interest in, he's behaving himself.

... other than the random moments Odile might notice he glancing off towards random, empty spots in the halls. Don't worry about it! ]

[ ...............

Fine, she'll ask when they're following after another frankly confusing (to her) painting. ]

Seeking escape routes already?

Hm? Oh, no. Why would I want to cut a date short when I can spend my time with someone so wonderful?

[ His languid delivery, not a beat different from his usual way of speaking, probably makes it hard to tell if he's just talking bullshit or not. Especially not when he follows it up with: ]

It's just, you'd be surprised which pieces spirits will fixate on, and which they seem completely disinterested in. It's really not a pattern you'd expect!

[ Well, they both agreed to go out, so. Not bullshitting this time. Probably. ]

Is that so? Have we any tagging along now?

Oh?

[ Annoyingly: ]

And to think you were so certain just a few minutes ago that ghosts don't exist ... And they say that people grow more stubborn with age. It's a sign of your sharpness that you're so willing to accept new truths, Miss Odile!

[ She stares at him, then turns back forward. ]

I'm humoring you, nothing more.

[ Undeterred, Rom only gives a brief laugh, before trotting forward to walk by her side once more. Making sure to lean into her field of vision as he speaks. ]

Please rest assured. I'll protect you from anything dangerous that might lurk in these halls.

[ She's rolling up this pamphlet a little and smacking his face with it. ]

May their first bite of you poison them. [ Dryly. ] Does your showmanship pay for itself?

[ Ah ... and he was being serious ................. Rom barely flinches at the face-smack, though his usual Cheshire grin does fall a millimeter or two. ]

... I suppose you can consider it an occupational hazard. A hard habit to break? It's hard running a business alone, you know. I might as well take advantage of every opportunity for PR that I can.

You haven't thought to take on a partner?

[ ... Not like. She is one to talk. But she does clock the fall and unroll the pamphlet, carefully tearing off a strip and then halving that. A neat square. ]

[ A tactful person would just nicely answer that question.

Rom is not tactful. ]

Ahaha. You're one to talk, Miss Odile! Have you given any thoughts towards picking a partner for yourself?

How about you answer mine, and I'll answer yours?

[ Nope, no getting out of it. ]

[ Cheap ... Rom blinks, owlish, but is impressively quick to find his rhythm once more to respond: ]

No, not particularly. I don't think I'd do well with a work partner. [ Immediately followed by -- ] So have you considered picking a partner in this game for yourself?

I have.

[ ...

Did he want to know? Too bad. The tour guide seems... nervous... wanting to talk about the next piece, if-- it's okay if they're not done but-- ]

[ Sorry to the poor tour guide, but Rom has zero compunctions about manners when he has a goal in mind. And currently his goal is to pester more information out of Odile. ]

And~? Surely, you aren't doing something as cheap as lying and saying 'yes' just to avoid the question!

[ This is the tour guide's worst day ever. ]

I am an honest person. I haven't yet expressed my interest, but I will. It is none of your business otherwise.

week two | dates

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