perfectmatch | week two

[So they're still embroiled in that conflict against the ones without gold, or whatever he meant when he introduced himself. In a conflict like that, the line between hero and villain might be redrawn all the day or it may be very clear, but right now, he's just a soldier on leave.] If you're that strict with yourself, I'm glad you were able to make time for this.

[Furina folds her arms behind her, posture straight but relaxed.]

Since you don't get out all that often, [that's what she's taken away from what he's said, in that it seems like he longs for this kind of greenery but can't just admit it,] why don't you lead the way, my dear commander?

[...She's going to need to workshop another fond means of address. "My dear impaler" already got the axe. Because absolutely not.]

[ "dear commander" feels a step or two below "sweetheart," so Furina doesn't get the kneejerk reaction that poor Yingying did, but it still gets both serpents to turn their heads in her direction rather quickly while Messmer's brow furrows. ]

From what hour hast thou made me thy "dear commander?"

[ he goes ahead and starts walking, though, fine with taking the lead... not going towards the hedge maze for reasons previously specified. ]

[Getting two scrutinizing snake faces pointed back at her is intimidating, so Furina falters in her step briefly, falling behind him and having to make quick pace to keep up with his much longer, spindly legs.]

"My dear impaler" didn't really roll off the tongue, so I made a recent executive decision.

[But for all her grandiose gestures and occasional failure, Furina also notices the tacit displeasure with being given a title that even slightly hints at familiarity. She wouldn't even need the snakes.]

[ it's less displeasure and more uncertainty... not that it's easy to read anything from his expression. Even so, the utterance of "my dear impaler" gets an amused "hmph" out of him. ]

'Tis surely an unpleasant moniker. Doth "Messmer" not satisfy thee?

We'll have to simply chalk this one up to habit. A fond title from me would have cemented your status as an extraordinary person in my circle.

[It's a little performative, but it's another hanger-on. Such nicknames were once a stand-in for affection, where closeness couldn't be allowed. Now, it just comes to her even without that conceit...actual affection, if anything. It really is all up to habit.]

You have one epithet; what's wrong with being given another one? Still, I'll respect your wishes.

[ a huff. ]

No wishes hath I spoken to thee.

[ read: call him that if you must, he doesn't care. It doesn't have the cloying tinge to it that Yingying's pet names do. ]

Thy circle must have great allowance, if I am already fondly welcomed. Thou art stranger to me, save thy salon and thy blessing.

[Well then maybe you should look HAPPIER for your CUTE NICKNAME, Messmer.]

Actually... [Furina pauses, considering her words carefully.] For the longest time, I had no close relationships, so getting to know others is embarrassingly difficult for me.

[Though it's become easier, she still can't always make the first move. Activities are easier to attend when she's invited or when they comes as part of a project. Curiosity and excitement only go so far.]

I kept a separation between myself and other people, only seeing snippets of their lives from a distance.

[ HE DOESN'T APPRECIATE HIS CUTE NICKNAMES AND IT'S KILLING ME PERSONALLY!!!

he comes to a stop - not because of Furina's words, but because one of his serpents is apparently interested in some of the flowers nearby. He pauses while the snake by his legs sticks its head into a giant lily. ]

Then thou art in fine company.

[ to nobody's surprise... it's true he has friends, but, as everyone in the house probably knows by now, he's not the most sociable fellow. ]

Yet timid thou seemeth not.

[Off-handedly, Furina sighs, almost like she's exasperated.] It's too late to change my personality now.

[A little cryptic, maybe, but... there are some things that erode with time, things that become calcified after centuries. Whatever the case, Furina doesn't remember how she might have comported herself before everything happened.]

I showed my people a certain side of myself. I could never descend to the level of friend or--or fellow. But I'm no longer in that position. [She's been vaguely avoiding eye contact with both Messmer and his snakes, but she finally steals a look back at them. Incidentally, it's more timid than she usually is, maybe showing him some of how she really can be avoidant or uncertain.] Maybe you went through something like that, though you're probably better suited to lead.

[ he takes notice, but doesn't know what to make of it. It seems a little bit late to be nervous when they're already here...! Messmer faintly shakes his head. ]

... Perhaps. Yet thy vague words leave me without answer.

[ her people, a certain side - he really doesn't know what Furina's referring to. Maybe she's being cagey on purpose. ]

... Thou art afraid of me.

[ he ventures a guess. The snake, apparently done investigating the flower, retracts its head, only to let out a sneeze. ]

Hah... haha, not exactly. ...You do cut an intimidating figure, I'll admit.

[And she doesn't have to worry about showing bravado or even pretending that she's strong enough to handle a threat to her life, especially one posed by an enormous, beyond-human warrior such as himself. So, well, yes: Furina has been afraid of him, especially at their first meeting.]

But no, I... Beyond any adjustments it's taking to become comfortable in your company, I-- [How to put it to someone who seems to have little experience with show business, let alone the many ways in which people and their words and actions can be recorded.] Some things aren't well known about me, and I don't know if I'm prepared to reveal them in front of the entire world.

[ her honesty is commendable; rather than being insulted at her admission, he simply nods in understanding. Bluster never impressed him. Besides, she's right about the constant surveillance; the snake by his feet turns its head just slightly, towards the small crowd of cameramen peeping on them down the path. ]

All who yet breathe concealeth secrets in their breast. I would not press thee to bare them to me.

[ after all, he's hiding his true self just the same. ]

week two | dates

help poor messmer...can't even enjoy a simple maze

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I MISS MESSMER...

fuwina chan...