perfectmatch | week two

[ 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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