perfectmatch | week two

[ Oh, but it looks genuinely a little charming on Verso, actually. (The fact that it's properly on his head and not perilously perched on a hat probably helps.) ]

You look wonderful. Ah, though ...

[ After a pause, he glances over Verso's shoulder to meet the eyes of the chief cameraman and give him a Look. A silent 'you better capture this,' before he looks back to Verso. ]

Would you try doing this?

[ And then he is going to do kitty paws with his hands. ]

[Is this trap? It feels like a trap.

One that Verso will willingly walk into. He won’t even ask why.

He lifts his hands and forms… the kitty paws.]

…Like this?

Yes, exactly!

[ Behind Verso, the chief cameraman is giving an extremely enthusiastic thumbs up. Which he's about to take as a 'Mission Complete!' before -- the cameraman gives him the gesture for 'keep going.' ]

Ah ... [ The emphatic, almost furious gesturing continues. ] ... one more thing. Would you try saying 'nyaaa' while doing that? [ And, well. It's not like he has much dignity anyway, so. He'll serve as the example. ] Like ... nya~

[ …

This is definitely being used for entertainment fodder. Maybe it’s equal parts embarrassing as well as humorous, and maybe that also equates to endearing to anyone who watches? Because, yes, Verso can see those little exchanges between Rom and the camera crew; he’s not blind.

But also he notoriously just rolls with things, especially when they’re silly. So.]

Like… nya~?

[ Finally, the chief cameraman gives a double thumbs up, and Rom sighs as he lowers his hands. ]

Yes, perfect. Thank you for indulging me.

[ Because, geez, he could have pulled off that first bit subtly, maybe? The second was really pushing it. Might as well come clean. Slipping the ears off his hat and putting them aside, Rom finally gets to fetch his coffee to take a sip. ]

It just seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up -- it'll do big numbers, you know? Someone so handsome doing something cute like that. All your loving fans out there should thank me for the service.

[Verso is easy-going and incredibly hard to offend when it comes to silly things like these. He doesn't seem to mind having indulged whatever it was that Rom wanted to do, for the sake of... big numbers?

He shrugs, hoping the cameramen are happy, and then goes straight for his tart.]

Numbers... what do you mean by that? [ ... ] The people watching? You really do care about putting on a show, don't you.

[He could tell with the way he told his story just moments ago, as well.]

It's also part of my job.

[ #always hustling #get that bread

That said, he actually does lower the intensity of his usual greasy conman shtick just a notch; even he doesn't have infinite stamina after all, and surely he's allowed a breather after netting the production the valuable gem of nekomimi nyan nyan moe-ojisan Verso. ]

The wider an audience I can reach, the better the chances of finding someone who'll need my help. And for people who don't believe I'm the real deal, the showmanship will at least keep their attention and maybe get them to spread the word -- even if it's in mockery, reach is reach. [ The coffee's good. Better than he expected from this establishment. A sip before he lowers the cup. ] It's tough making a living, isn't it. Regardless of what one's job might be.

[He actually tilts his head slightly, hearing that explanation. Maybe that makes him even sillier and more cat-like, given his new ears, but Verso's been long past the point of caring about anything like that.

It sounds like, to him, that beneath all the goth and performative weirdo vibes, Rom might actually prioritize... helping people? And that's admirable, despite the resignation centered around a tiring job.]

It can be, but the grueling work is usually made worth it when you love what you do. Do you? It's definitely unique.

Edited 2025-06-11 18:10 (UTC)

[ That earns an owlish blink. He'd just picked up his fork, and Rom lets his hand hover for a moment before mercilessly stabbing his lemon tart right in the middle of its adorable face. Not in a threatening way, just in an absent way. ]

... unique, yes. [ Cutting the tart into more manageable pieces gives him something to do with his hands as he gives a thoughtful hum. ] I'm glad I'm able to do what I can, and I've found a process that works for me. But you could also say I was born for the job. I doubt there was ever any other path for me.

[ Finally spearing one of the pieces on his fork, he looks to Verso. ]

I don't think I've ever thought about it that way before. You must have a lot of love for your own work to frame it like that.

[...Poor little Hello Kitty biscuit. But Verso's already taken a bite out of his own, too, so they're both heartless monsters.

That said, he's paying more attention to what Rom's telling him than the actual state of their food. There's something... tired, again, in those words. Definitely resigned, like it was a fate unavoidable. Verso wonders if "I like my job, I like helping people" isn't quite nuanced enough to describe how Rom feels about it.

In certain ways, he can relate. He shakes his head.]

I don't.

[Bluntly.]

I'm only an Expeditioner because I had no choice. Learning to fight, how to use Chroma in a weaponized way... that was all because the world was falling apart. And defending myself was necessary if I wanted to survive on the Continent.

[A pause. Thinking about what else he wants to say.]

Before any of that... I was an artist. And I did love it, for a time, until I didn't. But I kept painting, and... I was unhappy. But I didn't want others to see it, because it was expected of me.

[His gaze lifts to Rom, an unasked question there: Is he happy, or just accepting?]

Edited (god miru i'm sorry i keep editing my tags) 2025-06-11 18:52 (UTC)

[ Verso might look to him, but Rom's expression remains opaque in his usual fashion, lips quirked in that habitual smile. Even as he asks a rather tactless question: ]

Did you feel any relief, then? When things started falling apart and gave you the excuse to put down your brush. [ At least he doesn't just leave it at that. There's a brief pause before he continues placidly. ] Ah, only briefly, I mean. Things certainly sound rough where you're from, not the sort of situation that anyone would be happy about. You don't seem the type heartless enough to rejoice over something like that. But. Hm.

[ A pause to eat the piece of tart. It's good, even if the quality of the food's taken a backseat in his thoughts at the moment. ]

I'm not much of an artist, but I've heard [ from legends of ghosts and spirits ] the passion and drive it takes to succeed in that field can drive people mad. Having periods where you simply need to step away for a while sounds normal. Those must have been high expectations placed upon you, if you were forcing yourself to paint because of them.

[Hm. No answer to be gleaned from that expression. Seems like Rom and he share something in common, at least where that's concerned; a mask to be worn. Or maybe he's reading too much into it, he can't quite be sure yet.

It's clear Verso isn't offended by the question, but he does take a moment to reply. Did he feel relief, if just for a moment? He isn't sure — he's not sure he's ever been that honest with himself, because his mother had gone missing at the time, and he'd have been a terrible son to feel even a glimmer of that.]

I don't know. [ ... ] That's like making a wish: "I want to stop painting for a while", and regretting it soon after. "Sure, but the world will fall apart to make that happen."

[Wry. Monkey's paw — if only he knew the tale.]

My parents were both influential painters, so yes, you could say that. But what about you? Are you relieved to be here, stepping away from your ghost-hunting work? Are you here because you wanted the break?

[And Rom's still wheeling and dealing in garnering "numbers", so he wonders.]

Wishes are dangerous things like that.

[ His eyes narrow a little, lips pressed together thinly for a moment.

But he'll drop that matter there. He has to consider how to answer Verso's question, after all. Rom idly fidgets with his fork for a second, looking at the Hello Kitty design on the handle. ]

... you asked if I can see ghosts, Mr. Verso. I can, and they're more common than you might assume. Plenty are docile and can simply be ignored, but it's still dangerous for a spiritualist to grow too complacent. So -- I can't imagine myself on break for too long.

[ In other words -- even here, he considers himself on the clock in some regards. He stabs up another slice of the tart before grinning across the table. ]

Ah, but not to worry, there aren't any here with us right now. So this date is turning out to be a nice little break. Thank you. And if any do happen to appear, I'll be sure to protect you.

[HMM INTENSIFIES. Hard to miss a little expression shift like that; and what an odd thing to say, given the situation...]

I'll take your word for it. You're the ghost expert; but it really does sound like you're kept busy, and all the time.

[Whether that's good or bad, he still can't quite parse.]

Still, if I see a haunting in my future, I'll be sure to let you know. That said, do you mind if I ask you something more specific?

[ ohhh don't worry about it! :)

He'd just popped that piece of tart into his mouth, so he chews and washes it down with a sip of coffee before nodding. ]

Of course. What is it? Ah --

[ An annoying waggle of the fork. ]

If it's regarding my working prices, rest assured that I provide my services at a very reasonable rate. But I wouldn't be opposed to applying an extra special discount as a cross-promotion for the show if you insisted.

[Uh-huh. He spears a bit more of his tart and takes a bite, too, only to mirror the gesture back. Fork waggle. They can both be annoying.]

Nothing like that! But rather... for someone who distrusts wishes, isn't it strange for you to be a participant on a show where the prize is a wish? And a powerful one, at that.

[ A sharp catch. For how easy-going Verso acts, he's quite astute, isn't he. Rom's gaze fixes on him for a moment, scrutinizing, before meandering away again as he looks into his coffee cup. ]

Making a wish is like signing a contract, in my experience.

[ No, he's not going to explain what his experience was. A sip of coffee before he moves right along. ]

A contract isn't dangerous on its own. It's only when you sign one without reading it thoroughly -- without learning of the terms and costs -- that it can become disastrous. And I've come here prepared to play along and pay the appropriate cost, if my wish might be fulfilled. ... don't you feel the same way?

[It seems that no, he's not going to get an explanation. Verso has gotten the feeling that parts of Rom's tale are being carefully stepped around, or curated, but... Well, he can hardly judge. He's been doing the same thing since day 1.]

I do, but I was under the impression that the "cost" was just to win the game.

[Is Rom dubious about that? Maybe it's wise to be.]

That's the impression I get as well. So far.

[ Yes, he's staying careful, though. Once burned twice cautious, as the saying goes. ]

And how are you finding it so far? This game that we need to win to have our wishes granted.

In exchange for a wish? It's a surprisingly low cost. And ultimately, I don't really have much to lose if it doesn't work out the way I'd like.

[If that's what he means. But if he means on an interpersonal, dynamic level...]

As for everything else, it's actually... harder than I thought it would be.

[ It was both he was aiming for. It never hurts to have more information on hand. That said -- ]

Oh?

[ That earns a little tilt of the head, clearly curious. ]

I'm surprised to hear it. It seemed to me like you were adapting without a problem ... Are you perhaps too spoiled for choice?

[He takes a sippy of his drink, buying himself a few more moments to decide how to answer that.]

I'm not sure that's how I would phrase it.

[It sounds presumptuous, like he could just flash a smile and earn the interest of anyone around him. He isn't quite that vain to believe that to be true.]

Everyone seems to get along, and it's true that ironically makes the game a bit harder. But it's difficult to get to really know someone in such a short span of time, don't you think?

[ Rom smiles vaguely, but decides to take mercy and drop the point about Verso's irresistible charms. Not because he thinks he's wrong, but because he gets the sense Verso doesn't seem to like dwelling on it too much. Just humble, perhaps? Or maybe something that goes a little deeper. Hard to tell. ]

I agree, of course. No doubt the game was constructed specifically to place that pressure upon us -- it wouldn't make for a good show if the deck weren't stacked against us. [ Pause, before he fixes his owlish stare on Verso. ] ... I don't suppose you've felt that magical 'love at first sight' spark with anyone, by any chance? It would certainly make everything easier for all of us.

[ Haha. He's joking. (Only partly.) ]

[He huffs, a little amused, meeting his gaze evenly. Maybe that's answer enough.]

Not quite that. I see many here who are extraordinarily beautiful or handsome; or people I don't mind flirting with, to get to know better. I see... people who would, on paper, be... good for me.

[But he'd be terrible for them. He knows that. He keeps a wall up, not unkind but steady—less like steel and more like a garden lattice—on purpose because of it. Maybe it's his fault, then, for not feeling a 'spark' right out of the gate.]

But love at first sight? Non. Have you?

week two | dates

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vague e33 spoilers!

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