perfectmatch | week two

[ 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?

Haha! No. I'm not suited for things like that.

[ Said blandly before he looks back into his coffee cup, then takes a sip. And as he lets it clink back onto its saucer -- ]

You don't think you would be good for these people, though. [ It's not a question. The way Verso had worded it had made the implication obvious. ] I'm a little surprised. The way you act, the way you carry yourself ... you seem pretty confident. Ah, but more than that -- it's obvious people feel at ease around you. Do you think they're making a mistake?

[Rom's keen. It's impressive, but perhaps a bit too keen for Verso's liking. Poking and prodding at the little cracks in his mask.]

...They're seeing a part I want to show them. That's not much different than when you put on your own performances for an audience.

[That doesn't answer the question, but a little more graciously and less cagily, he continues.]

Let me show you a little of my hand, Monsieur Rom. I'm not here for myself. I never was. [He enjoys the company, he enjoys... not being alone, he will not be ungrateful for these four weeks even if he doesn't think he deserves them.] My wish is for the sake of someone else I know, someone who needs it more than I do. That is... the most important thing to me, right now.

[Even if there are doubts, here and there, whispering. Even if Wei Wuxian has made him consider more possibilities. But his implication is another clear one: he doesn't think he deserves the boon of the wish, so why would he be deserving of anyone here, at that?]

[ That earns a wider-eyed blink, and a brief hum in thought.

Then, unhelpfully, a short round of applause. ]

-- aah, you truly are so gallant! To sacrifice your wish for others like that. No wonder so many seem so smitten by you, Mister Verso! Even I'm not immune to your charms.

[ This is probably extremely annoying in the face of Verso's heartfelt confession, but at least it doesn't last long. After his last clap, Rom leaves his hands laced, elbows coming to rest on the tabletop in clear contemplation, leveling an even stare at Verso across the table. ]

But if this is 'a show of your hand,' then I wonder if the part of you that you're hesitating to show everyone is truly so bad. [ He knows that's potentially a dangerously incendiary comment, so he continues quickly, smoothly, before Verso can protest: ] I wouldn't claim to know everything about you, of course, but I think the very fact that you hesitated to confess such a noble mindset is telling. ... would it really be so bad to try the waters and indulge a little? After all, we've no way of knowing how our perfect matches have been made. What if some selfishness on your part is what's necessary for attaining this wish of yours? Would you really wish to risk losing it because you were too hesitant? Just as you're hesitant to show whatever it is you're hiding, you don't know the true tolerance of those who've caught your eye thus far.

[Inflammatory statements, indeed, littered in there. Verso would take more offense he were the sort, but there's something about guilt and the acceptance of simply being a Not Great person that allows such comments fall into the background. It will be nothing worse than what he tells himself, after all.

He does take a moment before he replies, however, his voice falling an edge more serious. (the cat ears make him appear all the more so, surely)]

I wonder. Is it not better to endear oneself first, before airing out all the dirty laundry? If you want to look at it from a purely strategic standpoint, which I do think you'd appreciate. Only a fool shows off all his skeletons so early on.

[He needs to work up to it, okay.]

week two | dates

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