perfectmatch | week two

[ 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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