perfectmatch | week two

Nor did I mean to imply such. I only wished to... express my interest in you.

[ Awkwardly and clumsily. Feeling a right fool, she'll literally kill Edamura for this. Odile will swiftly move from that though, fingers tight against her arm. ]

I don't think the others will hold issue with you wanting time. If anything, they may see better strategically -- saving it for last, should nothing else change. So you can sort out those thoughts and feelings of yours, and share what you would like with whom, though one would be surprised what another will accept.

[ Yes, that's a better topic-- it isn't too much better, but it's moving away. ]

[Oh. Wait— what? Girl that's not just something you glide over. As much as Verso truly does appreciate her support regarding the last bit, he's not going to let her get away with that so easily. Especially since she seems a bit uncomfortable now.]

Oh.

[IS THAT HELPING-]

Sorry. I'm a bit of a thick-headed fool. I didn't think you were here for the, er, romance— Unless that's not what you meant. In which case, I will now proceed to put my foot in my mouth.

[He's totally helping.]

I--

[ She is going to end Edamura.

Staring hard into what's left of her wine. If they have the bottle with them she's refilling her glass, if not she's raising her hand for it. Odile is not drunk enough for her face to be as warm as it is. ]

No, I am not... explicitly here for romance, as I said. Nor am I here for the wish. [ Just so he knows. ] I only wish to find another with whom I-- favor, get along with, that... in the years to come, I might enjoy the company of.

[ A beat, and she clears her throat. ]

While I would not mind if it should turn that way, I... understand better that it is unlikely. In general, not only-- speaking of yourself, Verso. My mother found myself and my father wanting and I decided I wished to differ from her in the ways that matter most.

[ Edamura is so fucking dead she hates vulnerability. ]

[Sorry, Odile. He wasn’t trying to make this harder for you. Though it does appear that they’ve crossed the line into embarrassment and won’t be returning anytime soon.

Her admission, though, is the first real sign of vulnerability from her that he can truly remember, and he isn’t so cruel as to thoughtlessly disregard it. Verso takes a moment to reply, and not to make this any more difficult for her.]

I don’t think that’s an unreasonable want, though you should be clear about with anyone who’s piqued your interest. There are so many wants and goals between all of us, no one will mind if you speak up on it.

But… help me understand. What do you mean your mother found you and your father wanting…?

[ The worst part is knowing he isn't trying to make it hard for her, really. It's simply taking all of Odile's effort not to... lock up, to try and ease out of her discomfort instead, but it truly is uncomfortable to let oneself be open.

... But, perhaps... No, she knows that is how it works -- if she is able to share part of herself, then she will find the courtesy given in return. That is how it works with Aventurine, with Edamura, with Siffrin. At least... this part of it is easier, and she exhales out of her nose as she rests back in her seat again.

Swirling her wine, gaze trained on it. ]

... My mother left my father and I soon after I was born. She hadn't wanted a child, but Ka Bue is-- a stagnant, traditional place. [ To put it very simply. ] It didn't suit her, and so she returned to her homeland without another thought. Good riddance, really. [ ... ] All that I owe to her is in the features that set me apart from the other Ka Buans -- my hair, my eyes.

[ So different, as he might find in her father's ghost later in the week, than what is normally seen there. ]

A family is beyond me in my age. I hadn't wanted one either, for the record, [ unable to forgo the fact she might turn out the same way after all, too focused on her own work to bother with romance, ] but... I would like to prove, at the very least, that I am much more my father's daughter.

[ Devoted, companionable, and... not alone. ]

Edited 2025-06-13 03:50 (UTC)

[Funny, how family defines all of them so fiercely, even if they'd rather it not. For Odile, it works in the opposite of how it defines him, but... in some ways, it doesn't. To be unlike one's parent is not too far departed from Verso wanting to pursue music rather than painting.

So he can relate. He nods, his expression open and attentive.]

Do you not feel like you would've proven yourself different from your mother in your own way? [He isn't sure that's how he wants to word it, actually, so he attempts again:] Are you struggling with it, to now find yourself here with the rest of us

You needn't reword yourself on my behalf, Verso. I understand well enough what's asked.

[ A small sip from her wine, and she smiles slightly. ]

Certainly, there are many ways in which I differ from her. I have worked hard to be who I am, and to be someone my father would be proud to have raised. Yet I... [ ... ] I admit I linger still in her shadow, her unhappiness. I resent her for stealing away that which I had never the chance to look upon myself until recently.

This, then, is a direct attempt to free myself of that. It isn't good to force someone to change, no -- but I prefer to have no distractions in a sense, not unlike Maya's own intent for being here. She's rather dense, but by putting herself into a situation where she can no longer ignore it by accident... Well. She may stumble into romance herself.

[ Odile knows there's still plenty of things for Verso to pick at in her words, and... it gets easier, bit by bit, with his attention and their likeness on certain points. Still hard, but easier. ]

[Ha. Dense. Poor Maya... But he does understand where she's coming from.

Verso doesn't want this to sound like an interrogation, but Odile seems more and more comfortable speaking about this. It also gleans more insight into who could be her fitting match, or at least who she might find to suit her beyond even the dictations of a "perfect" match. And again, guilt gnaws at him a little — he should probably mention something of rather... stirring import, then.]

I truly hope you can find something like that here. Someone as a steadfast companion — you do deserve it, Odile. You would be like... a harbor for a ship in a storm, for someone else.

[ ... ]

I, uh, should be a bit more honest, then. I never came to this show with the intent of using the wish for myself. And after it's all over, I also don't intend to live a... full life. No goals, no ambitions, nothing like that.

[Not much of a life at all. It seems to run counter to what she desires.]

Not a bit?

[ ... That is something she's interested in -- it seems impossible to live not a life forever, being tired and resting a while is one thing but to abstain completely... But Odile finds her asking something different as a follow-up. ]

Is... my interest unwelcome, Verso?

[His brow knits immediately.]

I don't mean that. I only mean that it might not be fair to you. Someone who wants a life after this place, and another who might not have anything to...

[Suddenly, he feels heavy, saying this.]

...offer.

[ Ever thoughtful, isn't he -- or far too absorbed in his own shortcomings to see what he may give in return. Might have nothing to offer... It isn't as if Odile asks for much, from anyone, and though caution weighs her own tongue heavy-- ]

I do believe that is my decision to make, not yours.

[ She can say that much. No, she finds she can say more. ]

... There is no guarantee I may find what I seek here, no more than there is at home. You don't need to worry about me in either case -- I know where to find solace, so it's fine if I leave without a companion. [ That, she means. Maybe it isn't fine to others' eyes, but it is to her. ] But so long as I do have an interest in someone -- in you, Verso -- and it doesn't trouble them any, I'd like to explore that option thoroughly.

[ To learn about him more, to understand why -- how -- he'd come to want a life without living, and if he intends to stay the course in that way. ]

[And that is fair. A decision she needs to make, someday, with all the information in hand.]

Sure. If that's what you want, I don't see the harm in getting to know each other a bit more so you can make that decision.

[He knows, though, when he tells all, she will have made it — and quite quickly.

or he will get shuffled off in the truth booth w3 who knows-]

[ Buddy we will see! With both of those! ]

It is very much what I want. And, of course... I will give in return. Whatever's left, anyway.

[ Her hand has been thoroughly seen, at least today. There's... still more, but it isn't here or there. And nothing that would turn someone off. ]

... Here I intended to ask more about you, and ended up speaking more about myself. You have a way about that.

week two | dates

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minor friendquest spoilers

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