week three | mingle

[marriagebroker]

No outright changes this week either. Week three rolls around, braced for impact as ever. The estate is still intact, the contestants are still motivated, things are looking good.

Well, aside from the fact you all had a blackout this weekend. That wasn't so good.

Either way, when Monday rolls around, Wei Wuxian seems to be in a cheery mood as he greets everyone Monday morning.

"Everyone, come here, come here. I have an announcement!"

Better go see what that's about, huh?

Boom Boom Room | Dates | Property Damage
Truth Booth Voting | Match Ceremony Voting

Comments

[gamboler]

[ He's mostly been keeping to himself and listening so far, arms crossed over his chest. Really, it's just so interesting he'd hate to cut in! All these debates of logic and mathematics and probability. It's a gambler's dream. ]

Hm. We seem to be split on opinions...the audience is truly in for a treat this week. I'm almost jealous I'm not watching, haha.

[nrangel]

We should be pretty set no matter who we pick, but you're right. It'll be interesting to see who the group goes for in the end, because I don't think we're in full agreement here.

[gamboler]

Isn't it exciting? We've been far too agreeable so far. Now that we're getting down to the wire, however, tensions are rising. I wonder what we'll see over the course of the next week?

[ Asked in a sing-song kind of way. ]

[nrangel]

[ She'll reach out to nudge him in the leg with her foot, one part teasing one part punishing. ]

Hey, easy for the guy happily hooked up with someone to go and say.

[gamboler]

And yet, we're both in the cards to go into the booth with people other than each other. Oh, I can just see the editing magic now...

[nrangel]

I think that given the situation and everyone being reasonable adults, the audience is going to be pretty disappointed if they wanted drama. I can't see much of a fuss being kicked up over that, so the editors are going to have to work overtime.

[ Maya seems more interested in friends than anything, and plus Luka, and Verso is pretty level headed. ]

[gamboler]

I don't doubt they'll find some way to sensationalize it. Regardless, whatever happens...it's going to be interesting.

[ Realistically he knows nothing explosive is likely to happen, but still, he can't help but be dramatic. ]

[crimsin]

Hey.

[ Hey. He walks to stand with him, leaning shoulder to shoulder. ]

No matter what happens, it is not as if either one of us will be gone forever. Look at Furina and Ringo.

[gamboler]

[ Ha...Nico doesn't even need him to spell it out for him to intuit part of what's on his mind. Has he gotten that obvious, or has Nico just learned to read him so quickly? ]

Of course. [ A little sigh, but with a slight smile. ] Really, we're fortunate we were disproven last week — if not for that blackout, I might be fighting to take you to the both tomorrow.

[ Bumping his shoulder to Nico's. ]

[crimsin]

If not for that blackout, I would let you.

[ He gives him a little bump back. ]

We are playing the game now, mon étoile. As much as I would love for both of us to have a chance to stay, I would sooner safeguard everyone's wishes.

And... if you are worried about Verso, do not be. I do not think romance is quite in the cards for him, regardless of match. What he needs the most is a friend.

[gamboler]

[ A gentle shake of his head. ]

You don't need worry about that. I trust you both. [ Even if Nico and Verso did harbor some feelings for each other, he doesn't think he would stand in their way. Kind and warm and Nico's heart is, it could reach so many people here, doubtless. ] And for what it's worth, I do think the two of you have a good chance to be matched, just as I think Maya and I have a good chance as well.

[ And if one of them goes in to get disproven, well...then the other pair feels almost like a guarantee. ]

More than anything, I'm surprised to find how close we are to the end of our show already.

[ Time flies when you're not living day-to-day in existential dread, as they say. ]

[crimsin]

It has gone by rather quickly, has it not?

[ Four weeks is nothing to someone like him, but this time has felt especially fast. ]

When this is over... what will you do?

[gamboler]

That's the million-credit question, isn't it...

[ He doesn't know. He has ideas, plans, contingencies upon contingencies. But he still doesn't have anything figured out. ]

Wish for unlimited paid time-off, perhaps.

[crimsin]

We should all be so lucky.

[ To get unlimited paid time off, he means. ]

I have... responsibilities to fulfil, for my world and my people, so it is to them I must return. I would not dare ask anyone to come with me, knowing that they will be stepping into a war that is not their own but... I do think about it, sometimes. If you would like to be by my side.

Please do not feel like you must give an answer, one way or another. I want what is best for you, and my world is a harsh place.

[gamboler]

[ ...He's thought about it, too, truthfully, but it was easier before Nico spoke it aloud, giving voice to the invitation that Aventurine had hoped might come, but also was too afraid to hope for. Like everything else...the answer he wants to give is easy, but the one he should give is...complicated, and even having considered it before, against his better judgment, he is no close to knowing what to do.

At length, he nods, forcing words onto his tongue so the silence doesn't linger even longer. ]

...I'll take that into consideration. If...that's really something you want, then...let's speak more about it next week. In private.

[ Away from cameras, where he can say what's on his mind, truly and freely. ]

[crimsin]

[ In private.

There is much yet they both have to say, and it will be easier when there are no cameras around. He gets that. ]

Of course, darling. Take your time.

[gamboler]

[ He breathes out a little sigh of relief. ]

...Thank you.

[ ...Before he leans up to brush a kiss to Nico's cheek. ]