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]

[ social games, huh...time for RUSSIAN ROULETTE

except he doesn't have a gun. And this is a party! He's got his plans for tomorrow locked in, they're high off their victory, and he's looking to smother some unpleasant emotions! It's the perfect recipe to get absolutely hammered. He will just come up to anyone and throw an arm around their shoulder, pressing a finger into their chest and whisper conspiratorially: ]

Don't tell anyone, but I'm going to miss you the most.

[ Okay. He also may just hand you a shot of something that smells very sharp and looks very clear. ]

Don't overthink it, my friend! Just try it. What's the worst that could happen?

[ It's a rhetorical question. ]

[embellwish]

[ im here to support aventurine getting schwasted

But urgh, she recognizes that sharp scent of liquor. The kind of stuff her uncles would drink straight from the gourd. She never did it much herself... but there's a first time for everything right? And he's right, this will all end soon. There's only so much time left to experience new things. ]

Looking to have fun, are you? [ """"fun""""" ] If you'll do it with me, then...

[ she'll take the shot with him, who gaf, ]

[gamboler]

[ tysm he needs support in these trying times...

...but they truly do only have so much time left, and after this, it's...well. That's part of the problem, isn't it? He doesn't want to think about what's after, so leaving the shot glass in Yingying's hands, he turns back to the counter to take another, lifting it enthusiastically. ]

I thought you'd never ask, Miss Yingying. Come on, let's do it together.

[ ...Okay. Anyway. ]

On the count of three?

[embellwish]

[ Do it, huh......

That comment gets her to laugh a little, unsure what the tone of that phrase was meant to be — joking? playful? secret third thing?? — but he quickly proposes that they go forward. As is customary across all sorts of cultures and eras, she clinks the small glass against his. ]

One, two, three—

[ — And down it goes! In one smooth motion. But at what cost, because she does a full body wince afterwards, expression darkening. ]

...Egh, [ It's hard not to make a face, but she very valiantly tries to keep a smile pinned there. ] Bracing, isn't it...

[gamboler]

[ Down it goes, Aventurine throwing back the contents of his glass alongside her, and it's bracing, but he's used to this feeling by now, and as soon as he glimpses Yingying's expression, his own is crumpling with laughter. She's trying so hard... ]

Ahaha, it is! Bravo, indeed! You're not much of a drinker, are you?

[ But she still gave it a shot! It's appreciated, even in his current State. ]

[embellwish]

[ The grimace remains while he starts laughing, but she does wave her hand as if to wave off his question, huffing. ]

No, not quite. I'm more used to serving them...

[ That's what life was like at the Wisteria Pavilion — serving drinks to patrons, playing music for them, and other Nightly Activities. Plucking her fan from the folds of her outfit, she fans her face, trying to stave off any incoming glow. ]

Though you seem to be holding yourself well enough.

[gamboler]

[ Even if she's unused to drinking, she's still prepared to stave off the effects by fanning herself, so Aventurine can relax a little, even if he remains watchful just in case she knocks herself over in the aftermath. It's pretty strong stuff, after all... ]

It's not unusual for me to drink for business, let alone pleasure, so suffice it to say I hold my liquor pretty well. If anything, a little liquid courage makes me even more lively and vivacious.

[ As if he needed any more of that, but it does come from a more genuine, easily accessible place. ]

Feeling alright, Yingying?

[embellwish]

For business? Oh, my...

[ So this is Aventurine unlocked by the power of liquor, eh... she fans herself a little more, raising her brows at his question. ]

I'm alright. A little surprised by the liquor's strength... but it shouldn't affect me too much. [ she's not. physically there, after all. she feels warm for once, instead of chilled. ] Worried about me again?

[researcherstory]

[ This is too friendly for her, even from Aventurine, she's very gently taking his arm off her shoulder. She is also not drunk enough for this. Thank you. ]

That, I doubt very much. Is it so wise to drink your weight in alcohol before bed, Aventurine?

[gamboler]

[ A snort of laughter escapes him. ]

No need to be such a wet blanket, Miss Odile! The night is young, and you only live once!

[ Any hangover he has to deal with is a problem for tomorrow's Aventurine. ]

[poans]

[The worst is that he might end up like Aventurine here. Yi Sang is not ready to throw himself at his fellow players in a drunken stupor at this time, so he makes no move to accept the shot.]

No . . . thank you. More importantly, Aventurine, are you sound?

[gamboler]

[ "At this time"...does that mean it might happen later? So long as Aventurine might have a shot...he has the distinct impression that Yi Sang might make a very fun drunk.

But entirely ignoring the question, he's frowning sharply. ]

How hurtful! I'm always sound, Yi Sang. Don't you worry. [ No amount of alcohol could make him forget— ] Let's talk about you, instead. A little birdy on the wisteria branch told me you're...how to put it? Ah — oblivious.

[poans]

[He can't help but worry about Aventurine these days, particularly now more than ever. This, though, is nothing short of bewildering as the image of the wisteria comes to the forefront of his mind.]

Whatever do you mean?

[gamboler]

[ Why are people worried about him...he's doing great!! This is definitely not a coping mechanism, or a deflection from his own problems... ]

Hm...still not catching on? Let me put it in more straightforward terms, then. Someone here is romantically interested in you, but it seems you've withstood their advances at every turn. Care to guess who that someone is?

[ He really...can't be this dense, can he? ]

[poans]

[Okay, Aventurine.

Yi Sang stares at him, or as best as he can without looking him in the eye. To others, it must look as if he's staring off into space just past Aventurine's face.]

Romantically . . . ? Surely not.

1/2

[gamboler]

[ . . . ]

[gamboler]

...Yi Sang, you beautiful, naive newborn baby. You're clueless as a bag of rocks.

[ He means this in the best way possible. ]

[poans]

I am . . . 29 . . .

[crimsin]

[ Aventurine can't throw an arm around him if Nico comes up and gives him a hug from behind first. How drunk are you, buddy? ]

Aventuriiiine. What is this I hear about you telling everyone you will miss them more than me?

[gamboler]

[ Oh, very! And instinctively, he's leaning back against Nico, before his mind really catches up with him, because, well, the drunkenness. It's one hell of a day, and they haven't had much of a chance to catch up... ]

Oh, there you are, handsome! [ Reaching up to pat Nico's cheek. ] Don't you worry, I'll miss you the mostest of the most, because...I like-like you. You're leaving tonight, aren't you? For the secret clubhouse.

[ He says that very surreptitiously, which also makes him giggle. He's a silly drunk, at least?! To balance out the Sober Depression and Anxiety. ]

[crimsin]

You "like-like" me, do you? Oh, mon étoile, you are very drunk.

[ It's kind of cute but he really has to wonder how Aventurine is doing to get to this point in the first place. ]

I do not have to be anywhere at any given time. You are not rid of me so easily.

[gamboler]

[ Don't worry about it!!!

But there seems to be just a little bit of tension that bleeds out of him at hearing that Nico isn't departing anytime soon. He knows that's part of the game, that he'll be staying at the honeymoon suite from here on out...but he'll greedily hog him tonight if allowed.

(This is definitely taking place after the ill-advised Sauna Heist. He probably still has a few leaves in his hair.) ]

Hah. As if I'd let you go so soon, anyway...

[ He turns in Nico's arms, lacing his fingers behind his neck. ]

I tried to sneak into the secret clubhouse earlier, you know.

[crimsin]

[ Nico has yet to find a moment to properly talk to Aventurine after everything anyway, so he's not keen to leave him. He is, however, quite drunk, so Nico isn't sure they'll be doing any deep soul-searching tonight.

Well. They can still enjoy each others' company at least. ]

Is that why you look like you crawled through the jungle?

[ He reaches up to pluck a leaf out of Aventurine's hair. ]

Since you are here and not there, I take it your plan was not successful.

[gamboler]

[ A laugh bubbles out of him, carefree and warm. Funny how easily Nico seems to draw that out in him, when all he's had to drink hadn't driven those shadows away fully. ]

Unfortunately not. And I was so ready to greet you with a rose between my teeth, but instead we were unable to find the path! It seems the production really is determined to keep us apart.

[ ...In a physical sense, maybe, but that physical sense of being close to someone has done wonders for him this past week. It's...a little harder, not, to consider relinquishing it. ]

[crimsin]

[ Oh, he does love that laugh, loves knowing he's the reason for it. Aventurine is so precious when he doesn't let his worries gnaw at him, or when he isn't putting on a show. ]

Only for a week, at least.

[ He wonders if Aventurine will be alright. If the nightmares will shake him awake without Nico there to curl him into his arms.

They have to play the game, and he knows that, but goddess, he's going to miss being by this man's side. ]

... And we have tonight.