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]

[ mother goddess have mercy ]

It was...a figure of speech. Never mind — look.

[ Reaching over to delicately, but firmly, put one hand on each of Yi Sang's shoulders. ]

Can you really not think of anyone who has paid extra special attention to you recently? Perhaps even sat with you at a match ceremony and said some very sweet things about you?

1/2

[poans]

[Yi Sang's eyes slowly wander aside in visible confusion. The only person who's sat with him at a ceremony is . . . ]

[poans]

Perchance do you refer to . . . Miss Yingying?

[gamboler]

[ BY GEORGE...HE MIGHT JUST HAVE GOT IT ]

...yes! Obviously. Who else!

[ . . . ]

Don't answer that, it's a rhetorical question.

[poans]

. . . Are you certain of this?

[He does not know what else to say.]

[gamboler]

Wouldn't it be better if you heard it from her?

[ That is to say, yes, he's certain, given his conversation with Yingying at the onsen, but he's not going to steal her confession from her!! Even if Yi Sang's head is full of rocks. ]

[poans]

On that . . . you may be correct.

[Id est, it's time to move on from this topic. He'll have to consider it more carefully on his lonesome. Now . . . isn't the time.]

Then perhaps now might be the appropriate time for me to inquire. Is there aught on your mind, Aventurine?

[gamboler]

Is aught on my mind, you ask.

[ No, really, he just says as much to give himself additional time to piece together what "aught" means. ]

— Oh! Nothing much, really. Just the...unavoidable reality that we've only a week left here. Best to make the most of it, hm?

[poans]

[Coming from Aventurine, a statement of nothing seems like an understatement.]

Indeed, after this coming ceremony, there shall be just one more like it ere we part ways. Until then, there should be discussions and appointments aplenty.

[gamboler]

[ ...That's right. That's the part they're here to play, ultimately. To give the cameras what they want, a satisfying ending, before the curtain falls and...

...and what, exactly? ]

Do you think we'll make it in time? Figuring out all our matches, that is. Turning over each and every card until we glimpse the truth of it all.

[poans]

[He nods.]

Though it is not feasible to turn every card there is in the time left to us, I believe the truth will make itself clear so long as we meet it directly without averting our gazes.

[gamboler]

[ That earns him an amused laugh. ]

That's the spirit - going all in! What do you think you'll use your wish for?

[poans]

[Tipsy as Aventurine is, he gives this a serious thought with the dip of his head.]

That . . . I am still considering.

[gamboler]

[ Tipsy as Aventurine is, he can hear the weight in that answer, and recognize his own struggle with the same question in it. ]

...It's not an easy choice. Even if you still aren't sure by the end of our run, you can still take it with you.

[poans]

[He bows his head in a smaller dip before raising it. Aventurine is right. While it isn't advisable to drag their feet, there's no need to make haste.]

Have you given thought to yours?

[gamboler]

...Well, I tried to pass it off to Miss Yingying, but she wouldn't take it. So I suppose the burden falls back on me to decide what to do with it...jury's still out on my end, too.

[ He has...ideas, but it's too soon for him to make a call. ]

[poans]

An investment, was it . . . You are still quite the businessman.

[gamboler]

It's...what I do best.

[ For better or worse. ]

[poans]

[He watches him for a moment, wondering in more ways than one.]

Correct me if I am wrong . . . but I must wonder if you have considered investing in yourself.

[gamboler]

[ Use it for himself...

It's not as though he hasn't thought about it, but it hardly feels like he's...earned it. As ever, it's easier to give something away under the guise of accumulating favors he'll never cash in, but to just use it on himself... ]

I'd hardly know where to start, I'm afraid. To...make things right for my people aren't around any longer? Or...cut myself free...

[ He can't...can he? ]

[poans]

[His people. Yi Sang sits with those words while Aventurine trails off. Holding onto what little remains by way of mementos, the latter must have suffered so.]

. . . It is a joyous night. Let us discuss this another time when you are more rested, my friend.

[gamboler]

[ He lets his eyes fall shut for a moment, more weary than he's felt since he arrived here. Might be a sign he's sobering up — which means it's time to find something else to drink. ]

...Of course. Don't forget what I said, alright? About Miss Yingying.

[ He's invested in both of their happiness, so don't blow it!!! ]