perfectmatch | week three

Rom and Ringo are taken to a classic American 50's style diner. The vibes are peak. It's retro af. Truly goated.

Highlights

They can play music on the jukebox.
Even the waitstaff is dressed on brand.
The milkshakes are amazing.

[ Oh? He's never been in this sort of vibe before -- it's not bad. Sure, he stands out like a sore thumb, but even the waitstaff seem more amused than they do miffed. Rom smiles as he hands Ringo a menu across the table before flipping open his own. ]

I suppose we won't go hungry while discussing matters, at least.

[She digs it immediately, peering around with obvious intrigue.]

Hey, yeah! I could eat! [Ringo can always eat.]

What are you gonna get?

I don't think I've really eaten anywhere like this before, so it's hard to say ...

[ I just realized I don't think we've ever seen this loser go anywhere other than basic bitch Japanese family restaurants, I'm going to kill him. ]

I'd like a coffee to start, but it feels like a waste not to get a proper meal on the production's dime. Do you have any recommendations?

[Rom asking the AI...]

Yeah! Let's get one of everything I haven't tried yet! [oh my god]

[ oH. ]

[ ... nvm, he's got a plan. ]

A wonderful idea! Let's do that!

-- but. How about we order a few things at a time, Miss Ringo? That way the rest of the food won't grow cold while we're eating the first round of items. We can enjoy the menu optimally that way.

Sounds good!

[Well, that was easy.]

Let's start from the top and work our way down the menu, then.

Looks like... appetizers!

[ oh thank god. He was already trying to figure out what to do if she wanted to start from desserts; he can handle some sweets once in a while, but his stomach would turn looking at that much sugar at once. ]

Perfect. Let's start there, then!

[ As he leans over to flag down their waitress. ]

[And as Rom snags their waitress, Ringo glances over the menu, so that when she arrives, she's ready with:]

Right! We're gonna get... the mozzarella sticks. The potato chips and dip. The chicken tenders. The fried pickles. Aaaand... the beer-battered shrooms.

That should do it for now! [The threatening for now.]

And a coffee, please. Black is fine.

[ He sure as hell isn't going to order anything for himself when he's assuming he's gonna have to help get through all those apps ...

And as the waitress retreats, he leans against the table to give Ringo a wan smile. ]

You certainly seem to be in good spirits. Is this just your usual cheer, or has your private bungalow been treating you more kindly than the shared house did?

Hm... both, I think!

[Yeah, both.

She leans back against the booth, arms crossed loosely.]

It's definitely nice to have the option for peace and quiet with Furina... and it's pretty lush over there. And! I'm confident we're gonna figure this out, so that helps.

Haha! Your confidence is encouraging. I certainly hope you're right.

[ Their waitress drops off his requested coffee, so he fetches the cup to take a small sip. ]

Last week would have been a disaster without your success at the Truth Booth, so. If the two of you are enjoying yourself in luxury over there, it's the very least you deserve.

Wasn't just our victory, you know. You all believed in us too.

[To vote them in.]

But anyway, that does kind of segue into what I wanted to talk to you about. Kind of!

[It does not. She's rolling with it anyway.]

Getting any closer to figuring out your own match? Anyone stand out to you?

[ Aaahhh .... there it is. Left without his usual option of immediately deflecting back, Rom is forced to just avert his gaze for a moment before responding as casually as he can. ]

... it's difficult, isn't it. Finding the answer in this game.

[Hmmm...

She crosses her arms, leaning back against the booth.]

Which answer?

[ Why the change in posture. Why does that feel so threatening. ]

Hmm? The answer for this game, of course? Our, ah -- 'perfect match.'

[ He doesn't actually do air quotes, but it's pretty obvious in his inflection. ]

[:')]

Well, that's about what I expected.

[She laughs a little, shaking her head.]

That's the easier answer, though. The other question's harder.

[ HE'S NOT GOING TO TAKE THE BAIT.

Rom makes a point of meeting her gaze for a moment, a very 'I know what you're trying to do here' look, before responding.

As innocently as a skeevy-looking weirdo like him can manage: ] Oh? That's wonderful, though! If you believe the answer's so easy. What would your guess be, then?

[He knows and yet he keeps dodging!!! Rom!! Talk about your feelings!

She sighs, though, clearly having expected him to go this way.]

Alright, let's talk then.

Here's what we know. Statistically, your match is probably with another guy.

Week one we had three lights. One was Furina and myself. The other possible options are Maya-Aventurine, Luka-Serpilia, Verso-Nico, Edamura-Odile, you and Messmer.

For now, let's strike Luka-Serpilia and Edamura-Odile from the options. None of them considered it likely. They're both female-male relationships. Also unlikely.

Thus: our other two lights from week one are down to three possibilities. [Maya/Aventurine, Verso/Nico, Rom/Messmer.]

Of those, Verso and Nico seems most likely to me. They have a lot in common superficially, and they hit if off quickly. It matches the conceit of the show. So for a moment, let's pretend they're a match.

Now, assuming statistically you're with another guy... your choices are Messmer, Luka, Aventurine, Edamura, or Yi Sang.

If the other light is Maya and Aventurine, that brings you down to just Luka, Edamura or Yi Sang. We're up to one in three, Rom.

So. What do you think?

[ Thank you Ringo. He knew he could count on you. :)

Rom listens quietly, thumb rubbing against the handle of his coffee cup as he takes in the information. All things he knew on a base level, of course, but the concise summary certainly helps organize it in a more digestible way.

One in three, is it. ]

... everything you're saying sounds correct.

[ A sip of coffee before he continues. ]

Of those three -- Mr. Yi Sang, Edamura-san, and Mr. Luka, in that order. I think would be the likeliness of a match with myself. Though I'd probably strike Mr. Luka off the list entirely. It ... doesn't feel right.

Oh? That's--

[--interesting, she'd like to say. Striking Luka from the list makes sense to her though for Rom too.

This is when the waitress appears though to deliver the wholeass menu of appetizers onto their table.

Ringo perks up, beaming, and reaches immediately for a fried pickle.]

--Right! Anyway!

[Hm!]

We don't have a lot to go off of with Yi Sang since he and Yingying were together both match ceremonies, which was wrong both times.

So... Why d'you think it's him? And why Edamura, too?

[ This is a lot of food. Rom dutifully helps organize everything on the table, though he doesn't make to eat any of it yet; just gonna nurse his coffee a little longer as he thinks.

His train of thought is already established, of course. He's pretty sure his logic's been consistent thus far. It's just that actually talking about it isn't a particularly enticing prospect, and he needs a moment to figure out how he's going to approach this. ]

... relatively speaking, I believe my suitability for this game is about on par with Mr. Yi Sang's. There are differences, but I feel we're a pairing that the game's producers might consider 'safe' -- something that they'd believe the general audiences would find acceptable.

Edamura-san's is compatibility with the game is higher than mine, I believe, but within acceptable range. Unlike Mr. Luka, who lies at the other end of the spectrum. It doesn't seem like a wise match, marketing-wise.

[Thanks, Rom. Ringo is very contentedly sampling a bit of everything as he talks. Yum... yum yum yum.]

Okay, fair.

[That's how Rom's been approaching the game thus far, and he isn't wrong to do so. It's a production, first and foremost.

But.]

That doesn't tell us a lot, though, so let's approach this from other angles too. How about... things in common? Got anything?

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