perfectmatch | week three

[ Odile wipes at her eyes, exhaling with just a few chuckles left in her, before she reaches over to ruffle Edamura's hair. Muss it up!!! ]

Consider that payback for your poor pacing. Do you feel better, getting it off your chest?

I said I'm a confidence man, not a storyteller!

[GAWD. another huff, and he slots the small middle piece with the flowers he made into the frame Odile was working on]

. . . and surprisingly. . . yes.

[HUFFS. . . a bit indignant, but it's fading]

It's a hard thing to tell people in a game like this. If everyone knew, then they'd question my motives. And I swear I'm here for all the right reasons!

[ Of course it's hard, especially given the weight of it all -- it doesn't match up with what someone might think of him either, and Odile watches him work on the puzzle in her stead. She can't do much once the outside is finished, where colors are concerned... ]

Better reasons than Aventurine, at least. Though that's all I'll say on that.

[ And even so, there's a weighted story behind that. Conman Edamura... Poppy might cast a hefty bout of suspicion on him, but who else would find him wanting...? ]

Speaking of your "right reasons", how are things with Maya?

[. . . ah, yes. Aventurine. his grouchiness fades a li'l into a tiny grin]

Aha. Aventurine. Like recognizes like, as they say.

[he doesn't know Aventurine's reasons-- knows that Aventurine has experienced a difficult past-- but he has worked with enough men like Aventurine to recognize them on sight. but his words aren't judgmental or derisive. if anything, there's a bit of respect in them]

[but that is neither here nor there]

[. . . and then she asks about Maya, and he pauses in working on the puzzle]

[. . .]

. . . they're pretty great! She's great, you know? I think we have a little more in common than I first thought. But I like spending time with her, and wouldn't mind doing more of that.

[and then, swiftly, in a way that probably makes perfect sense now that she knows who he really is--]

Didn't you say you had a secret too, Odile?

I did, but aren't you curious about my own "shot"?

[ And just as easily drifting it backwards, a woman well-practiced in evasion. Odile will speak on her secret in time, it's just important for both of them to be "up to date" on their respective ventures, isn't it? ]

[. . . touche]

A little. [he HAS been giving her knowing looks ALL WEEK] Are you going to share that with me first?

I am. I professed my interest to Verso, and while he assured me it wasn't unwelcome when I asked...

[ ...

Odile picks up a piece, studying its sides and shades, before clacking it into place. ]

It did feels as if he was attempting to dissuade me from pursuit of any kind. I still intend to, of course, because he's only caught my curiosity further, but I don't like others deciding what's best for me.

[ What they think she deserves, judging what they can and can't offer before she decides herself what is enough. There's more to it than just-- that, but it gets into a sticky territory. ]

[oh. . . his features fall a bit, worry knitting together his brows]

. . . was his dissuading you because he thought he wasn't good enough for you?

[because. . . yeah. don't let others decide what is or isn't best for you, Odile!1 he can honestly see it, considering how hesitant and cagey Verso has been over the last week]

[ She considers how to put it, without revealing too much of Verso's honesty. The things he had hesitated to put forth just as much as she had, but had-- still wanted to, to give her a clearer picture. Nothing she appreciates more. ]

... He doesn't believe he has much to offer me after this show has ended, unlike others. No ambitions, nothing he'd like to do himself, a life devoid of living. The words I said in regards to what I can give -- a harbor for ships in a storm -- that is how he described me. [ A beat. ] "For someone else."

[ ... ]

Edamura, I'd like your opinion. Was that a soft rejection I missed and strode over carelessly? I would've preferred a blunter no, rather than excuses, if so...

[ If only because that's what she would have given someone else, but now. She isn't. Really sure, thinking back. To be bold is one thing, but she wouldn't want to discomfort Verso unnecessarily. ]

[oh. . . oh, Odile. the worry fades, replaces by a tiny, apologetic smile]

. . . I'm sorry, Odile.

But I think it may have been.

[he doesn't know. not for certain. but if he were in Odile's shoes, and someone had said that to him? he probably would take it as a gentle let down]

[ ...

The puzzle seems duller than usual, beyonds its monochromatic shades. Odile hums softly. Begins to attempt the puzzle anew, using Edamura's finished pieces as guides, and replies impassively. ]

Well, it isn't as if I expected anything different, truthfully.

[ He and Nico had gotten on well, even if Nico had set his heart on Aventurine... He seemed interested in Messmer too -- perhaps it was a failing from the get-go, even if she. Anyway. ]

My mother is Vaugardian. I decided to travel to that country to learn more about myself and the culture she stole from me by leaving my father and I. It isn't a terrible secret, but that is it.

[. . . . . . .]

[he reaches out-- not for another puzzle piece, but this time, her hand. he holds onto it loosely, keeping his flingers pressed warmly against her palm. he knows no platitudes will make this feel any better. he can sing about how she's a damn good catch for as long as he wants, but. . . this sort of thing still stings, doesn't it?]

[. . .]

[she moves the conversation along swiftly, and he follows, his smile soft and affectionate]

Did it help? To learn more about the world she kept from you?

[ She

doesn't know how to feel, about the silent consoling for an outcome more likely than not, and after a moment her hand draws from his. ]

No. I simply found I belonged nowhere, Edamura. Looking at my father, you can tell I am not fully Ka Buan -- this was a point impressed on me at a young age by my peers. In Vaugarde, I found it much the same: I was a stranger in a foreign land, their customs and beliefs alien to my own. Just as Ka Bue's had never settled right either.

[ Odile exhales, smile a little wry. ]

I did find a country full of others, who had come to that welcoming land just as I had. People with no home. People who could no longer remember it. People who simply had decided a different path. That is comfort enough, in some ways, but I do still wish for something to call my own, and to be called such in return.

[ That... little bit of sentimentality, that weakness, which she offers just after her failure to read between the lines.

She supposes she is her father's daughter. ]

[he lets her draw back whenever she is ready, resting his own hands back into his lap again]

. . . hey. I don't think that's true. I think you do have some things to call your own.

When you were traveling, you weren't doing it alone, were you?

I wasn't, and I know what you're getting at. We became close, yes, and that is why I'm not bothered if nothing comes of this venture -- the whole venture, show and all. I said as much to Verso too.

[ But part of her. Well, it was unlikely as a whole anyway -- the ages range aside, she is not some who... falls... into anything as quickly as others do. More cautious, learning from her father's mistake. ]

Anyway, that is all I have to offer you, for both secrets and "shooting". There will be no more updates henceforth whatsoever.

[with! a playfully indignant huff!!]

Something came of this venture, unless you plan on going back home and completely forgetting you met me. Which would hurt my feelings! Don't hurt my feelings, Odile.

[but as for the rest. . . ? well. . . it's just another way in which they are alike, isn't it? guarded hearts that yearn for something more, even if it's difficult for them to truly open themselves up to it. in Edamura's case, to believe that he is suitedfor it. maybe he should tell her that there was one tiny, itty bitty, small thing that he lied about back during their first week here. . .]

. . . anyway. I haven't shot any shots. Quite frankly, I'm not sure if I actually have any to shoot.

Edited 2025-06-17 18:22 (UTC)

Unfortunately for you, we'll be writing letters across dimensions. I expect to hear much of your latest escapades, Edamura.

[ how many lies will you make her face edamura ]

... Still, is that so? I think you and Maya would make a good pair. Especially given her journalistic nature -- they seem to be the types who care little for the morality of law and more of the morality of men. What changed your mind?

[JUST TWO. . . HE PROMISES]

Nothing changed my mind. I still think she's. . . pretty great.

[he still thinks it might be nice to kiss her!! there's open affection in his smile as he looks down, recalling their silly competition at the batting cages. every answer she had given to his curious questions. . . about her life, her career, the things she wanted to do (travel) the things she was looking for in a partner (someone to temper her when she pushed too far). the small flicker of adventure he could see in her eyes that made his heart beat a little faster, as much as he would never admit to it aloud]

[. . .]

[but. . .]

. . . I just can't give her what Luka does! That's all. [he looks up again, still smiling. he says that, but there's no sense of self-deprecation in his words] That level of. . . absolute devotion.

[. . .]

It's only been two, going on three, weeks, Odile. I can't fall in love that fast.

[not. . . like Luka had]

[ ... ]

Nor can I, Edamura. But do you think Maya wants for that type of devotion?

[ Something to chew on, for a moment, before she continues. ]

I would still like you to give yourself a chance.

And when you're rejected, you can join me in the dumps.

[ lol ]

[oh my god]

[FLICKS A PUZZLE PICE AT HER]

Eeeeh. . . I guess the dumps aren't so bad if you're there with me.

[ She cackles quietly, taking the piece and putting it into place. ]

I agree. Misery loves company, after all.

[ ... Oh, there's the sound of the camera people asking around outside the hobby store. They are going to be sorely disappointed to find them just doing a puzzle. ]

... I don't think I would mind much if you were my perfect match, you know. Of anyone here, I feel that you and I get along best -- if we go on Ringo's "spark" talk, is this not similar? If purely platonic.

[. . . god, they sure are. nothing salacious here, just nerds being nerds! Edamura lets out a small sigh, but truthfully, he knew they'd only be able to lose the crew for a short period of time. everything he wanted to say behind closed doors has been said, so. . . there's no point in running now]

I wouldn't mind it either, Odile. In fact, I think I'd be pretty honored if you were my match.

[it might be kind of nice. prove that the producers know what they're doing, even if their bond is platonic. almost familial]

. . . but do you really think we are, though?

I'd hate to be wrong and risk everyone's wish, of course... but I don't think it so improbable. You are, in many ways, what I am searching for in a match.

[ Even after his lies, which he had decided to come clean about -- that is important to her, more than anything else. ]

It would however refute one of the more confident pairs, putting us ahead none still. It depends on how willing we are to gamble.

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