perfectmatch | week three

[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.

[. . . oh??]

I. . . am?

[????]

[a lengthy pause, before he decides to be brave and ask. . .]

How?

What a spoiled child you are. Haven't I given you enough?

[ But it's just a tease, settling back as she studies what's left and begins to work anew. ]

You are a good man, Edamura. Someone I get along with, feel comfortable around, can speak easily to... who doesn't push nor touch me unnecessarily, and someone whose values -- or at least, whose mindset, is not so different than my own. These things are important to me. What is more important than anything, however, is your honesty.

[ Her gaze draws up to him slightly, smile small. ]

You've done a lot of hiding. But you know when to come clean, and even if it may damage the relationships you cherish -- you still did. It takes courage, Edamura, of which you are in no short supply.

The only thing is we are too similar in our guard, and admittedly I'm sure they've chosen a match that might let me open myself a little more than I have in these past few weeks. Someone who might pry the way I do, who won't let me draw back the way I tend to when it comes to matters of the heart.

[SPOILED CHILD???]

[c. covers his face with his hand, something red creeping out from underneath his fingers, spreading to the tips of his ears]

Odile. . .

That's so embarrassing.

[BUT HE SAYS IT SO FONDLY]

Yes, it is, so do forget it and return my shoe.

[ Hand it over bean boy. ]

I don't know that I suit your wants for a match any, but... that is why I don't think it's unlikely, save for the confidence of our others. We might just be lucky in our connection otherwise, with "fate" having nothing to do with it.

[laughs, lowering his hand so he can pick up her shoe and toss it back to her. the camera crew has finally found them, panting heavily as they give them both the stink eye for their fifteen minute reprieve. Edamura ignores them]

. . . then maybe I should bump us up from a two to a seven?

[A SEVEN IS A GOOD SCORE!]

Do you want to know another secret, Odile? [a beat] It's not that serious. I promise.

[ Seven is a viable score, and she pays no mind to the crew either as she fits her shoe back on. Their fault for getting lost. ]

Well, go ahead then. You've been trying my patience all day.

[ Light as it is, still true. ]

[yeah! they were even kind enough to wait here in the store for them!]

. . . the truth is, I don't really know what I'm looking for!

[he says with a smile and a laugh as he turns back to the puzzle. once again not self-deprecating, but. . . painfully, hopelessly lost]

All that stuff I said before. . . about a "spark," or waiting for the right person to come along. . . it sounds nice. It's romantic and sweet and I'd like to believe in it. I'd like to think something like that exists for me.

[a breath]

But I don't.

[their puzzle is probably about halfway finished by now, with all the hard work they've been doing]

I think love is. . . in actuality, pretty messy and painful. I think it can hurt a lot more than people give it credit for. [. . .] Maybe. . .that's my problem.

[everyone else just knew. Furina and Ringo, Luka, Poppy and Shoko, Nico and Aventurine. they just knew, and here Edamura is, slowly dipping his toes into a world in which he has no experience, trying his hardest to be a romantic when. . . deep down. . .]

[he has never been one at all]

[ ... Hmm. She understands, both from his view and her own. Love is painful. That's why Siffrin's words had stung, why Edamura's slow build to the truth had clawed her chest, why... even the lack of it, from her mother, hurt so much despite her efforts. It has never been something wholly good or kind, only-- ]

You don't want to be hurt.

[ Simply, because she understands. Neither does she. ]

We are overly cautious, perhaps, and analytical to a fault. "Feeling"... is not our speciality. Unlike many others. But you should know, Edamura, that they have allowed themselves to be hurt, to risk that, and they have been surprised by the result. Aventurine wasn't certain at all last we spoke -- and I did encourage him to speak up, whether he thought he had, or deserved to have, a chance -- so at the very least, in his case... He knew well the messy, painful side of it.

[ Just as they do. ]

It does sound nice though, doesn't it? To find someone that may accept all that you have, or don't have, to offer. To find bliss in your every day with them. To be swept away by romance, to know. But I doubt any of them truly did, Edamura. They only wanted to look at the day ahead and see the person they like within it.

[ ... And, to that...

...........

Mmm. She can... perhaps, still see where it goes, once she has apologized for her bullheadedness and seen how he feels now, but... to call it anything so juvenile is beyond her. ]

You know, I was quite glad Furina and Ringo took to the booth. I still don't fully understand it, but I believe half of that dreadful "l-word" might be regret. And if there is someone or something you would feel "regret" towards for abstaining, then perhaps that is something worth trying regardless of the unknown result.

[you don't want to be hurt, she says. is that it. . .?]

[. . .]

[perhaps. he has been hurt before. not by love, necessarily, but just. . . by the many twists and turns that his life has taken. it rings especially true when everything Odile says reminds him a lot of what Ringo had told him. hadn't Ringo admitted that she didn't really know? that she had her own share of doubts and uncertainties? and in the end, hadn't she said that it all came down to bravery?]

You know. . .! I feel like I've been getting a lot of advice about this the past few days. [much-needed advice, funnily enough] Thanks, Odile.

I'll keep everything you said in mind.

Oh, don't think you're the only one getting something out of this. Talking about it outloud... certainly has been worthwhile, even if you are the only one I can confess to.

[ And the staff are so mad they missed the juicy "who are they talking about" bits. So sad. ]

But please do. And... I may revisit my thoughts on a certain someone in return, so perhaps you will have one more update to look forward to.

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