perfectmatch | week three

... The latter.

[ But it's said softly. She works steadily on her side, voice raising slightly in agitation. ]

How much of the Edamura we see is the one that was raised by his kind mother, and how much is the one that was raised by his poor mistakes? Have you been sincere in your time here? What is it, exactly, that you've been seeking?

[he answers her questions in order]

All of him, and none of him. And of course I have; I'm not trying to be anything other than. . . myself. For once. Just. . . me. And I'm looking for--

[. . .]

. . . the same thing I said I was looking for when I first got here. New connections.

[. . . he pulls up a tiny smile. slightly lopsided and familiar. that's the Edamura she knows]

The chance to be something more than just a swindler.

... I should use my other shoe on you too.

[ But she doesn't, simply staring at him -- weighing, again, the worth of his words, before she exhales loudly and rests back on her hands.

Okay. She's going to die from high blood pressure one of these days, but. Okay. ]

Alright then. Thank you for telling me the truth, Edamura. My own secret feels far less weighted in comparison. Is this Laurent of yours single?

[. . . what]

[what????]

[is who single?? is Laurent single?]

[is. . . Laurent. . . single. . . . . . . . . ?????]

[IS LAURENT SINGLE?????]

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

[holy shit that is SO LOUD that his voice is ECHOING ACROSS THE STORE!!!]

-- I don't know if he's single! I don't care! He's a playboy!! An absolute bastard!!! You deserve so much better than him, Odile! I'll kick his ass if he so much as looks at you funny!!!

[WHY IS HE HAVING A CONNIPTION THO]

[JABS A FINGER AT HER]

So love yourself more and don't even think about it!!! Wipe those thoughts clean from your mind!!!

[he's so distressed it's really funny]

[ WHY IS HE HAVING A WHOLE EPISODE

It makes Odile bust out laughing though, and though she tries to holding it back down to respond it interrupts her anyway, tears prickling her eyes. Ah, it's always so fun. ]

He must-- truly be bad, for you to lay him so low... [ Ahh, ahh... Her chest hurts. ] I'm only joking, Edamura. You really are so fun to tease.

[I]

[she]

[she's. . . laughing?? at him?? she was joking??? he had a heart attack over a joke??]

[WHEEZES]

Odile!

[can't even complain about it being cruel. . . about her playing with his stupid fragile heart. . . he probably kind of deserves it, for keeping this from her for two whole ass weeks. . .]

[ 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?

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1/??? christ this thread closes my eyes

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okay done

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1/2

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