perfectmatch | week three

[ Admittedly a large portion of the looks probably has to do with the halo and wings. She dealt with that when at dinner with Verso too.

She'll do her best to ignore them as she picks up her own flute, though fixing Rom with an exasperated look at the "slip up". This is why the sincerity of the kind gestures is doubted, Rom! ]

Come on! I know what we're really here for, but do my ego a little kindness by pretending for at least five minutes that you want to be here with me for other reasons.

Of course, of course, do excuse me.

[ Said in an entirely unconvincing way as he leans forward to clink their glasses together. But as he settles back in his seat -- not yet sipping from the glass, instead absently swirling it a little -- Rom glances off to the side. Thinking for a moment before continuing, his delivery just a little lighter on the showmanship than usual: ]

I thought it would go without saying that I'd be honored to spend time like this with someone like you.

Nope!

[ It's delivered with the sort of confidence one might expect a girl who didn't need it said that "her company was an honor" would say things with. ]

Those sorts of things absolutely need to go with saying. What good is a compliment to me if someone never bothers to pay it in the first place?

I see.

[ A pause, a blink, before he pits down his glass and sits up a little straighter. Miracle of miracles, he actually manages to look like a proper, normal, serious human being for a hot second when he tries again: ]

I'm glad for the chance to enjoy your company like this, Miss Serpilia. Your beauty is a wonderful sight, of course, but I also look forward to your lovely thoughts. Thank you.

[ She hums thoughtfully to herself, head tilting just a little to one side, then just slightly to the other as she considers it. ]

Still feels like you're angling too hard for that strategy session, but I'll give you a pass this time.

[ She reaches over to their impressive tray of treats, and picks up something that looks a little less overwhelming sugary to put on the plate in front of Rom.

His reward for his performance. You know, the reward he was going to get no matter what. ]

So since you're that eager to jump into it, tell me what you're thinking so far.

[ While she gets herself a lot more teeth rotting looking. ]

[ Ah ................... ]

I wasn't angling, though. I was being serious ...

[ tfw you're too good at looking like a skeevy conman so even your best attempts at being sincere and complimentary aren't believed ...... ]

[ Oh well. It's not like he isn't used to people misreading his intentions. Moving on -- Rom pokes at his fancy little pâté thingy (?) with his fork as he gives a thoughtful hum. ]

It certainly feels like people are more willing to explore other options with this upcoming ceremony. Maybe we should be grateful the close shave has worked as a sort of wake-up call?

[ Sorry, Rom. It was making sure to compliment her mind the most after asking for a strategy session. ]

Grateful seems kind of harsh, but I guess maybe? It definitely helped us eliminate a whole lot of seemingly solid possibilities quickly.

[ Not at all adding to the perception that he's just in it for the strategy meet he's just going to get straight into it: ]

Harsh, perhaps -- but I don't think it's untrue. Consider: if we had gotten, say, even one light this past week, we would have wasted the failsafe that Miss Furina and Miss Ringo's pairing netted us, while leaving far too many pairings on the table as 'still being possible.' I think it's a matter of mindset. It would have left the door open for too many pairings based simply on intuition and feelings. This way, harsh though it might be, the door has been closed on several that people might have been attached to. We can make good use of it, I think.

week three | dates

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject