perfectmatch | week four

[ WHY IS EVERYONE HUGGING HER SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH HER HANDS!!!!

... So, like with Yingying, she ends up slowly settling them around him in return, awkward in the way of someone who doesn't receive or give hugs in the first place. Either of them. Um. ]

... Grown by families who specialize in it, mostly. They're passed down generationally from parent to child, and each one bears a name to denote them as such -- Poteria in particular has a great appreciation for the bean, having a cup after dinner to help with digestion. While I do prefer tea, it was a charming tradition I kept to when we passed through that way.

[awkward hugs are still hugs!! he draws back pretty quickly afterwards, sensing that physical affection is not really her thing]

I bet they're delicious, then. I'd love to try it.

[ It's-- not, not like that, but she can't deny she misses it once he moves away. Maybe something to like. Practice. Do normal people practice hugs. Surely they do. Odile folds her arms into her sleeves once she's released, waiting a beat before starting again to the shrine. Slower this time. Leisurely. ]

I thought you might. If you're unable to take yourself away from your jobs for long, I'll be sure to send you a few strains to enjoy along with any instructions they have regarding their preparation.

[ Man is really about to receive some hefty linen bags full of organic beans absolutely free. And sachets of rooibos tea since he seemed to like it. ]

[following her towards the shrine again, linking their arms a second time so he can properly escort her. A BEAN IS ABOUT TO BE SOOOO SPOILED FOR GOOD TEA AND COFFEE]

I have a job waiting for me back home, and Rom and I are-- [a pause] . . . we have a business arrangement we'll be needing to discuss.

But! My schedule is still pretty flexible. I'll find the time to come see you; don't worry.

. . . and maybe travel with you for a bit?

[ She teased Rom back at the house....... perhaps it is time to tease Edamura now. He's being such a good boy though. In a bit, after their fortunes. Odile leans just the tiniest bit shoulder to shoulder, this is apparently permitable.

... Really, though? She knew she wouldn't be able to get rid of him or a handful of others, but... ]

Oh? Are you open to roughing it after all? You aren't beholden to our deal since it's been proven now that we aren't matched.

[SHE'S SUCH A KIND AUNT. . . HE APPRECAITES HER SO MUCH]

[with a HEAVY sigh]

It'll be worth it. . . to see sights that I would never be able to see back home.

[it'll be worth it to spend more time with her, but that part he isn't saying aloud]

I wonder. A freelancer like yourself must travel often, doesn't he?

[ He's probably seen all and more... well, he'll be really surprised to see so much of the sky maybe, given the lack of pollution of all kind in her world, but it isn't like he'll have anyone to talk about it. ]

. . . it's the nature of the job. Depending on where it takes me.

[his tiny smile is a bit. . . wistful]

You'll come to my world sometime too, right? And travel there with me?

[ Hmmm. Something she'll keep in mind. The request gives her pause though, something warm in her chest, and Odile focuses on ahead. What is his game here... ]

The culture shock might just kill me, but yes, I will. [ ... ] If that's what you'd like.

[ She'd be more than happy to, really. But. That is being a little too sappy. And she will not be that. ]

You're tougher than that, Odile.

[said with LIGHT humor]

And of course I'd like it. Who asks for something they wouldn't like?

[he will let her dodge the sappiness for today and today only]

[ Well, she'll give him that!!! You don't ask for things you wouldn't like, and... this show has given her time to acclimate a bit to. Modernity. In some senses. So it won't be that bad, certainly something she can handle.

...

Still makes her feel A Way but she can shove that down and return it in small amounts. ]

The overly polite. What will you be praying for, Edamura?

I'm not overly polite.

[says the guy trying Way Too Hard on week one. he can, indeed, be overly polite]

And I'm praying for good fortune. Not for the match ceremony, but for everything that comes after.

With your next job and... "business arrangement" you have with Rom?

[ She is spiritually waggling her eyebrows. ]

[. . . he can hear those quotation marks]

Not just for me! For everyone here, Odile.

[ As he should. She was bullying Rom on Monday. ]

Then I shall follow your example with my own, where fortune is concerned anyway. I don't believe anyone else is planning to put their experiences here to paper.

[not rising to the bait today!!]

Then that means it's up to us.

[folds his arms. nodnods. like it's a heavy burden, or something?]

[ it's cause he got laid huh ]

...

[ Does he even-- ]

Are you planning on writing a book as well, Edamura? Because that is what I mean by paper.

[ HER THREE EXPRESSIONS... ]

[REDACTED]

Writing a book sounds. . . [LIKE A LOT OF WORK. . .] So no. I guess I was thinking about the paper the fortunes were written on.

Memoirs are far less work than you'd think, given they're of a personal nature. It's useful for self-reflection too.

[ So maybe he should write one too. But she gestures with her hand. Fortunes in a second, first... ]

Age before beauty, young man. Send your prayers to the gods you've neglected and hope they still have an ear to turn to your pleas.

[pulls a coin from his pocket and winks]

It might have been a while, but I remember!

[and he will go ahead and slip that coin into the offering box]

Edited 2025-06-25 00:11 (UTC)

week four | dates

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