loveauthority | [r8] talking head: dettlaff

[ ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm how the fuck is she supposed to do his name... um. ]

Van der Eretein... Der Eretein... Um.

[ ..................................... ]

Dettlaff-san! [ whatever. thank god her hunnybunny's world is getting her used to foreign names. ] Are you excited for the month ahead? There's a real cast of characters, or so I've read!

[ not that she can talk about them but whatever ]

[Here is Dettlaff, looking fairly staid despite the oddity of the situation — which is quite an achievement for a man like him. He lets her speak, lets her finish, even if the honorific is strange to his ears.]

You may just call me Dettlaff.

[Everyone else he knows does. He does not recall when anyone ever used his surname recently help. Evenly, lowly-]

I’m not entirely certain “excited” is the word I’d choose. Apprehensive, perhaps.

Apprehensive is good too! I totally wasn't when I was on the show myself, but--

[ oh. she's not supposed to talk about that yet. ahem. ]

But it's a good thing! Definitely! I have some questions to get us started right here, if you'll answer them with all your heart.

[Brows furrowing. Hold on, now-]

You were a previous participant?

And I'm currently pre-engaged [ whatever that means. ] to the man I met on it!

[ he's gonna find the quickest way to get her off track ]

That's why I wanted to come back and host one myself! Because I know what it's like to have loved, lost, and then loved again!

[And he won’t even realize he’s getting her off track, because he’s never been interviewed like this… ever.

And though it is the obvious conceit of the show itself—loved, lost—there is still something about having it said so straightforwardly that has Dettlaff’s body language closing off ever so slightly. The stiffening of his shoulders; the thinning of his lips.]

You were fortunate then — to find someone new you could trust. Whether that is naïveté or wisdom, I cannot say.

[ hmm... seems a little tense. ]

Well... we had our share of troubles during the run itself, right from the get-go, it's just that we both wanted to be together no matter what. Even if he didn't really realize that's what it was at first.

[ the memory of twinkling city lights is still so clear in her mind. the chill of the altitude, the way he'd drawn her to look at him, the way he'd stumbled until he spoke his heart the way he'd wanted to.

anna sighs yearningly, swinging on the hammock. she wants to see him again... ]

He's stupid. But I know it's hard to want to try again, too, even if I ended up doing just that. Consider me proof that it can work out if nothing else, Dettlaff-san, but everyone's experiences are different.

[…again with the “-san.”

He doesn’t bother to correct her again (this time), far more focused—or oddly baffled—by her admission. Not because it happened, but rather that it sounds like much of it, at the start, was built on uncertainty. He cannot imagine having the kind of faith in the unknown.

Not after what’s happened to him.

Perhaps he’s a fool to be here, really. Maybe they all are.]

Expectations different. Experiences different. I will not have the same… capacity for grace as most. That, I know.

[And maybe that makes him doomed from the start. Ah.]

[ she's an oddly respectful girl sorry. ]

Oh, that's fine! You'd be surprised what you'll come out with by the end, friends or otherwise.

[ and that seems sincere enough. it is sincere enough. ]

Wait, right! I totally have questions to ask you! "What do you think of TNT's engagement?"

...

[HUH]

What?

What do you mean what?

[ she couldn't have more clearly stated the most topical thing of the year? ]

[ ...

....... ]

Who is "TNT"? And why would I have an opinion on them?

[ oh my god ]

Nevermind. I shouldn't have expected an old guy to know anything about the world's hottest couple that defeated loneliness and found love on the American battlefield known as "football".

[ please ]

What's your thoughts on love?

[hello????]

I do not understand a word of what you say. But what does age have to do with understanding? Hm? Perhaps information from this sphere exists well beyond my own.

[so there!!

He scoffs.]

My thoughts on love? Be specific.

Edited 2025-09-07 04:57 (UTC)

[ she's going to make sure everyone has a fucking manifesto about TNT week one. yall cant have writing utensils but fuck if you won't have a shelf dedicated to every taylor swift lyric analysis and how it influence her and travis kelce's relationship from the moment she ghosted his meet and greet. ]

What do you mean, be specific? Your thoughts! On love! What's your take? Don't be so difficult.

I am not being difficult. I am allowed to ask for clarification, am I not?

[ugh!! humans!! honestly.]

You ask about my thoughts on love, and that is so wide a scope — it is like asking what my thoughts are on a starry sky. It exists, and some appreciate more than others, but to some, it remains forever distant.

[ ... ]

Is not the whole premise of the show to host those "burnt" by love? What do you think someone's specific feeling may be on the matter, then? Unlikely positive.

[He looped back around to giving an actual answer.]

No, but it's important to see our starting points! Some people are hurt, but have a hopeful outlook! Are you content to look on from afar? Or are you still reaching for it anyway?!

[ she's

passionate, you can give her that much. ]

[That she is. It rankles him a little, but not because of her earnestness. He is just the aloof sort, unable to know what to do with that kind of energy.

But as always, he answers truthfully.]

I am here, am I not? [ ... ] There is a part of me that wishes to try, and a darker part that wonders if it is futile, all the same.

[ blissfully unaware ]

That's natural. But as long as there's a part of you that wants to try, then you'll be rewarded. That's a Yana-chan guarantee!

[ and... a guarantee she shouldn't make, but-- she is a girl who loves love, and she found her own, so the only advice she has to really give is: ]

Just don't wait too long to say something, even if it's as simple as "I'd like to get to know you better"!

[That is actually good advice? That he should take to heart? Because it clearly worked for her at some point?

And that is not sarcastic metatext at all. Dettlaff tends to take much at face value, and he has no reason not to extend the same courtesy to her. Clash of personalities notwithstanding.]

How long is "too long"?

Dates start your second week here [ not dettlaff getting the schedule there are crew members trying to tell her to stop ] so I'd say "too long" is at the start of your third.

[ like, it could probably still happen.

but things tend to move fast. ]

If you feel curious about someone, make excuses to talk to them! To see what they're like, and to get to know them! Or be direct, whatever floats your boat.

[GETTING THE SCOOP BY BEING EXTRA BAD AT THIS-- EXCELLENT!

The start of the third week. Things do move fast there, especially for an immortal, but logically, it makes sense. If someone is dragging their feet 3/4ths of the way through this game, they might be struggling to the point that is... worrisome.]

I prefer directness. That is not the issue. It is a matter of knowing whether or not the other party is... interested. You humans are hard to read. Harder still, to know if you are simply lying about said interest.

Oh, if they've come here then their interest is real! Or at least their curiosity, their hope... I don't think anyone'll lead you on, but if they do -- I'll kick their butts. No one should lie to someone about their feelings.

[ otherwise they're total scumbags and she WILL skin them. ]

It's better to have some faith than to have none at all, don'tcha think? Take it at face value. Assume they're telling the truth. Punch them if they aren't. You know?

[Punch them if they aren't.

He can get behind that. It is very straightforward — this young human girl gives him advice that he can vibe with.]

Very well. So then I have permission to punch ["punch"] anyone who may try to deceive me?

[ ...................................

she really shouldn't say yes but-- ]

Make 'em regret even thinking about it!

[ good lord ]

[Excellent! Permission for violence. He feels a little better about this, then.]

Very well. That does not make it easy... but it does make it simpler.

[ their resident vampire... the evening was not for his benefit but she does hope he appreciated it anyway. ]

Were you surprised Aligula-san picked you out? I kinda was. She was asking me about you, too.

[He does appreciate the nighttime more than the daylight, of course, though he seems to function just as well in this interview as in the last.

That is to say: stoic as ever, though his brows do pinch.]

Were you surprised? To me, it was of little surprise; during our time together, she seemed to elevate me in her eyes due to nothing more than the fact that I am inhuman.

Yeah, that kinda thing brings people together.

[ the inhuman thing... ]

I dunno, with her whole... personality I sort of thought she'd... Anyway! Does it bother you? Or were you like, totally relieved the same way that she's not human? Frieren-san isn't either, and I guess Bonaparte-san's the same way.

[ a whole lil club of yall ]

[Tilts his head.]

My recent experiences have not left a pleasant taste in my mouth when it comes to humans these days. [No pun intended, actually.] I admit this causes some doubt in me, though I have been determined to set that aside for the sake of this game.

However... I cannot be rid of it completely. I do feel more comfortable amid non-humans, but that does not immediately mean that I am romantically inclined towards any who are. Aligula is... spirited. And she has only seemed to gravitate towards me because I am a vampire, and what dire imagery my title might imply; nothing else.

So... if she was a little more earnest in getting to know you beyond that, would you feel better about it?

[ this seems like an obvious yes answer question, but she's not gonna knock that first impressions are everything. ]

I mean, those are two pretty standout things about you, Dettlaff-san, so I wouldn't hold it too much against her at first glance.

[ but she also has special hostess knowledge. ]

Yes. I do not want someone to be attracted to me just because of what I am. Rh— Syanna, she only used me because I was a vampire. She manipulated my heart. I will not be making that mistake again.

[And yes, some of this is born of bitterness and anger he still hasn't let go of, erecting this shield with an immediacy against those who might see him as a killing tool for their own means. Is that extreme for a dating game? Yes. Is it still possible? Yes. He doesn't really know these people — they have been kind to him, it's true, but so was Syanna when they first met.]

I do not "hold it against her." It has been proven that we are not a match for this game, and so it will remain personally if she continues to show only interest in this part of me. That is simple fact.

[Just saying it how it is.]

[ hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

okay!!!! she's clapping her hands. ]

So if she asks you out on a date, will you say yes?

You seem very invested in this.

[Probably just part of her job, Dettlaff.]

Yes. I see no reason yet to deny anyone so early on.

It's part of my job to be.

[ yeah. ]

Let's see. Has anyone caught your eye the past week?

["Caught his eye..."]

Not particularly.

[Making Anna's life harder out here.]

They have all been kind, and I would not mind getting to know them better, one by one.

[Ah, so he means no one stands out because he's gotten along fine with everyone?]

[ okay so he's gotten along with everyone and no one stands out. that's sooooooooooo will-coded of him it makes her giggle. ]

Yeah, I figured that's how it'd go for some of you. So I'm guessing you've got no ideas on who to send off to the Truth Booth just yet?

[omg it is probably like, the only thing he could possibly share in common with Will...]

...No.

[ ... ]

I think we should reserve that privilege for anyone who feels particularly smitten.

[ yeah it was the one thing she hated too like my man your eyes should ONLY be on her your mind should ONLY be thinking about her-- ]

Even if it might cost you another wish?

[ like

not that anna is against that she's obviously for the smitten approach herself okay love will always win in her book why shouldn't the people with the most chemistry go on (it has failed before). ]

I should hope that those who resonate with each other are a safe bet, rather than a risky one.

[He arches a brow. Of course, he knows it won't necessarily work out that way with everyone.]

But if we must rely on cold logic, I doubt anyone would argue against that, either.

[ she seems

better, maybe. laying in her hammock but maybe better. ]

Hoping you and Gregor-san were the one?

[A thin frown. Not because he's moody, but because he's considering that question.]

That would be convenient, would it not? Though the numbers are against us.

You think? Why?

[ sorry she was Not the numbers gal in her round ]

There was only one extra light. The chances are not in our favor, for that means all the rest were incorrect. Indeed, I wonder who it might have been, were it not myself and Gregor.

Could be anyone... they were all pretty likely, in my opinion.

[ she does have personal ships to consider but. putting those aside. ]

Let's go with your numbers game and say it wasn't. Are you interested in giving him a shot, Dettlaff-san?

[r8] talking head: dettlaff

arrival!

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week one!

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week two!

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I FORGOT ABOUT MY TALKING HEADS THREAD

you weren't even the only one www

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