[r8] talking head: dettlaff

[loveauthority]

[ Dettlaff is led to a quiet room within the resort with a pair of hammocks to suit the scene, and upon one of them is where the overseer sits. She beams, shuffling her cards in hand (she will not use these), and motions for Dettlaff to take a seat already!!!

This is the Talking Heads room, and there are cameras. Prepare to loosen those lips! ]

Comments

[ardencies]

[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.

[makeine]

[ 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.

[ardencies]

[…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.]

[makeine]

[ 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?"

[ardencies]

...

[HUH]

What?

[makeine]

What do you mean what?

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

[ardencies]

[ ...

....... ]

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

[makeine]

[ 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?

[ardencies]

[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.

[makeine]

[ 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.

[ardencies]

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.]

[makeine]

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. ]

[ardencies]

[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.

[makeine]

[ 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"!

[ardencies]

[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"?

[makeine]

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.

[ardencies]

[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.

[makeine]

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?

[ardencies]

[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?

[makeine]

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

she really shouldn't say yes but-- ]

Make 'em regret even thinking about it!

[ good lord ]

[ardencies]

[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.