[r8] talking head: kaname

[loveauthority]

[ Kaname 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 Kaname to take a seat already!!!

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

Comments

[gumai]

[ crossing his arms and frowning a little. ]

I'm not giving up. I'm entertaining other possibilities. Of course we're going to try new combinations next week but the odds of getting a blackout and then after that, just one pairing right — it's equal parts demotivating and suspicious.

[makeine]

You don't think I don't feel the same? It's like you're almost there, and then just--

[ whiff. ]

But third time's the charm. [ it has to be or she's going to Lose It. ] What kind of hint do you think would help you guys the most?

[gumai]

What kind of hint?

[ He considers this, thinking again about solving this like a puzzle. ]

Something that includes the whole group, not just one person. Then we can build a strategy.

[makeine]

I can get something like that. I mean, their ratings will drop if we're left with an unsatisfying ending.

[ ... ]

But that aside, I want everyone to feel as warm as Hong Lu-san and Frieren-san seemed to be after finding out theirs. Being left with nothing but uncertainty sucks.

[gumai]

[ That gets a big sigh from Date and he lifts a gloved hand, rubbing at his faced with it. His other hand stays propped on his waist. ]

See, that's what I meant last night. Why don't you say that to people instead of calling us hopeless or adequate or saying we make you look bad? [ and then, Super Dad Tone: ] I know it feels funny in the moment, but it's demoralizing long term.

Hong Lu and Frieren got a good match. That should be celebrated and provide optimism to the group. And it did for a bit, at least.

[makeine]

[ ew get that away from her ]

I'm plenty uplifting one on one! But I've got a show to make entertaining, you know?! Unbridled optimism would feel so fake.

[ even if she does have high hopes for them all... anna does sink pretty fast into her own thoughts when things go sour. she's still not able to control that. ]

You guys are my responsibility. I'll do anything to make sure you figure things out, even if it means you do it just to prove me wrong and hate me by the end. [ even if she doesn't want to be hated. who would be. ] And... and if you guys lose your wishes, because I haven't been a helpful host somehow, I...

[ ... ugh. she's turning away. ]

I won't forgive myself. It's not your faults, Date-san.

[gumai]

[ He's going to reach out then when she turns away from him, putting a hand on her head and patting her a few times instead. It really is stupid that a teenager has been put in charge of looking after a bunch of adults. It makes no sense, he thinks. ]

It's not yours either. Just be a host, in the very sense of the word — host us. That's all you have to do. We figure out the rest.

[makeine]

[ how comforting... him and spike are both softies, but at least she understands why date is. he's got a daughter. ]

... You guys won't fail. So don't let it cross your mind, no matter what. You'll all get your happy endings or else.