Realistic or Modern Is This Love?

[dwale]

Do not touch yet.

​

 

[dwale]

Flashback

Year - 2012 / Place - The House / Event - Ceremony

It was time, once again. Those that were still left had gathered outside, like they had several times before, and were now standing with those they believed to be their soulmate or life partner. Some had already lost one of the two to another who'd claimed their heart. Charles Bartoli stepped forward, one of the big guys, and eyed the miserable individuals with a sense of pride. He had taken part in bringing these people together to find those they were destined to be with, yet they all looked so glum. Most likely due to the fact that others had already left and they were still there. Two looked particularly miserable and all of the details were known to Mr. Bartoli.


The man clapped his hands together and then threaded his fingers together, drawing the attention of those that had been otherwise occupied. A smile found it's way to his thin lips as he stared at the couples. He'd had the matches embedded into his memory before they'd even arrived, as he was the announcer every week. His eyes scanned over the waiting crowd, taking in every shift of anticipation and the bobbing of a few Adam's apples out of sheer nerves. The suspense was probably killing them, and that was exactly how he liked it before giving another of his grand reveals.


His eyes first locked with a dark skinned man with fiery tips to his dark hair, and a petite female with pale skin and blonde hair. They were not a match, unfortunately and he told the two so. A disappointed sigh left the female's mouth and the man seemed to deflate somewhat. They had both been at it so long, luckily for them, everything would become much clearer after this ceremony. His eyes moved next to a tall female, with long locks of curly brown hair and a shorter male with little to no hair on his head. They weren't a match either, and they received the same news as the last couple. Their reactions were incredibly similar.


However, the next couple was a match. A taller man with bright orange hair and captivating green eyes, and a shorter female with strawberry blonde hair and similar green eyes, though hers were lighter. He smiled, though the two seemed rather irritated when he did so, and he began to speak. "Congratulations. You've found your soulmate."


End of Flashback

Present Day

Mood - Annoyed, Anxious / Status - Sober / Location - Living Area / Time - 5:07 PM

Isla


Waiting. It had never been something she was good at, but she'd tried to get a handle on that several times throughout her life. It was to no avail each time. It was too instilled into her being. Her foot tapped on the wood floor, arms crossed over her chest as she waited for them to arrive. She had never wanted to come back to this place. The memories it held were either fake or painful and she wasn't sure which was worse. Her mouth opened in a rather wide yawn. The plane ride hadn't been too kind in the way of sleep, and she was suffering for it now.


Isla's blinked as she finally allowed herself to sit on the plush white sofa. She'd been standing for too long and had no interest in doing so any longer. She heaved a huge sigh and planted her elbow on the arm of the couch, then rested her chin on her upward facing hand. They should have already arrived at the house by now. Not to mention that... Van had yet to poke his fiery head into the room. She hadn't any idea where he'd run off to and didn't let her mind linger on him too long. There was no point in it, really.


A dissatisfied groan left her throat as she leaned further into the couch. Why couldn't they just get there? She wanted to get introductions done, so she could actually enjoy herself and fuck with the participants. She had yet to see her living arrangements, but was sure they would be lavish. The big guys never failed when it came to that aspect. Well, they never failed, period. Except for maybe with Van and Isla, but that was of little importance.


A dark phone was produced from the right back pocket of her dark jeans and she checked the time. The plane was supposed to get in at 4:30 and it wasn't that long of a drive to the temporary home, but, then again, traffic sometimes was a pain in the ass. As fate would have it, a car door slammed outside and she sprung from her place on the couch. She was barefooted, not wanting to stand around in those dreadful heels, as she walked down the vast driveway to greet the participants. She plastered a sickly sweet smile onto her face as they piled out of the large van.


"Welcome, guys," Isla spoke in a fairly fake voice. She wasn't happy at all to be watching over these people, but the pay was good and the opportunities to manipulate were overflowing. She could never have turned down such a thing. "If you would follow me, I'll show you around where you'll be staying. I'm Isla, by the way. Back-up dancer and previous participant. I'm here if you have any questions, cares or concerns. Let's start with the tour, yeah," She asked, that same smile still on her face as she quickly turned to walk away, expecting for them to follow.

@GakuHirashime

@Raphael @Atom @AbstractAnnabella @QuixoticKitten
​

 

[Nap]

Donovan

The smell of sea salt and sweet fruit were the first scents that greeted Van as he stepped off the plane. All around him he saw people different in size, shape, and color. They all looked relatively the same and he knew he stood out because not only was he tall, but his hair was brighter than an American school bus. He grinned when he remembered his first time at this specific air terminal. A group of native females had approached him, asking him if he was some sort of spiritual shaman, which would have been as likely as shaking hands with Putin.


Throwing his duffle bag over his shoulder, he began the short journey to the parking lot. Upon his arrival, he sighed in relief and shook his head because as promised, his baby girl was there, parked and sparkling clean. Her sleet black body was polished in all the right places and Donovan couldn't help but admire the bike. The big guys said they'd ship his bike over as one of the payments for agreeing to being a moderator, but they sure went over board. Especially with the Welcome Home card folded neatly on the seat. Donovan reached for the card, glanced at it, and threw it into the air before saying "Whoops" to himself. He wasn't the littering type, but warm greetings from superior wannabes weren't on his list of things to appreciate.


When his bag was placed snug on the back of the seat, Donovan threw a leg over the seat, placed his foot to the break, and let his girl roar to life. The sound of her engine was heaven for his ears and he couldn't help but shiver. Normally, the sound wouldn't affect him so much but because of his busy schedule, he'd stopped riding her for nearly eight months. Imagine how happy he was racing towards his temporary home, hair flying every where and all.


A modernized house soon came to view as well as a van passing by the male. Donovan gave a small nod to the driver, recognizing him from the time he spent roaming the lands. The red haired male wondered how someone could work in such a business for so long but he didn't care enough to think further. All that was on his mind at that moment was how fate or destiny would be for him then. Since they weren't so kind to him last time, or ever actually.


Donovan parked his motorcycle and made his way towards the front entrance, his feet patting softly against the ground. As he stood outside the door, he took a deep breath and let the door swing its way open before taking a few steps. With a large smirk he announced, "The King is here everyone." His eyes searched the unfamiliar faces until they rested on one in particular. As soon as they did, a mischievous sparkle formed in his green orbs and there was no one in the world who could have stopped what he was about to say next.


"Ya miss me Doll Face?"

@Mortem
​

 

[QuixoticKitten]

Margo D'albertis

Some people would argue that playing a game to find your soulmate is the end of everything that is good. You find the love of your life, have some great sex, and then nada. The whining, squirming things commonly known as children would inevitably come next, and then life was basically over. Margo contemplated this as she stepped onto the threshold of the beautiful, if not a bit showy, house. Sure, most people would call this game the end of their happy years, but for Margo, it was just the beginning.


The dark-haired girl bit her lip, conjuring images of her and some currently nameless girl snuggling up together in bed. Try as hard as she could, Margo just couldn't picture committing her life to anyone. Maybe this would change things, but she seriously doubted it. The flight in had been interesting enough; Margo had come shockingly close to being kicked off the plane for flirting with the flight attendant. Sure, maybe she had made some overly suggestive commentary, but it wasn't like she was trying to sleep with the poor girl. Okay, maybe she was. But who can blame a sexually deprived lesbian for wanting to join the mile-high club?


Margo shook her head and laughed to herself, smiling as she opened the door and stepped into the house. At first glance it was relaxing, but after looking around, the raven-haired girl started to have other thoughts. God, how many houseplants can you put in one room? And this is only the entryway. Whoever had decorated this house was obviously trying too hard to emanate a tropical vibe. It screamed fake, as did some of the voices coming from a distant room. Following the buzz, she headed into the belly of the beast, ready to face what would be her life for the next couple of weeks.


In what seemed to be the living area, a clearly unenthusiastic blonde was rattling off about herself and the house. A man with screaming red hair looked at her with a face much more enthusiastic than the blonde's own. Someone's obviously a little attached The last words that Margo caught before the blonde stood up were something about starting a tour, and so Margo followed, leaving her black suitcase sitting at the entrance to the living room. She followed like an eager puppy, ready to learn everything about this house and its secrets. Her toes were as close to blondie's heels as she could get, her eyes glimmering mischievously. As the blonde began to speak, Margo took her first opportunity to get as many girls as she could with none other than the house moderator. Standing on tiptoes, Margo leaned into the blonde's ear and whispered, "I don't know about you, but I think I could use a private tour," not even trying to hide the flirtation in her voice. She withdrew but kept her eyes on the older girl, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

 

[kou]

Drill holes in themselves and live for their secrets. Radiohead

[media]

[/media]
----

The plane had been excruciatingly confined, trapping Mizuki with other people whom she had never met in her life and would never wish to, she hadn't forgotten how tedious boarding a flight was but that didn't make her current situation any better in lieu of the circumstances. Somewhere in between resisting the urge to bolt and mustering up the courage to stay, Mizuki found herself stood with various others in front of a grandiose house clustered with various tropical plants. The air smelled of nature, of wind and sea, of anxiety and aggravation..or perhaps that was simply Mizuki. The woman in question hesitantly stepped inside after another female did, glancing around as she took in the scenery before wrinkling her nose as she trudged into the living area; a blond-haired woman whom appeared to be their guide of sorts spoke with as much enthusiasm that could be gathered..which was not much. Mizuki wondered how long this process had to be repeated, the same words repeated over again, the same movements and mannerisms, it was no wonder that things appeared to be as dull as they were.


Of course that changed once a man with alarmingly ginger hair arrived, entitling himself 'the King' and casting off an air of carelessness, Mizuki could practically hear her father's disapproving tone and she was unable to hide the slight smile which graced her features. Judging by his reaction to their guide, he knew of her or was possibly well-acquainted with the woman..intriguing. Mizuki followed along as they started the tour, her hand gripping the luggage she had brought along with her as the woman in front of her left her suitcase before continuing forward. Mizuki couldn't help but acknowledge how close the raven-haired woman was to the guide, an amused expression flickering across her face as she realized what was occurring. That was certainly a bold action, one that could be reciprocated wrongly given the scenario however Mizuki was shocked by how confident the young woman was, many would not try to flirt so openly with the guide. It was achingly obvious what was happening and the older woman turned to study something else, refraining from sticking her nose where it shouldn't belong.


If the other woman wished to flirt with their hosts, Mizuki could not persuade her to do otherwise. Of course, there was a sudden realization that she was expected to mingle with other people and Mizuki somehow knew beforehand that it would not turn out well. She was able to socialize however she wasn't as enthusiastic as other people appeared to be, this was merely an experiment...a way to see if someone was compatible with the likes of her. It was not going to be a life-changing event.


Right?

 

[Atom]

Nico Archeletta

Nico still wasn't sure if he regretted his decision as he stood, staring at this magnificent house. If he could come stay here without the stipulation's imposed then he would have in a heart beat. There were good odds that the nearby town had a bar he could find work in afterall. But even under the agreed upon terms Nico had agreed, what choice had he really been given? He'd shared that apartment with Diana and, well...he wouldn't be going back there. He couldn't just kick her out, even if she'd torn out his heart in front of him like that, no...Nico didn't have it in him to do something like that. He wasn't that kind of man. Nico was weak, even if he hated to admit it. No, the only choices he'd been left with were to either accept the offer or call his mother and beg for help...


Nico's choice was obvious, and now here he stood uncertain of it once more feeling regret or some other emotion that clouded his judgement. Why would he put himself in any situation like this so soon...? Nico sighed to himself slightly, working up the necessary will to put one foot forward and follow the few who'd already entered into the house. Passing through the doorway he couldn't help but just feel like a lot was going to happen during his time here, whether it was good or bad only time could tell...


Nico had to set his thoughts of regret aside as he entered the house to take in it's appearance. To a man who'd always lived in shitty apartments throughout his life this house looked like it was bathed in luxury. To Nico it was absolutely stunning, amazing, and any other number of words that could be used to describe what he saw. Nico wasn't exactly the most attentive person in the room, failing to pay much attention to the other occupants further than a glance. He wasn't ready yet to try getting to know to other occupants of the house, much more comfortable to just get his barings and get settled in. Knowing Nico's past with love the odds were great that he would be here for quite awhile...

 

[Suffocated]

Juan Manuel Gonzalez

​

'Ya...aqui estamos. Para ti mama voy a encontrarme una persona especial. Dios este con migo...' (Translation: Here we are...For you mother, I will find that special someone. God be with me.) Juan took a big breath as he arrived in the airport. The tropical weather he experienced as he exited brought him back home to the beaches of Colombia. Though the atmosphere of the people were widely different. Juan glanced around as he felt the jitters of playing this game. He hadn't necessarily hunted out a long term relationship in a while. Now he is supposed to find his soul mate or life partner. It sounded easier than it could ever actually be.


Once he arrived at the house along with the other contestants he couldn't help but glance at each one of them. There was a beautiful Japanese woman who had an air of silence and wisdom. Juan was rather curious about her, he had never met a Japanese before. She seemed elegant and fragile. The other woman was an intriguing one, she immediately began to flirt with the house mediator. A woman that seemed incredibly uninterested in the situation. This made Juan smirk a little. 'Parece como una mujer que se ha cansado del amor.' (Translation: she seems like a woman who has grown tired of love)


The flirty female participant raised a bit of a red flag in Juan's head. He didn't know that this game applied to attraction of both sexes. This made him incredibly nervous and he purposely came here to fend off those sinful desires. Things that were engraved into his mind by his catholic upbringing. Sleeping with another man is a sin and he already has enough sins piled up against him. He doesn't want to make his mother cry anymore in heaven for his selfish desires. Juan really hoped that he wouldn't be cursed with having a soul mate as a male. Maybe he would just prefer to be alone...that was less sinful.


Juan realized that he had spaced out majorly and he noticed that the other male in the group was also out of it. Maybe the men are just not as excited about this game. Juan needed to get a grip though, he came here with a purpose and he was going to fulfill that for his mother. No bullshit excuses allowed. He decided to just be himself as best he could while ignoring the raging thoughts bubbling in his head. It was time to introduce himself.


"Mucho gusto (Translation: It's a pleasure to meet you all) , My name's Juan Manuel Gonzalez but you can call me Juan."


Juan gave a bright and joyous smile, his black back slinging slightly off his right shoulder. He then began his customary hello's. He walked up to the two men and gave them firm handshakes. Feeling like he had seen the red headed male before but deciding to ponder on that later. then he arrived at the ladies. Without thinking twice he greeted them like he would in Colombia. Placing his cheek on either side of their and making a kissing sound. He did this with all of them and afterwards realized his mistake.


"Ah, sorry. That's how we say hello in Colombia."


He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. A bit of blush creeping on his cheeks. Even if he had been in the U.S for many years he still felt comfortable going back to his Colombian roots especially when he was nervous. Hopefully nobody got too heavily offended by his actions. This was going to be a long year.

 

[dwale]

Present Day

Mood - Unenthusiastic, Tired, Slightly Annoyed / Status - Sober / Location - Living Area / Time - 5:20 PM

Isla




The scoff that came from Isla's lips she hadn't tried to repress. Her eyes lingered on Donovan for a moment, before she opened her mouth to reply. "I missed your stash of pudding more than anything else. I hope you brought some," She told him, before she began the start of the tour. It wasn't long before she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and felt as if someone was in close proximity to her. The moment she stopped, she came face to face with one of the participants. Margo, Isla believed, was her name. The comment threw her off for just a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.


"Unfortunately, I'm not here for that. I'm sure one of the surrounding clubs could offer someone up. For a price, that is," Isla told the extremely confident female. The flirtatious side of Isla had all but disappeared since the last time she'd been at the island. She hadn't gone out on any conquests and had little to no human contact, besides those she interacted with at work. This thing had fucked her over. Another yawn struck her and erased any negative thoughts from her mind, and then a male with an intriguing accent and way of going about things greeted her. In an odd way, but who was she to judge?


The tour was quick. They were all shown to their rooms and the bathrooms they would have to themselves until the second group arrived. The pool and lounge areas had been the last thing she'd shown them, before giving them a list of popular locations with a map. Then, she left them. Her own room had yet to be seen and she wasn't planning on locating it yet. She just wanted to lay on the couch and take a nap, but she was sure with the newbies and Van around, that wasn't going to happen. An attempt would be made anyway.


The moment she reached the couch, the collapsed on it. The air was far more humid than it was in the state she now lived in. The climate had never treated her kindly here. She could recall several occasions when she'd fallen ill during her time as a participant, but most of those held the face of the one person she never wanted to see again and her chest tightened at the thought of him. She sighed into the arm of the couch, nose scrunched a bit. This was going to be a long year.

@GakuHirashime

@QuixoticKitten @Raphael
​

 

[dwale]

Time Skip | 8:03 PM | Same Day

 

[Angst]

Spoiler

What on Earth was he doing?


It was this question that plagued Max throughout the entire flight, droning on endlessly in his head like a swarm of honeybees, sedated by the beekeeper's smoke. Truth be told, the same question had been following him around for the past week, lingering in the back of his mind and making itself known at the most impromptu of times. From South Carolina to Georgia, to the airport in Florida where he boarded the flight that meant there would be no turning back, he could not seem to shake it.


Though so far he had expertly managed to avoid confronting this weighted internal query, as he stepped from the plane onto the island that was to be his home for the next coming year, Max was finally forced to come to terms with it. The scent of sea salt hit his nose as he walked towards the airport, and a gentle breeze ruffled his shoulder-length hair before he stepped inside the building. While he waited to retrieve his luggage, he busied himself with studying the other patrons as the passed him by, going about their individual business. Producing his prized possession, a small 1990s Polaroid from his carry-on bag, the young Dutchman was able to snap a few candid shots - one of a young woman with fiery red hair and the other of another young man gazing longingly out one of the large glass windows - which brought a smile to his face that was promptly dispelled as the much dreaded question hit him again.


What was he doing there? The excuse that he had been making, that he simply wanted to photograph the area's undisputably breathtaking scenery, just wasn't cutting it anymore. He was lonely; there was no sense denying it now. But how could such a problem be solved, even by a game designed to help the players find their soul mates? Certainly there would be no consolation for a man such as himself, one who fled from commitment and feared being tied down to such a degree. For the hundredth time since his departaure from his parents' home, he found his mind wandering to Laura, and he instantly knew that this was going to be a great deal more trying than he had originally anticipated. Nevertheless, he was determined not to enter into this new stage of his life with a negative outlook, and so, as he left the airport with his belongings and headed for his new home, he forced a bright smile onto his face.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Just the exterior of the house was so impressive that Max could not help but snap a picture as he stood before it, gazing up at its majesty in complete awe. Afterwards, however, once he had regained his proper senses, he found himself suddenly unable to move from the spot. It was as if once he stepped though the door, all of this would suddenly become truly real. He wondered if any others had already arrived, and felt himself grow apprehensive at the thought. Normally, he would have been ecstatic at the notion of meeting so many new and interesting people, but when one of those people was supposed to be his soul mate, it put things in an entirely new perspective.


Eventually, after a good five minutes of internal debate, during which time he contemplated running at least twice, Max was finally able to get himself through the door, smile still on his face as he looked around for any others.

Spoiler

 

[Xed]

Wayne Alford

"Remember lil' bro the ladies love a charmer so make sure you flash them your nicest smile." It was finally time to leave. Today he would be boarding the plane that would take him to an island far from the safety and comfort of home and his brothers, starting with Lionel, had decided to impart him some advice for the umpteenth time since he made his decision to partake in the event. If he'd made a list, it wouldn't have fit into his pocket. "Don't be stupid you flirt." Hannah cut in, whacking him hard over the head. "He's not trying to find a fling but his soulmate. Acting like you isn't going to help him in the least." She hissed while Lionel rubbed the back of his head and backed away to avoid a second hit, failing to retort with one of his usual teases about how she ended up with him. "Ignore Lionel." Wayne turned to face his older brother and promptly found a large hand on his head ruffling his hair. "Responsibility and maturity always works best."


"No! Wayne just needs to be cute like a teddy bear and the ladies will be all over him." Now Carlene was joining in and she wrapped him in a large bear hug that caused every muscle in his body to tense up. "For starters," Jacob chimed in, "you should try not to stiffen up like that. It could easily offend them if you do." Soon an argument between them started on how Wayne should go about the event and Wayne didn't know if he should listen to any of them at all. That and the temptation to walk away so that he could avoid the stares they were getting was great. He almost jumped out of his skin when he felt someone tapped him on the shoulder and turned to see Alice standing there. "Relax Wayne. Make your own decisions. It won't help to be someone else. You have to win them over by being yourself." The soundest advice he'd heard so far except one teensy little problem. He'd never won a girl over by being himself before... it was always too wimpy and not manly enough with every one of them...would this time be any different? Or had the sender of the email made a mistake and he was doomed to board the return flight alone and unsuccessful? "Have confidence Wayne. You'll be alright. You'll find the right one." Hearing those words of encouragement, the conviction as they were said put a faint smile on Wayne's face. The first one he'd given since this whole business started. Hopefully it would still be there, preferably brighter when the year ended.


It was only when he'd gotten off the plane and arrived at his destination that Wayne realised just how deep into foreign territory he was venturing, a little too deep for his liking. For the first time he'd be staying in a house other than his own and he'd be without his brothers around to step in and help should he need it. He was alone now and trying to do something he'd never have the guts to do before. Proactively search for love himself. And if the email was right, he'd find his soul mate here in the stately house that stood before him. This was the most nerve wracking and crazy thing he'd done in all his 21 years of living on this planet and as he took his first step inside, he could only hope he wouldn't end up regretting it. He'd made the decision to come himself but now that he'd arrived, he was starting to second guess his choice. The first thing he saw when he stepped inside the house was a man wearing a hat, with curly hair that reached his shoulders and a camera in his hands. A contestant? A moderator? Or somebody else? Only one way to find out. Summoning up all the courage he had, Wayne took a deep breath before speaking with the most confidence he could manage. "H-hello...I'm Wayne, Wayne Alford." He winced at his stuttering and could only hope he sounded alright as he waited for a response to his greeting.

 

[QuixoticKitten]

Margo D'albertis

The mattress groaned as Margo fell back onto it, exhaustion taking her over. Today had been a long day, and though the others were no doubt playing icebreaker games somewhere in the house, Margo felt no obligation to participate. As much as she wanted to meet the people she would be spending the next months of her life with, the thought of sitting in a circle and telling everyone her name (Margo) and alliterative food (macaroni) was enough to put her to sleep. Why do they even bother with this? How is my favorite food supposed to let someone know whether or not I'm compatible to be their soulmate? Honestly, the whole of the game was more than a little bit off-putting for Margo, but hey, as long as she got what she was looking for, it was okay.


The room wasn't small, yet it wasn't big either. It was decently sized, containing only the necessary furniture for living. The bed was simply quilted in white and pushed up against the wall to the left, a small window above it giving a view into the grand living room. Across the room from the bed sat a dresser, in which Margo had already unpacked most of her clothes. Those that she couldn't fit were hung in the closet, which served as an entryway into the equally simple bathroom. A mirror was leaned in the corner, though Margo doubted she'd be using it much. Overall, the room gave off an air of tropical simplicity that left the dark-haired girl feeling relaxed and at ease.


Through the sliding glass door, Margo could hear the sounds of the ocean, so close that she could practically feel the waves rushing in around her. She made a mental note to trek out to the beach tomorrow, or maybe take one of her many potential dates there. Nothing more romantic than a picnic on the beach, she thought to herself, remembering the time an ex had taken her to the beach and nearly drowned after trying to impress Margo with her swimming skills. Swimming wasn't necessarily an attractive quality to Margo, but needless to say they broke up afterwards, over Margo's unstoppable fits of laughter at the whole ordeal. Not that it was funny that the girl was drowning, but it was quite entertaining. Maybe Margo was just a sadist.


Pushing that thought out of her mind, Margo grabbed the hard cover of a book that had been sitting in her room when she arrived, some cheap romance with a cheesy, flower-covered jacket. It showed two people prancing through a meadow, hands entwined and heads leaning in to hear a secret that only the two of them knew. Margo gagged automatically; she didn't want some unrealistic novel about how love was all daisies and sunshine and rainbows. Yet she was not tired enough to sleep, and so she cracked the spine of the book and began to read. She had nothing better to do, and as she read the story of the young couple in love, she couldn't help but wonder if there was someone out there, maybe even here, who would love her like that.

 

[Nap]

Donovan Lee Trent

​

Remember that time in high school when you'd constantly find yourself gazing at your crush? Yeah, that was Van at the moment. After throwing his belongings into the living room, he followed close behind the group, making sure to keep a good distance between himself the person in front of him. Although he did his best to keep his attention on the passing walls and oceanic view, every once in a while his eyes would fall onto a petite girl not even a few feet from him. He'd let himself fall into a daze, watching her long hair flow gently against her back. Of course, when he realized he was staring, he'd tear his gaze away but the process would repeat until he saw one of the contestants get eerily close to Isla. The Scottish male let out a snicker when his fellow moderator commented bitterly, as expected.


Donovan decided not to add anything because the last thing he wanted was starting something on the first day. Luckily, the tour ended shortly and everyone parted ways. He didn't bother introducing himself or asking for their names since there'd be plenty of time to get to know one another. In fact, if some of them recognized him, it wouldn't take long at all.


A breathless groan left the male's lips as he made his way into the kitchen. There was absolutely nothing worthy of calling food but a small bowl of tropical fruits. On it was a welcome home sign, which he found as amusing as when there was one on his bike. He made his way to the refrigerator and to his utter surprise, there wasn't any food in it either but some bottles of water and what he recognized as native juice.


He sighed before letting out a thundering yell. "I'm going shopping!"

????????????????????

​

It was a quarter passed eight, and relatively dark. Donovan stood in the backyard on the concrete nearest the pool with only the dim outdoor lights to bless him with sight. Normally, he'd be able to see in the dark but that was only when rave lights were dancing in the sky. He tossed a patty, letting the loud sizzle float in sink with the rocking waves in the distance. It was rather peaceful, especially with his Motown station in the background. When he decided he'd spent enough time dancing and flipping, he let his voice resonate.


"Guys, come out! We have burgers and if any of you are American, I swear to God you better fucking thank me." He yelled before adding quietly to himself. "Spent a fucking hour trying to find a place that actually sold buns." Donovan continued to flip burgers while laying out the condiments and sides. He even managed to do so while dancing in his red apron which read in white letters 'Kiss The Cook'.

 

[dwale]

Present Day

Mood - Half-Asleep, Grumpy / Status - Sober / Location - Pool Area / Time - 9:07 PM

Isla




Isla hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the jet lag had gotten to her when she'd discovered the shared room and she'd just collapsed. It was a rather restless nap, but would suffice until she was able to get some better sleep. She awoke at the sound of music, eyes bleary for quite some time as she pushed herself from the bed. The little makeup she had been wearing was now worn off and she was sure her hair looked great. With that thought in mind, she pushed her hair back into a pony-tail and then got up from the bed.


The sound of Van's voice resonated through the house and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes, but it was just an act. She had missed the sound of his voice, though she would never admit it. She had missed him, period. Again, she would never admit it. Not after... everything. She walked to the kitchen and dug through the bags that still littered the counter until she came across the very item she knew he would have gotten. And she couldn't help but grin as she pulled the film cover back and grabbed for a spoon.


Though she was still tired and rather cranky, the sweet taste of chocolate on her tongue made her momentarily forget about that. She walked out to the back, ready to collect some food as it smelled delicious, and did roll her eyes then. His apron was absolutely something that was just... Van. There was no other way to describe it. "If you think I'm kissing you for food, you're sadly mistaken," The blonde told him after swallowing another spoonful of pudding. "I came here for food, not diseases," She added in a semi-joking tone, but there was still an edge of seriousness.


The smirk on his face was annoying and she grumbled at him as she moved away from the grill, planning on getting food after the others had. The pudding would keep her occupied. She sat down on the white and dark wicker chair. Isla cringed somewhat at the painful memories brought back. The chair was the same, she could tell. They had changed very little since the time they'd been there.


Flashback

Breathy shrieks resonated throughout the pool area and a petite blonde ran from the house. A smile was brilliantly placed on her mouth as she raced around the edge of the pool, dark-haired and tan-skinned male chasing after her with an equally bright smile on his own face. She was caught eventually and hauled to a dark wicker chair with plush white cushions, arms wrapped tightly around her mid-section.


It was dark already and only the gentle glow of the fluorescent outside lights gave them some sight, but that wasn't a problem in this moment. In that moment, they hadn't a care in the world. They had each other and that was enough for them. The smile had been replaced with a tight purse of her lips as she looked at him, eyes wide.


"Do you promise you'll be here with me," She asked, her tone withdrawn, as if she were fearing his rejection. She had placed her trust in this man and would be unable to bear it if he were to leave her. As selfish as it was, she needed a promise. The man's smile softened and he dipped his head to place a chaste kiss to the woman's mouth.


"I promise."


End of Flasback

Isla had spaced out for a moment, eyes staring blankly at nothing in particular. The memory was painful as it had all been a lie in the end. She had been an absolute wreck when he'd chosen her. She still wasn't completely okay, but she was sure she would get there. Maybe her time spent here would be closure of sorts. Maybe after this, she could move on with her life and get over it. She doubted it.

@Raphael
​

 

[Angst]

Max's search for other signs of life, admittedly, did not last very long, as he had barely stepped into the foyer when he was suddenly addressed by a voice from behind. A warm, genuine smile spreading over his features, he turned to face the speaker, a younger man with green eyes so bright that they put every emerald that Max had ever seen to utter shame. Normally, he would have jumped at the chance to get a picture of those eyes. In fact, his first instinct was to ask, and he might have, too, had it not been for the fact that Wayne - as he had introduced himself - looked and sounded so entirely nervous, though it was clear that he was doing his absolute best to hide it.


"A pleasure to meet you, Wayne Alford," he replied in a voice thick with the sound of his Dutch origins, offering him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Maximus Pierce, but you can call me Max."


Maybe it was premature judgment, but Max had already decided that he liked Wayne. The other man bore the aura of a kind soul, and that was something that Max could definitively appreciate. He was going to have to ask to hear his personal story one of these days, once things had settled down and everyone became a little more comfortable with one another. He opened his moth to speak once more, before a booming voice from outside echoed through the house, startling him slightly. Once he had regained his composure, the photographer laughed good-naturedly, turning back to his companion.


"Well, looks like we aren't the only ones here, after all," he said with a friendly, lopsided smile as he set his bags down by the stairs and headed back outside to find the source of the sound, nodding for Wayne to follow if he pleased. When he reached the gathering area at the back of the house, he was met with the scent of cooking meat and the sight of two people standing around a grill, a man with fiery red hair and a fair woman with tired eyes.


"Hello, don't mind me. I just wanted to see who was calling."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


@Xeyran @Mortem @Raphael

 

[Xed]

Wayne Alford

For someone as nervous as him, there was nothing more comforting than a warm and friendly stranger. Maximus was exactly that easing his nerves somewhat with his friendly greeting. At the same time, he admired and envied the ease with which he spoke. At least he'd found someone he was likely to get along with, now it was just a matter of finding out what the others, especially the girls were like. Hopefully they're as nice.



A loud voice surprised Wayne and he almost jumped at it, his heart skipping a beat. He turned to look at Max just as the guy started laughing before adressing him. He wanted to respond but nerves and Max's quick exit to the outside prevented him from doing so. He was thankful for Max signalling him to follow and not wanting to be left alone or leave the company of someone he felt he'd be comfortable around, Wayne did just that, trailing right behind the other man, head bowed slightly, peering up slowly when he heard Max speak. The scent of meat cooking tickled his nose and he found himself staring at a man with hair that looked to be some shade of red, but the sight that really shocked him and caused his eyes to widen was the apron and the way the guy at the grill was dancing as he cooked the meat. Wayne had no clue how to react to that and simply nodded his head and gave a barely audible greeting of 'hello'. It was after that he noticed a second presence, a girl whose hair looked to be strawberry blonde and was pulled back into a ponytail with a rather blank look on her face. Were they contestants or moderators? Was she one of the girls that could be his soul mate? What did she think of him so far if she was...could her opinion possibly be the same as all his ex girlfriends and classmates? He wanted to know badly but was too nervous to ask especially after observing the man. Instead, he went for a freshly plated burger, taking in the smell and appearance before sinking his teeth into the burger. As he chewed, his expression changed a small smile gracing his lips. It was nice, the meat succulent and juicy, the buns fluffy and the sides added to it cooked well. Perhaps he'd found a fellow chef in the tall man, someone with a common love of cooking. Having eased his nerves somewhat with the food, Wayne again mentally prepared himself before giving his name to the two new people in a soft, polite voice. "I'm Wayne Alford. Nice to meet you both."

 

[QuixoticKitten]

Margo D'albertis

The obnoxious calls of the red-headed moderator (Margo had never bothered to learn his name, only that he called himself a king) woke the dark-haired girl from the tentative slumber she had fallen into. Margo groaned inherently; she had been quite relaxed and the last thing she needed was socialization. The smell of cooked meat drifted upstairs from the kitchen, and being the stereotypical American she was, Margo couldn't resist herself. Since she left her parents, she had never had the opportunity to eat a home-cooked meal, and so the smell of grilling spices and vinegary ketchup was overwhelming. Grumbling, Margo pulled on a pair of knit leggings and an oversized t-shirt from a concert she had attended. Over that, she tossed on a flannel and tried to tame her mess of hair into something that was out of her face. Feeling accomplished, she pulled on a pair of slippers and padded down the stairs into the kitchen.


The pool area was already a sight to behold, with redhead dancing flamboyantly around the cobblestones and flipping burgers as he went. Isla, as she had later introduced herself, was looking at him disdainfully, which Margo had come to assume was her normal expression. Quickly, Margo looked down at the floor, not caring to think about what had happened earlier, It wasn't often that she experienced rejection, but this woman was blatant in her disinterest. Maybe Margo had been wrong to flirt with her upon arriving at the house, but the woman did nothing to soften the impact of reality.


Margo eyed the blonde, waving and casting a coy smile in her direction. She figured that she would stay silent for now, maybe give it some time. After all, most of the girls always came crawling back to her. Those who didn't had no idea what they were missing. They had months to spend together in this house, and there was no telling what would happen between now and Margo's departure.


On the thought of girls, Margo looked around the area in puzzlement. There was Isla and redhead, and two young men who Margo didn't recognize from earlier. She didn't attempt to hide her disappointment; where were all the girls? Sure, Margo would date a boy if she had to, but she was much more inclined to the so called 'gentler sex'. There had been a woman earlier, but she was much older than Margo preferred. There was no way Margo could have fun if there wasn't anyone to have fun with. The girl picked up a plate from the premade stack on the patio table and began to load it with her perfect burger: a soft ciabatta bun, juicy burger, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions. She took a bite; it tasted like home.


Smiling as she used her tongue to clear the crumbs off of her lips, Margo cleared her throat and said, "Hey plebeians, I'm Mary Margaret, but if you call be anything but Margo I'll probably kill you in your sleep."

 

[Zel814]

Evelyn Henderson


It had been chilly on the plane and as Evelyn stepped out into the cool early evening air, she hugged her light pink sweater around her chest. She carried only one suitcase and her small backpack which she took practically everywhere. She could hear the water from the airport, which made her shudder a little. When she was a small child, her parents said she loved to jumped in the wading pool and splash around. They said she even asked for swim lessons. But, after she nearly drowned at six, she hadn't really mustered up the courage until her teens. Then, there was that "incident," as they now called it. Since then, any thoughts of swimming had vanished. Hearing the waves collapse against each other made her think on it, imagine herself walking forward, actually immersing herself into the water. Being here was likely going to mean that at some point, she would have the opportunity to swim with the others. Evelyn frowned at the thought, but hoped that maybe she could try to at least stick her feet in without slipping into a post-traumatic episode. That definitely would not impress her soulmate. But, then again, her "soulmate" would understand.


There were nerves dancing all over her body, so much so that Evelyn had to concentrate on her steady in and out breathing as she walked. Her friend had convinced her to do this, had told her that this was what she needed. "Just don't compare everyone to him, okay?" she had told Evelyn shortly before she had left. Evelyn had promised herself to give someone new a chance. Of course, she had had a few relationships since the him-they-don't-talk-about, but they were short-lived. Evelyn thought she had valid reasons for those relationships not going anywhere, but her friend Stephanie said, "No, you're just coming up with excuses." This program, whatever it was, maybe it would have something new. She wanted this.


When she made it to the door of the house where she would be staying, she took another deep breath. Was this the right move? Was it going to be another regret? Would anyone like her? Many thoughts invaded her mind as she opened the door and saw...no one. She glanced back and forth around the house, thinking that it looked nice, a place her mom would really enjoy. Then, she could hear voices and the smell of hamburgers quickly invaded and overcame all of her senses. This smell made her think of her father, long bear hugs with her uncles, and sipping the taste of beer for the first time. She quietly walked to where she could see the others. There were three guys and two women. She thought the man with red hair who wore an apron that said "kiss the cook" looked like someone who had a good sense of humor. He was likely a moderator, given what he was doing, she thought. The blonde-haired woman looked sad for some reason. Evelyn wasn't sure why, but she knew when someone wore sadness.


The long-haired man, she thought, looked interesting, like she could easily sit and talk to him with her notebook out. Would that be a little rude, though? And the other woman with dark hair, Evelyn thought she was pretty, just like the blonde. She thought the dark-haired woman looked like someone who was good at partying and having fun. These were just her first impressions though. And they didn't necessarily mean anything. Then, her eyes lingered longer on the short-haired guy, who she found attractive. She walked over to the group and waved a little awkwardly. "Hi," she said. "I'm...Evelyn." She wanted to slap herself at how nervous and shy she sounded. She wasn't really this shy normally, was she? After taking another deep breath, she sat down and hoped someone else would start talking so she had time to get a little bit more comfortable.

@NimbusTheCat @QuixoticKitten

 

[Suffocated]

Juan Manuel Gonzalez

​

After the initial showing of the household he saw that everyone went their separate ways to put things away in their rooms. Juan felt that there was a bit of an uncomfortable air but he couldn't place it. He decided that going to his own room would be a good idea until the second half of the group arrived. Once he arrived at his room he admired the view from his patio area. The scenery on this island was absolutely astounding and it made him wonder how he was selected among so many others to partake in this game. It was a pretty sweet gig even if you weren't set out to find the love of your life.


He laid on the bed and listened to the sound of nature coming from outside. Slightly drifting off to sleep here and there. Thinking a lot about his mother and why he was here. The idea of committing was scary and he was unsure if he would be the right man for any of the ladies here...not to mention his issue with the opposite gender...Something about embracing a man appealed to him but that was a guaranteed trip to hell. But that feeling he got, it was nice.


That was when Juan bolted out of bed. Realizing that it was already night outside. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was way past 8 o clock. The time that the other half of the group was supposed to arrived. Well, nothing like following the Colombian time. Which essentially meant always showing up late to every event. He quickly opened his bag to pull out his coffee maker. Yes, Juan brought his coffee maker with him almost everywhere. He didn't want to depend on others to provide that and he can't live without his coffee. He plugged it into the nearest outlet while he prepared a new full pot of coffee. While that brewed he changed into a black t-shirt and ripped jeans. He checked himself in the mirror as he fixed his hair accordingly. Once he heard the sound of his coffee being ready he poured himself a big cup of it. He then made his way out of the room, one hand with the mug and the other with the container of freshly brewed coffee. He had also balanced a couple of foam cups on top of the contained as well. Might as well offer some to the rest, he thought.


He made his way downstairs and heard an array of sounds coming from the back where the pool was located. He waltzed over there right behind a woman he had not met yet. He found himself face to face with the door that stood in the way of the pool area. Since both of his hands were full he decided to kick the door open. Walking in to the group he raised his container of coffee in the air.


"Hola amigos! I present to you the coffee of the night. Sorry for being late."


Juan smiled as he placed the container on one of the nearby tables. Sipping from his mug as he placed the foam cups next to it. He went up to the new girl about to kiss her on the cheek to say hello but he stopped himself. He already made that mistake once and he wasn't about to do it again. He was probably late to introductions but he decided to introduce himself anyways.


"Mucho gusto (Translation: Nice to meet you.), My name is Juan Manuel Gonzalez Camacho Rivera Casado Penuela Armado Consiensa. But you can call me Juan."


Notoriously in Colombian culture many families keep all the last names they inherit. Those just happen to be the few that he remembered at the moment. Maybe it was a little much...

 

[QuixoticKitten]

Margo D'albertis

Since Margo's arrival at the somewhat crowded pool deck, two others had already arrived: an innocent looking young girl and a Hispanic man who Margo believed she had already seen. Upon the feeling of a slightly warm ceramic mug in her hand, Margo smiled and blew a kiss in the direction of the man, a gesture to display her thanks while being her normal flirtatious self. It was almost second nature to her to flirt with every human being in the room, and the kiss had come naturally to her, though she hoped it wasn't giving off too much of a flirtatious air. She hadn't come here for the men; when was Margo ever interested in the men? She was here to sleep with the ladies and mess with the game, though the sight of some of the contestants had made her question her real motives. Maybe she could find love among the beautiful people.


Speaking of beautiful people, Margo couldn't help but notice the poor young brunette sitting on a rocking chair, tucked away from all the action. Margo couldn't blame her; their house moderators were a little much to take in at first. The girl looked like a fish out of water, someone placed in an environment that she clearly didn't want to be in. Her chest heaved with the effort of her nervous breathing and with a closer look, Margo realized that her hands were shaking slightly. The girl clearly screamed 'anxious', and Margo figured that with a little bit of her charm, she could ease the girl into her new living conditions.


Margo took a small sip of her coffee and immediately her tongue recoiled. Fuck, that's hot, she thought to herself, blowing small puffs of cold air to cool both her coffee and her aching tongue. There goes my chances of getting any tonight. Margo shook her head and laughed to herself. She already knew that she wasn't getting any tonight, and anyhow, this girl was probably everything but interested in girls. Others would call it flirting, but Margo truly wanted to make the girl comfortable. If she was going to survive these next few months, she would need more than a couple of friends.


The ceramic mug made a noise louder than Margo would've liked as she placed it down on the patio table, which seemed to startle the girl. Margo smiled gently and sat down, giving the girl a hug like they had known each other for an eternity. "Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Margo," she began keeping up her smile and looking directly at the girl, a sign of her confidence. "Don't mind everyone else, they're a little weird from what I've seen." Black hair cascaded down her back as she let out a throaty laugh, then tilted her head back down to look at the girl. The brunette truly was beautiful, with silky shoulder-length hair and piercing brown eyes. She looked more than a little nervous, but Margo saw a confidence in her that others might not. Running her hand up and down the brunette's own, she leaned in and whispered, "I think we're going to be best friends."


@Zel814

 

[Angst]

As more and more people began pouring out into the space around the pool, Max took them all in like a breath of fresh air. So many new and intriguing persons - the prospect of getting to know each and every one of them served to alleviate a good portion of his primary apprehensions. Perhaps this hadn't been such an awful decision. Though a man sorely lacking in the field of commitment, Max had always been, from the earliest years of his life, a lover of people. And of course, these young men and women were of no exception. It was an awe-inspiring thing, to think that each and every human being perceived the world in a unique manner all their own and to be able to catch a glimpse of those perceptions through the subtle power of conversation. It was a wonder to him how most others did not share this sense of amazement towards their fellow man.


The woman who had introduced herself as Margo, despite her smaller stature, was mildly intimidating, to say the least, but Max could sense a fire in her and an energy that he could not help but admire. Evelyn, though shy, much like Wayne, practically radiated a gentleness of nature and an air of quiet thoughtfulness that instantly told him that she would make for an interesting conversationalist. Perhaps they would get the chance to speak in the near future. Overall, however, the one who really caught his eye was the man named Juan. Max watched on with a note of intrigue as he introduced himself. A man with that many names was bound to have quite a story to tell, was he not? Additionally, standing in the dim lighting of the moonlit backyard in a black t-shirt and ripped jeans, he looked to be the perfect subject for Max's next photographic venture, granted that he was willing. If anything, it would be an easy way to get the ball rolling.


Deciding to take a pass on both the coffee and the offered food - he generally preferred to avoid caffeinated beverages, and although it hadn't exactly been the most delectable fare in the world, he'd had quite enough to eat on the flight over - he approached Juan with a good-natured smile and wave, camera held nonchalantly in his free hand.


"I hope this does not seem too forward," he began, with a vaguely apologetic gesture towards the device, "But may I take your picture?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@GakuHirashime

 

[Xed]

Wayne Alford

Three others had joined them since he and Max stepped out to the poolside. A feisty woman called Margo had been the first and she'd made Wayne feel rather uncomfortable, something that showed despite his attempts to suppress it just like the disappointment that showed clearly on her face. Clearly they weren't what she expecting and in all honesty, she seemed like someone he'd have difficulty handling based on first impressions alone. It had him surprised and somewhat relieved that the second to appear was a woman. A woman with brown hair, brown eyes and a nervous tone to her words he was so used to hearing come from himself. And if his eyes hadn't betrayed him, her gaze had lingered on him for a while longer than the rest. It made his heart skip a beat. This woman seemed to be more like him with the awkward wave of her hand and the shyness she'd displayed in the situation. He would have walked over and talked to her if he had the courage but at that moment, he felt like he wouldn't been able to force a word out of himself let alone a sound. The third to show was a guy, a friendly Colombian called Juan who'd brought coffee with him, coffee that Wayne had immediately helped himself to a cup of. Nothing calmed him more than a freshly brewed cup of the stuff and the one Juan brought down tasted good. Now he was stuck at the side, cup of coffee in one hand as he watched the others interact with one another. He'd intended to try and talk to Evelyn after he had a cup to calm his nerves but while he was doing just that, Margo had taken the seat next to her. Approaching a woman was hard enough, with someone like Margo there it'd be even rougher so he stayed put, especially when he noticed Margo stroking Evelyn's hand and leaning in close. He had no clue what to make of the scene or more importantly Margo. The woman seemed to, as he once heard Hannah call it, swing the other way. Wayne averted his gaze immediately and went back to drinking his coffee to calm himself before turning his attention to the others. Perhaps he'd attempt a conversation with Juan or Max or not...The two were already doing something but he couldn't tell what it was.


It was quite a dilemma for him. The man working the grill and the strawberry blonde who stood to the side were the only ones not interacting with anybody. Except the woman seemed cold and the guy appeared to be an eccentric. He had no clue who was a better option or if he should even approach either. Nerves got to him once again and this time coffee didn't really help that much with them. After a while longer, he turned to the woman deciding she'd be easier to deal with it and likely to give him led of a culture shock than the guy and his apron. "Do you...happen to know what the schedule will be like while we're here?" He asked, grateful that he sounded calmer than he felt.

 

[kou]

||Theme Song||

||Mood|| Anxious, observant, slightly terrified.

So much noise, too many people in one place, and water. Water. Mizuki despised water, she had never learned how to swim and she certainly wouldn't be doing so now. There were things that Mizuki were able to handle however and this happened to be one of them, the woman quietly glided past everyone and found a remote spot to sit without being interrupted with her observations of the others. She found them all to be intriguing, they contradicted each other greatly however some of the contestants seemed as if they had already found their match. Mizuki smiled slightly as she studied the moderator whom appeared to be content in his 'Kiss the Cook' apron, her gaze sliding over towards the flirtatious young woman who looked as if she could not be more happier, standing eerily close to a brunette woman. Ah, so it appeared everyone was enjoying this unique get-together of sorts. Mizuki frowned as she heard the distant sound of water crashing against rock.

'Don't think about it.' Mizuki forced herself to redirect her mindset, her hands gripping the chair she was sitting in as she leaned forward. Her therapist had explained that remembering the event would certainly bring on temporary trauma and she did not want to make a scene in front of people she knew nothing of, Mizuki counted to 10 quietly in order to soothe herself, it was a technique she often utilized when under duress and it seemed to help. The sounds of the ocean seemed to dissipate and the woman settled back into her seat, running a slightly shaky hand through wisps of black hair before resuming her study of the others. She had never been one for being spontaneous and perhaps it was something that needed to change, she was sure that there would be more scenarios such as this and it was useless to hide out whenever she was confronted with the tedious task of socializing. It was required in order for her to find her supposed 'soul mate'.

The word brought a sour taste to her mouth and Mizuki's hands tightened momentarily. She would wait to interact with another when she was sure that she wasn't going to practically convulse from how stressful this one event appeared to be. For now, the soft smile remained on her face and she watched as the others conversed with one another.

 

[Suffocated]

Juan Manuel Gonzalez

​

Juan took note of all the new people that were at the poolside. It began to excite and scare him. This was really happening to him right now. He saw the flirty girl from earlier gladly take up on his offer. It caught Juan off guard when she flirted with him for a little bit. However his immediate response was a small private wink, he knew this game, he had played it many times before. He shook his head after that realizing that his old playboy ways were still around to cause havoc. He had to remind himself that he wasn't here to sleep around or flirt with everyone. That he was here for his mother and to find the one.


He began to lose himself in his thoughts of wonderful times with his mother. Occasionally sipping on his coffee. He heard a voice approach him, introducing himself as Max before asking a picture that almost blew Juan away. This evening was just full of surprises. First the gal that had all of her attention on the house mediator at first began flirting with him follow by a newcomer asking for a picture. This must be what it's like to experience that Americanized concept of the Twilight Zone. Juan chuckled deeply to himself before sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.


"Buenas! (Trans: A short friendly way of saying hello!) I don't mind. I've never been asked that before so I'm sorry if I'm not good at it."


Juan laughed at himself as he felt the blush begin to take form on his cheeks and that was saying something since his skin was a bit darker it was usually hard to notice blush on it. He was truly honored to be asked such a question. He also couldn't help but admire how handsome this Max was. Though as Juan looked him over he felt a sharp pain in his heart. Vas a ir all infierno por eso marica! (Trans: You are going to hell for that *Really bad word for homosexual*!) Juan snapped out of it and he tried to focus back in reality. Trying to push it farther and farther away. This odd desire that guarantees his doom. It needs to go away...

@Angst Mention//: @QuixoticKitten
​

 

[Zel814]

Evelyn Henderson


When Margo sat beside Evelyn, she started to feel a little less nervous. It also allowed her to think about something other than the pool which seemed a little too close. It had been five years, but it felt like it had just happened. She had promised herself she would one day get over it, but that time hadn't come. Evelyn thought the woman was beautiful and had a sense there was a lot more to her if one only got past the flirty exterior. It was easy to judge others, but harder to actually spend the time to get to know them. When Margo touched Evelyn, she got the sense that Margo might be into girls, but it didn't bother her. Although she had never done anything with a female, she had wondered in secret what it would be like, could see the potential in intimacy between two women that a man and woman couldn't share. "It's nice to meet you," she said, not pulling away, but simply offering a soft sad smile. In a way, the idea of just being held by someone was deeply appealing. It had been too long. The only problem was Evelyn's emotions always got the best of her.


When she looked back out toward the short-haired guy who she found very attractive, she saw he was interacting with the sad-looking blonde. She partly wanted to go over there and talk to him, but she reminded herself that looks can be deceiving, and sometimes what you expect to happen doesn't, and vice versa. Turning her attention back to Margo, Evelyn looked at her, but not into her eyes. She had a habit of that. "Is this everyone? It feels like some are still missing." She counted the heads, and knew two of them were moderators. She knew there had to be more people. Evelyn kept glancing back at the water every time she scanned the area. A part of her kept being pulled in, deeper and deeper. She just wanted to escape it. So she looked back at Margo, making eye contact. It was better to fall into someone else's eyes.





@QuixoticKitten @Xeyran