✨ you only get one chance...

[liltuna]

THE FIRST IMPRESSION MEME   You only get once chance to put your best foot forward. Screw that up, and you'll be forever seared in someone's mind as the person who had spinach in their teeth, or worse! ✨HOW TO PLAY 1. Drop a top-level! 2. If you have previous CR with someone, you'll have to let them know what your first-impression of them was. If this is your first time meeting, you'll be compelled to share what kind of vibe they give off. It's okay to be honest! Are they gross? Do they seem approachable? Do you find them incredibly hot?  3. Find out if your first impression was correct! Maybe that strange loner actually has a heart of gold? You'll never know unless you talk to them!

Comments

[punnyshment]

I've always admired you as a researcher. I can tell your intentions are pure and your passion for learning about the world is praiseworthy.

[ Tighnari has been impressing him from day one, really. Interestingly, not involving himself with Akademiya at some point wasn't all that surprising for some reason. ]

Well, I... the jokes are for the people I like. I wouldn't tell them to anyone that I'm supposed to apprehend.

[phytologist]

I would hope you wouldn't tell them to the people you're supposed to apprehend. And I suppose I should be flattered you tell them to me.

...but they're bad.

[ Oh, he doesn't mind it all that much. They just... aren't good. Then again, would he enjoy them if they were good? ]

[punnyshment]

Bad as in badass?

[ Still living in denial... ]

I can refrain from telling them around you. I...

[ Maybe he's not a lost case, but it seems that Cyno is considering saying something more. The pause lasts for a few more moments before he finally adds: ]

I like you, so... maybe there's no need to joke around that much.

[ Everything would be alright if he didn't just contradict what he has said before about telling jokes to people he likes. Could it be that it's a different kind of like...? ]

[phytologist]

[ But didn’t Cyno just say that he only told jokes to people he likes? It’s a perplexing contradiction, and one that Tighnari isn’t sure he’s okay with. ]

If you stopped telling them around me, wouldn’t that imply you no longer like me?

[ But aside from that… ]

It would be stranger if you stopped.

[ Yes, the idea of Cyno telling his awful jokes to other people while ignoring Tighnari is oddly unpleasant. ]

[punnyshment]

No, that's... not it.

[ He realizes the discrepancy only now and looks away, his cheeks flushed. ]

I could tell you other things. Like... Didn't we take a class together? I could've sworn we had chemistry.

[ What an upgrade, from bad jokes to bad pick-up lines. ]

[phytologist]

[ It seems like Cyno is trying to communicate something, but the delivery is just so bad that for a good moment, it goes completely over Tighnari’s head. ]

No, we definitely didn’t. We had…

[ Wait a minute. ]

Cyno, are you trying to make another joke?

[ But there’s that flush on Cyno’s cheeks, which isn’t there when he’s telling an actual joke. Tighnari’s face feels sort of warm, too. ]

[punnyshment]

I believe they aren't called jokes, but pick-up lines.

[ Whoever taught him that never mentioned that these are absolutely terrible, apparently. ]

I can tell you these instead.

[phytologist]

[ Ah… ]

Do you… realize what pick-up lines are for?

[ He must, but then that means he’s trying to pick up Tighnari, right? ]

[punnyshment]

I do.

[ Cyno's gaze darts away from Tighnari making it obvious how flustered he is. ]

I wouldn't say things like that to anyone else.

[phytologist]

[ Well then! ]

I’m… you don’t need to say those to me at all.

[ Tighnari is a bit flustered now, too. Maybe the movement of his tail betrays it. With anyone else, he’d shoot this down immediately. ]

[punnyshment]

Does that mean... that you prefer regular jokes after all?

[ Misunderstanding of the year. He sounds very disappointed, too. Tighnari's tail twitching a little doesn't remain unnoticed, but Cyno figures that he might have made him uncomfortable. ]

[phytologist]

No. No, definitely not.

[ The jokes are less embarrassing, for sure, but that’s not what Tighnari is trying to say. ]

Just… you should be straightforward, if you want to tell someone something.

[punnyshment]

I assume you're right.

[ No, he knows Tighnari is right. Normally, Cyno is thoughtful of what comes out of his mouth, even if sometimes it might come off as blunt. With his eyes focused on Tighnari, he takes a deep breath, feeling a bit anxious. ]

You're more than a friend to me, Tighnari. There are things I want to tell you... and no one else.

[phytologist]

[ Honestly, Tighnari appreciates Cyno’s bluntness. This time, too—even if it’s embarrassing, and brings warmth to his cheeks.

Tighnari knows the only reason that’s happening is because he, too, has things he only wants to tell Cyno. ]

You know I value the things you have to tell me.

[ Hmm, he’s never done this before. ]

[punnyshment]

I can sense that.

[ Telling Tighnari that he knew wouldn't be entirely true. It was just another assumption, so it's nice to hear a confirmation. ]

What if it's not just about saying things? What if it's also about... doing things?

[ Cyno can't bring himself to be more direct now, yet he closes the distance between them and gently touches Tighnari's hand with the tip of his fingers. ]

[phytologist]

[ That’s, uh… Tighnari doesn’t pull away. Cyno’s touch is warm. He has nice hands. ]

Well, I… If you like someone, then you’d want to do things with them, wouldn’t you?

[ Is this really happening??? ]

[punnyshment]

Yes.

[ The reason why his answer is short is that it slowly sinks in that he's caressing Tighnari's hand. Cyno's never gone that far, even if they have touched plenty of times in the past while hanging out together, this is vastly different. ]

But only if that someone... [ He shakes his head. ] No, only if you are okay with doing it, too.

[phytologist]

[ This touch truly is far different than it’s been in the past. The same person, but a different feeling entirely.

There’s a hint of a flush on Tighnari’s face when he answers. ]

If I wasn’t okay with it, I wouldn’t have let you use a pick-up line on me in the first place.

[ Tighnari shifts his hand to take Cyno’s in his own, which he’s more than a little embarrassed about, but. It’s an answer, right? ]

[punnyshment]

[ It seems that being straightforward works in his favour, even if usually people dread of what he has to says. Tighnari, however, is different from everyone else. Cyno holds his hand, trying not to squeeze too much when he leans in, their foreheads touching as he whispers: ]

I like you. A lot.

[phytologist]

[ Oh. What’s that thumping in Tighnari’s chest when Cyno touches their foreheads together? He might combust right here. Cyno is warm, but Tighnari’s face is warmer. ]

I- It’s the same. I like you, too.

[ Just a few words are so hard to say! ]

[punnyshment]

Really?

[ Considering everything, it might sound like a stupid question, but hearing that makes a scarlet blush spread all across Cyno's cheeks. For a moment here, he hasn't ever realized that his headpiece is getting in the way. After removing it hastily, their foreheads are pressed again, his cheeks even warmer than before. ]

You're... special to me. Very special. And I... want to keep telling you that. And other things.

[ Tighnari might rest assured because he certainly doesn't mean jokes here. ]

[phytologist]

[ Cyno without the headpiece looks similar, but different. Softer, more in line with the way his voice sounds now. It makes a smile quirk at the edge of Tighnari’s mouth. ]

Yeah.

[ There have been things sitting in the back of his mind regarding this for a while now. ]

You… can tell me those things. I prefer them to the jokes you tell.

[ But he doesn’t hate the jokes, either. ]

[punnyshment]

[ Instead of saying anything, Cyno closes the remaining distance between their lips, sealing them in a passionate kiss. If he has been hesitating with expressing himself through words, his actions are bold and unapologetic. Shortly before pulling away to catch his breath, Cyno cups Tighnari's cheek and brushes the skin with the pad of his thumb. ]

It might be hard to talk like this.

[ There's a hint of hunger in his eyes, almost like he wants to convey all of his feelings with kisses. ]