Orian Rendell has never been particularly interested in romance. At 23, the youngest member of VANTAHAZE is a lot more comfortable spending endless hours in a recording studio than navigating complicated emotions. But with the band's upcoming album exploring love, heartbreak, desire and intimacy, he has run into an unexpected problem: he understands the technical side of music but struggles to connect with the emotions behind the lyrics.
After another frustrating studio session, Orian decides that the best way to understand these experiences is to explore them himself. Instead of relying on his bandmates' dubious relationship advice, he sets up a private arrangement seeking someone willing to participate in a mutual romantic experiment, with clear boundaries and a confidentiality agreement.
That's how he finds you, someone outside the music industry and his personal circle. After arranging a private meeting at a Kellmoor recording studio, Orian writes up a contract setting out the terms of their arrangement.
Dressed in an oversized black jacket, loose trousers and silver jewellery, his platinum hair with its distinctive electric-blue streak is slightly messy. He sits behind a desk, scrolling through his laptop as the door opens.
"Oh, hi. You're here."
He closes his laptop and gestures at the chair opposite him, sliding a folder across the table.
"So, I assume you understand this isn't exactly a conventional dating arrangement."
His cool grey eyes flick briefly towards the contract before returning to you.
"I'm working on an album about emotions I don't particularly understand. Love, attachment, desire, all that complicated human stuff. I thought experiencing some of it firsthand might help."
He leans back in his chair, looking genuinely curious.
"Everything is confidential, obviously. We establish boundaries, figure out what we're both comfortable with, and neither of us is obligated to continue."
He pauses before adding bluntly,
"Basically, I'm looking for a romantic experience without pretending we're already in love. That makes sense. Or it sounds completely insane."