the truth booth

[marriagebroker]

In keeping with the #aesthetic, the Truth Booth looks like a plain but quaint wooden gazebo up a hill, not too far away from the house. It's all out in the open too for everyone to see and snoop on if they so desire.

The only thing inside the gazebo is a large TV screen that will proclaim you and your "match's" fate, and two panels for each character to stand on.

Comments

WEEK ONE

[marriagebroker]

[suibian]

[ Wei Wuxian is here! To bring our lovely two contestants to the Truth Booth. He will greet them in the main foyer of the estate, looking enthusiastic as always and twirling his flute around in his fingers lazily. ]

So! You're our first lucky two, huh? How nice! Follow me, follow me~!

[ And he will lead them out the back door of the estate towards the grounds, stopping at the start of a path leading out towards a hill where the Truth Booth... Truth Gazebo waits for them. ]

Go down this path and you'll find your answer there! Good luck, my friends.

[embellwish]

[ Yingying follows along amiably, dressed in her usual flowery, fairy-like attire. As ever, fresh wisteria blossoms are pinned in her hair, the sweet fragrance of the flowers following her everywhere she goes. Her mood is... playful and coy, mysterious and difficult to read beyond the pleasantry, like usual. She doesn't seem nervous or intimidated in the least at the prospect of being tested — if anything, she's glad to take the burden out of others' hands for this first week, while they're most likely to get it wrong.

Looking up at her companion, she smiles and extends a hand, placing on the upper arm — meaning to hold on during the trek. ]

Shall we embark? I'm looking forward to this.

[beatmatching]

[ if the pairings are based on like-like, luka and yingying certainly fit that picture and then some. luka's always been at home with the cameras, with this show, and getting selected for the spotlight the very first week is no different. in fact, it might even be a little exciting?

luka's wearing this number, making them a picturesque image of a couple out for a spring date in the park. ]

As have I, my fairy. [ he'll hook her hand in his arm for a more secure hold, and then look to her before he starts to walk. ]

They've placed their hearts in us, so we'll have to give them a good show.

[embellwish]

[ Following along at his pace, the pair are able to elegantly stride to their destination, matching each other beat for beat. Like in the house, and by the wisteria tree, each thing they say, each part of their actions, feel like carefully chosen parts of a show. Purposefully by both of them, she knows. What reason does Luka have to put on such a performance? She knows her own.

Maybe this trek, and whatever becomes of this booth, will give her some insight. She tilts her head to bump it onto his shoulder affectionately, truly making their silhouette picturesque of a couple beneath spring blooms. ]

A good show.... oh, shall we sing a little bit? I've been waiting to hear your voice, sweetheart. Hmm, hmmm, hmm... ~

[ Rom had said that drawing a reaction was important; that was part of why she'd picked out Luka. Wouldn't everyone want to hear these two idols sing? She hums a predictable arpeggio — even though she's from an era far away from his own, music is its own language, and if he's truly as talented as he claims, she knows he's more than capable of harmonizing with her easily. Her voice is sweet, delicate and melodious, to the extent that the claims on her profile are seeming truer by the moment. ]

[beatmatching]

[ for the bump he'll steal a very quick kiss, on the top of her head like a petal fallen from a blossom. his smile after lingers, breaking out into near a grin at the suggestion. ]

For you, anything. [ capella isn't his usual type of performance but of course he's trained in it, and like a bird taking to the sky, the way he joins in is effortless. his voice is smooth and soft like honey, powerful and alluring. for as much as he can guide them as they slowly make their way to the pavilion, he'll infuse the rhythm of their melody into his steps. ]

[embellwish]

[ His voice really is beautiful. Her eyes close as they walk and hum along, voice clear and meandering like a stream through a flourishing meadow. If nothing else, they fit together like this on the surface, too well to have a solid foundation in reality. There's an ethereal, otherworldly quality brought on by them side by side, and Yingying relishes in it, content to follow the script, for now.

When a natural lull comes forth through the intertwined runs of their voices, she sighs a little dramatically, lifting her head from his shoulder to meet his eyes. ]

Your voice is lovely, [ Said genuinely, even if it's coated in sugar like all the other words she's murmured to him. ] I can see why you're so popular. Hehe.

WEEK TWO

[marriagebroker]

[suibian]

[ Wei Wuxian is here, twirling his flute between his fingers at the main foyer of the estate. A cheerful whistle follows as the two arrive and he is very enthused about this state of affairs. ]

Two of my favorite people in the game have arrived and here I am, the lucky man to lead them where they have to go.

[ He's excited! So, he'll lead the two through the house, towards the back and stop at the same path he stopped at for Yingying and Luka. He stops to play a little excited note on his flute before gesturing with it down the path for the both of them. ]

Off you go, ladies. And good luck!

[hexensabbat]

[Here's one lady! She grins at Wei Wuxian, flapping a hand at him.]

Aw, shucks. You really mean it? Of course you do.

[Yeah, okay, Ringo.

She's dressed in a way she usually wouldn't be. Hm! Someone dressed up Ringo!

But she just offers a hand to her companion, of course.]

All set?

[enscene]

[Furina also seems to have been dressed by a different hand today. She's also using the Splendor of Tranquil Waters as it was meant to be used: as a walking stick.]

Monsieur Wei, you flatter me by comparison to a companion so deserving of your praise! Perhaps I can also call you my favorite game show host in the future. [To be fair, she is still a little mad about the ghost thing. A lotta mad. But the bravado is keyed up quite high today, from nerves or something else.

She turns to Ringo, a little less grandstandy when she smiles.]

Well, here we are. The short road to our next journey is open before us! [She gestures with her sword cane.] But I imagine the walk will feel very long.

[hexensabbat]

[Ringo laughs a little at that. True, she's trekked through all sorts of weird locales, but this might feel a bit longer than even trudging through the old abandoned subway system for the fifth time.]

Yeah, I have to admit I'm really curious! So... ready to get started?

[She's sure everyone else at the house is also curious--a lot's riding on these Truth Booths, after all. And. Oh. Hm, that flutter in her chest--is that what being nervous about something feels like?

Exciting, in its own way, that she's nervous.]

cal i can feel your sh2 trauma from here

[enscene]

Yes, no matter how long, this is a walk I'm happy to take with you.

[Well... it's only proper etiquette to offer the good demoiselle her arm. She's still wearing gloves - both white, this time - which is good, because her hands might be a little sweaty.]

Hehe... Even though you know what to expect right now, it's not so bad to have missed last week, is it? [Put your little twist on it, Ringo!

It's not Furina as she once was or the girl sitting on the Hydro Archon's throne or even, really, Director Furina, who starts off down the path.]

WEEK THREE

[marriagebroker]

[suibian]

[ So, someone has been mysteriously absent the past few days but he's here as is expected on Friday evening. An evening Truth Booth for our resident vampire, of course! But yeah, Wei Wuxian is here and looking remarkably less stressed (was he looking stressed before???) and grins, bright eyed and bushy tailed as he addresses the two men before him. ]

My friends! It's your time to visit the booth. I'm excited for you, thrilled even, and ready to see what awaits your fate. Come now, follow me!

[ And he will lead the two through the estate and towards the back path with a skip in his step. He seems excited! But then again, that's never a clue towards anything when it comes to this guy.

As they get to the start of the path, he will stop in place and smile at the two. ]

Off you go!

[reverso]

[Verso’s dressed for the occasion this evening, hoping to look sharp enough to offset the small thrum of anxiety buzzing beneath his skin. (Nico helped him pick it out!) Wei Wuxian seems as energetic as ever, and he tells himself to borrow the positive vibes of everyone around him; their Overseer and his truth booth partner alike.

As they reach the start of the path, he gives Wei Wuxian a little appreciative nod, clears his throat and straightens his jacket sleeves, fiddling with them slightly.]

Well. Here goes.

[An askance look at Nico. It's no grand surprise that they're here today, but all the same...]

How’re you feeling?

[crimsin]

[ Nico wouldn't let them go to the booth in anything less than their best, naturally. He's here in his customary red with pops of black and gold. The sun may have set, but as ever, he's exuding brightness and warmth.

The smile he gives Verso is one of easy confidence. ]

Excited. A bit nervous, if I am honest. There are a lot of answers hinging on us.

[ Still, he offers Verso his arm. ]

Shall we, merle?

[reverso]

[Nervous and excited. Yeah, that sounds about right. Plenty of the group’s strategizing revolves around the outcome of this little truth booth excursion, and there’s a part of him that doesn’t want to disappoint. And yet Verso reminds himself that Nico no doubt feels the same way, and he nods, hooking his arm with his proffered one.]

Let’s.

[He looks down the path, steeling himself. Tells himself that the stage fright always passes mid-performance — and though this is no instance of him playing music in an opera house, the sentiment still stands.

So. Time to walk!]

I should tell you that every step I take right now would’ve been… heavier without your support and friendship. So, thank you for that.

[crimsin]

[ Time to walk! Away they go. ]

Mon ami... you do not have to thank me, I am glad to do it. I have been of the opinion for some time now that what you need the most is someone to share the burden.

[ Goddess knows they both have more than their fair share of that, but that's why you have friends in the first place. To make moving forward more bearable. Less lonely, less crushing. ]

I should thank you for letting me close enough to do so.

WEEK FOUR

[marriagebroker]

[suibian]

[ Hello, friends! The final truth booth is here and Wei Wuxian is here to lead the two contestants that were voted for to the booth. ]

My friends! It's time to go, you're the lucky two voted for today and so, I will guide you to the path to take and let you see what fate might await you.

[ He claps his hands together and grins, leading them through the estate and out the back, where he stops at the path that leads out to the truth booth. The walk they'll have to do together. ]

Here we are. Please, be on your way!

[anathemaw]

[ It looks like the rest of the house was in agreement - or, at least, enough of them were still willing to vote for Messmer for it to matter. He turns his eye on Odile, giving her a single nod of understanding. ]

... So be it. Let us see what fate hath been prepared us.

[ There aren't any nerves - giddy or fearful - to be found in Messmer; he is, as always, disaffected, facing this next challenge the same way he's faced all of the rest. Regardless of his lack of energy, he still offers Odile his hand before they begin to walk. ]

[researcherstory]

[ Indeed, so there had been -- enough to entrust Messmer with this task, and also trust in his judgement with choices. Odile's similarly calm, both in confidence and in knowing that whatever comes of it will give them enough information for everyone to have their wishes, and she looks at his hand for a moment before settling her own against it.

Such a gentleman as always. ]

Fate is a silly thing -- it is better to shape the future you want with your own hands. But I will walk this path with you, because what lies ahead may give us opportunity to do just that.

[ Shape their futures, in its own way. It's going to be a quiet affair as she starts forward with him, so that ambient music better be working overtime. ]

[anathemaw]

[ It seems a very glib thing to say to him. He was born with a cursed soul to a god in the flesh - very little about his life was ever his to shape at all. Odile is lucky, he thinks. But he's also sure she doesn't need to hear that from him. All men have the power to choose, and he'd made his choices; all that's changed is that he's now choosing differently. ]

... Confidence, indeed.

[ maybe she's lucky, but he's sure she's done her fair share of fighting to seize her destiny, too. She's just that kind of woman. He'd imagined a potential visit to the Truth Booth to be shameful, but Odile isn't a bad person to walk down the path with.

That said... is all that's being said. Messmer has nothing more to add while they walk, either. Enjoy this footage of two old people walking on a path while the royalty-free backing track plays!! ]

[researcherstory]

[ Literally just walking!!! Sorry!!! Nothing to see here, play a commercial if you really want some revenue out of it!!!

... It is nice just to be quiet with him though. Pleasant company to read around, to sit with. No wasted words, no awkward conversations, it almost makes the odd trek towards the end feel like a normal walk she might have with anyone else. Or-- not anyone else, because rarely does she allow others to walk beside her hand in hand like this (never, actually, but it is what it is), but... that same feeling.

What a waste of film!!! ]