perfectmatch | the truth booth

[ 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.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

[ 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.

As is yours. My apologies if you've picked up more than a few fans from planets far away after this.

[ a tilt of his head. ]

Though if we're matched, perhaps there could be more duets from us in the future.

[ wouldn't that be something-

he can almost hear the clatter of keyboards and shouting of voices at the mere suggestion. ]

[ this is how yingying becomes a contestant in alien stage ]

Planets away?

[ She blinks, curious and bewildered all at the same time, eyes open with interest. Interplanetary travel is way out of her realm of imagination. ]

You mean to say that competition of yours spans the stars?

[ Stranger things around this house — otherwise, she'd be more resistant to believing it. Instead, she nudges his arm a little bit to prod for an answer, keeping her eyes on him rather than the gazebo ahead. This is suddenly much more fascinating! ]

That's right. Space isn't as lonely as the tales that were written about it want you to believe. My fans compromise of all different races of Segyein, you'd know them as aliens in your time.

With a voice like yours, I'd be surprised if they haven't claimed a groupie name already. [ a little teasing, but this is genuine in the way she was with him before.

he recognizes talent when he hears it, regardless of his airs. ]

[ Aliens — she knows the word, vaguely. Beings from the stars. It's just, her interpretation of that is so tangled up with baggage, with resent that's been fermenting for years, and years, and years. The souls that clung to her like nostalgic burrs might be gone, but sometimes, she still feels shadows of their grudges. For the shooting star, and the corruption it had brought from galaxies beyond.

Do those Segyein look like what the meteor had brought, too? What are they like, and how do they act? Her image of Luka shifts a bit, seeing him in a new light.

Her gaze turns distant, still managing a smile at his teasing despite where her mind drifts. Soon, they'll be at the steps up to the platform. ]

You think so? I've never had alien followers before... [ She laughs, but it sounds a little more nervous than before. Her head moves back onto his shoulder, obscuring her face. ] Is it strange, singing for them?

Does a flower feel strange blooming before the sun? I wouldn't exist without them. In the same way that they gave me life and love, I give it back to them from the bottom of my heart.

[ it's all very soft and warm.

before he ascends the first step he stops, brushing a stray lock of her hair back into place. the cameras can't see either of them well in this moment, but she can see a particular light in his eyes. it doesn't burn bright and it might even be considered dull, a last ember that persists even in the coldness of the darkness night. but there is something there, something he chooses to let her see.

maybe it's a curiosity of his own. ]

[ Such a contrast, between the words he says and the look in his eyes. When he turns back to look at her, brushing her hair out of her face, her brow furrows a little, wondering if she's seeing a glimpse of the same kind of loneliness that she's harbored for so long. Their circumstances are different, but the look in his eye feels familiar and secret, a private moment stolen away. There's so much left to understand about him — she almost wishes this walk was longer. She wants to know what that ember means, shelter it, grow it into a blaze and see how it burns.

But this walk isn't longer. They're here, and while his hand is in her hair, she reaches up with her free one to do the same, weaving wisteria blooms into his pale locks. They stand out so vibrantly there, and it turns her smile wry — for a moment, it feels like she's looking at this from an outside perspective. It's all a little ridiculous, right? ]

I see... while I can't say I know what they're like, [ Lowering her hand, she strokes her cold knuckles against his cheek as she relaxes again, moving to lead them up the steps afterwards. ] I too have people I wouldn't be here without.

[ Even though his — love? can it be called that? — for these Segyein seems so much more complicated than the feelings she has for her mothers, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters. But, the way he'd snuck that look to her, she remembers they're on a stage. It's not something to interrogate or pluck out now. ]

They're not watching like these "Segyein," but if they were, I'm sure they'd take you in warmly, just as they did me.

[ She can't return the sentiment, say that the people on Bloomfete Street would swoon and care for him like these far away fans of hers now, somewhere off in the stars.... but were it possible, she thinks anyone that stood beside her would draw all the tough love and affection from her family there. She can see her moms interrogating him and chasing him away, Peachy standing in front of her all tough like before she approved of him. Like him, she lets her smile turn a little melancholic in secret, before turning away her gaze to the plates in front of them. ]

Would they? [ ... ] What a pair we make in so many ways.

[ his smile blooms at the carefully placed wisteria and he breathes in its scent. ]

I'm sure many agree with us, but it's time to see if the judges think the same. But first, my fairy, a kiss—

[ he pulls her into one, deep, full of tongue and murmurs something into her lips for her alone. he'll step onto the plate after that, confident as always. ]

[ WELL. That sure was something. The viewers loved it!! They're all over Chitter right now, cheeting(?) about their new main ship — #lingying (though some people prefer the dark horse, #yuka so, there's that).

The two of them step onto the plates. A few flower petals fly past them in the wind. The birds are chirping nearby. It's peaceful, idyllic. The TV screen bursts to life, a blank white screen and — ]

[ We cut to commercial!

A jaunty tune rings out from the television and a cartoon lizard dances across the screen. It sings something about car tires and insurance rates. Blah, blah, blah. Get that lizard out of here!

This commercial is playing on the screen in the house for the contestants as well. It's Important. ]

[ And we're back! That sure was annoying and tedious!

We return to these two beauties, standing on the plates and waiting with bated breath to see if they're a match or not. The TV screen flickers for a moment before, finally — ]

[ There are cheers from somewhere(?). Confetti bursts from the ceiling and flickers down on Luka and Yingying. The birds keep chirping. A frog leaps from a pond nearby onto the banister of the gazebo and croaks at them before hopping away.

The TV flickers off. The cheers dissipate. No more confetti. Looks like that's all, folks! ]

[ If she were anyone else, those words murmured in secret against her lips might have made her heart flutter. But, she's a blossom from the Wisteria Pavilion — she's seen and heard every suave line in the book, finds herself feeling some degree of cynicism towards honeyed words and sweet nothings. At least, when they're offered completely with another motive. It's hard to tell if that's the case here, or if hew as really being truthful.

Either way, she kisses him back softly, smiling and keeping close while they wait for the announcement. When it comes — she can only smile to herself, something that's the distant cousin of relief running through her in absolute secret. It would've been nice if they were matched for the sake of everyone's wishes... but she only has so much time left. Going away so soon would make it hard to make the most of it.

If anything, she did get one thing out of this — that small ember, like a breadcrumb leading to a trail deeper into his past. She won't forget it, and she's sure he'll visit the wisteria again. ]

....Too bad, huh? [ Cupping her free hand to catch some of the confetti falling, she doesn't untangle herself from him yet, trying to meet his eyes again and gauge what might be there. Disappointment? Nonchalance? Her own are warm and sincere. ] I guess it would've been too good to be true, getting it right on the first time.

[ they were truthful in a sense, which is what he can offer her. regardless of his feelings, they are a compliment to each other in a particular way and he'd be a fool not to capitalize on it. the smile that was on his lips before the result came in still rests on his lips, nary another reaction.

he turns to the cameras first, never forgetting them. disappointment? relief? these aren't things he feels. ]

It would've been a beautiful finish, but it would have been a shame too. Not be paired with you, but to leave so soon. A result like this gives us more time with everyone, doesn't it?

[ with his own free hand he gestures out into the confetti, letting it slip through his fingers like rain. ]

the truth booth

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