perfectmatch | week one | match ceremony

Today's Match Ceremony starts the moment the sun goes down. They will be led to a courtyard on the estate, filled to the brim with lanterns of all kinds and plush couches and chairs for them to sit on. The place is lit bright by the lanterns and the vibe is very cozy. There will be a few camera crews lingering around, ready to catch sight of the contestants as they settle in and get comfortable. There is also food and beverages, some alcohol, some non-alcoholic, for everyone to partake in.

In the center of the courtyard is a stage, hanging above it are eight lanterns, none of which are lit up. Wei Wuxian stands in the middle, dressed to impress for tonight's festivities. In one hand, he has his flute, in another, a cup of huangjiu. He lifts it merrily, giving a laugh before knocking back the alcohol and tossing the cup away. (A staff member nearby catches it, thank god.)

"Welcome, everyone! To your first match ceremony! I am your humble host and we're here to see if chemistry can happen, even under duress~!"

A staff member nearby grimaces at that. It might be the same staff member who caught the cup. It's fine, the producers won't punish him. Probably.

But characters will notice that there is a podium next to the stage for them to lock in their answers.

"For those who are new to this, let's talk about how this works. First, I will call up one of the members of Team Suibian and they will go to the podium over here, make a choice of who they think their match is, and together you will press your hands to the podium to lock it in."

He gives a hum, twirling the flute in his hand a few times before grasping it by the end and using it to point at the contestants.

"As a result of your choices, the lanterns above me will light up with however many perfect matches you've chosen. It is your job to figure out which of the choices made tonight are indeed perfect matches. If you aren't able to get any of them right, you will get a black out. Which means, someone will lose their wish. Don't do that!"

He'll let his warning hang for a moment before smiling, tapping his shoulder lazily with the flute and then grinning broadly.

"With that, let's get started."

——

Each character of Team Suibian will be called in random order, under the selections top level. Feel free to react there!

After the matches, the results top level will reveal how many are right!

Otherwise, feel free to use this log for any reactions, catherding, whatever you want for the match ceremony.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Yi Sang is still wearing, albeit freshly laundered, his initial set of shirt and trousers with suspenders, complete with soft slippers. He's been alternating between this and and a set of sweatshirt and sweatpants throughout the week. At least he's cleaned up, though the bags under his eyes persist.]

[ The makeup department carried one person. ]

Presentable. How do you feel?

I feel as I always do . . . fine.

It seems to me that "fine" to you is essentially there is nothing that has caused you discomfort, nor given you any greater feeling.

[ Just observational. ]

Do you drink?

[Impressive as ever, Odile.]

When the occasion suits, I will imbibe a cup or two.

I believe the occasion suits. Join me for some shochu.

[ This is not asking. They will be having a drink together. ]

Mm . . .

[As the lady wishes.]

[ Perfect. Two cups, then.

... ]

For all the pomp this "ceremony" is... it is rather beautiful as a setting.

[There's an excess that brings to mind the opulence of the Nests. Yet it's done artfully, and so he can't help but agree with Odile, even though he's aware this will all be behind them in a matter of hours and then weeks.]

Does it call aught to mind, Miss Odile?

Indeed. The festivals of Ka Bue were dressed much the same, and the people who walked its paths wore as I do now.

[ Lifting an arm to show off the full pattern of her kimono, cranes in flight against the green. ]

Lined with booths for food and game alike, we would head towards the local shrines at the end of the path and give both prayer and thanks to the Expressions that surround us. It brings back a number of memories.

[It's a lovely garment. He'd suspected that Odile had some sort of attachment to the environs after using a sentimental word like beautiful. Now he understands why.]

What might those Expressions be?

Alike to "gods", but not exact. They are spirits which inhabit everything, from the conceptual to the physical. For example, there are Expressions of Searching, Victory, and Wealth, just as there are Expressions of Rain, Harvest, and Earth. That which we can see, and that which we cannot.

[ It's a rather philosophical system, but it very much speaks of what Ka Bue is like. ]

Rain, you say . . .

[How apt, that they should be called Expressions. To believe in what can and cannot be seen. How he longs to stand in a sunshower and drink in the crisp air of the aftermath.]

They must be a source of faith for those who pay them tribute.

They are. Even I give my dues, though I wonder which I may end up seeking the good will of here.

[ Besides Searching, maybe. That... has long been an Expression to whom she owes thanks. ]

What does the scene bring to your own, Yi Sang?

[He wonders what it's like to be spoiled for choice. Perhaps Odile doesn't necessarily see it that way, though. She's precise and purposeful; it may be more like sorting through variables and putting aside unnecessary elements.]

That all things are ephemeral. This moment, like those before it, shan't last forever.

[ There he goes again, poetic as ever. Odile swirls her shochu. ]

Not in the present, nor even in our memories. Fragile things they are.

[ So easily forgotten, rather than retained. So easily misremembered, rather than kept pristine. ]

Does that make it any more or less important than what happened yesterday, or what may happen tomorrow?

[Memories left behind in the night, never to know the light of day again. He nurses his own cup of shochu.]

I would hear your thoughts on the matter.

[ Before giving his own? She shrugs slightly, a wry smile on her lips. ]

It happened, and so it's still important. Such things change us however small. Even tonight, as we prepare to call upon those we think suit us... shall have an effect, however invisible it may seem at first. Just as yesterday leads unto now, and today unto tomorrow. The fleeting snow still expands and drives a crack further into the earth, a flower still gives life to the bee.

[When the question has a rhetorical edge, it grants him the opening to defer an answer he's unable to give. Fortunately, Odile has plenty to wax poetic, and it feels almost like a continuation of Shoko's words from the first day.]

Come winter, the crack in the earth shall widen once more; elsewhere, another flower will bloom, offering its grains to a weary carrier.

[And so life goes on, for those with the means to hold its bounty.]

Miss Odile, does such a change have aught to do with your search?

(no subject)

researcherstory - 2025-06-09 09:26 (UTC) - Expand

...Well. At least you washed them.

[ At least iron them next time?! ]

[No.]

An occasion of this nature requires a fresh set of clothing. I ensured that these would be available ahead of time.

[ LORD...... ]

Do you not have anything else to wear? Eh...remind me to take you out shopping next week when we're let off the leash, alright?

[ He will be the hero the people need and do something about this. ]

I . . . do not have money, nor aught else to barter with.

Oh, please. I'm certain they'll provide you an allowance. If not, it'll be my treat.

[ Please, HE CANNOT ABIDE THIS ]

[I'm sorry Yi Sang but this one just gets an approving "at least he cleaned up" nod]