week one | match ceremony

[marriagebroker]

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.

Comments

[ordimame]

If I'm being brutally honest, which I think is something Odile-san will appreciate, mine opinion is a solid. . . . . .







Two.

[hexensabbat]

[THUMBS UP. UR DOING IT, EDAMURA]

Great! We'll keep that in mind going forward. You're probably safe from heading into that booth then.

[ordimame]

[thank GOD he meant it when he said he didn't want the spotlight]

Speaking of, how would you feel about going with Furina-san?

[hexensabbat]

If she's up for it, then I'm definitely up for it! I like spending time with her.

So spending more time with her is a pretty easy sell.

[ordimame]

Then I think you two might be my vote. If you're that confident about it, then we should give it a try!

[hexensabbat]

Of course, you are asking an AI about compatibility... percentage-wise, just from the data we've got, we're still not cracking 30% yet. Objectively speaking.

[ordimame]

[help for a minute there he let himself FORGET]

What does that translate to in terms of a "spark?"

[hexensabbat]

[thanks man]

I still have no idea what you mean by that! Maybe it'll come to me. Can it happen later? Does it have to be right away?

[ordimame]

[the way he ALSO does not know what it means but let's ignore that fact]

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure it can happen at any time. Weeks in? Months? Maybe years?

[the way he should NOT be advising Ringo about this at all]

[hexensabbat]

Huh.

Well, okay! Then I won't worry too much about that part yet.

[ordimame]

Most of us probably don't. I won't say all of us, because I guess. . . some people click really quickly?

[. . .]

[LOOKS TO LUKA AND YINGYING]

[researcherstory]

[ Woooooooooooooooooooow.






No yeah Odile's sipping at one of these mocktails to hide her small, amused smile. ]

Agreed. Highly unlikely, however amusing your company is proving to be.

[ordimame]

Amusing?

[a (faux) offended huff!!]

You make me sound like I'm some kind of court jester.

[researcherstory]

Is that not a position of esteem? From my readings of Vaugardian tales, they held much power in court.

[ Kinda, ]

[ordimame]

[. . . HE ACTUALLY DOES NOT KNOW!]

Nobody wants to be the funny guy in the room. The moment he stops making people laugh, it's off with his head.

[researcherstory]

Then so long as you remain exactly who you are now, you shouldn't have any trouble avoiding the chopping block.

[ Mr. Funnyguy. ]

[ordimame]

I'm taking that as a compliment.

[THE WAY IT COULD BE EITHER]

[researcherstory]

[ It sure could be! ]

Your confidence is truly showing itself tonight, Edamura. I'm glad to see it.

[ordimame]

[can't believe she's so mean to him. . . . . . . .]

What can I say! I'm feeling pretty good tonight.

[compared to GESTURES TO EARLIER ON IN THE WEEK]

So I dare anyone to actually try and stop me now.

[enscene]

So you're saying you two are better off as just friends.

[That's what she's reading into what he's said, combined with the words he spoke earlier at the match ceremony!]

[ordimame]

[SHE ISN'T WRONG!!!]

A week isn't a long enough time to think that anyone is "better off" as anything. . . but I do think we're both more interested in friendship. Or good company.

[Odile has strong "big sis" vibes. or maybe older mentor. . .? a confidant! someone who makes it a little easier to open up]

But that's not why I rate us the two.





I think we're just bad television together.

[enscene]

That may be true. [She doesn't mean it the way it comes out, slightly haughty and like some hard swing at the two of them being boring. More that, if he believes their chances are that low, then she has faith in him to know better than she does.] Luka and Miss Yingying were "good television" [on the surface], and see where that got us?

Besides... Two people looking for good company finding good company in the end is also satisfying. Still, I think we should see who picks you next week.

[ordimame]

[he said it first! he takes no offense to it at all, his smile wry]

Yeah. . . I agree. In the end, whether we're "good television" or not doesn't matter on a personal level. Just on a "finding out our official matches" level.

[his purpose was-- and remains so-- to make new connections with new people. and so far, as much of a roller coaster as this ride has been, he is doing it!!]

So I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled! Who knows what the next week will bring?