week two | match ceremony

[marriagebroker]

Tonight, we're back in the courtyard. It looks similar to last week with the slight exception, there is now a plush couch near the stage, and a single lantern already lit above the stage. There's still food, drinks, all sorts of things available for the contestants to snack on and enjoy.

On the stage is Wei Wuxian, looking presentable in his hanfu for today. He's busy twirling his flute in hand as he waits for the contestants to show up and find their places, and when they do he'll extend both arms out, welcoming the cast.

"Second match ceremony! You're exempt from a black out tonight because you've already found one of the matches."

He'll gesture to that couch from earlier, which seems to be The Special Seat for Ringo and Furina to sit at if they'd like.

"Now, we know how this goes so let's not delay anymore! Team Wangji, it's your turn to announce your matches!"

Comments

bean curd

[ordimame]

[Edamura is not the type to stand on countertops to get everyone's attention, but with those pipes, he doesn't really have to. with hands cupped around his mouth, he inhales deeply, and--]

LISTEN UP, EVERYONE!!!

[like a foghorn]

If you don't want to stick around and strategize, then that's fine! But I think it's better to get our thoughts out there while they're still fresh in our minds. So let's talk!

[. . .]

[ahem. a bit more at normal volume]

. . . Wei Wuxian asked me a question during our last interview that I've been thinking about all week. [where is he. looks for their overseer. points at him] He wanted to know what it was that I could offer to someone else. Truth is-- I don't know!

[a small shrug]

But I wonder if we should all be thinking that way. What do we have to offer everyone here? Maybe that'll give us a little more clarity, right?

Out of the remaining pairs from last week-- Aventurine-san and Maya, myself and Odile-san, Shindou-san and Messmer-san, Luka-san and Serpilia-san, and La Roux-san and Verso-san-- only two of them are right.

So! Which two?

[hexensabbat]

[i will offer up something useful in a moment




but first, Ringo's just whispering:]

La Roux-san? [to herself.

whomst?]

[ordimame]

[. . . points to Nico]

[. . .]






At this point I feel like I should give up on formalities.

[it is exhausting being POLITE to everyone]

[scooptimistic]

I do really think Nico and Verso have a fighting chance.

Also-- [ she taps her chin. ]

I'm vivacious, I'm energetic, I'm competent, I'm great at multitasking, I'll break the law in order to find the truth, I'm pretty, I'm optimistic, and I'm great at dragging people out of dark corners of isolation? I think that's a pretty good offering.

[ordimame]

[CLAPS HIS HANDS TOGETHER]

That's the spir-- wait you've broken the law??

[gamboler]

[ Thoughtfully... ]

When I talked to Mister Wei last week, he had...quite a lot to say about you and myself as a match. Maybe he did that with everyone, but I was a little surprised with how thorough his analysis was. I'm not saying we should take it to the booth, but it's food for thought.

[poans]

[The dark corners of isolation . . . ]

You are also nurturing of the youth and what lies beneath the surface.

[enscene]

[She definitely looks disappointed, but everyone hates regrets, so Furina is all pulled together and treating this with the utmost gravity. She's still not intimidating, but her presence is so serious and strong.]

I doubt every match is exactly the same in how it was put together, but... There must be more reasons Ringo and I were chosen. We'll work on getting to the bottom of it to offer a fuller picture for all of you next week.

[ordimame]

[nodnods]

Yeah. It's very unlikely all matches were chosen for the exact same reasons, but. . . I don't know. It's still something to think about, right?

[crimsin]

This was good for us, non? And let us not forget that what the show wants does not have to coincide with our own desires. Television producers to not have a secret formula for true love any more than we do. We are here, first and foremost, to entertain.

[ That said, he considers a moment. ]

I do think that Verso and I are quite likely. I have had a feeling about it since we first met.

[hexensabbat]

I think so too. You guys have a lot in common, right?

... If Verso's up for it, I'd vote for you guys for the booth next week.

[ordimame]

[hah. . . . a lopsided smile]

. . . yeah. That's a good reminder too, La-- . . . mm. Nico.

[finally someone fuckin' got him to stop being so polite all the damn time]

Just in case the results of today's ceremony made anyone feel self-conscious.

[scooptimistic]

Do we all get cute little nicknames in the future, too?

[ Very serious question-- ]

[fireball]

[ Definitively: ] Nico and Verso. Rom and Messmer.

[scooptimistic]

Why Shindou-san and Messmer?

[ No judgment. ]

[anathemaw]

[ he has nothing to say about the pairs, but offers some words nonetheless: ]

Our host hath been indiscreet in word and manner alike. We may yet draw insight from his untidy manner, both private and public.

[crimsin]

He has told me already that he does not know the matches. He would very likely be giving more away if he did.

[ Sorry WWX. ]

I think he is just fond of you.

[reverso]

[What Nico says is correct, on both counts. So he leaves that untended to.

But at some point, he's going to just ask him-]

So how are you feeling about it... all?

[ordimame]

[RIP WWX]

That's why I wanted to bring up what he said to me during our interview. It's. . . not perfect, but I think it's a good place to start.

[researcherstory]

[ ... ]

Apparently, I am alike to a harbor in a storm, and rather calming to speak with. While I don't exactly know what I could offer, I do know what I want and have made clear to several others. Including those I am interested in.

[ You know who you are. Both parties. Okay. ]

I have much thinking to do, in any case. What I might desire in the end may not exactly match up with what they feel I need.

[embellwish]

[ Edamura is so fiery today.... he's adorable!!!!

For what it's worth, if Yingying is upset by the results, she isn't showing it. As she said to Yi Sang before, nothing like their likelihood can be quantified by numbers; all they can do is pick where they're guided by their intuition and feelings both. For that reason, she's proud of everyone today. And sees it as her duty, maybe, to lift their spirits, and shelter their feelings, like any fortune bearing fairy should. She'll keep her chin up. ]

Mm... something we can offer to others....

[ Maybe it's time to be a bit more direct? ]

I know that among us, there are those who have lived longer than normal mortal lives... I can offer understanding, regarding that. [ In a sense. It does set the less human among them apart in more than one way. ] But my future is uncertain, and my health is poor. If it's a companion who will live beside you in eternity, I'm afraid I can't manage that...

[ She seems like she has more to say, and she continues after a brief pause. ]

That aside, I hope no one feels too hurt by today's results... if nothing else, I'm happy everyone took a step towards their sincere desire, right or wrong. It takes no small amount of courage to do so. Whatever shape the game takes, at least you're sure about how you feel, aren't you?

[ that is infinitely harder to suss out than the matches, she thinks. feelings are hard and they're all trying their best!!!! ]

[poans]

I do not have much to offer. Though I was once an architect and a researcher, I have neither wealth nor a residence to my name. Like Miss Maya, I have also defied the law on a few occasions. At most, I can provide assistance with certain scholarly pursuits.

[As for which pairs could be matches from the first ceremony, he'll refrain from speaking on it for now.]

[nrangel]

[ Quietly considering this for a moment. ]

I don't think it's me and Luka. I asked Wei Wuxian about the two of us this week, and while he said he thought we could potentially work he brought up some things about my situation that makes me think we might not be the best fit.

[ That she needs a steady presence right now, and if she needs someone level heades, then in that case... ]

I was caught up on them being a match, so I didn't consider it carefully before, but I think the chances aren't bad I could be match with Shoko.

[ She'll politely not say that it could just be wishful thinking on her part. She doesn't want to do that to Poppy. ]

[phenomerom]

[ It's time to yap: ]

I've already stated who I would vote for amongst those pairs, if required to right now. [ Verso and Nico, Aventurine and Maya. ] However -- I think it's worth noting that we've generally considered our options across the two teams thus far.

[ He already voiced this thought to a few people the previous night, before the matching ceremony, but maybe it's worth repeating. Especially since who knows how many people forgot it amidst the alcohol haze of the rager that followed. ]

Other than the few exceptions [ Serpilia and Luka, himself and Odile ] our attempts have thus far been to avoid randomized pairings that might be left over. However, I think at this point we may need to consider this isn't necessarily the wisest approach. If it weren't for Miss Furina and Miss Ringo's perfect match, tonight could have ended badly. Thus ... I would suggest individuals please seriously consider potential matches within their group going forth. Even if it may result in more randomly assigned pairings left over, if we could be certain of an inter-group pairing, the risk would be worth it to avoid another blackout.

[ ... that's his part said.

But later on as the discussion continues, Rom's gonna, uh. Step away for a bit. He can be found resting just outside, seated on the patio. He has the door cracked open so he can keep an ear on the conversation going on inside, but otherwise, he needs a hot second away from the rest of the group. ]

[beatmatching]

[ he volunteers later than everyone else, though he is very tuned into the conversation. ]

I'm confident, hard-working, and I'll do anything to win. And my career comes first, of course.