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

[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.

[anathemaw]

[ a huff through his nose. ]

I know it well. [ he doesn't know WHY wwx likes him so much but whatever. Far be it from him to turn away someone's kindness. Anyway. ] If he be truly ignorant, then he often speaketh much beyond his authority.

[crimsin]

I think he also just wants us to succeed, and he does have the advantage of being quite happily married while the rest of us flounder around.

[ < guy who has been married before. a lot. sssh. ]

[anathemaw]

[ damn riajuu ]

Include me not in thy floundering. [ he's doing FINE thank you?? he has exactly the same number of brain problems as he showed up with... ] Wouldst thou truly believe he knows nothing?

[hexensabbat]

[Piping up:]

Yeah. I really think he knows nothing.

He's just like that, I think.

You know. Meddlesome.

[anathemaw]

... Truly, a fool's confidence doth carry him further than a wise man's truth.

[ here messmer was thinking wwx had knowledge......... ]

[hexensabbat]

[She's just cracking up at that. Messmer's so funny.]

You've got that right! Bet he's going to be eating some crow in these upcoming interviews.

[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?

[anathemaw]

[ Messmer frankly looks much the same as he always does - unmoved by the circumstances, now that he's gotten used to his surroundings, broody, and tired. He's not too surprised that Verso seems more uncertain. Verso is, after all, a soft-hearted man; likely this means something to him, game or not. ]

We have gained deeper knowledge of our winning conditions. One battle lost, yet we surely gain much ground in the next for it. [ the blind golden eye rests on Verso's, as do the eyes of the two serpents, their bodies curved towards him inquisitively from the slits in Messmer's shirt. ] As I said: it is a game of numbers.

[reverso]

[Verso's always been soft-hearted; sometimes it's been to his detriment. The mask he wears to offset it, unbothered and humorously dismissive, does little to change this fact. But given all he's told Messmer thus far, he feels safe in admitting that he had wished for a different result.]

You're right. But I still can't help feeling a little disappointed.

[ ...

An inhale, then slow exhale.]

My time may or may not be cut short a week; I don't know if you heard, but myself and Nico are both considerations for the booth. So I want to make the best of what time I have left with everyone else, and... Um. Merde.

[Help.]

I don't know. I think we should have that chat sooner rather than later, don't you?

[anathemaw]

[ Verso really shouldn't be disappointed, but Messmer knows well that he can't control how other people feel towards him - instead, again, he settles for that sort of distant gratitude in knowing that his presence is appreciated. It's little comfort, but it's comfort nonetheless.

Well. Maybe more than appreciated. There's a certain nervousness to his demeanor that Messmer picks up on, although he immediately decides not to misinterpret things. ]

Thou wouldst hear me now?

[ it seems an odd time... but it's fine. Hiding his crimes was never his intention. ]

[reverso]

[He’s trying not to be nervous, really, but today has pretty much acted at the final catalyst towards… being more honest. And there’s a part of him that wants to continue that with Messmer more than the rest, and another part that’s—

Anxious, yes. A little scared of the conversation itself. He isn’t sure why his estimation means as much as it does, why it feels like a weight lifted when he shares these pieces of himself; or maybe he just doesn’t want to overthink it just yet.]

Yes. If you’re ready to speak on it… I mean.

[anathemaw]

I have been from the start. Mine history is no secret. It is only that none have called to hear of it, save thee, and now.

[ on the other hand, Messmer doesn't show any signs of nerves. Indeed: he's only resigned. This has been an inevitability from the start, and he's had a long time to embrace his identity. To be reviled is his duty, after all. A favor to his mother, done out of love.

Verso sure seems hesitant, though. One of the winged snakes lifts its head, scanning their surroundings. Everyone's here, which might actually be good... ]

Sit, then, and I shall tell thee plain. [ yeah he's down to have this conversation right here in public. But he has the tact to at least offer otherwise: ] Unless thine own counsel calleth for secrecy.

[reverso]

[Messmer has always been the stoic sort, bordering on resigned. It’s utterly brave of him to be willing to have this conversation out in the open, and Verso equal parts admires it and is envious of it.

But the very idea of saying this much in front of everyone, so immediately, feels like ice in his bones. He’s not strong enough for that yet — he can’t announce his own tale so widely, instead of privately throughout the week. He needs to do this piecemeal for now.]

Uhm.

[He looks up at Messmer, frowning faintly. Slightly apologetic.]

Somewhere more private, if that’s all right.

[Please.]

[anathemaw]

[ he had a suspicion. Unfortunately, there's only one place they can go that actually offers privacy. Messmer's not a prude, but he's not terribly enthused to go in there - it's humiliating, mostly. Wei Wuxian will have an (extremely irritating) field day, no doubt. And the name doesn't help.

But it doesn't matter. His reputation hasn't been a concern in centuries, and after a week in this silly house, his pride's been worn down to a thin veneer. People can think what they want. ]

... Then we will speak in the private room. Come.

[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.

[anathemaw]

Aye. The vampire saith that he know not the matches. Yet... I suspect he possess some insight regardless.

[ a beat. ]

Wert thou pushed towards another?

[ordimame]

[??]

In my conversation with Wei Wuxian? No. We didn't talk about anyone specific.

[anathemaw]

[ oh... ]

... Truly, he doth target me most particularly.

[ tired sigh ]

[ordimame]

[he'd do a sympathetic shoulder pat but Messmer is so tall]

He just likes you. He probably wants you to find someone you really care about. You know. . . rooting for you!

[anathemaw]

[ it's for the best, beanix...

Messmer doesn't look particularly enthused by this. ]

It is well known to him that I seek not a partner. As Ringo spoke - he is a meddler.

[ordimame]

Yeah? And meddlers meddle with the people they like most?

[anathemaw]

And yet it kindleth not mine affections for him.

[ read: yeah but it's annoying ]

[ordimame]

[yeah]

That's not unusual. Most meddlers I've met are kind of annoying.

[he has warmed up a bit to Wei Wuxian, though. . .]