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

[scooptimistic]

Really? He did seem to push for it, but he also said he didn't actually know what the matches were...

[ She tilts her head, though, offering him a warmer smile. ]

Congratulations, by the way.

[gamboler]

Congratulations? For what?

[ Asks man who is still glowing, despite losing so hard... ]

[scooptimistic]

For finding someone who realized immediately just how amazing you are.

1/2

[gamboler]

[ Oh...is it that obvious? Or maybe Maya has just learned to read him that well. ]

2/2

[gamboler]

...Thanks. [ An exhale, allowing himself a little smile. ] We should talk more later, once this is all settled.

[scooptimistic]

[ Nico was just. So obvious.

And also Maya has been trying to pay attention to the gazes being ping-ponged across the room since last week-- ]

I'd like that! Steal me away whenever you want.

[gamboler]

[ I declare: it is now later. Wherever Maya is vibing at the moment, Aventurine will seek her out, intent on keeping his word. ]

Hey. Take a walk with me?

[scooptimistic]

[ Yes! Yes!! Her turn to be Serpilia'd!!

She offers him a smile, and then nods, stepping closer. ]

Got it! Let's go!

[gamboler]

[ Her time has come!! He starts towards the doors to the gardens, hands clasped behind his back. ]

We've had quite the week, haven't we? I wanted to see how you were holding up.

[ You know. As a fellow person who has trouble opening up about their feelings. ]

[scooptimistic]

It feels a little like a rollercoaster. Some fun ups, some exhausting downs. [ The ghosts. ]

But I'm kind of glad we didn't succeed today... it gives us a lot more information than we might not have had otherwise.

[gamboler]

It really does, doesn't it? [ He can't argue it. And yet... ] Yet a number of picks today could be called choices of passion. It's a shame those didn't take us in the right direction.

[ Some of them genuinely surprisingly so, like Poppy and Shoko. ]

[scooptimistic]

That just goes to show that these matches are not necessarily a "this person is your soulmate" situation. And I hope people don't take it as such, unless they feel like it.

[ Like Ringo and Furina. ]

[gamboler]

[ Like their sweet Furingos... ]

I'm struck with the impression that this group isn't the type to let others dictate their matters of the heart. [ With some exceptions...Yi Sang. ] That said...how do you feel about Mister Luka? I was a little blindsided by his...passion.

[ That is a word for it. ]

[scooptimistic]

Welcome to my week. I was also blindsided, days before any of you.

[ A little dryly. ]

So maybe you understand or not, but I haven't really figured out how I feel yet.

[beatmatching]

[ sliding next to her wherever she's sitting. ]

But if you left, I'd miss you.

[scooptimistic]

Even if I did, I wouldn't be gone forever! And I'd still visit!

I think there's some other candidates to test before then, anyway.

[beatmatching]

But still.

[ sorry now he's gonna lean on her a bit. ]

Hmm...

[ i still need to do the math but assume this is luka actually doing the math rn. ]

[scooptimistic]

Are you okay?

[ She's getting a little more used to Luka wanting the physical contact, at least. ]

[beatmatching]

[ he doesn't answer, instead: ]

I have two questions.

We're going on a date next week, right?

[scooptimistic]

We are.

[ Tilting her head. ]

[beatmatching]

Okay.

[ here's where usually he would show a little perkiness but it's absent here. he seems deep in thought. ]

I'll ask you the other one when there's not so many people around.

[ unless they want to step out now briefly. ]

[scooptimistic]

... Well, do you wanna step away for a little bit? We can pop back in to the conversation after that.

[ He does seem... really deep in thought. ]

[beatmatching]

[ he nods. ]

Let's go. [ he'll offer her his hand and then lead them off and away from the group. ]

[scooptimistic]

[ Well, then! Minor excursion time! ]

[beatmatching]

[ she knows him well enough by now to know that he's definitely in his head on the walk over too. he'll hold onto her hand when they've found what counts as privacy in this place. ]

I'm not going to give up. But you're still thinking, right?

[ there's a lot of reasons he's asking this and he honestly almost asked something else. ]