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

[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. ]

[ordimame]

[Edamura doesn't have much to say to Rom's announcement, other than he agrees! so he stays silent in the immediate aftermath of same, though his gaze does follow the way mister exorcist slips out the front door amidst the lively discussions]

[. . .]

[some time later, a presence looms over Rom as he brood's on the porch, before someone lowers a nice fresh cup of coffee in front of his face]

[phenomerom]

[ Alert as ever, he glances over the moment he hears someone else stepping onto the patio. But he doesn't accept the coffee immediately, just fixing a curious look on Edamura. ]

I haven't had anything to drink since the night of our 'extra guests.'

[ordimame]

[simply]

Coffee isn't just for sobering you up. It soothes the soul. Warms you from the inside out.

[gives the mug a little wiggle]

Come on. I won't stand here all day.

[phenomerom]

... of course. Thank you.

[ A quiet huff in amusement before he leans forward to take the mug, carefully cupping it between his hands as he slouches back against the patio wall. Not taking a sip just yet, but just appreciating the scent of it. Edamura does make good coffee. ]

It's too bad how tonight turned out. I thought you and Miss Serpilia made for quite the dynamic pairing.

[reverso]

[Hm. He makes a good point, but that's not anything that he needs to add to.

Rather...

Yeah, guess who's checking on him a little bit later, deigning to sit next to Rom on the patio.]

Chroma for your thoughts?

[phenomerom]

[ He looks up when he hears the door slide open, promptly donning his usual grin. ]

Are you sure you'd like to know? My membership fees are reasonably priced, but the higher tiers aren't cheap. [ Haha.

... ] It's a pity tonight turned out the way it did. I was rooting for you, Mr. Verso.

[reverso]

Oh, not even a freebie?

[ …He sighs and leans back on his palms.]

I’ll admit, it’s… disappointing. But this still gives us information to work with.

Is that what you’re out here mulling over, though? The result of the ceremony?

[phenomerom]

Of course. It's our highest priority now, isn't it? We were very fortunate to have been saved by a safety net this time, but a repeat performance would be disastrous.

[ He hasn't forgotten how much Verso values his wish. And -- the importance of his own, too. Even if it's just one randomized wish they'll lose upon another blackout, he doesn't want to gamble with anyone's wishes. ]

... did you think I might have had other matters on the mind?

[researcherstory]

... There were those I felt more likely within my own team versus the other, so I suppose I will give it more serious thought. Who knows. Perhaps Edamura chose right.

[ Hahaha. Stuck with auntie. ]

[phenomerom]

Please do, Miss Odile. Edamura-san should consider himself lucky, if the game were to acknowledge the special bond you two seem to hold.

[ He will always join in on ribbing Edamura. (Affectionately?????) ]

[ordimame]

[. . . . . . . . ROM???]

Why do you make it sound so weird??

[phenomerom]

I was simply describing things how they seem.

[ hehe ]

[hexensabbat]

[A thoughtful pause Cal looking at her spreadsheet.]

Yeah, you're definitely right.

There's some real potential in Shoko and Serpilia. And--I think Yingying too. She mentioned that there were a lot of people she'd pick from her own group, right?

I think we ought to let her.

[phenomerom]

Agreed on both fronts. If nothing else, I think tonight was useful in proving that adhering to the group division too strictly would have been the wrong approach.

[ But also -- ]

And thank you for your input, Miss Ringo. I'm reasonably confident in my memory, but I'm certain yours would be difficult to beat. Your observations will be invaluable.

[hexensabbat]

[A laugh, and with clear amusement:]

You just like me for my computer-like memory.

[scooptimistic]

[ Too bad half of the rest of the group is following him, including Maya, who just settles down beside him and leans.

Hi. ]

[phenomerom]

[ My god y'all suck at reading the room!!!! (Just kidding. He's just not used to having to deal with people so much, so intimately, without the barrier of a streaming interface in the way.)

Rom looks over, faintly bemused, when Maya takes a seat. Before offering a little dip of the head. ]

It's a pity tonight turned out the way it did, Amano-san. You and Mr. Luka made for quite the spectacular show up there -- I thought your odds were excellent.

[scooptimistic]

Better to find out now, rather than later, right?

[ With a wry smile. ]

I'm a little envious of him, honestly. People like him and Nico, who really seem to understand their feelings so easily.

[gamboler]

[ Leaving more of their matches to pure random chance? He loves the sound of that, actually. ]

In so doing we may wind up discovering some insights and connections that we weren't able to see before. Like I said last week, until a match is confirmed, anything is just our best guess, and fortune works in mysterious ways.

[phenomerom]

Haha! I figured you'd be game for this strategy, Mr. Aventurine.

[ There's our gambling addict (neutral observation, no judgement). ]

And you raise a good point -- the chance that a randomized pairing may yield new insight. I can't say I'm much for taking chances like this, but ... sometimes it does feel like the most viable path.

[gamboler]

[ No, no, he deserves a little judgment... ]

We've yet to discern the logic behind Furina and Ringo's pairing. Obviously, they like each other, but that was true of several of the matches picked today. Until we figure out what that logic is, we need to consider every angle. A pattern will emerge — it always does.

[ A thoughtful pause... ]

Had you been picking today, would Odile have been on your list?

[nrangel]

[ A big, heavy sigh. ]

Yeah. Guess this really proved that theory of mine didn't hold that much water in the end. I was hoping I was onto something, because it would have made it all easier to sort out.

[ She doesn't regret it though. They had the clear to try this out and see how it went without risk of a blackout, and in some ways it did net them some information. ]

[phenomerom]

Mm. It truly would have been easier for everyone had we been right in our approach so far ... [ Better for the game, of course, but no doubt it would have been easier for some people to digest, too. ] But it's probably best to believe it was worth it for the information gained today. Last week's ceremony left us with too many half-answers. At least today's answers are concrete.

[ Hard-no pairings. Useful, in the most pragmatic way. ]

[nrangel]

You're right about that. We still could get things wrong, but we've got some pretty solid leads for the upcoming Truth Booth now, and we know for sure what a bunch of our matches aren't now.

[ She doesn't feel good about that though. Yingying seemed to be really starting to develop something with Yi Sang, and Shoko and Poppy....... ]