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

[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?

[phenomerom]

A pattern ... It's rather difficult discerning a pattern from one sample, isn't it. And even we might be correct in our guesses as to the stars from our first week -- [ he's still banking on Nico-Verso and Maya-Aventurine ] -- that only leaves us with one more week to apply the pattern to everyone else.

[ A thoughtful hum as he considers the route they should maybe pursue this coming week. But he'll have to mull over it more later. ]

... haha. I don't even want to think about needing to pick again today, Mr. Aventurine. I'm not really one for stage fright, but the pressure up there is really something. Two weeks in a row might make me ill. [ ... ] But yes. As I've been advocating for picking within one's group if need be -- she would have been a consideration.

[gamboler]

[ Interesting...so even though they were just the leftovers today, there's still something there. Not completely random, and if Rom had actually picked Odile, the result wouldn't have been any different. ]

So very interesting how fortune and luck plays out for us, isn't it? I wonder...well. I shouldn't get too ahead of myself, but I have some questions I look forward to asking our gracious host tomorrow.

[ And maybe it's worth asking for a hint, too. He's not above using whatever means necessary for a step in the right direction. ]

And I look forward to seeing who you pick in the next match ceremony, my friend!

[ nvm that he has to pick too ]

[phenomerom]

Haha, thank you! [ He is not thankful at all! He hates being reminded of the fact that he has to choose next week! ] I look forward to your selection as well, I'm certain you'll make an excellent show of it on stage!

[ But on a more serious note -- ]

And Mr. Aventurine, if I may make a request. I wonder if I could have some of your time if you find your conversation with our [ deadpan: ] dear overseer particularly fruitful. Of course, I'd be willing to share whatever information I might be able to uncover as well.

[ This is the least sexy (conditional) date request ever. ]

[gamboler]

[ Listen, Aventurine is a transactional kind of guy, this is pretty sexy to him. ]

An exchange of information over drinks, is it? [ Or. Whatever wild adventure the production staff might send them on. ] I'd like that. You have a deal. I'm very interested to see what I might be able to learn from our [ overly drawn-out: ] dear friend this week, given what's happened today. You'll be the first to know if it's anything useful.

[ He's offering his hand to Rom now. Shake on it? ]