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perfectmatch2025-06-14 10:04 am
marriagebroker) wrote in perfectmatch2025-06-14 10:04 am
Entry tags:
week two | match ceremony
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!"
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!"
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[. . .]
Have you ever been in love, Shindou?
[WELL OKAY. NOT AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. thank Ringo for the dropped honorific, too]
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... the only thing that saves Edamura is the fact that Rom is, in fact, very tired by this point. So instead, he's only subjected to a hoarse exhale before Rom responds in annoying fashion: ]
My, my! Edamura-san, I'm honored you'd confide such a thing in me! But I promise I'm very tight-lipped when it comes to such important matters. Not to worry -- I won't tell anyone about the depths of your affection for this mystery person.
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[yanks on the brim of his hat and pulls it down over his face]
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Okay, okay, no. He's had his fun. Rom huffs a small sigh as he pushes his hat back into place and leans against the patio railing. His usual insufferable act's toned down just a notch as he looks at Edamura. ]
Have you fallen in love with someone here, Edamura-san?
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[huffs indignantly before returning to his coffee and finally taking a nice, long sip. stretching out the silence before he answers, simple and to the point]
No.
[. . . falling in love? after only two weeks? some people here make it look so easy. . . he envies them, just a little. Furina and Ringo, so confident, so assured. Shoko and Poppy, bold and unafraid. Luka, open enough about his feelings to sing about them in front of a crowd. Nico and Aventurine, with their dutiful devotion to each other after such a short period of time]
[how did they do it? how. . . did they know? Ringo had said it was about feeling brave, but. . .]
[. . .]
At least, I don't think so.
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[ He also finally addresses his coffee cup, looking at the ripples across the surface. It's still nice and warm when he takes a sip, the flavor of it soothing his nerves just a touch. Rom sighs as he lowers his mug. ]
But to bring up the question like that, you must have had something in mind. There are many reasons people here could have chosen each other, after all ... Lust, infatuation, friendship, camaraderie. All possible options, instead of love, which carries a different weight, doesn't it? ... do you think you might be falling in love with someone?
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I noticed you never answered my question.
[but he sure is asking a lot of them!!]
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It wouldn't be right for me to focus on something so trivial, when my dear friend Edamura-san might be struggling with the important matters of love! [ hehe. But in all seriousness: ] Now, please -- do you think you might be falling in love with someone?
1/2
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[. . .]
. . . if I told you I'm a liar, would you believe me?
[this is related. he promises]
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Hm. ]
Yes. [ Decisive. ] People who can live their lives being honest all the time are very lucky. Most simply don't have that luxury.
[ Himself included. ]
Is that what you mean?
1/2 i'm so sorry miru he just has so many faces
No. It's far worse than that.
[he doesn't just mask truths to spare people's feelings. he doesn't tell little white lies to smooth over painful realities. but. . . those are stories for another time]
2/3 AAAAAH SORRY
[or ten]
I talked a lot of bullshit during our first week here, you know? Got called a romantic, and agreed that I was one. And honestly. . . it's nice to think about, isn't it? To believe that love can work that way. That one day, you just look at someone and know. To believe that you'll feel that spark. That it's better to hold yourself back until that very moment, so it means something.
[. . .]
But the truth is.. . I don't think I actually believe in love at all.
[. . .]
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And if that's true, how could I possibly be falling in love with anyone?
[. . . it's complicated, he thinks. because it does sound nice. because if he keeps telling himself that sure, that's how love works, that one day he will find someone and just know and it will be bright and beautiful and electric, like he has finally found that missing piece of his heart that all people seek. . . then maybe he can actually start believing it. maybe he can believe that something like that does exist for him!!]
[but it's also the complete opposite of all of his experiences with love. with how messy and hurtful and dangerous and raw it can be]
it is my turn to apologize for this tag
Though it's not in his nature to voice any of those observations.
Instead, once Edamura's done speaking, he waits just long enough for the words to sink in before responding with a laugh and a -- ]
You're being so chuuni, Edamura-san.
PLEEEEEASE EDAMURA OOZES CHUUNI ENERGY HELP 1/2
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. . . here I am, bearing my soul to you, and you're calling me chuuni?! Seriously!! You jerk!!!
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[ Said all wobbly-like as he's being jostled. Though he doesn't really make any attempt to stop the shaking; his hands are occupied trying to stabilize the coffee cup and its remaining contents. ]
-- I'll spill your hard-made coffee at this rate. It wouldn't do to waste such a nice cup!
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[chuuni. chuuni!!!! he isn't chuuni!! (he is chuuni)]
You get why I asked now, right?
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[ Edamura never said this???
Though he's not just wasting time by being deliberately insufferable; he does have a point to make. Before Edamura can get bristly at the accusation, Rom promptly continues: ]
But I think you might have the wrong impression of what it's like to be in love.
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[he does bristle again, hackles prickling at the back of his neck. but they smooth out a few moments later when Rom continues. even if he's still glowering a bit, mug held in front of his nose, prepared for another long (petulant) sip]
Yeah? Then tell me about it, Mister Expert.
[he literally asked???]
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... I left my Master's side shortly before my coming of age. But during my time with her, she began a relationship with a man. She tried to keep it hidden from me at first, probably due to my age, but I was a nosy child -- and once the cat was out of the bag, she spoke to me about those matters a few times, and answered my questions. They had quite the long and happy marriage, and I believe her son is also married by now.
[ A small sip of the coffee. Talking about these pedestrian matters feels strange; Mitsue's regular, civilian life had always been overshadowed by her existence as his Master in his head. But ... it's not bad, he supposes. Thinking about this once in a while. ]
It sounded more like she could simply trust her to-be husband. They were comfortable around each other, and she said she enjoyed spending time with him. When things got tough, they knew they could depend on each other, no matter what, and that would allow her to persevere. Doesn't that sound perfectly fine? Even without a magical spark.
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[the severe scowl fades the longer Rom speaks, until it's clear that Edamura is just. . . listening. listening, and comparing the description to every depiction of love he has seen thus far. trust. . . that's a pretty loaded word, isn't it? trust is something he has struggled with for his entire life; even moreso in recent years. had his mother trusted her husband even after he had left them? did Laurent trust Dorothy? actually. . . it wouldn't have been Dorothy he trusted, long gone as she had been. it would have been--]
[. . .]
. . . yeah. It does.
[looking out at the garden again, a small sigh on his lips]
But that's your Master. You still never answered for yourself.
[come on, now. Edamura was honest. it's only fair, isn't it?]
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But here they are, and Edamura tolerated his teasing jab even after pouring his heart out. Perhaps it's only right to at least address the matter. ]
Falling in love. Do you really think I'm suited for anything like that, Edamura-san?
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