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]

Mmmmm...

[ She drags it out, with a slow sigh. ]

I've always been bad with romance. Even working on a teen magazine. Even doing horoscopes for that sort of thing. I'm just bad at picking up on it or prioritizing it or anything really related to it.

So I want to take it seriously this time, but because I do... it's hard for me to really process it in two weeks. It's a different kind of mindset I've never put at the forefront before, you know?

[phenomerom]

Haha. It sounds like you've had terrible work-life balance, Amano-san. Maybe you should work on that, once this is all over.

[ Pot, kettle, black.

That's not his main point anyway. After a thoughtful cant of the head, gazing off over the scenery before them -- ]

It certainly seems like you've drawn the eyes of many, though. Do none of them spark something special in you? Or whatever other phrasing it is that those youth publications tend to use.

[scooptimistic]

I hope you know, Shindou-san, that journalists trade information. We don't answer things one-sidedly.

[ For the record!!

Also she knows!! She knows her work-life balance sucks!! ]

[phenomerom]

... is that right? I'm afraid I don't know much about journalism.

[ He's just being annoying on purpose, of course. Sigh. He'd normally mask this a lot better, but cumulative exhaustion from the past week means it's a little less opaque than usual when he gives Maya one of his usual smiles. ]

Was there something you'd like to ask me, Amano-san?

[scooptimistic]

Do you think asking me if I've felt romantic feelings for anyone here is going to help us win this, or are you asking for some other reason?

[ Simply that. ]

[phenomerom]

[ Hm. Not the sort of questioning he expected.

An owlish blink, then blandly: ] The former, of course. Did it come across another way?

[scooptimistic]

No. But given how it seems that following their hearts wasn't quite for the best in terms of correct pairings, I wasn't sure why you'd want to prioritize that for me.

[phenomerom]

[ ... interesting. ]

You're right -- making it our top priority going forth would probably be unwise. But I've also assumed this whole time that romantic connections would at least be a factor for these perfect matches. And -- it's seemed thus far that people would prefer to at least take it into consideration when making their choices. Understandably, for their emotional well-being and satisfaction. You don't agree with this approach?

[scooptimistic]

I don't have a problem with it. But I was trying to understand your mindset.

[ Especially when it seemed like he was making two conflicting points. ]

I've had some... moments, I guess, if I had to describe them as anything. Not anything exactly as passionate or as confident as what we've seen from some other people. [ With an apologetic, crooked smile. ]

So if that's what you want to hear from me, I can go into some detail there. But I would like your thoughts in return.

[phenomerom]

Haha! To be fair, I feel like most people wouldn't be able to muster up emotions as passionate as some we've seen on display so far. Stage fright alone would take down most of that.

[ But he knows that's not the point here. As always, he's not particularly eager to talk about his own attitude when it comes to these things, but ... they've got their backs against a wall here. Perhaps it's time to come clean, especially since it sounds like Maya might understand where he's coming from.

He'd paused in thought, gaze cast aside, but Rom does look back to her and nod after a moment. ]

... I'd like to hear your thoughts, of course. And in return, I'll answer any questions to the best of my abilities.

[scooptimistic]

Fair enough!

[ She seems satisfied with that. ]

I did... wonder, if I was feeling something with Aventurine, but I'm really not a homewrecker, so if it turns out we're a match, that's staying platonic. I've had a lot of fun with Makoto, more than expected--once he relaxes, he's a lot less stiff and pretty sassy, which is fun! Shoko felt really cozy and I wanted to prop her up as much as I could, given what she's gone through, but I guess with that, I never really thought that'd get romantic and she's more popular than she thinks she is, I bet.

[ A pause, to tap her chin. ]

I think we've got some things in common too, that it might be hard to talk about, but I also enjoy your company. Verso's a hell of a kisser, but in a way, we're too much alike. And Luka... it feels like I met a different person this week from the first. I don't dislike that or anything, I just haven't really had time to get to know him. But he's harboring a lot more than I ever expected.