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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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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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I think there's only room for one person to doubt their capacity to fall in love in this conversation, Shindou.
[he says, his tone light, as he gives his companion a gentle pat on the back**]
[** it's not gentle. it's a hard smack. not hard enough to hurt, but he is definitely not holding back! something tells him Rom can take it]
[. . . but anyway. the question gets a serious answer, too]
You sound like you believe it in way more than I do. [even if he's trying. even if he's trying] So you're probably more suited for it than I am.
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Rom stifles a sigh afterwards, before permitting himself a long sip of the coffee. Might as well start draining this before he's at risk of spilling it again. And with that done -- ]
... it isn't doubt, Edamura-san.
[ A quiet rebuke he directs mostly into the coffee cup. Just because Edamura doesn't seem to get what he thought was an extremely obvious conclusion. Is it really something he needs to spell out like this? ]
Because of my nature, I'm ill-suited to growing close to people. There will always be complications, risks -- a fundamental disconnect. I'm human, so I can understand what other people might think and feel, and maybe even feel similar things. But I will always be on this side of a divide.
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[the levity fades from Edamura's features, replaced by open bemusement. brows knitted, jaw set in a deep frown. this isn't. . . something he can fully understand, simply because he doesn't completely comprehend the disconnect between the human and spiritual realms. he doesn't know what it's like to straddle both worlds, never truly belonging in either. human, but. . . not? complications. risks. a fundamental disconnect.]
[. . .]
What does it look like? [he eventually asks. quiet. genuinely curious] From that side of the divide?
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Hm. ]
Do you play videogames much, by any chance?
[ There's a soft clink as he puts his now-empty mug down, leaning in a little as he continues. ]
I'll stream them once in a while on my side-channel when I need a break from my main work. They're a lot of fun, and really help vent some stress.
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No. They were never really my thing. . .
[a beat]
I didn't realize streaming content was part of an exorcist's job??
[it's just a small side comment-- for now-- because he doesn't want to get too into the weeds with this revelation. he'd rather Rom answer his question first!!]
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[ Not even bothering to hide the little trace of disappointment in his gaze. What a stick in the mud. ]
And I do make a good chunk of my income off streaming and video content, yes. It's tough making a living these days, you know? The videos work as PR material, more subscribers means more merch sales, and the more views I get, the greater the chances of a viewer contacting me with a specific investigation request. The extra income from superchats also helps.
[ -- anyway! ]
Hm. Then. Surely you must watch television now and again. Let's say ... game shows. They're not really my thing, but you must be familiar with the formatting -- the overlays of text and images, the added information textboxes, sometimes even interrupted by news scrolls across the bottom. Does this all ring a bell?
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[with some amusement]
If I didn't believe the spirit thing was actually real, you'd be a Grade-A swindler in my eyes.
[said with no judgment. maybe a bit of respect, actually? MERCH SALES. . . HE HAS HIS OWN MERCH. . .]
And yeah. When I was younger I used to stay up late just to catch the midnight game shows.
1/3
Rom leans in as he continues exuberantly, all flair and greasy huckster charm(?): ]
Oh, don't be like that Edamura-san. I do honest business! All anti-ghost tools I sell are the real deal, and guarantee protection against low-level curses and hauntings with minimal further effort -- a steal, really! Do let me know if you're interested, and I can look into getting you a special discount code exclusive for show participants. Haha!
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Imagine seeing those game show overlays all the time, everywhere. They contain information -- important information, information which can be used to keep people safe and avoid danger. But nobody else can see them. If you speak of these overlays, 95% of the population will think you insane. The remainder might believe you, but only because they themselves want to buy into the delusion. The overlays are almost all horrific, and if you acknowledge them in the wrong way, you will die. But if you don't address them at all -- then others will fall to harm, or die. You must decide what to do -- almost certainly alone.
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But yes, as I was saying, being a spiritualist is a bit like being on a gameshow! It's all about showmanship to catch the audience's attention, and using information in the right way.
1/2
[Rom leans in so abruptly that it takes all of Edamura's willpower not to lean back on instinct. he feels a tiny bit of heat color the tips of his ears-- the barest shades of pink-- at having someone (. . . Rom??) lean in so close. but he is well-practiced in the art of secrecy; a hand covers his own mic, fingers brushing purposefully across the edges to muffle any sounds it does catch with white noise]
[his features grow slack]
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1/2
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