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

[ordimame]

[but. . . but. . . !]

. . . but I don't want my wish.

[he responds, his words a bit firm, grip on her fingers tightening. not painfully so, at least]

Seriously. . . I don't have a use for it. There isn't anything back home I want or need that badly. [he doesn't really believe in the power of their offered wish, honestly] So you wouldn't be taking it.

[that said. . .]

Not that. . . I want to pressure you into something you don't want, either. [especially if her mind is made up] . . . just think about it, okay?

[they still have two weeks]

[embellwish]

[ ...She gets what he's trying to do, she does. And it's not that she doesn't appreciate it, or isn't touched. Her smile turns a little helpless, brows knitting. Reluctantly: ]

If that's your wish, I'll think about it.

[ But the heart of the matter remains. Yingying is serious about wishes, and doesn't like the idea of taking others' for her own. If they choose, with their whole heart, to wish for her health or happiness, that's different. But she's not so arrogant to believe any of them could wish for her the way her family had, year after year. They've only known each other two weeks... how selfish would it be to covet those wishes for herself? They all have their own loved ones, their own futures to think about, ones that she wants to see blossom. ]

But I want you to think about it, too. The desires in your heart. What you would sincerely wish for, given the chance.

[ Everyone has one, even if they think they don't. ]

[ordimame]

[. . . he is pretty sure he already has an answer to that. he is almost certain that nothing that happens here will change his mind, either. his world is so dreadfully normal compared to everyone else's that he legitimately cannot comprehend what a wish as powerful as the one the producers are offering could do for it]

[but. . . she is certain, too. and he asked her to think it over. so it's only fair. . . if he does the same]

All right. I will.

[genuinely!]

But when all of this is over, if I haven't come up with a different answer of my own. . . then I'll ask you again.

Is that fair?