week four | match ceremony

[marriagebroker]

Tonight, they're back at the courtyard for the fourth and final time. Nothing has changed too drastically decor wise, there are still lanterns abound and a table full of food and drink. There is also now a third couch near the special couches for Messmer and Odile, if they so choose to sit there. But again, you do you! Wei Wuxian is certainly not going to stop you.

Speaking of that guy, he's here and dressed to impress again. He's looking snazzy. He's waiting for everyone to arrive, watching as they do and grinning broadly all the while. Then when everyone arrives, he clears his throat and begins to speak.

"You all have achieved three of the eight lights you need to win the game. With the match of Messmer and Odile, you only have to light up five lights tonight to succeed. Let's hope you pick right, huh?"

But he has complete faith in everyone! So, let's get this show on the road.

"Team Wangji, you're up."

Comments

Talent show

[poans]

[At some point in the night, the platform is outfitted with the necessary equipment and supplies for everyone to show off their talents of choice. The chairs are arranged to provide a comfortable view of each performance with hot food a plenty thanks to Edamura's grilling, and it's sure to be a good time. Furina, being the brains behind the operation, is both busy and directorial in handling the proceedings.

Have fun! (Please. Please have fun.)]

[crimsin]

[ Y'all probably didn't want to drag the whole piano from inside the house outside, so Nico has a keyboard that he probably stole from the Honeymoon Suite up here on the stage. He has a song he'd like to play for everyone.

If one of their talented singers would like to join him on stage, there's also a version with lyrics. Would you like an immortal love ballad for your evening? ]

[gamboler]

[ It's so beautiful...it's so moving...don't look at him.

Or do, because there might be a little bit of a shimmer in his eyes... ]

[poans]

[Partway through the song, Yi Sang looks over at Aventurine, who's nearby, and smiles smally upon sighting the unshed tears in the latter's eyes. Beautiful, indeed.]

[enscene]

[As promised, while she knows when to step aside and let someone else take center stage, Furina will happily accompany him on voice if that's what he wishes. Though they haven't really rehearsed together (though they probably have had a few jam sessions at the honeymoon suite, now that it's come up?), Furina is definitely an easy accompaniment, so she'll sync up with his playing and read the song straight from the page with heart.]

[researcherstory]

[ Odile had really wanted to retire once the results concluded, but

this will be the final happy time she sees them all, so. Who is she to turn out fresh hot food. So now this is everyone else's problem apparently, as she's decided to step onto the "stage" with a wave at Furina and Yi Sang both -- there is no need for accompaniment, and it soon shows why as she clears her throat and begins. ]

Because it has dawned,
it will become night again.
This I know, and yet,
ah, how hateful it is--
the first cold light of morning.

[ ... A poem! Made by someone else, as she's quick to follow up. ]

Penned by someone with a secret relationship, it describes their ruefulness in having to leave the embrace of their lover once the sun had dawned. Beautiful and melancholic, I'm certain many of you will be feeling such when we at last leave this place for good.

[ Anyway. She'll go back to sitting once she's done, content to Vibe. ]

[poans]

[Yi Sang perks up at Odile's entry. Bidding her wordless command, he makes himself scarce to witness her poetry recitation from the audience's viewpoint.

As expected, her delivery is nothing less than exemplary. The words initially give him pause, but a ray of clarity cuts through the haze of perplexity with her explanation. He sits with the message for a moment and two before joining her at her place of respite.]

Miss Odile, if I may . . . what plans might you have in store for the future?

[researcherstory]

[ If anyone was going to appreciate it, it was Yi Sang... she doesn't have any fancy talents like the beautiful music they're sported with. ]

Traveling for a time more, then... I think I'll return to Ka Bue, though from there I haven't decided.

[ Maybe back to book repairs, or simply a quiet life until she dies, both dotted with visits not only from her current party but with and to those she'd met here... it might differ some if Yingying accepts her proposal, but she needn't if Poppy's really planning on anything... ]

[poans]

[Then things have yet to be set in stone. Yi Sang pauses, pondering what she expressed to him a mere week ago and what she's shared with their fellows just now.]

Miss Yingying has relayed to me your offer. Though I dare not speak on her behalf, I must wonder . . . if I, too, might share in your travels and experiences, and learn more about Ka Bue by your side. [His eyes crinkle around the corners, softening.] Perhaps you could also . . . illuminate me on how karuta is played?

[researcherstory]

[ nevermind edamura in the future she has two purse dogs to take back home

Odile seems taken aback a moment, but quickly schools her expression back into neutrality as she feigns consideration. Truthfully, it needs none at all -- she had meant it when she chose him at the ceremony, that he could be companion to her if he should like, that she would be pleased if he were... to be asked though is different, and after the courteous moment she lets a small smile slip out. ]

Of course. Of course, Yi Sang -- it was you whom I asked first, was it not? I take your words now as acceptance, whether or not Yingying does my own offer.

[ Though, she hopes she does.

A beat. ]

It will be many years until you can beat me at karuta, in any case. We'll have time to wait.

[poans]

[His smile widens in turn, relief draining the tension in his shoulders. Before, a mere week or two felt like an endless struggle; now, the sound of years rings clearly and fondly in his ears.

Yingying will surely accept. With this, Odile can have another companion by whom she rises when dawn breaks. The light of morning needn't be so cold or bare.]

I look forward to the turn of seasons.

[Odile has many years before her still. Rather than resignation, he would like to look at them with anticipation.]

[poans]

[By popular(?) demand, Yi Sang is among the last to perform. He sings about digging a grave (or two), lying in it (them), and moving on, because why not.]

as jae requested

[embellwish]

[ mandopop... please imagine petals falling everywhere romantically while she sings, she is using her magical powers to aura farm ]

[poans]

[And what a stunning aura it is.

Yi Sang's heart warms with each note she delivers masterfully. Upon her return from the stage, he gets up to meet her halfway and reaches out to grasp one of her hands in both of his by the fingers, twining around them.]

That was a most stirring performance, Miss Yingying.

[embellwish]

Mm, do you think so?

[ She sing-songs, letting him take her hand and guide her. ]

Just a little song I learned, all about you, sweetheart.

[ shamelessly....... also there's still a non-zero chance in her mind he was just like that was a lovely song, no further comment. ]

[poans]

Ah, then I no longer have cause to believe that I might have misheard.

[He runs his thumbs lightly across her knuckles. After his turn with Luka, and knowing the power of expression songs possess, it would have been foolish of him to listen half-heartedly.]

Though the sun has already set, tomorrow draws ever nearer for it. Once it dawns . . . I look forward to seeing your heart anew.

[embellwish]

[ She lets him caress her hand, bringing up her free one to cup the side of his face and stroke his cheek, smile quiet. Reading between the lines, she knows what he's trying to say. With their wishes won, tomorrow, she's bound to change, and significantly, at that. Even so, just as he had embraced and stayed by the side of the barren wisteria through the night, she knows that come the morning, he'll still be there waiting for her, however the wish turns out. ]

Isn't that because you like the other wisteria better?

[ Joking, she brushes his bangs back a little, smile coy. Ever since he said that he'd found the sight of the decaying tree captivating, she's been thinking about her eventual transformation this way, too. The form before him is like the blooming wisteria, after all. Fleeting, ethereal, beautiful, but not really there. She can... really believe that he's looking forward to it. Seeing the real thing. ]

...I'm looking forward to it, too. I want to be held by you properly.

[poans]

[He opens his mouth, poised to explain himself when she goes on to play with his hair. She doesn't appear to be offended by his attachment to the barren wisteria, so he lets that worry go in favor of grasping her hand by his face with one of his own. It fills his heart to hear her speak like this, blooming with hope for the days that lie beyond the bounds of the game, and so he nods.

Until then, there's the now, where they're surrounded by companions.]

Are you rested? If your constitution allows, it will surely be pleasant to observe what our fellows do next.

[enscene]

[As your organizer, of course, Furina will take a moment to contribute before quickly exiting the stage so others' talents can be showcased.

Her contribution is a little melancholy, but the song was chosen for her, and it's important to sing it like she promised. Her voice is not quite as classically operatic as the example singer here--ballads and showtunes being more her thing--but she has an extremely rich and haunting soprano.

There's also a nice tea party spread for performers and the audience to get a little treat if they so desire, or for anyone who needs a break from the revelry and drinking to fill up on more average delicacies.

Before and afterwards, catch her herding people around to keep the stage moving, cheering others on, and generally just showing a side of herself that might not have made too many appearances these past few weeks...director Furina is in the house.]

[irreversal]

[ No one is volunteering to get sliced for Shoko live heals, so she will simply spectate and be amazed!! ]

Whoa... There are a lot of really good singers in this group, huh? There's no way I'm going up there to sing after all that.