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

[ordimame]

[. . . EXASPERATED (pos) HUFF!]

By the way, Shoko.

[waves a beef skewer in her direction. she seems like a beef gal]

I have a bone to pick with you.

[irreversal]

[ She is definitely a beef gal, so she takes the proffered skewer without issue. You just get her, Mame-chan... ]

Oh? It's a little late for that, isn't it?

[ But still. She wants to hear what this could possibly be... ]

[ordimame]

[he does! he's a beef guy himself!!]

[either way. she takes the skewer. he leans in real close. lifts a hand to cover his mouth so now one else see him talking. pitches his voice real low so only she can hear]






You didn't tell me there was a timer.

1/3

[irreversal]

[ timer.......... ❓ ]

[irreversal]

[ ........... ]

[irreversal]

[ .............. oh, right. She totally didn't mention the timer in that room to him, and by design....... ]

Oops! So~rry.

[ she is not sorry ]

Wait, so what happens if the timer runs out?

[ she is just saying this all at normal volume by the way. And also assuming they did run the timer down— ]

1/2

[ordimame]

[he is about to give Shoko a playful shove to SCOLD HER FOR LEAVING OUT THAT VITAL DETAIL, but]

[. . . ?]

[when. . . it runs out???]

[ordimame]

. . . I don't know?

1/2

[irreversal]

[ he doesn't know...??





ROMAMURA FUCKED?????????? ]

[irreversal]

[ suddenly, with great urgency and gravitas, she grabs Edamura's shoulder with her free hand, while the other one is still holding her beef skewer. ]

Mame-chan.





You didn't forget my advice, right?

1/? well. . .

[ordimame]

[kind of giving her a ???? look now, brows knitted together, as he lets himself be grabbed]

[ordimame]

[her advice? what advice?]

[ordimame]

[. . . . .]

[ordimame]

[. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[ordimame]

[THAT ADVICE???]

DONE

[ordimame]

[immediately turns around and tries to flee]

[irreversal]

[ tch.... wait



he's leaving HER in charge of the grill???? ]

Ah! Hey, come back here... all the meat's going to burn.

[ordimame]

[calling back to her as he leaves]

Not my problem anymore! You're the one who asked too many questions!

[. . . no he'll come back I promise]

[irreversal]

Ehhh... I asked one question! Sheesh, you're so sensitive...

[ she stares down at the grill...



picks up the tongs



and then just pokes at the meat. ]

[ordimame]

[ONE QUESTION WAS ONE QUESTION TOO MANY!!!]

[. . . but okay, okay, he is coming back now. . . he won't let his precious skewers burn. but he does give her a playful (gentle) elbow jab as he slides up next to her]

Haven't you ever grilled meat before, Shoko?

[irreversal]

[ she pouts at him when he jabs at her... she's been hurt!! (no) ]

It's been a while......

[ obviously ]

Anyway - ah, don't run away again - I'm glad that you had a good time.

[ordimame]

[. . . huffs!]

[slings an arm around her shoulders to draw her close to his side, swaying a bit as he does so. his cheeks are a bit pink, but. . . he doesn't run this time]

Thanks.

[. . . it is easier to enjoy himself when he isn't overthinking very single thing he is doing, isn't it. . .? when he doesn't worry about how people perceive him? not that he ever tried to mold himself into being anyone's ideal, or lied about who he was, but. . . he's still always acutely aware of how he comes off to others]

And of course I remembered, though it's kind of sweet of you to worry.

[irreversal]

[ Okay, okay. She'll throw an arm around him in turn, too. They've gotten pretty comfortable with each other like this, haven't they? It's... nice.

For Shoko's part, things had been so dire in her world, she'd almost forgotten how... healing it is, really, to have this kind of time with people she cares about. Just... doing whatever, enjoying each other's company.

She'll have to make sure to make more time for the people who are still around, when she returns. ]

Well. I'm a doctor, after all. Minding other people - that's kind of just part of my life.

[ordimame]

[he has grown awfully comfortable around her!! she has come to mean a lot to him in the short four weeks they've known each other. . . and her company, her counsel, her support, is something he doesn't want to go without. that's why he's so insistent on staying in touch!! because it means something to him, to have that kind of dynamic with someone who isn't in his line of work]

Yeah, yeah. Maybe.

[giving her shoulder a tight squeeze]

But if you mind others too much, then you might find them minding you in return. Are you ready for that?