WEEK TWO MATCH CEREMONY

[potatomance]

ᯓ⭐ WEEK TWO MATCH CEREMONY

Welcome, kiddos and kiddettes! To Week Two of this bullshit!

Once again, everyone is led up to the roof with the same seating set-up as before. Riri is cheerfully bobbing in front of the fire and as people arrive and get settled, it waves its little wand to offer Greeting Sparkles.

"I guess we'll see if you're taking it a little more seriously this week. Probably surprising no one, our overachieving Marty is gonna be up first this time, but who knows how it's gonna go next week?

Anyway, sit down, shut up, and unfortunately let the guy speak."

Comments

Arrivals

[potatomance]

[ Get yo sexy fits on, hold hands, etc. ]

[ringsmaster]

[ Lucifer has forgone his usual gold for a bit of silver today. He looks so glad to not have to be picking but there's always a bit of nervousness about him, especially after last week. ]

We've got this, right?

[ RIGHT?? ]

[mechanideptus]

[This week, Xianyun has opted for an asymmetrical gown with a high leg slit. She takes her seat and takes a deep breath, then leans over to whoever is close enough. ]

If one were quick about it, do you think one could manage to catch the potato in one's hands before it could fly off or dis-apparate?

Selections

[potatomance]

[ This is just to make you all nervous while I wait thirty more minutes-- ]

MARTIN BRENNER

[potatomance]

[ Of course, here he is, the guy, the tool, the moment. He picks...

... Mithra.

"The truth of the matter is, one of us has to be Mithra’s match. And while I’d normally choose someone clever, ambitious, and compelling to talk to, changing my strategy to pick an 'opposite' means I’ll be selecting him, instead." ]

Insulting the guy who insulted his pick the last week... well, I guess that's karma for you. If your masochist streak's finally woken up, go right ahead, I guess?

[ozzz]

[Mithra languidly steps into place beside Brenner with a nod.]

I agree with this selection. As an opposite, this man is unkind and weaker than a worm while I'm the world's most feared wizard.

XIANYUN

[potatomance]

[ Miss Xianyun is up next! And her pick? Lucifer.

"One has several traits in common with him, particularly the overwhelming font of love that we feel for our daughters. And yet, there are ways in which we differ that may be considered complementary. He is playful and imaginative, whereas one is taciturn and reasonable. There is a sense of balance there, where one can keep the other's more extreme tendencies 'in check,' so to speak."

Riri waves the wand a little. ]

Oooooh, now you're thinking with p--maybe that's copyrighted, actually. Good thing you and Zhongli are such good buddies who have never met before that he's willing to share.

[mechanideptus]

[ The potato gets a VERY pointed glare as Xianyun walks up. Fuck you, you hashbrown.

Her expression softens considerably when Lucifer approaches, and she holds out our hand. ]

Let us hope for a favorable outcome this week.

ZHONGLI

[potatomance]

[ Speaking of Zhongli, here he comes!! To give his pick of Oriphi.

And of course.

It comes delivered as a limerick.

"You're kind beyond measure.
And listen to my stories at your leisure
Your heart is certainly made of gold
And while you think that claim a bit bold
I am quite the expert when it comes to treasure." ]

... Well, easy ladies like poems, I guess....

[alcoheal]

Easy?

[hearthwarming]

[ she was honestly vibing with the poem, and then— ]

Okay.

[ ok. ]

That was a lovely poem, Zhongli.

[cosmoid]

[ he casts a look over here at riri but says nothing. ]

PHOENIX WRIGHT

[potatomance]

[ Here he is, in all his spiky glory. Picking-- Maruki! In... quite a way.

"Dr. Maruki, I choose you!"

The Pokemon music starts in the background and doesn't stop while Phoenix is speaking. You chose this, accept the cringe.

"He's a kind and insightful person, and very generous with Pop-Tarts. He's also gone through career struggles that almost remind me of my own. I feel like we can learn a lot from each other!" ]

Wooow, maybe he'll help you be the very best.

[psychs]

[ Honestly, that his proclivity to share snacks made such an impact says a lot...maybe they are a true match?!

In any event, Maruki looks a lot more pleased to be standing in front of the fire with Phoenix than he did with Brenner. As he approaches, he wears a relieved smile, even chuckling a little. ]

Thank you for picking me. [ That's a normal thing to say, right? ] If there's at least one more star in the sky this time...it could be us!

[ So he's ready to lock in! ]

LIN BEIFONG

[potatomance]

[ Come on down, Lin! She decides to go with Manuela!

"She's stubborn, like me. If we're supposed to be 'learning from each other' at this love fest, maybe she could teach me to show it less, and I could teach her to show it more." ]

Well, you managed to get it once when the ladies chose each other, so maybe you're on to something there.

Or maybe you're gloriously wrong, but I don't pick these matches, I just encourage you with all the love in my heart.

[ deadpan. ]

OZ

[potatomance]

[ Listen, there's only one person left to pick, but Oz goes up there anyway and speaks as though his answer is both meticulously drafted and awkwardly come up with on the spot. Amazing.

"Uroko. There are similarities between us; I would say he is simple enough to converse with."

What a high bar. ]

... Well, I guess you tried. Maybe. Or you would have if you'd had more options? Who knows!

Results

[potatomance]

Aaaand here we are again!

[ As they are once again plunged into darkness, the lone star twinkling up ahead to represent the very competent lesbians. ]

Same deal as before. So long as you can get one star to show up there, you avoid getting in trouble. If you don't, another one of you is losing a wish.

And since Rio brought it up to me, Zhongli, the answer is "no". Nice try, though. Sacrifices are fun, but only dramatic ones.

1/???

[potatomance]

[ Anyway, silence.

Waiting.

More waiting...

But finally, a star, a little fainter than the one already up there, appears in the sky. ]

[potatomance]

[ And then things return to normal after five minutes.

Well! ]

Could be worse, right? At least one of you got it right! I was beginning to get worried you were all terrible at this.

Good job!

[ Well. It's something. ]

pity (after)party and discussion if you're nasty

[alcoheal]

[There's a silver lining here: One match is one match, and they can hold in this position until they hatch a better plan.

That's the only silver lining, as far as Manuela's concerned. Since her plan to go to bed and drink and sulk is waylaid by not actually being able to go to bed, she's mixing herself a drink in one of the common bar areas. She'll serve one to anyone who comes by and is receptive. They are thunderingly strong.]

We can talk about this until we're blue in the face, but we're not solving it today. I'm going to enjoy myself. I only get in trouble when I drink alone, so maybe you'll all join me? We need to loosen up.

[thefinalcontract]

[Zhongli will have one glass of wine with any potential discussion. He is deep in thought about all of this. A troubled crease in his brow with his fingers beneath his chin as he contemplates and considers their possible options all while sitting away from the bar at a small table but close enough to listen.

But the moment things start to get even a little sloppy he'll be making his way to the castle ramparts with a cup of tea instead. He can be found perched on the stone there sipping at his drink and watching an unfamiliar yet still beautiful sky.]

[ozzz]

[Since she's offering, he accepts the drink before making himself comfortable by sitting down on the accompanying stool, whereafter he tilts his head.]

Weren't you going to bed?

no pity, just party!

[mechanideptus]

[ Xianyun makes no attempts to try and hide her frustration. One star is better than zero stars, but it's not much to work off of. Things are going to have to get serious this week, or else.

But Manuela is right: nothing is getting solved today. Might as well follow her lead. ]

One is not great at "loosening up," but one will try.

[ She accepts a drink and sips. Hmm, she has a heavy hand. No doubt, several of them need it tonight. ]

Thank you.

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix is trying not to get exhaust his brain thinking about the results of the match ceremony and what could it mean. Which match was the one that was right? Was it his??

So Manuela's suggestion is a welcome distraction.]

A few drinks can't hurt. [With that, he starts pouring himself a glass from a bottle of grape juice. Then he holds his glass up.]

A toast! To getting something right?

[ringsmaster]

[ Oh, he absolutely does not have the brain power to math out which of their matches could possibly be right, so he’s right there with Manuela. It seems that several other bottles of alcohol and maybe some snacks have appeared. There’s a lot of french fries.

Lucifer himself has a nice glass of wine to start. It gives it a contemplative swirl. ]

Sooooo… Marty and Mithra, huh? Can’t say I saw that one coming! Maybe they’re our star?

[ lololol ]