week three ♡ match ceremony

[loveauthority]

For a third, and perhaps a last time if they've picked right, the match ceremony is nigh.

Two lights are lit up already, thanks to Du Ruo and Sherbet's successful matching the day before, and they'll be able to join Hong Lu and Frieren in those cozy, cozy loveseats reserved for Perfect Matches. The beach area is pristine. There's no trace of storm in the sky, the worst of it well-past leaving only the calm of the sun's dying hours to keep the ambience nice.

How many more might be lit up tonight? Just one once more? Or maybe all of them?

Your hostess seems confident regardless, but she always does, doesn't she? Anna's spent her evenings with them time and time again after Truth Booths as they discussed their next moves, has seen first hand just how hard they've worked, and... despite her role, could never help but offer her point of view when she could after Match Ceremonies, too. She more than anyone else knows how stressful this can be -- as a contestant, yes, but also as someone wanting to find love anew too.

"What a beautiful evening to totally HIT THIS OUTTA THE PARK, am I right?! We've got one, we've got two, so let's get the rest!" Her energy softens a little, and she speaks far more maturely than she seems. "You've all done so, so much these past weeks -- short as it feels, and as it is, lives only take a moment to change completely. Mine did. And I'm really happy to be able to hear your stories too, for what it's worth."

A beat, and then she'll raise her hand again--

"So let's get this show on the road! Will you get your happy end?! Or will you be forced to spend another week here in those hammocks?! Team Non-chan, let's find out!"

Sponsored art this week is by Rushifaa.

Comments

arrivals

[loveauthority]

Eat, drink, be merry! Outfits remain at the top of the budget list.

[gumai]

[ His fit for tonight is a nice lavender suit! Something he thought would compliment Gustave's suit well. Because he's that type of gay.

Anyway, here he is and he doesn't seem anxious for once. Well, he's kind of anxious but not that anxious. Let's say that. If this all goes to shit he's killing himself. ]

[9999]

[ Date looks so dapper. Unfortunately, Gustave is looking anxious, which isn't exactly anything new, but it does clash somewhat with the general mood and prevent him from giving Date a compliment on said dapperness. ]

Date, can I... Can we talk after this?

[ this sounds so ominous, which he realizes after he says it. ]

-- It's not anything about, er, us. Not exactly. Just - if this goes well and things end early.

[gumai]

[ KILLING HIMSELF: POSTPONED KILLING HIMSELF: BACK ON ✅

No, it's okay, it's fine. He's startled with the way Gustave phrases that but then he clarifies and Date relaxes just a little. Still, if things do end early... they should definitely talk and so he nods. ]

Yeah, of course.

[ He still wants that extra week, after all. He doesn't know how to say that, so they should talk. A pause and he will attempt to take Gustave's hand in his if he lets him, so he can squeeze it lightly. ]

[9999]

[ NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ]

Thank you.

[ of course he can hold Gustave's hand - Gustave holds his back tightly, returning the squeeze. It is a comfort, in the face of everything. He wouldn't have ever thought he'd be in her shoes this way. ]

[dimeless]

[ here in the usual outfit! and seems related, happy. sherbet's matched with a hot woman, he is content. ]

selections

[loveauthority]

Characters from Team Non-chan will be called up at random to make their picks. They'll press their hands to the digital scanner. Once they've locked in their picks, they'll have to go and sit with each other for the rest of the ceremony. Get cozy!

katy

[makeine]

Let's see, who do I want to come up first...

[ hmmmm. anna taps her chin, then points at katy. ]

Katy-san! My fellow normie! Let's see who you've got!

[ especially after their talk before... katy comes up, and her choice is-- Spike!

"I could see us having a lot of fun together. Doesn't have to be a long time, as long as it's a good time — but who knows? You're a good guy, and if there's anything to appreciate about someone, it's that." ]

Good guys are hard to come by. [ that's a fact. ] But we've got some good ones here, surprisingly. Spiegel-san, your lady's calling for you~!

[gumai]

[ The two most chill contestants here, to the point he's sure at least one of them forgot this was a dating game...!

... Clapping? ]

[dimeless]

[ ambling up with a smile!! ]

Now, how can I say no to an offer like that?

[ doesn't have to be a long time, as long as it's a good time is basically his motto. ]

[mythologizer]

I really do think those two can make the most out of enjoy life together, hm? [From her happy loveseat position, boob window and all.]

kaname date

[makeine]

Next up... Date-san! Though I should toooootally have you go last, second place isn't so bad!

[ says the once losing heroine. in any case--

of course he's choosing Gustave. anna's beaming. ]

Go ahead, lovebirds. The moment's yours.

[ Date is here and he is looking... quite happy. Not his stupid catboy self happy, but genuinely just pleased. Warm. Content.

He is also holding a purple rose, again. ]

I'll make this quick because I don't want to embarrass you, heh.

But — another meaning for a purple rose is... well, enchantment and wonder. The idea of meeting someone and immediately being drawn to them, to feel like you could fall for them. Being in awe of this new person in your life. [ A pause and then he repeats — ] Enchantment and wonder. That's... definitely what I feel about you, Gustave.

[ He opens his mouth as if to say more before shaking his head and looking sheepish. This is way too embarrassing already. But then he'll hold out the rose for Gustave to take and come join him at the podium. ]

[9999]

[ oooh this is embarrassing for sure and being called lovebirds doesn't help, but being embarrassed probably isn't so bad. Despite how on-edge he's seemed this morning, Gustave still can't help smiling at Date's heartfelt words. For a few moments longer, he can let those sentiments buoy him up out of his anxieties; after all, Date's been that for him this whole time - a warm shelter from the storm of his disastrous Expedition, a beacon of adoration in a world eager to throw him away.

He's also very corny, and Gustave has to admit that he kind of loves it. The power of the double dad pairing. ]

You really are sentimental. [ even if Date tried keeping it short to spare him, Gustave still looks bashful as he walks up to join him - but he doesn't hesitate at all accepting the rose. ] Thank you... for saying all that. You're wonderful, too.

[ on the cusp of all these mixed emotions, Gustave kind of feels like he should kiss him?? But that would definitely be embarrassing in front of all these people, so he just settles for grabbing his hand again. ]

[gumai]

[ If they get this right, then this is the last time he's being put on the spot to say something so sweet and kind to someone who has been exactly that to him. So, he wanted to say... something even if he's also withering inside a bit at the public nature of his affection.

He doesn't deny being sentimental, doesn't reject Gustave's response at all. Just smiles warmly at him and he feels the urge too to kiss Gustave but god, doing that in front of everyone is just...

He'll do a middle ground which is that, when Gustave takes his hand he'll lift it up to press a quick kiss to his knuckles before letting their hands drop again, squeezing his lightly. ]

Just a little sentimental. Just a lil. [ He grins. ] But it's worth it.

[9999]

[ "It's worth it." He has to believe that, no matter what. That's always been his motto, in a sense, hasn't it? No matter how things end, all of it meant something. ]

Yeah, it's worth it.

[ his smile's a little warmer as Date, once again, gets all chivalrous on him, treating him like he's a prince or something and not a doomed one-armed nerd. But when he tucks the rose into his breast pocket, maybe he looks a little more princely anyway, gazing at Date with gratitude. ]

rei rigel

[makeine]

And so the numbers lessen. Rigel-sensei, if you'd come up?

[ he does as asked, warm as ever, and gives his pick -- Dettlaff.

"Dettlaff is a fine man and the textbook example of "Don't Judge a Book" by it's cover! He's willing to listen and go along with acts of whimsy and you can always count on him to have a rational approach.

Anyone would be blessed to have his heart and I'm honored to have him as my match!" ]

Well said!!! That's been a pretty agreed on opinion of him, I think, and he's been super nice to me despite what you'd think from his manner. I've really enjoyed our convos!

[ but!!! on up, dettlaff! ]

[gumai]

[ hell yeah team dettlaff rocks... we're all here together!! clapping!!! ]

[ardencies]

[He stands and approaches, quiet as ever, speaking only when he finally joins Rei on stage.]

You always say kind things. I'm honored to be viewed in such a light by you.

[astrivise]

Well I'm not always a light.

[ looks at crashout and looks away. ]

But it's easier to shine when I'm with company like you. [ offering his hand so they can lock in! ]

[mythologizer]

It’s true that he’s actually quite adventurous, isn’t it?

[Quiet and straightforward big guy!!]

[astrivise]

Yes! We camped together the first night, actually.

aligula

[makeine]

And last never least... [ until she has to pick the oddballs out ] Aligula-san! Who's your pick?

[ aligula comes up, dressed in a wine colored ruffled dress rounded out with a petticoat, almost resembling a blooming rose, and...

ah.

"...I know it's not a match, but I still feel like Detty and I could've worked out. And it's been hard! Pretending! Like I'm sooooo totally okay about this! And maybe like, I should just let it goooo, but I've never... really been good at that."

a long pause where it doesn't seem like she'll continue, until--

"...I guess I'll still go with the plan and pick Boney though. Get up here already." ]

Bonaparte-san, your time to shine's come! And... I know what you mean, Aligula-san. It sucks to see someone you're interested in step up beside someone else.

[ painful, really. week after week. always just out of reach... ]

[gumai]

[ ALIGULA HE WILL ACTUALLY KILL YOU

BUT AT LEAST SHE PICKED THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE END... SHEESH ]

[innocentloveholic]

( LITERALLY SPECIFICALLY ASKED PEACE TO ADD IN THAT EXTRA PAUSE AFTER READING DATE WOULD KILL HIMSELF IF THINGS DIDN'T GO WELL )

[gumai]

[ HE IS BUT A HUMBLE PERVERT DETECTIVE WHAT DID HE DO TO DESERVE THIS ]

[innocentloveholic]

( acab includes kaname date 😔 )

[gumai]

[ honestly yeah ]

[verminous]

[phew...

but you know what, good for her, he knew you're not as bad as you act!!]

finale!!!

[makeine]

Whiiiiich means... as expected... we have but one pair that remains! From Team Hoi-kun, Leslie-san, Gregor-san, come on up! Give 'em a round of applause!

[ this is old hat now. also there's literally just two people so like, easy peasy, anna's still making a production out of it though. ]

[gumai]

[ whoops for gregor and leslie!!!! WHOOPING FOR GREGOR AND LESLIE!!!! ]

[verminous]

[THE MOST AWKWARD LITTLE WAVE IN THE WORLD...]

[hozoned]

[She waves back with a giggle! This is her dress for the evening. Just because she's the leftover queen, doesn't mean she'll skimp out.]

results

[loveauthority]

wouldn't you like to know weather boy

1/?

[makeine]

[ after a commercial break... they are back! for results! anna fixes her bracelet a little, then clears her throat. ]

Okay! The stage is set and our players await! We've got two lit up already, so let's see how many more we've got!

2/?

[makeine]

[ at first, nothing.

and then...

another one lights up. that's three! three lights, everyone! ]

3/?

[makeine]

[ but it doesn't stop there!!! a fourth one lights up!

f o u r!!! that's record breaking already, for this group!!!! ]

4/?

[makeine]

[ could there be a fifth...?

there's a silence, only the sea still breathing, before...

...

a fifth lights up. things are looking good!!! ]

5/?

[makeine]

[ if the sixth lights up, then it'd only be right if the seventh and final one did too, right?

...

it lulls into silence. nothing happens, and... maybe there's no more. ]

Just wait... just wait for it..! Love requires patience, too!

6/6

[makeine]

[ ...........................................

both lights pop on! that's a full set of torches lit, warm and welcoming and celebratory!

anna stands there for a moment, like it doesn't register, and then she's throwing her hands up with a shout: ]

YOU DID IT!!!!!! You won!!!! You got them all right, after all your defeats!!!

[ a black out, then one close to it, and far too many overlapping similarities that just whiffed things out of the park-- but your matches are set, and the torches are lit.

congratulations!!! ]

Now! As I said, you can still stay here the week you have left, but-- there's still something I've got to hand off to you all, so let's handle that tomorrow and you can sleep well tonight. Okay? Okay! Why don't you all share Gregor-san's and Dettlaff-san's bed in the meantime? Get cozy?

[verminous]

Now, wait just a sec--!

[ANNA GIVETH THE BED AND ANNA SHARETH IT AROUND...]

[mythologizer]

What’s ours is yours, I guess~

[innocentloveholic]

It's not big enough for everyone!!!

( hmm... what is she supposed to use her wish on now? )

[9999]

[ he's still going to clap for everyone!! ]

Good work, team. Always move on from your mistakes?

[ ... ]

We're not sleeping in that bed, though. It was out in the storm.

[gumai]

[ REDEEEEEEMPTION!!!!! SWEET REDEMPTION!!!!!! ]

Oh, thank fucking god.

[ HE LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING TO COLLAPSE FROM RELIEF ]

[mythologizer]

Thank you, Anna, for always having faith in us. I know you never doubted, right?

[She gives her a somewhat knowing smile. Then again, that’s kind of how all of Du Ruo’s smiles look. ]

I’d like to make a gift for the group with the time we have left, memorializing the time we spent together. Do you think I might be able to call on your friends for some incense supplies?

[makeine]

[ it is, and she's used to it now. ]

Not a day. And sure!

[ anna'll move to the side and bring back some tanner folk, masked in unique iron helmets with three eye holes -- two for their normal, one for the third eye that sits horizontal on their forehead. they're pleased to be of help, especially to learn of another's culture...!!! ]

There's no one better to ask than the Mustari tribe. Just tell them what you'll need and they'll get you fit.