week one | match ceremony

[showhost]

The weather is temperate and mild for the match ceremony on this fine Saturday evening, and the crew leads everyone onto a balcony with a cute seating set-up of couches and love-seats. The vibes are Trendy. There are enough places to sit for everyone, but there are only two single chairs, so everyone else is gonna have to cozy up on the couch. Or you can cuddle up in the chairs. I’m not your mom. Also there is only one egg seat. There's mood lighting, like fairy lights.

To one side, there's a small stage of sorts, with a podium where the characters will place their hands to lock in their answers.

Wednesday and Ryuji are led off to the other side so that they can take a seat of honor over on a comfy couch to one side--close to the other contestants, but just far enough away that it's clear they're getting special treatment. Don't you wanna go to the Honeymoon Suite now? Huh???

Anyway.

There are non-alcoholic drinks for people to take at will (all the better to catch spittakes on camera), and the weather is breezy and nice.

And, standing in front of the makeshift stage, with a set of seven unlit lights behind him and one lit light, stands the Overseer. He is dressed the part, of course. He also... looks tired for a moment, but he snaps back to his Proper Hostly Character as soon as the cameras are properly on them and everyone is settled in.

He presses a hand to his chest, sweeping the other outwards.

"Welcome, everyone, to your first Match Ceremony!"

He beams, all classic Tsukasa Sparkles. "As your host, allow me to explain how this will work."

For... the audience mostly. Maybe also for Ryuji? He's not sure how many of the contestants still don't know. It's fine.

"The lights behind me represent each Perfect Match. If--no, when you manage to light every single one, you'll have won, and you will all receive your wishes. For each Perfect Match you find at this ceremony, a light will be lit! And it is your task to figure out which pairs led to those lights appearing."

He nods firmly, eyes and expression shining with confidence in the competitors sitting before him. "And you do not even have to worry about losing a wish this week! It isn't possible for you to have a blackout, since Miss Addams and Sakamoto were a Perfect Match. Congratulations!"

Get on with it, Tsukasa. He clears his throat, pauses just long enough for there to be an inevitable easy cut to commercial break when they edit this later, and then:

"We will begin this week with Team Wonder."

He extends his hand to Dorothea, the other pressed over his heart. "If the lovely Miss Arnault would come up to start us off...?"

Looks like it’s the moment of truth, so strap in.

--

The ceremony has finally arrived! Each character on Team Wonder will be called up in an order determined by the producers (read: rng'd). Each will get their own sub-toplevel that characters can react to at will.

After the matches have all been locked in, we will then find out just how many you all got right.

Otherwise, feel free to use this log for reactions/toplevels for pre- and post-ceremony, and anything else you please. The world of reality TV dating is yours to embrace.

Comments

arrivals.

[showhost]

Tsukasa has absolutely made sure that everyone was given access to a sizeable wardrobe from which to pick their fits for the ceremony. After all, it's the best time to dress to impress!!

He'll strongly encourage them to wear something new and exciting, but he won't force them to.

ANYWAY SHARE YOUR FITS IF YOU WANT. SPILL JUICE ON EACH OTHER. ETC.

[boneface]

[ Ryuji has dressed up!! Look at him, he looks so clean and sharp. Kind of. It's still Ryuji. But he is here and he is very excited about all of this!! He has no idea what's going on though. He barely read the instructions. Look, Tsukasa is....... correct.

But it's fine! It's fine 'cause he already got his perfect match so he is here for moral support and to keep the vibes light. Come meet him at the juice table, maybe? ]

[flaweddetective]

[He'll stand, thanks. Also he's in this thing. I don't know how to IC justify it so it just is what it is.

I will be taking no questions, thank you.]

[haircared]

[ when being from jojo means u get to slay in a major way in one of the outfits of the artist that inspired ur design

Anyway, he is here, hair looking perfectly coiffed as usual. Actually, he looks to be in a better mood than usual, since he got to wear something fashionable for free! ]

[gravkitty]

[Here's Kat, in what I hope isn't slop. The skort is important in case she needs to shift gravity, okay? She doesn't seem to know what to really do with her hair beside pulling it into a ponytail, though, so she's just pulled it back normally.

The drinks at the refreshment table being non-alcoholic is a good thing because she's pounding them.

When someone comes by, she'll give a little spin.] Eheh, what do you think? [A question that can easily be interpreted as about the ceremony itself and not her super cute outfit.]

[willandaway]

[Will did not dress up. in fact, he is still wearing the same old coat he has been wearing since day one. he does not know how to be fancy!! he is a commoner!!]

[but more importantly than that, he looks a bit bewildered as Tsukasa speaks. . . and when the host's speech ends, he leans over to mutter at someone, hand lifted to the corner of his mouth]

Didn't the week end yesterday. . .? With Idlesday?

[hello he comes from a land of five day weeks]

[makeine]

[ na tu rally anna's stormed the wardrobe, marveling at the different outfits she could put together -- maybe helping with some of other girls' (wednesday your time to shine miss lucky) -- before settling on what she feels is a pretty simple dress, pulling most of her hair up into a higher ponytail and making sure to leave some to frame her face.

eat your hearts out, audience!!!!! she's here to look every part the beauty of the ball!!!

... without question she'll be sitting with will, not looking in mitaka's direction whatsoever. sorry girl. i miss them so bad. ]

[singurarity]

[ Listen, she rarely gets a chance to be outside of uniform until here, she's pretty happy about something different.

But nodding in awe at (almost) everyone else's outfits, damn. ]

[inparfait]

[ oooo isn't this exciting? minami's mood has rebounded since yesterday and he's here with a smile on his face, paying close attention to what tsukasa says.

his fit is this minus the mask, and with the addition of a bright yellow chrysanthemum tucked by his waist. ]

[rosethorns]

[Seated primly and looking as stylish as ever is Dorothea. Her usual confidence is there on display outside of the occasional glance toward the awaiting podium. She's taking careful notes of who is sitting next to who!!]

[ohwoe]

[Wednesday's seated next to Ryuji wearing this! The vibes could not be more opposite.

She is also here for moral support (with her usual deadpan expression). Go team go!!]

[counton]

[ All these people in their genuinely nice outfits, and Lessing, who has been dressing fairly casual for this show, is back to his standard style that he wears outside of this show. He uh... he at least left off the most obviously armored looking parts of it, though the plethora of confusing arm belts sure are still there.

It's hard when you're a guy who doesn't really own clothing for fancy occasions, and are suddenly expected to dress up... It's too bad Franz is too skinny for him to have raided his closet before coming here. ]

selections.

[showhost]

ICly, Team Wonder members will be called at random to come to the Overseer's podium and make their selection. After choosing another contestant, the vote will be locked in by both parties placing their hand on a digital scanner in front of them. They can then return to the seating area, where they will sit together. It's TV Mandated.

Feel free to react to anything that comes after this however your characters see fit. All the better to dramatize later for the show, right?

dorothea.

[aspirings]

[The first one up is Dorothea! She steps up to the podium, lifts her chin, and picks out Sanji.]

Oh? And why him, if you don't mind me asking?

[Dorothea's answer comes easily: "He came off very strong at first, but he seems very considerate and generous!"

Tsukasa beams. So far so good! Off to a good, romantic start!

He calls up Sanji, smiling at the both of them.]

I see! I hope you both get the chance to get to know each other better in the upcoming week. For now, if you would both lock in...

[Put those hands on the scanner for that TV show cut, and bam! Locked in!]

mark.

[aspirings]

[The next person Tsukasa calls up, after Dorothea and Sanji have settled back onto the couch or... a chair... or Something together, is Mark!

He'll beckon to him with an encouraging smile (don't be nervous, Mark, you can do it...!!), and then ask:]

Who is your pick for this week, Grayson?

[Mark chooses Josuke with a sheepish but romantic, "He's handsome and kind... I dunno, I want to spend more time together. I really think we'll click."

Tsukasa nods along with the words, looking a little relieved. Oh thank god. This ceremony is going so well. Look at all of this cute romance!]

A very sensible reason to pick someone. Please, lock in together.

ritsuka.

[aspirings]

You're next up, Fujimaru-san!

[COME ON UP, RITSUKA...!!!

Ritsuka decisively picks Lessing.]

Is that so? Would you share with us [the audience too] why?

["He's still kind of a mystery to me, but he's always been willing to talk to me and we both want to get everyone through this to a victory. He's a pretty sweet guy and I hope we can spend more time together, if he's okay with it!"

Cute!! Cute teens! All of this talk about not wanting to find love, but they are doing so well anyway. Tsukasa beckons up Lessing, so he and Ritsuka can lock in together.]

minami.

[aspirings]

[As soon as Ritsuka and Lessing are properly settled again, Tsukasa nods to Minami, reaching a hand out in a gesture to guide him towards the stage.]

Minami, come on up!

[And, much more chipper with how thoughtful everyone has been this ceremony:]

Your choice is?

[I pick Will! Why? I said it all already! Do I need to say it again? [ a beat, contemplative. ] Well I don't want to ☆.

[ though something seems to get his attention, maybe an errant thought that he just remembered. ]

I guess I'll say it makes sense. Don't make me say anymore or I'll cry.

[Tsukasa opens his mouth, and closes it again. Well. Okay!! He does quirk an eyebrow at Minami, but he won't press. Tears at the Match Ceremony? Unacceptable!! He can't let it happen!!

Instead, he clears his throat, nodding to Will.]

Will it is. Please, join us to lock in.

[LOCK INNNN]

maomao.

[aspirings]

[Well. He does still look a little bemused as Will and Minami sit down ttttogether (sorry, TV mandate), but he manages to shake it off after a moment, blinking to himself.

AHEM AHEM.]

Maomao-san, if you wouldn't mind coming up next.

[tough act to follow, he knows.

But up Maomao comes, choosing Kat.]

Could you speak more to that?

["If we're operating in opposites... she's bright, and reminds me of someone."

oh. phew. there. we're back to cute reasons!! Everything!! Will be okay!!]

Very well then. Kat-san, please join us to lock in with your match.

...?

[aspirings]

[There's a pause.

Tsukasa... looks at the people assembled, those who have already come up, and those who are left.

There is a moment where he is obviously doing the math.]

............

[aspirings]

[He comes to some conclusions he Does Not Like.

Uh.

Um.

Uhhhhhhhhhhh.

He's beckoned over by the producers, even though it ruins the flow of the show. There is some arguing. Tsukasa is shaking his head as if his life depends on it. Nope!!! NNNNNOPE!!!!!]

etc.

[aspirings]

[He trots back up onto the stage, clears his throat, and straightens, as if that never happened. He looks Frazzled. It's fine. Don't worry about it.]

Er.

Akechi and Burnside, if you'd come up to lock in as a match this week.

[After they have done that, Tsukasa clears his throat.]

And Mitaka-san and Yanami-san... please act as a match this week as well. That... should cover everyone.

results.

[showhost]

1/?

[aspirings]

[When everyone has returned to wherever they're sitting, Tsukasa returns to the stage and just kind of. Takes a moment. He straightens his outfit, runs his fingers through his hair, drags in a deeeep breath... and slaps that actor face back on with a dazzling grin at the assembled teens.]

... The time has come to see if your choices have borne fruit! You already have one light, as you can see, and that is thanks to your hard work and intuition!

[DEEP BREATH IN. The rest of the lights go dark.]

Let's begin.

[aspirings]

[The darkness and the pause lingers, giving the assembled--and the audience--more than enough time to feel the strain.


.... .... ..................

And a light joins the already lit light from earlier.

Tsukasa perks up.]

That is one more correct so far...!

POST-MATCH CATHERDING

[singurarity]

[ Welp.

Ritsuka, who looks a little fiercer than her usual chipper smile, has decided to round up everyone who did not just ditch immediately. ]

We've got one extra light, so let me just say a few things. First of all, that's better than nothing. Secondly, I think we should try to narrow it down to which pairs we think might be most likely to try to send them into the Truth Booth next week. Thirdly, I don't think it's the last two Tsukasa had to set up, for a few various reasons, and I think we should set those aside for now.

If anyone's got a disagreement with the match they landed in, beyond the ones who... already made their opinions clear, I'd like to hear that now too.

One more thing--if any of this turns into a fight, I am going to step in and you are going to have to deck me to get me to move and I will kick your ass, I'm not joking about that. I want to get us to the end where people can have their relationships or get their wishes or both, and I don't think I'm the only one, but to do that, we have to at least work together as best as we can! Or at least not against each other.

Okay?

[gravkitty]

[omg she's so cool]