Xinyi's eyebrows rose when she spied none other than her very own Mali heading up the line. Well! Wasn't that a surprise? True, she had sort of encouraged her guest to join in the festivities, as much as she disdained them. And why not? He was such a nice young man, and while she normally cringed at foreign sorts, he was different: hungry to learn and open to their culture, unlike many of the other unwashed heathens from across the sea who thought they knew better.
He was unmarried, too.
That struck her as a bit odd. He was young, but also rather old to be unwed and childless. But his people did have different traditions, so what was strange here might not be unusual there. Still, it was an utter shame that a nice, handsome boy like that hadn't fathered a brood of handsome children. Maybe this would get him out of his shell, get his nose out of a book. A wife would be good for him!
If he wanted to learn their culture, there was no better way than full immersion.
With a smile and a glint in her eye, she waited for the last little pieces of parchment to be placed. She paused an extra moment in case there were any last minute calls, and then picked up each jar in turn and gave it a good shake to mix the papers.
So many foreigners this round, she noted with a raised brow, and wondered just how many actually understood the process. But it was not her concern. Today, the pieces would fall where Inima cast them, and luck would shine down on them all. Something, something, providence. Alas, skeptical as she might be, she was determined to do this right. It was her duty as a matchmaker, and it was why she participated despite her reservations.
If she didn't, someone else would, and they might be terrible.
"And now begins the choosing," she announced, letting her hands hover above the jars and trusting Inima to guide her. "I will only say this once, so please pay attention and step forward when you are called, so that you might find your other half! Good luck to you all." She cleared her throat, eyes roaming over the little crowd, and then began to draw names.
Half of which she slaughtered, the foreign sounds strange on her tongue, but damned if she didn't give it her best shot.
After pulling the last name, she snuffed the flames with a flourish. "By Inima's will, you are all now married in Her eyes. For a year and a day you will challenge one another, grow with one another, and perhaps--hopefully--grow to love one another. If at the end of that time, you do not feel affection for each other, you may depart each other's company with no shame upon you or your families. May Inima bless you all."
AND NOW! THE PAIRINGS!
Rit/Song
Mowellesa/Adler
Shea/Risa
Darius/Hana
Chrys/Akash
Sanshi/Rajko
Elysia/Jirou
Emrys/Sehrayanah
Varduk/Kyoko
Zahi/Quinlan