synflux | ( open; ) summer episode part 2?

( open; ) summer episode part 2?

WHO: Any Outsider is more than welcome!
WHAT: Dating shows... I was bullied.
WHERE: Between Okinawa & Neo Tokyo.
WHEN: Throughout the remainder of July (listen, it's a production)!
WARNINGS: Partial nudity, alcohol, potential suggestive topics, and will update 'em as I see 'em!

Throughout the city of Neo Tokyo and even Okinawa, there will be advertisements posted by the hundreds (and spam mail to your oculars by an equal number), desiring candidates for a show. While the aftermath of vegas and other bleak instances might have led way for people practicing some semblance of moderation— opposite to that, the people also need their entertainment, don't they?

Fortunately, there will be an influx of dating shows looking for people to appear. They are offering a fairly decent amount of money and are even offering luxury experiences for free for participants. In this economy and food shortage??? Okay, the food may be lacking, but they do make up for it in various activities they have planned, where people can kick back, relax, and romance?

While there will be any number of shows looking for interested parties, these are the main shows/premises:

SPEED DATING

As the label suggests. People will be expected to sit down and switch through several partners. In their hands will be a card labeling who they encounter and a place to leave a check mark. They will also be given a list of questions that can be answered.

PARTNER SWAP

People can be on a show and swap partners. This doesn't necessarily need to be romantic, either. Have a friend you want to show up with, cool. The only rules are that the pairs who enter together cannot stay together during the duration of the show.

SINGLES INFERNO

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped on a deserted island with other hot singles? Well, now you no longer have to wonder. They will need to cook and fend for themselves here with minimal activities or distraction— but, isn't that the point? All you need to focus on is each other! (* They will be ferried to an outer island by Okinawa). While on the island, which they label as inferno, it's also a rule that one cannot speak about their age, occupation, or any such personal details. All of this will be reserved for "paradise." To go to paradise, two individuals will need to pick one another, and if they do — they are able to go on to completed various luxury experiences together.

For those who would rather find paradise in inferno together, you can presume there are tents that act as shared dormitory quarters where contestants will stay together.

DATE ME

People are free to use this for just general dates. Maybe, you just want to finesse the system and enjoy a fun all-expense-paid for date in which you get to eat like relative kings and enjoy various experiences. Feel free to use anything in the setting to your desire.

SKINSHIP STARTER

... a show where you get paid the more skinship you do. Don't do anything you wouldn't do in a Wendy's though. (That's not how the saying actually goes).

COMMENTARY PANEL

Every good dating show needs those who simply sit and commentate, right?

* It can be assumed any of this is just open to general CR you want to spend time with, too. This is just supposed to be a silly log for chances for characters to get to know one another! Characters are more than welcome to assume they stumble upon this by accident, think it's just a basic job and can't leave, film or unfilmed (minus the commentary prompt), and whatever else! Feel free to tag freely, threadjack, etc!

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[ Okay. He's had to act before. It's not his specialty, but he can do this. The IPC's stakes on a planet aren't on the line, and especially, a man's life isn't on the line. Unfortunately, the script he's been handed has him playing the most idiotic, brain dead waste-of-space character one could possibly conceive. Which is a majority of the characters that appear up in a romance show, in his opinion. Though, it's not like he's actually watched many romance shows.

ANYWAY. The show. The script. His 'partner'— never mind, he can't take this seriously. ]

You expect me to want a fool— like you back?

[ Ignore the slight stutter there. He scoffs and crosses his arms, unimpressed by the display. ...actually, he can work with this. His role is to be a high-maintenance partner, anyway. ]

...with a gift like this? Is that how you show your affection? Zero points. Get out of my sight.

[ He's going to attempt to slam the door close on Elysium, as the script indicates. ]

Edited (formatting whyyy) 2024-07-10 03:59 (UTC)

[ Cue Elysium JAMMING AN ENTIRE LEG INTO THE DOORWAY because EXCUSE HIM, SIR!!!! The action leaves him breathless, the bouquet waylaid onto the floor as it unfurls and spills out its contents. The "rain," ever relentless, continues to pour down on it and Elysium, leaving them in greater messes than previously.

If Ratio couldn't already take the scenario seriously, well. It's about to get worse. ]

——You're the one who made me into this fool!

[ he's pouring his heart and soul out here ]

I was desperate, alright? When I thought about how I wanted to see you as soon as I could… I really did just scrounge up whatever I could get my hands on. [ apparently, izou is a part of this equation. ] How about you tell me, then? What it is that you really want? And I'll do it for you. Promise. … Aside from getting out of your sight. [ CAMERA PAN ] That's the one thing I can't do.

[ Bro don't hurt yourself jamming that leg into the doorway. Ratio wasn't going to slam it with excessive force but he wasn't being gentle about it either.

There's a twitch on his face. From irritation or amusement, one couldn't say. But his expression remains disgusted, or perhaps it has gotten even moreso after the bouquet flops wetly onto the ground and makes a mess of his floor.

The audacity.

He turns away with a hmph, displeased by Elysium's reply. ]

Should you not already know? Have we not spent years working together on the same mi- projects? There should be no need for me to tell you what I want.

[ A little popup appears in the corner of his eye as he talks and—UGH. Fine. If he must. After a second of silence, he does his very best to look... Distressed. Upset. Not angry or irritated, as he looks back to Elysium. His expression doesn't differ by that much though... ]

Don't you... l-lo-[NOPE CAN'T SAY IT]—care about me at all?

[ Ignore the redness of his cheeks. Please. ]

[ Call it dedication to the bit… it makes the subsequent groans of pain and series of quiet curses under his breath all the more believable when there's the accompanying smash! for the microphones to pick up. Even if Elysium himself is used to experiencing injuries several magnitudes higher on the regular and keeping them to himself, he might be a little… too eager… to play things up. Is it that his eyes are legitimately teary, or is it just the water providing the illusion of it?

Hm.

Still, it sure is convenient that having two hot men on the screen almost completely negates their lack of combined acting prowess… yikes. ]

… Is it not miscommunication that lead us here?

[ He's pushing his entire body into the doorway now, hands curled tightly around both sides of the door's jamb. The verbal slip doesn't escape him, and there's a vague part of him that's curious about the origin of it, as he's wont to… not that their current moment is any time to be having any fanciful escapades, so it's merely filed away for another time. ]

I do care about you. That's why I realised that I didn't need things like pride and dignity. The fact that we've ended up like this… doesn't that mean there was a need for you to? [ a hollow, self-depreciating laugh…… he's enjoying himself too much, man. and you say ignore, and he'd say bet, because Elysium's reaching out to cup the a cheek with his hand…… think about their payout. at least, he's kind of doing the hover hands thing that makes it convincing enough from the angle of where the camera is, but if Ratio doesn't shy away—maybe he will… escalate…. ] Please. Tell it to me clearly.

[ Surprisingly, even Elysium has his standards…… he isn't going to even attempt to say the word 'love,' though everything short of it is apparently free game. I'm so sorry. ]

[ Ratio is discovering that it is in fact harder to act like an individual upset with their romantic partner than it is to act the morally bankrupt genius who would sell out their colleague in search of ever-more knowledge. The latter is couched in his personal experiences with members of the Genius Society, and of people's assumptions about him. The former... He can hardly fathom how to be upset over the inane reason the script has supplied.

And... He hasn't ever told Aventurine he loves him directly, has he? Even though he knows this is just acting, a stronger part of himself protests the idea of directing that word at anyone else before he gets the chance to say it to his lover.

Ratio is still, face stony and body tense as he suppresses his knee-jerk desire to flinch away from Elysium's hand. Even though it's not quite touching him, it's still too close. He ends up turning away from the hand in an effort to put distance between them. ]

I... I want... [ His voice trembles the tiniest bit—a sign that he's close to cracking and breaking character. ] ...you promised me a trip to the most luxurious resort in the country, did you not? Why have you suddenly reneged on that promise not a day after I bore witness to you having dinner with another man?

[ It miiight be slightly off script but so sue him, his only experiences of this nature are with Aventurine, and that is all he can think to draw on right now. He can't, unfortunately, suppress the rosy red hue that has dyed his ears and cheeks, completely at odds with the anger and jealousy he's supposed to be expressing right now. ]

[ If the show were worried about a little awkwardness and straying from the script, they wouldn't be hiring non-actors to begin with. As is, the director's probably jotting down some notes about how during the editing stage, they can most definitely capitalise on every one of Ratio's "fumbles"… "Reality" TV is about the improv to a certain extent after all, and what matters most is, again, their dedication to the bit. Which… their dear doctor does cycle back to!

Nevertheless, Elysium notes the aversion to touch and withdraws his hand without thinking too much of it. Shameless and as far as he's willing to go for this, he's not going to disrespect boundaries even if there are odds it'll make for spicy drama. There is a vague curiosity over how he must've ended here—but they all have their reasons, and the least Elysium can do for him is make it as painless as possible. Maybe.

(The doctor looks like he'd much rather perish and/or have a hole open up and swallow him whole…) ]

If you asked me for what my perspective on it is… Relying on luxury items and extravagances was another part of our downfall. Placating your anger wouldn't be resolving it in the slightest.

[ So, Elysium decides to pivot to use angles to their advantage, shifting half a step to the side to lean forward. From the camera behind them, it almost looks as if he's closing in on Ratio again, except—he's not. ]

All this time, rather than having others wait on you… you were waiting for me to come around, and recognise what was really important to you, right? Time.

[ The camera zooms in, Elysium's hand to his chest. This is already so overwrought, but it's a perfect cliffhanger for a cut! (and for both our sanities) as Elysium exhales a sigh of relief. ]

… Good work, doc! I didn't think you had it in you, but you really put your back into it.

[ whewwwwwww ]

[ no i would have been fine watching ratio lose it—

Ratio is still tense, even after the cut is called. It drains out of him slowly, as if it's being sieved through a cheesecloth. He averts his eyes when Elysium addresses him, murmuring his response. ]

I have had some experience in acting before.

[ me, i'm the one about to lose it— ]

Oh? No offense, but you don't look the type. You're surprisingly well-rounded.

[ OKAY FAIR

He can hardly confess to pretending to betray a man so that an intergalactic corporation could successfully secure a planet through that man's death, so he only sighs, encouraging the tension to drain out of him faster. ]

Far be it from me to dismiss a chance to appreciate the arts. It is a critical aspect of humanity, the importance of which many of my peers fail to recognize.

Your peers?

[ A quick glance around them to see if anyone's listening in. Their mics are off, but he ultimately decides that it's better to err on the side of caution when out in public anyway. ]

I always wondered what it was you did for a living. Your skillset [ and drive ] don't just come about out of nowhere… but that's probably a conversation better saved for elsewhere, isn't it?

[ Much more casually, Elysium slings an arm around Ratio's shoulder with a laugh…… ]

So while we're at it, how about we celebrate this job well done with a meal?

[ And just like that, the tension returns to Ratio's body. He removes himself from under Elysium's arm and steps back, frowning. ]

I'll thank you to keep your distance. I do not take kindly to infringements of my personal space.

However, I am not opposed to your invitation. Your performance [ during the mission, not the acting ] aroused my curiosity.

[ It's a different sort of avoidance from the likes of people who are merely shy; Elysium watches as Ratio peels himself away with casual interest.

Okay, okay. No touch, he's got it. The odds were low anyway given his demeanour, but it's not something Elysium takes personally, maintaining a smile as he slips the offending hand back into a pocket. ]

Finishing up work just to talk about more work, doctor? You really don't spare any time. I'm surprised you even made it out, here. Aren't there more lucrative means of pursuing your arts?

[ At least, from his tone it sounds like he doesn't mind the shift of conversation, either, but he is making a vague hand gesture with his unpocketed hand, as if signaling for Ratio to follow. ]

[ He just likes his personal space, that's all. If Elysium was a proper friend, Ratio would have minded a lot less. But as it stands, they're only mere acquaintances. ]

This is not what I would consider work. [ Even if it isn't something he'd do on his own, and they're being compensated for it. ] I engage with the arts as an appreciator and hobbyist, and thought it'd be an interesting to experience working as an actor for a television production.

[ And he totally wasn't dared to by his partner. Not at all. Anyway, he'll follow Elysium's lead if he's directing them somewhere. ]

[ Just to the studio's cafeteria…… Elysium doesn't know anything about Ratio's tastes, so it's a safe choice for him to be able to pick and choose from their selection. Much like anywhere else at the moment the menu comprises of seafood, seafood, and more seafood, but at least there's a salad bar and an assortment of carbs… it's more variety than the cafeteria they have on base, at least, for a small blessing. ]

That so? You seemed rather uncomfortable at times. [ a tease along with a grin. ] Had me thinking that you were going to call 'cut' well before the director would.

[ He sighs, more than used to being on the receiving end of teasing. The relaxed, playful way Elysium carries himself is all too familiar to him. It is comforting, in a way, and he eases into the conversation quickly. ]

I said I had experience, but I did not say I had a wealth of it. Nor have I said that I'm good at it. And... admittedly, romance is not topic I have much knowledge of.

[ He reviews the cafeteria's food selection as they speak. Fresh seafood is much appreciated, even if they've been consuming it for a week or two straight now. ]

[ Elysium piles his tray in a fairly well-balanced manner, though he cuts out carbs for more proteins. A total gym bro, through and through…

Similarly, Elysium's excessive friendliness could be partly attributed to how much Ratio reminds him of another coworker—a prickly guy both literally and figuratively who only knew of his various science experiments, but was surprisingly honest and forthcoming where it both did and didn't matter.

Here, he can't say he'd ever expected Ratio to bring up his inexperience with romance, eliciting something of an amused laugh. ]

… Considering that last bit was mostly ad-lib, if your idea of romance is luxury suites and flights, I might start worrying about you, man. Was that just you being put on the spot, or what?

[ Ratio's selection of carbs and proteins is similar. Gym bros... 🤝

Anyways, he frowns at the comment. He can't say he was imagining the kind of vacation or date Aventurine was likely to set up for the two of them. Money has never been a concern for either of them, as wealthy as both of them are. ]

I was playing the role of a vapid individual who cared only for displays of wealth and luxury. However, that aside, I do not see the harm in indulging on occasion should you have the means to do so. Would it not be appropriate to treat your significant other to such extravagances?

[ He is so very used to Aventurine's grandiose displays of affection through extravagance... ]

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( open; ) summer episode part 2?

i'm here to LARP

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