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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[ Listen. Two hot guys engaging in skinship on public tv??? Those producers can see those viewership numbers going UP. So of course Ratio is getting dragged into this with Callisto. Help. At least Callisto is easy on the eyes, not that Ratio cares for such things.

He narrows his eyes, still wearing that outfit the prince will remember seeing him in for their first meeting, as his hand is dragged down the man's throat to his chest. While he would love nothing more than to pull away and exit the premises immediately, he does not. There is someone who needs to regret the poor decision they have made that has gotten Ratio stuck in this position.

He leans in, close enough for the proximity to be called intimate, but no closer. ]

Are you in such a hurry to die? Why not... enjoy this scenario for a while longer?

[ Despite his words, it doesn't sound salacious. Rather, it is said in the same dry manner the scholar normally speaks, aside from the emphasis. No one said Ratio was good at seduction. Or that he is actually trying to seduce Callisto, because he isn't. He's only doing the bare minimum required of him. Please don't ask him to do any more. ]

[ all in the name of viewership. as far as the impression callisto got from this man, he can't say he had ever envisioned they'd be in a situation like the present. perhaps, precisely because of that initial inkling into this man's character that he discovers it all the more amusing to hear him speak such obscene words.

(is it really though with that dry tone?)

but, what can callisto do but simply add fuel to this fire?

the one thing he is familiar with is discomfort, driving his point, and encircling his prey. that may have been a metaphor in rather poor taste, but all the same, he does seem to wear an evidently pleased expression. ] Whether I enjoy this situation would hinge on your behavior, would it not?

If death doesn't suit your fancy, maybe this might.

[ his fingers grip ratio's own hand all the more tightly. as if guiding them to undo a single button on his shirt. but, he seems to stop there, looking him straight in the eyes as if challenging him. just normal things like trying to assert your dominance, or display your madness...

just reject him and spare yourself, ratio. ]

[ This scenario is simply a test of his ability to maintain his calm in the face of humiliation. That's how he's decided to frame all of... this, in an effort to keep himself from bursting to a full face flush and audible stutter. That, and he's seen before how Aventurine is capable of hiding his emotions in audacity and outrageous behaviour. It is merely curiosity that leads him to decide to emulate it, in an attempt to better understand his lover.

And also, if he had to admit to himself, to provoke him, because all of this is his fault in the first place.

So, when guided to the first button of Callisto's shirt, he deftly undoes it, and slips his fingers into the gap, pressing them into warm skin. His gaze slides back up to Callisto's, peering at the man through his lashes. With a low voice, not quite sultry, but better than the flat, dry tone from before, he murmurs his next statement. ]

Perhaps you would be so kind as to advise me on what pleases you best.

[ He's committing to the bit. Is he going to regret this? We'll see... ]

[ even he knows the present tone the man articulates himself in is acutely different than how he had presented himself in the recent past. when he had first met the haughty man, he spoke in a way that was devoid of any real interest; much like a lecturer to an audience. judgmental and punitive. or perhaps, callisto was a pettier man than anyone would have thought, and those preconceived perceptions of the individual before him had hardly had time to settle. whatever the case was, he doesn't drop his gaze. almost as if he believed the second he did, he would lose this game of cat and mouse entirely.

unbeknownst to him, he's troubling a taken man (sorry sir love advisor), but... surely, this can only get better? ]

First, I do like you obedient.

[ even this sense of "obedience" is entirely contrived. ... and even if it's only obedient in comparison to how quick the man was to walk away from him the first time. but, what a better time for revenge than the present.

he also keeps his voice dripping with a false sense of affection. instead it only comes out as a crass version of it at best. obviously, ironic and all too abrasive. ] Second, you should go a bit lower. [ he says this as he places his own hands on ratio's bare sides. almost as if giving him an example.

the student has now become the teacher? jk.... the way i had to google his outfit again to Understand. ]

[ It is an accurate read of Ratio, because he is a university professor, and thus very accustomed to speaking in that detached manner. Just as the scholar has pinned Callisto to be a man of high status, these two do not hide their status and position whatsoever.

His eyes narrow, bristling at the idea of being obedient, though Aeons knows how he's had to obey the whims of the corporation who sponsors a few of his research projects and asks him for creations of their own desire. Callisto's tone is all wrong, and not loving or affectionate at all, which ironically makes this far easier to bear, because he's certain the other man being sweet will cause him to break out in hives.

But it all starts to fall apart when Callisto places his hands on the scholar's bare sides, which, while quite enticing, aren't meant to be an invitation for any sort of touch. Ratio's breath hitches almost unnoticeably, if not for the way the fingers dipping into Callisto's collar press a little harder against skin.

It is just unfortunate luck that Ratio is ticklish along his sides, a fact he only recently discovered himself.

Thankfully, he's able to keep his cheeks from flushing, and he drags his hand lower, undoing a few more buttons as he goes down. His hand settles over Callisto's abs, and he glares at the other man. ]

Have I understood you correctly?

[ His shirt is a mystery... but we thank hoyo everyday. ]

[ to say he was a bit surprised... is a clear understatement.

most would argue that a crown prince was the very image of "prim and proper," but callisto knows that the assumption is little more than, in his own colloquial words, complete dogshit (at least in reference to himself). opposite to that (and him), he had expected this seemingly mighty man to have been a lot more rigid and straight-laced. ... and from that, he had expected him to throw in the towel by now. after all, if there was a time to be scandalized...

it likely would have been when he felt up his sides. or like now, where his hands are sliding towards his hips.

it's a gradual motion, as if he were savoring every single inch of skin, when in reality it's clear he's only trying to get under his skin. see a flare of temper, the color of abashment decorating those cheeks... and yet the satisfaction doesn't come to him easy.

as they say, the more difficult the hunt, the more valuable the game actually appears. the way he undoes his buttons so methodically has him chuckling darkly. compared to how pristine ratio's skin is, ratio can likely feel scar tissue beneath his hands. ]

It appears you can listen. Though, if I had to provide critique, [ said as if his hands are tied, and yet he looks all too happy to give it. ] I would say there is something lacking... your gaze, for example. [ his hands then squeeze ratio's hips. it's true that there probably was nothing gentle about his touches; clearly his hands only moving over his body with one singular purpose...

to instill shame. yet, it looks like this man is more formidable than he thought. ]

[ There is no carnal desire behind Callisto's eyes. Ratio has seen the look many times before as an unfortunate side-effect of his appearance. Fools, students and colleagues alike tended to display signs of physical attraction when conversing him. Even Aventurine had been the same, though thankfully it had not been to the compromise of his sharp wit.

It is evident in the taller man's touches as well, not at all gentle or considerate. The man is merely toying with him, trying to get him to break first. But knowing that doesn't make it any easier to bear the ticklish sensation of the other man's hands sliding down his sides. He sets his jaw and wills himself not to react, not even when Callisto squeezes his hips roughly. It's too aggressive to be sensual or arousing, which suits him just fine. ]

Is that so? And what of your technique? From my perspective, it is you who is lacking.

[ Callisto will have to do better than this to get Ratio to fluster. ]

[ discovering weaknesses becomes quick work for a man known as a tyrant. his eyes are already scanning every minute change, even down to a clench of a jaw, the movement of fingertips, even the way ratio remains so... expressionless in the face of what he would have readily labeled as "passionate touches" (he's entirely wrong). was this really the face of who was supposed to be his "partner" in this moment? ]

Perhaps your senses have simply died off alongside with your manners.

[ yet, there's no real bite to his words as much as there is a bit of humor wedged in between them.

his own countenance remains perfectly colored in the same amusement. if his hands aren't the key, then surely, he could find another. he leans in closely, this time his lips close to the side of ratio's face. considering his hands are occupied with holding the man's hips in place, he uses another method to try and tuck some of ratio's hair behind his ear. he cranes his neck, almost as if he were about to bite him...

only to blow air right into his ear. ]

A lack of self-reflection is an unappealing trait to most. You would find more success in being humble.

[ Pot, kettle, black.

But at least Callisto gets the reaction he wanted. Ratio jerks away from him, a hand immediately reaching up to cover the offended ear, while the one settled on his torso pushes him away to try to place distance between them. He looks scandalized. ]

Cease that at once! That is unhygienic.

[ even callisto doesn’t miss out on the irony of those words.

his expression seems to say as much, his brow clearly arching in sheer disbelief. albeit, it’s likely hidden from ratio’s viewpoint from how close he is. though, even that seems to slip from his metaphorical grip, as he feels the clear physical push from how ratio attempts to place space between the two of them.

success.

there’s a smug smarminess to the way his lips curve up. truly un befitting of royalty, and yet it seems to suit callisto’s face just fine. ] Unhygenic? How mean. How were you to handle more? [ but, he does release ratio, especially with how clearly he presumes this is his victory. ]

Say if I used my… [ he stops himself, as if letting it all to imagination. albeit, even he seems to release a soft hint of a laugh, as if finding the concept absolutely ridiculous. ] I am merely jesting.

[ Listen Callisto, Ratio does plenty of self-reflection. He's just decided being an egotistical bastard suits his purposes.

Anyway, he decides immediately that he detests the smarmy smirk on the other man's face, and the way it rankles at his pride. He has, however, already lost this battle of... whatever it is. Pride? Dominance???? (It's just a game of chicken. A very stupid game of skinship chicken, and he'll later feel a fool for even participating.)

He knows exactly what Callisto is implying, and doesn't need to imagine. But he doesn't allow any of the less than immaculate thoughts show on his face. It is only evident that he's affected by his reddened ears, which are hidden underneath his hair.

Once released, he takes several steps back to put distance between them. ]

I have no intention of letting individuals such as you violate my personal boundaries to that degree. This will never happen again.

[ The producer yells 'cut' in the background and the crew start bustling, preparing for the next shot. Ratio takes this as his cue to turn around and leave, paying no heed to the film crew yelling at him to stop. ]

[ there are no huge tells to ratio's discomfort, and yet it doesn't take a lot of callisto to solidify a clear sense of gratification. though, he'd argue, what man dislikes the taste of victory, not matter how subtle its flavor. over the top metaphors aside, despite ratio pushing his way off set and the way he sets such clear boundaries between the two of them—

just makes him smile darkly while watching his back recede. why the staff is checking in on everyone, including callisto, he seems to wave them off with his hand. ] Let him leave. He can't escape anyway. [ i mean, they do just return to the same base at the end of the day...

but, spoken like a true red flag notome...

thankfully that's a wrap. ]

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( open; ) summer episode part 2?

skinship pls....

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i think i'm going to combust first before these two men do i'm so weak help

they can handle the cringe, but we can't, we are only human

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