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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[ He's seen nervous before, in students and researchers intimidated by him, but this another level. He's even tempted to ask if she's ever considered visiting a psychological therapist to have herself assessed for some kind of anxiety disorder. But. Speed dating. A wholly unpleasant affair, but he can't help but be relaxed in the face of Ereshkigal's panic. He sighs. ]

Ereshkigal. Breathe. There is no reason to panic.

Edited 2024-07-10 10:16 (UTC)

[ Why is he even here? He's the kind of person who would have rudely said no and kicked anyone trying to force him in! Maybe he's that desperate for companionship? That's kind of sad, all things considered. She can sympathize, even though he's absolutely wasting his time with her. ]

R-Right, deep breathes! [How could she forget about her breathing exercises? Breathe in, breathe out. Again and again. This helps. Somewhat. Barely.] I-I think I'm ready...

[ She is not ready. ]

[ He sighs, and flicks through the list of utterly banal questions they'd been given for the speed dating. Something that would ease her nerves... a question that would elicit pleasant memories. ]

Do you have an accomplishment that brings you pride? As a reminder, you need not answer if you do not wish to.

[ Even though he's selected a question he's certain will be relatively easy to answer, he's given her another out in case it proves to be too much for her still. ]

[ An accomplishment that brings her pride... That's a rather kind question. Unfortunately, she always thinks her work isn't enough so she can't even say her duties as a goddess. But there is something: ]

I-I helped save humanity by trapping the mother of humans and gods in the Underworld. [Her first decision of her own free will. So selfish and yet the results had been so wonderful.] She cannot die unless she is the last living being, you see... But we were able to cheat this rule by bringing her to my realm where only death exists.

[ By this point, he has long decided to accept Ereshkigal's claim to godhood at face value until proven otherwise, because to accuse her of lies without proof is pointless.

Which means he's rather curious about the specifics of her world—is this Underworld a physical place that can be traversed to through normal means of transportation? Or perhaps they deployed a special trick to move to the realm of the dead.

...it's not an appropriate conversation to have on a speed dating show, either way. ]

I see. It is now your turn to ask a question.

[ Oh right, she's supposed to ask a question as well! Thankfully, there is a list of question at the ready for her. She picks the list and gives a look...

What is the first thing you look for in a man or woman?

N-No way she is going to ask him that! What kind of shameful question is this? And it's absolutely tame compared to the average there! Whoever kidnapped them for this speed dating thing are truly horrible people. Okay, time to make up a question and pretend she got it from that list. ]

... ... ... ... W-What are your thoughts on death?

[ What a reasonable and nice question for speed dating! ]

[ Wow. At least he was trying to stick to lighthearted questions. But this suits him just fine. He has always preferred more philosophical questions over banal chatter. ]

Death comes for all, no matter who you are and what point in life you may be at. Not even the Aeons are exempt from this. Attempts to stave off the inevitable often result in more torment than it is worth. Thus, the only solution is to always walk the path of least regrets. To pursue your goals to the best of your ability, and live life to its fullest. When the end finally greets you, it will be the journey you take to reach it that holds true value.

[ He glances over to where he knows the cameras are placed, looking directly at the feed, at the man he knows is watching. ]

Should death come for me today, I would wish for longer, of course, for I still have much to accomplish, but I would not regret a single moment that has led me to where I am now.

[ Wow. She looks at him blankly the entire time while he's speaking. She had expected for him to say something about how death is an evil humanity must learn to overcome or something like that. A few words, no more. But not... Instead...

She raises her hands and politely clap for him! ]

What a wonderful answer! [Why, she's even smiling brightly.] If more humans thought like you, perhaps I wouldn't be as detested.

[ He's gained a thousand point in her eyes right now, what a good answer that was! ]

You're absolutely right in everything you've said. Death is inevitable, thus you should lead a life you will not regret.

[ He's starting to understand what makes Ereshkigal tick. Her crippling anxiety and lack of self-esteem must stem from the fact that she is loathed as the Goddess of Death. She is so human that he almost worries about her world. If all gods are controlled by their emotions like humanity, then surely that world must be a mess.

But the answer seems to have gotten her to open up and forget the situation for just a moment. Good. It'll be far easier to converse with her now. ]

Death is the cessation of existence. It is understandable to be fearful of such a permanent event. Even I cannot deny the trepidation I feel thinking about my eventual end.

Even gods must eventually die, no? Do you not fear it yourself?

[ She nods. Gods must die too, yes. That's part of why they ignore her. They don't like being reminded of their ultimate fate. ]

Yes. Part of my duties is to ensure the other gods cannot escape death when it comes to them.

[ And she's scarily good at it. No under god roaming the surface world, no sir. Her system is perfect and not a fly could find a way to get past her securities. ]

But this does not scare me. Quite the contrary, I am looking forward to that day. [She closes her eyes.] The day my existence ends, humanity will have grown beyond all my expectations, and I shall finally be able to rest.

[ To be hated by both humans and gods alike—he sympathizes with her, because he knows another who is looked upon with scorn by many, all due to his race. Because he shares a similarly lonely existence, though it is with adoration and wonder that he is looked upon, not hatred and fear. He can never truly understand what that must be like, but he can understand the loneliness.

Hers is a duty of magnificent dignity. She has his respect for the enormous burden she bears, because she bears it with grace, despite her anxiety, awkwardness and loneliness. It wouldn't be difficult for her to lash out at humanity and the other gods. She must wield immense power as a goddess of death. ]

Permit me a question, if you will. If your existence were to end, would that not mean a cessation of death for the individuals inhabiting your domain? Or have I misunderstood the nature of your duty?

[ Ah... It is a somewhat difficult question to answer. She knows most humans mistake Gods of Death with bringers of death. And while she could bring death to human, she has no interest in doing so. She should probably start with a tangent to explain it more clearly. ]

The Underworld is not the final destination of the soul. It is a place where souls sleep and find peace until they are ready to move on. [A pause.] They then journey past the abyss and reincarnate, to be born anew. However, some will choose to fade away and cease existing entirely or stay with me indefinitely. It is a choice all souls are offered once they are at peace.

[ She still has a few very very long-time resident in the Underworld. She doesn't mind it, in fact it makes her happy there are some who would choose to stay in her realm. Yet it's a bit sad, isn't it? Humans are not meant to stagnate, not even in death. ]

If my existence ended prematurely however, there would be nothing to stop the dead from leaving the Underworld and returning to the world of the living. [Which is bad because before they find peace, the dead tend to be scared and overly aggressive towards the living.] It would not be a cessation of death per se - but a shattering of the boundaries between life and death. [And that's what you call a "zombie apocalypse."] But you need not worry. My existence should only end when humanity is no more.

[ And should her end come early, she has contingency plans in place. Safeguards to keep the Underworld safe, potential candidates to inherit her divine authority and so on. No room for mistakes. ]

So you are closer to a gatekeeper between realms than one who heralds death.

[ Her explanation clarifies a lot. And her previous wording had suggested her existence would end before humanity's end, but it seems that is not the case. He could understand why the gods would still hate her, as she would ensure they could not run back to the world of the living in an undead state, but humans?

He sighs heavily. ]

Once again, it seems there are idiots who continue to disappoint me. Anyone who takes the time to think would come to realize that you are protecting humanity.

Few are those who take the time to think. [She smiles a bit sadly.] Death is something most would rather ignore.

[ It's the eternal fear of humanity. The one thing that drives most innovations. Desperately humans try to push back the time of the end, to slow down the process through which they die. But they can never overcome it. For if they did...

They would no longer be human and life would lose all meaning. ]

Thank you, doctor. [She smiles a bit more happily at him.] You truly have become wiser.

[ And she doesn't mean when compared to their first meeting - but compared to his younger self she saw in that memory. ]

[ It's a sentiment he agrees with. The lingering presence of death makes every moment in life valuable. Everlasting life would lead either to stagnation or mutation. With what short of a life he has, he will accomplish as much as he possibly can. ]

Save your praise for someone else. My growth is only inevitable.

[ Because he has always dedicated himself to his own betterment. To fail to grow would be to squander his own capabilities, and he cannot allow himself to do that.

Meanwhile, the director behind the cameras has his face in his hands. This is unusable material, all of it. Who told these freaks such a heavy discussion was acceptable for speed dating!! Cut! Cut!!!!! They can both get out!!!! ]

Hm. It seems we've been spared the rest of this charade.

[ Yay! They're free and she wasn't even trying to make things so awful they'd get kicked out! Once again, the goddess sparkles. That means she can finally go to her happy place (the flower shop) and forget this ignominious thing they call "speed dating" was forced upon them! ]

T-Thank goodness!

[ She stands up immediately and bows politely to Ratio. She's going to excuse herself now, thank you very much. Still, she has one bit of advice to give: ]

But you should accept praise when you receive it, doctor. Even if you think you don't need it.

[ The first couple hundred years, she was all like "I don't need anyone to appreciate me or my work, I'm happy doing the right thing!" After a millennia or so though, she just couldn't lie to herself any more. It just sucks when nobody ever commend nor praise you. ]

[ She looks so relieved to be released. He can't blame her for that. He stands up as well, choosing not to leave immediately out of respect for Ereshkigal.

But that piece of advice? Unnecessary. ]

I am more than capable of accepting praise if it is a worthy achievement. What should be expected of me need not be praised.

[ Don't worry about his self-esteem, Ereshkigal. He has more than plenty. He could even share some with her and still be the same pompous person he is. ]

Let's go.

[ He turns towards the exit and begins walking. ]

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( open; ) summer episode part 2?

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