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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Something something "make sure you spend time with other people for good ratings". ]

Your company is that sought after, Gebura?

Do I look that popular to you?

[ The answer better be "no", Siffrin. ]

But you're at least approachable. Maybe more of a target.

[ (You decide to keep your thoughts to yourself.

...

You're approachable?) ]

I guess when someone notices me, they might say something...

[ Hinging on someone noticing their lack of presence. ]

Otherwise, talking to people here works just like it did in Dormont.

[ ... With the tone of he'd like her to ask about it. ]

[ ... Yeah, she can tell. ]

And that's... how?

I walk up to them and wait for them to say something.

[ ...

Like that's not weird and vaguely off putting. ]

...

If you did that in the City, someone would probably try to kick your ass.

[ People in... what was it, Vaugarde? Really do hit different. ]

It hasn't failed me yet.

[ They are so good at walking into strangers' houses and being talked at.

Not that they can do the first part here anymore. Locked doors. Siffrin licks the mango juice off his fingers, like a little cat. ]

... But I wouldn't try it there without you nearby. I'd be pummeled.

[ (Yeah, right.) ]

I probably wouldn't be there. At least not in a location where I could do anything.

[ Also why does that sound like-- ]

For the record, I don't remember volunteering to be your bodyguard.

You wouldn't show me around if you were there in a location where you could do anything?

[ What bodyguard. ]

That's not a possibility that can happen.

[ Sorry, sir. She's bad at imagining possibilities when she's aware of her fate. ]

[ All she needs is a time loop. Surely that'll fix this. ]

I didn't mean to volunteer you. You're just the first person that comes to mind, since I don't know anyone else from there.

[ ...

Wait 'til he learns Yesod is from there too. ]

[ STOP, SHE'S DONE HER TIME (loops). ]

There's at least three other people I work with that are here and then around three more who are from the City in general. At least half of them would be better off to stick with.

[ Though her colleagues would have the same problem. ]

[ ...

That's so many...

(You really hope none of your family members come here the way you have.

There's a lot of reasons, but mostly because it's better that they can continue on.) ]

Is it comforting? Having others you know.

Not really.

[ As blunt as ever, it seems. ]

If they weren't here, I wouldn't have gotten dragged into this stupid show in the first place. I've already had to fight my successor, haul two of them out of a bachelor party and keep an eye on them.

[ And she would do (most) of it again, but she's not saying that. ]

So why do it?

[ ... She doesn't answer to anyone, and if she doesn't like something or someone she seems capable enough just to not. Do anything with it. With them, if they give her so much trouble. ]

... Do you feel like you have to?

[ (Like they, they surely do--)

But it's asked without judgement, at least. Even if it is a key question. ]

[ She doesn't that second question, not directly. ]

Because I already failed them once before.

[ Being one of the last ones left alive, in her first life. All three of them had been dead long before the facility had fallen. But many more had died that day, because she'd gotten there nearly too late. ]

In the end, I'll protect what I want to protect. It's not that I feel like I have to. [ She'll do it better this time. She will. ]

It's just what I do. But it'd be easier on me if they weren't here.

[ (...

You still don't quite get it. But it feels a little bit familiar. Even if you go through the same motions, again and again with them, you won't ever leave them behind. You don't want to. Even if things are slower now, because you're so strong and they're not. Even if it would be faster for you to do it all on your own, to not have a moment to stop in the ascent for breaks or food that doesn't taste like anything at all anymore, than to bring them along and work together in battle.

It isn't like you don't have skills to cover their absence.

... But you want to stay with them, you want to do this with them, so even if it's a pain, a hassle, even if you have to watch over them and your own words to make sure all goes according to the script, to make sure they get strong enough to hold their own too...

It's worth it.

Isn't it?)

Siffrin turns back to look at the ocean, lingering on the spot that resembles his eye color. ]

Not because you hate them, but because you care about them.

[ She wouldn't be able to fail again if they weren't here in the first place, but that's not something he's going to say. They really shouldn't call her out on this either, but-- they get it, even if now... it feels like... at this point, isn't he doing it because he has to...? Because otherwise, they'll know...?

(... Because you're not a good, nice, kind person, Siffrin?) ]

Even if you wouldn't say that to their faces.

[ She doesn't need to, she thinks. Even though Yesod and Netzach might not know it from their current points, she's fairly certain all of her colleagues (with maybe one tiring exception) know she cares about them. Expresses it in a way only someone from the Backstreets can--not with eloquence, but with action.

But she can't say she likes being perceived like this and Siffrin didn't really need to state that much, so she sighs under her breath and gives her head an irritable shake.

Maybe they understand. She's not the type to ask for their story, not like Malkuth would. Either they tell her on their own terms or she never finds out. She's fine with that. ]

There's no need to say it. Got your curiosity about me out of the way, already?

No. I like talking and not talking to you.

[ And so they still have questions, spoken and unspoken.

That's how... social things in general work. And it's what they've always done, too -- more listening and understanding than asking, but that's because others would ask questions and he wouldn't have to. These have been different. It's more like the one on one times.

Which means they're usually out of their depth and quiet but that suits Gebura fine so it's been not so awkward! ]

It's easy.

Easy, huh.

[ She doesn't really consider herself that much of... well, good company in general. Kali had enjoyed light conversation, a way to establish a connection without risking anything deeper, something she could pull back from at any time. Maybe that part of her hadn't died with her. ]

You're a strange one. Though you've probably heard that a lot.

Every now and then. [ ... ] In a bad way?

[ Strange has never really meant anything good, but... at least in context, it hadn't been anything but something friendly (only known after the fact, gently picking the barb out of their heart where it'd wormed its way in). ]

If I'd meant it as an insult, you'd know.

[ Just that. She definitely has no qualms with making her irritation or aggravation known when someone blithely or intentionally stomps down on that line. ]

[ Oh. Okay! A good or at least neutral thing. Siffrin perks up, assured. ]

Okay. Do you want another mango?

[ Like there was no sort of conversation or perceiving just before, if she wants for it. ]

Sure. They're not bad.

[ They're really are just out here ignoring the producers. ]

[ They really are. The producers...

...

Don't seem to be unhappy, though. There are people who like the quiet, solid couples on shows. Like So-yeon and Jin-taek. The pair that seems comfortable with each other to an extent, or understand the lines they can't cross immediately, and have a certain ease with conversation and lack there of.

But none of that matters to Siffrin, who's splitting another mango for Gebura to have half of. This time, though, they're cutting the flesh into cubes so it's easy to pop inside out and make it easier to eat before they hand it off. ]

Do you have a fruit you like?

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