( open; ) summer episode part 2?

[uncourteous]

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!

Comments

[lovebombing]

...........That's right! We are!

[Back to a winning smile, but he's a little droopy now......poor Sampo Koski.....innocent businessman....victim......]

Say. A question for you. If someone thought you were something you're not, how would you react? Out of. Y'know. Curiosity.

[curingidiocy]

[ Good. Ratio is a little more comfortable seeing Sampo deflated, though he knows it may be simply an act by the man.

...

He quirks his eyebrow. ]

If the assumption is damaging to me in any way, I would do my best to dispel their mistaken beliefs. If it is not, well, there is no harm letting a fool be, is there?

[lovebombing]

Yeah, see. That's what I agree with, too. You should tell people you aren't who they think you are.

[A pointed look.]

Anyways, your turn to ask a question, friend.

[curingidiocy]

There are some merits in allowing fools to believe in falsity, but I suppose that isn't a topic appropriate for this occasion.

[ Completely unfazed. ]

What is a skill you have that most people acquainted with you are unaware of?

[ Said as if he's merely reading off the list of questions they've been provided, completely uninterested in Sampo's answer. ]

[lovebombing]

Is that about you, doc?

[Casually, also unfazed.]

Oh, oh! I got this. I can cross my eyes.

[is]



[is this a skill]

[curingidiocy]

...

[ He's not even going to dignify that with a response. He's only getting silence and an utterly unimpressed look in return. ]

[lovebombing]

Is that not a skill....c'mon....

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio quirks an eyebrow. ]

Why don't you demonstrate for the class then?

[ Sir this is speed dating not a classroom— ]

[lovebombing]

Sure! Look, I can do it for you, too. I'll be your teacher.

[He crosses his own eyes and sticks out his tongue, before he leans his finger forward...forward....and boops Ratio in the nose, holding it there. Cross your eyes, nerd!]

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio instantly swats away Sampo's hand, glaring as he leans away from the other man. ]

Keep your hands to yourself, Fool. I did not ask for you to teach me such an inane technique.

[lovebombing]

I do have a name, and! Still not a Fool. Just Sampo Koski.

[He laughs, undeterred, eyes back to normal.]

Aren't you a teacher? Real weird for you not to learn, right?

[curingidiocy]

Not all things are worth learning, Koski.

[ Not to mention he already knows how to cross his eyes. But there's no need to mention that. ]

So you have nothing substantial you'd like to share?

[lovebombing]

That's a bad attitude. I think there's a lot in the grand wide universe one can learn about. Someone's trash is another man's treasure.

[He leans on his hand, looking the man up and down, before easing into a smirk.]

...Y'know, I'm in the bartering mood. You want to know about me? Offer some information yourself, doc. I'll oblige in kind.

[curingidiocy]

I will be the judge of what is worth my time.

[ Ratio's eyes only narrow as Sampo checks him out. Is he actually physically attracted to the scholar? He stares as he contemplates the offer. Information for information. It's sensible. But Sampo is a Masked Fool. However, not all of them are malicious. It's actually fairer to say the faction is a mixed bag when it comes to malice and benevolence, depending on how one interprets the call to Elation.

What kind of information is he seeking from Sampo, anyhow? That isn't related to his status as a Masked Fool. He only cares about the man insofar as he's useful or poses a threat. Not the nicest way to treat someone, admittedly.

Unfortunately, they're still on this speed dating show. He checks the time through his oculars. Still plenty, somehow. ]

I am merely asking for something more interesting than crossing your eyes. For instance, a skill that many do not suspect I am capable of is sculpting. I find the process of replicating and transforming what you have perceived in a solid medium to be mentally stimulating. Marble is my preferred medium, but I am not opposed to working with wood, clay or any other type of stone.

[lovebombing]

Sculpting? Oh, wow. Yeah, that is a bit of a fun fact! I'm sure your fan club will be happy to learn of it - haha, I kid, I kid. I wonder what you make. What's your topic of choice?

[But he realizes the deal has been started, so best to end it. Natasha has always said he doesn't like things unpaid, like favors. He hardly wants to keep this hanging.]

Anyways. A skill...yeah. Here's one for you, doc. I don't leave footprints in the snow. [A cheeky little wink.] In the sand or dust, either. It's my own technique.

[curingidiocy]

Me.

[ Not even a hint of shame. You should see the number of sculptures he has of himself in his home...

Now this is interesting. And given his apparent dealings in the trade of information, he can see how that might be useful. As much as Ratio wants to pry deep into this, to figure out how he uses it, and why he even has a skill like that, but he recognizes this is perhaps a rare moment of honesty from the Masked Fool. This—a genuine connection with the other man—this is what he wants. ]

That is an interesting skill indeed. I would be curious to know how you've mastered such an ability and the technique behind it, but I recognize it may not be one you want to share the details of. I suppose it's all a part of your business on Belobog?

[lovebombing]

Oh. You? Why?

[Is that narcissistic? The doctor is arrogant, but not THAT arrogant, right?]

[The follow-up question makes him hum a little. Of course, Sampo Koski will not reveal his secrets. Magicians never do. But he's more than happy to dicuss his tricks.]

Oh, yes. Of course it is. Imagine, bad people are after you, they think they got you by chasing you into a snow field where you're easy to track, and fwoosh. Like you weren't even there.

[curingidiocy]

Why not? [ Said with the raise of an eyebrow, but a subtle twinkle in his eye that only those familiar with him would know to be his amusement showing. ] They are quite magnificent, if I do say so myself. Accurate and true to life.

[ So many think he's narcissistic. So few ever think to analyze any further. ]

I suppose trade is not always the safest on such a devastated planet, is it?

[ Putting aside his identity as a Masked Fool, there must be a reason he behaves the way he does. He remembers what March told him about Sampo. That he'd kidnapped her and the other Astral Crew members and brought them to an underground area of the city. Scamming people there and even here. ]

I have not had the pleasure of visiting Jarilo-VI. What it is like?

[lovebombing]

If you say so...I mean, you are a sight for sore eyes. Ehe...

[It doesn't FEEL like Dr. Ratio would do this just to stroke his own ego, but maybe its all about the human form in art or something. He's no artist. He won't pry.]

Oh, of course not. I mean, just to get supplies in and out under the watchful eyes of the authorities...its a risky business. [His expression actually sombers a bit, even if he's still smiling. It's in the eyes.] Mm. The last bastion of humanity, fighting against all odds...a city surrounded by a perpetual snowstorm. Not the easiest place to live, but the people there are hardy like nothing else.

[curingidiocy]

[ His lips curl up subtly but he doesn't say anymore. Sampo is free to believe what he likes.

Ratio observes Sampo carefully, noting the slight change of expression. So by business he meant of the illicit type. But the scholar is not here to judge. He hardly cares for such things unless it is actively causing harm. What's more interesting is— ]

You sound fond of the place.

[ If it really is his home world, that would make sense. And if he isn't acting, because that is also a possibility. ]