synflux | ( 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

[ I have no idea how this will work, but we sure can try!! ]

She definitely owes us both for this.

[ What a dark mutter, definitely what a supportive coworker would say-- ]

[ Same here... But at that, Yesod glances up from picking at a seam of his tie. He studies Gebura, who undoubtedly has her hands full here once again. ]

We must seem in need of it. It isn't a terrible experience, if all of us are able to enjoy it in some manner.

[ Despite the production team's expectations. ]

...

[ She's just sort of lifting an eyebrow at him. Okay, yes, very few of them possess Malkuth's desire to Be Where The People Are, and maybe to her that means they're missing out on Life's Delights, but at the same time-- ]

Are you enjoying it, Yesod?

[ Yes, go on. She'd like to hear this. ]

[ He understands Gebura's expression, and he won't lie. ]

Currently, no. However, if the rest of you experience things that fit the description, that suffices.

[ Because he wants to see that, after everything that happened across their lives. ]

...And if she means to make up for lost time, thinking of us, that is enjoyable.

[ It has been, elsewhere. ]

Maybe that's the case for you, since I know she avoided you [ which seems inane to her, still ] for a while, but if that's really the case, she really should have just brought you and Netzach along.

[ She's not from the Asiyah layer. Those four had eventually formed their own bond, even though Malkuth may be the only one with a stronger idea of it right now. ]

I'll put up with it for now, but I'm fine with never doing something like this again.

[ No, he doubts that Malkuth wanted all of them here for that reason — it doesn't fit alongside her previous efforts. What he doesn't doubt is that she thought of them, that she meant well.

The things exacerbated are not Malkuth's fault. ]

...What do you enjoy? As we appear to have some freedom to consider the notion.

[ Finally succeeding in separating a reasonably evenly-sized long piece of his tie from what remains of it, Yesod holds it out to Gebura. ]

Enjoying some closed-eye meditation. Which probably isn't going to happen here, so I guess I'll make sure we're set on things we need.

[ But she'll reach out to take the strip of Butchered Tie from Yesod. ]

[ If only this were a reality where Yesod could brush Gebura's hair... All of his long-haired colleagues need it... At any rate, the rest of the Butchered Tie is folded up and tucked away, inside a shirt pocket. Yesod is practically naked now.

Closed-eye meditation... ]

I'll do the same. Nevertheless, if you have a moment, would you agree to demonstrate your meditation technique?

[ There is another matter that he has contemplated approaching Gebura about, but that will need to wait until they're free to return to the base. ]

[ Wonderful, a future talk with Yesod she probably won't expect. For now, she shrugs, idly, as she bundles her hair back up into a ponytail. ]

Sure, I don't have a problem with it. I didn't know you'd be interested.

[ Then again, wasn't his Librarian self into yoga... maybe this is just a part of what he does to unwind. ]

I appreciate it.

[ He is genuinely curious — and perhaps it would give Gebura an opportunity to engage in an activity that she enjoys even here, however briefly. ]

[ He's a little too focused on her comfort here... Gebura sighs under her breath, then points further up the beach. ]

Have a seat, then. Whatever position's comfortable.

[ Yesod does as instructed once he reaches the area that Gebura has indicated, seating himself upon a nearby boulder. He may not look especially relaxed like this, not to mention with his arms folded across his chest again as they so often are, but he watches Gebura, attentive. ]

...

[ She just stares at him, having settled cross-legged on the sand. Her hands rest loosely on top of her thighs. ]

Relax your arms. You're already too tense for this.

...Am I? [ Granted, crossing his arms is a habit that isn't conducive to appearing at ease. ] I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

[ Someday his future self will be so flexible, despite looking just as tense most of the time. For now, he corrects his position rather stiffly to match Gebura's, still perched atop the boulder. ]

[ Well, it's a start. He's still stiff, but at least he doesn't look like he's trying to defend himself from some kind of unknown threat. ]

Close your eyes. [ She's aware this part might be weird for him, given. Well. Machine. But it's fine. ] And take a deep breath. Hold it for seven seconds.

[ Closing his eyes, Yesod counts each second until seven have passed. He can remember breathing, if nothing else. He remembers doing it more recently as well, in a dream, until it ended. His avatar reflects it, as if he really did take a deep breath upon being prompted. ]

Release your breath, slowly.

... And as you do, forget all the information you have crammed in your head. Just let it go. Don't think about anything except the air around you.

[ Emptying his mind of every piece of stored information, every thought held within it... That's easier said than done. Brows drawing together slightly at first, Yesod tries it nonetheless, concentrating on Gebura's voice until it fills the air around him.

He does understand the appeal of meditation, he thinks. ]

[ As she'd expected, she'd asked a lot of him. And that's fine, because at the very least, he's trying.

And she can tell the moment he succeeds, when that furrow smooths out. Good. ]

And that's all you do. Don't internalize, just exist.

( open; ) summer episode part 2?

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