[Don't mind if midway through the day you happen to get passed by a few locals carrying what appears to be higher-quality catering from various places, directed by a tall, dark man in a light grey suit jacket and slacks. It's dressed up enough to imply a special occasion and casual enough for a relaxed date (no tie today!), but... he seems to be all business in attitude right now.
Maybe he's no good with decorations or music, but he came here to have a good time, damn it. He's not going to suffer the insult of cheap snacks.
Over time, he can also be found at the bar or playing card games. One might almost think he's taking the time to relax!
ooc: or, plot with me! I'm at lumieresdedragon and here, and you can find more information on Zekarion here!]
⬬ it's amazing what you'll find face to face | speed dating
[Well! With that initial problem tackled—Altius signs himself up for speed dating, and soon enough finds himself sitting across from another Chosen. After smiling at the person across from him in greeting, he lets himself sit back a bit, shuffling through the question cards with an increasingly confused raise of his brow.]
"If you were a plant, how many times a day would I have to water you?"
[He's not actually asking; his rising tone makes it clear how baffled he is at the presence of this question. He goes to the next card, which dims his expression slightly with something serious, and the next one...
He sets the cards down with... slightly more force than he needs to. Ahem. When he leans forward, resting his chin on the back of his hand, he's smiling pleasantly again.]
How about this: what's your favorite thing to do on a date?
⬬ it's my pride that made me distant | tunnel
[Looking over his shoulder back at the entrance of the tunnel, Altius is starting to have slight regrets. Should he really have let his guard down...?
Ah, well. It's too late now; he'll figure it out. Whether the person paired with him entered willingly or was all but shoved towards him by one of the staff (or a friend bullying them), he'll let out a mild sigh, shrug and turn an exasperated smile to them in the dark.]
You don't have to hold on the entire time if you don't want to. I won't tell anyone.
[except...]
Shigeru Miyata | Original Character | Current Character
[ Shigeru is the one being dragged, yes, please for the love of god help him?? He looks all sorts of flustered and confused as he's brought to the event center against his will!! Sure he's single but he doesn't want to be here and it shows as he just wallflowers himself into a corner.
But eventually, he will just keep himself to the table with the lackluster food, a pout evident on his features. ] I-I wish they would have let us cook stuff. It looks pretty...bland. [ He will poke at whatever food that is sitting on his plate untouched with his fork. ]
I wonder what this is all for though? Is it a trap, a false sense of security, they have to be cooking up something, right?! [ Please, Shigeru, don't start in with your conspiracy theories. ]
Speed Dating (oh no)
[ When he has sat down thanks to the event coordinator the question presented is...yeah. ] Would you still love me if I was a worm?
[ Shigeru looks at the other Chosen in complete confusion before shrugging?? He's sorry this is the first question on the card?! ] What kind of questions are these?
[ He's going to die!! ]
I-I'm sorry. I'm not really good at this sort of stuff! Maybe we can just sit here and-and pretend to...talk. Or maybe a better question, um. [ Hm!!! ]
What's your favorite hobby? [ That's better, right? ]
Secret Tunnels!
[ The tunnel isn't the issue it's the holding hands that is causing Shigeru to really pause and check out. His hands are always gloved as people will easily see and tell. His phobia is not kind in that way at all and he really doesn't want to hold hands if he can help it!! ] Do we really have to hold hands the whole time??
[ He almost sounds like he's whining because, why, cursed, he hates it thanks! ] Can't we just go in without doing that??
[ He wants to see what's inside the super secret tunnel!! ]
ARRIVAL. [ to be truthful, he hadn't remembered this place at first, and that had nearly been.. dangerous. having been in some form of conflict for most of his life at this point, particularly since the start of the war, sephiroth's first instinct in what appears to be enemy territory is to firaga first and ask questions later.
but then something about it had shaken a distant, mostly-faded memory loose. doesn't he.. know this place? he went away a few years ago, didn't he? it was right after the rhadore disaster. he'd been away for months. how had he forgotten that? it had been so.. strange, so kind.. maybe he thought he'd dreamed it. like those dreams of his mother, of jenova.
no. of lucrecia. her name was lucrecia, and someone-- someone had told him that. someone important. someone-- ]
Excuse me, [ it takes all his self-control not to grab the next person he sees, but he knows the effect he has on people now. at six-foot-four and dressed in armor and carrying the masamune, he's not precisely a comforting figure. between that and his alien eyes-- .. oh, but those hadn't mattered so much here, either, had they?
he blinks once, trying to clear his mind of the memories, staring into the face of the person he'd stopped. ] Do you know where I might find Vincent Valentine? [ it's been years (for him), so it might be a long shot, but it's worth asking, isn't it? ]
SPEED DATING. [ he has a little time to get sorted out before he's practically dragged to some sort of party. don't ask where he got the civilian clothes (black sweater, black slacks, black shoes), but it's a slightly softer first soldier in the chair. lengthy hair in a high ponytail, expression the polite neutral he uses in interviews and other public appearances, legs crossed and long hands folded atop his knee, he looks.. if not approachable, at least not cold.
one of the sheets of paper is on the table directly in front of him, edges lined up with the edge of the desk, precisely centered. as someone sits on the other side, he offers a reserved, polite smile. ] My name is Sephiroth. If you'd like, you're welcome to ask the first question. [ he has no public relations here to tell him how to answer, and that's.. nice, actually. ]
WILDCARD. [ or feel free to deliver a box to him, he'll be pretty confused about it. likewise, happy to do a tunnel prompt, though he'll be resigned about it and wary of the handholding. otherwise, hmu perilous if you wanna hash something out. this is just grown-up aonibi. ]
Speed Dating [The Doctor isn't exactly sure what he got himself roped into this time. From what he observed one sits across from someone else and chats but chats about what? Before The Doctor can ask he's presented with a clip board of questions]
What is your favorite romantic thing to do?
[There's an alarm look on The Doctor's as his mind clicks on what this actually. He slowly closes his eyes as he internally swears in alien]
Secret Delivery [The Doctor reads the note attached to the box. For someone with black hair. Okay that couldn't be more vague. More importantly, The Doctor shakes the box, what is inside?]
[Unfortunately it seems like Zekarion just happens stuck with one of the most series person that can be found from Aldrip (allegedly) for this first round of speed dating. And Richard, just like most of times, really has no idea what's the point of the whole thing. Or rather, it's not like he doesn't know what is the purpose of the game or how to play it. More like that he personally just doesn't see the appeal of it. Though, he supposes that his brothers' and their peers would have loved something like this.
The first question just has him confused, missing completely the lewd double meaning behind it. He's no gardener nor a farmer, how would he know how often one needs to water their plants? The second question his companion asks is more familiar to him, for sure, but not really any easier than the previous.]
I would not know. [Says the man who has been married for ten years or so...]
Altius remains undaunted by the grim nature of the one sitting across from him. He's rubbed elbows with all sorts of personalities, and some of them certainly considered themselves royalty...
So, he continues with little hesitation, his apparent mood unchanged:]
Not even a thought of how you might like to spend time with a loved one?
[ meanwhile, viktor certainly did not sign up for this — but it turns out octavian finds this whole "ask people weird questions" shtick fun, and while he's standing to the side and enjoying the sight of octavian enjoying himself, one of the people arranging the whole thing is pulling him in and pushing him towards a table and, hm, so here he is.
and the initial question is... well, it sure is, so it's just as well zekarion moves on to a different one. at that, viktor raises his brows and says, flatly, ] Drinks and intelligent conversation.
[ but hold on. the man looks different, older... but he is surely the same one from that dream. ] Wait. You're...
[Octavian is not the baby, for the record. That's not why he's here. Though this is still technically the first Valentine's Day and/or generically titled V-Day that's ever been even slightly of note to him, that still isn't the reason he's come to this event.
No, he's come to do some field testing for a joint personal project, actually. A local has insisted on pinning a paper heart to his dork-ass sweatervest and he's left it there as he follows around a small, about knee-height robot (imagine a more clean/polished look than this... also a familiar Blue Glow in the eyes iykyk) a few strides behind as it wanders around the event space. The little robot has the pathing capabilities of an advanced Roomba, so every so often Octavian has to duck down and lift it and turn it around when it gets stuck on a piece of furniture or maybe a person. Oops. Sorry about his child.
Eventually the robot manages to walk right up to people and hold something out; most often one of the paper decorations, sometimes a snack, maybe even a question card swiped from speed dating— and then it waits for its delivery to be accepted. Upon acceptance it will turn and go off to pick up something else; refuse and it will start to beep, quietly but insistently.
Octavian is there, very visibly in charge of this little thing, but he won't interrupt unless someone looks like they're going to be mean to it. Or if it falls over. But if you look at him while dealing with the robot, he will simply say:]
He is on a special assignment.
annoying guy at speed dating
[This, too, is not why he came here. He's since taken the time to write "No Advances Please" on the paper heart stuck to his vest in small, mostly-legible handwriting, which he figures is good enough.
But he's still sat down at this table and has a small stack of questions. The robot is also here, glowing blue eyes staring over from his side of the table. It's fine.
Octavian doesn't stop for greetings, simply looking down at his questions. It says, What’s the hardest thing about being in love? and Octavian scoffs quietly, puts it down on the table, and says instead,]
What is your favorite alchemical compound?
[If that gets no immediate response, and we're talking Immediate, he goes for,]
Did you know a goldfish's age can be determined by its scales?
[And then,]
What is the next number in the following sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21?
[If you try to get up and just leave this nonsense, he leans forward and puts a hand on your wrist. Gently. But intently.]
We have four minutes and seven remaining seconds to bond.
misc/wildcard
[lol. hey. as his handwritten not-a-nametag says, he's here for platonic things only, so all may approach. jojoveller if you need me!]
[I could think of worse ways to pass the time, would have been his reply, had the answerer been anyone else. Instead, his mouth remains half open for a moment before he regains himself.
The smile he offers Viktor is undoubtedly marred by the reminder of their shared experience, a little of his discomfort showing through the expression though his posture stays apparently relaxed.]
Hello, again.
[After ten years, Altius is undoubtedly a little sharper around the edges, his appearance more meticulously maintained in comparison with not a hair out of place, but there's no mistaking him for anybody else. Wryly, he pushes past the memory with a sighed agreement:]
I could certainly do with a drink, myself.
Edited (bleh too many of that word. go away) 2025-02-10 23:00 (UTC)
speed dating because i thought it'd be funny to shove a skeleman at the ghost
[Look, he might have answers to those questions, clearly this guy has no standard in terms of waiting for a response. The sheer impatience! Just when he considers bailing, that's when Octavian catches him.
Son of a bitch. It's tempting to force him off, but Phosphorus isn't convinced that this isn't some whacky training simulation that he's being forced through yet. So, like, what if he fucks it up and gets a nasty shock? That would suck.]
Y'know, for a guy not looking for a romantic getaway, you're pretty demanding. Relax, man.
[ There's something a little nostalgic about this event. It feels just like yesterday that Minato found himself getting shepherded off to that masquerade. That one seemed far more grandiose next to this humble little gathering, but it's nevertheless equipped with just as many activities.
Well, it's as they say. Things are what you make of them. And because he thinks it might dishearten those who'd planned the event, he'll at the very least try to be a good sport.
In fact, one of those very same staffers leads him by the hand to a cobbled-together obstacle course. The hurdles are brooms taped together, and large, overturned buckets are scattered around the floor, all accompanied with miscellaneous "hazardous" items strewn about.
The staff member reaches into their pocket, fishing out a piece of cloth which they drape across Minato's palm. "Wait right here," they tell him, before disappearing and returning with an unsuspecting victim.
"Devotion's built on trust, you see," they chirp. "What better way to test it by trusting someone to lead you through this course?"
Minato glances at the other Chosen, holding the blindfold out to them. ]
...did you want it?
[ A beat, as he considers their options. ]
Or I can put it on. Doesn't really matter to me either way.
ii. speed dating
[ Sure, it's "speed dating", but Minato's the sort who's accustomed to answering all kinds of bizarre questions. Really, this isn't anything new. Silent protagonist tasked with spending five minutes asking and answering questions? Easy.
He glances down at the laminated sheet of paper. There's a menu of sufficiently invasive questions. Beneath them are a series of more softball ones. His gaze lifts momentarily at his company before lowering again to study the questions. Hm. ]
You can go first.
[ Minato sets the list down on the table before resting his hands in his lap. He wears an indecipherable expression, but in truth, he'll readily answer just about anything that's tossed his way. ]
...you can ask whatever. It's fine.
iii. secret delivery
[ Scavenger hunt, huh. Maybe it really was that big of a hit at the Ketsoran ball?
Hopefully the aftermath of this party will be far less eventful. famous last words
Finally, Minato has the chance to take a better look at the little box he'd been handed upon entering the festivities. It's a little blue box wrapped in gossamer ribbon, a small paper tag attached to it too. Whatever's inside doesn't feel particularly heavy, so surely there's nothing dangerous tucked away in it...
Just in case, he crouches to offer the box to the dog at his heels. Koromaru bends his head to sniff at it twice before making a sharp, confident bark.
Cool, Minato thinks. Probably fine then.
He flips the tag over and silently studies the instructions before scanning the party's attendees. Whatever it happens to say, it matches the description of someone within the crowd. Minato steps forward with Koromaru in tow, the decorative box clutched in his own hand. He weaves through the Chosen milling about, approaching the one who matches his box's tag.
There's no hesitation or bashfulness in his gaze, merely casting an expectant look at the other person. ]
I think this is for you.
[ Minato holds it out. Whatever's in it probably isn't dangerous or life-threatening... Either way, he trusts Koromaru's judgment. ]
iv. wildcard
[ bring ur own prompt babyyyy or if you want something specific just drop me a message! Let's be silly \o/ ]
Edited (I FORGOT KORO-CHAN) 2025-02-10 23:30 (UTC)
[Octavian came to this crappy party for two reasons: to see if his new robot can handle crowd navigation, and to be irritating. He doesn't actually sit down to talk to Altius, no, he just happens to be passing by during a lull in the regular activity rotation and stops to peer at the questions from over his shoulder.
Hi. He is holding a heart-shaped sugar cookie. It isn't one of the superior snacks.]
I think you should ask the one about the plant. It is the most creative option.
[That's coward's talk—but no, it's probably best that Zekarion doesn't have to sit across the dating table with the ghost who his memory-dream self tried to destroy... He looks up at Octavian, his posture as casual as it's ever been.]
I suppose it could have a place, [he concedes, but his tone is skeptical.] It's not exactly the kind of mood I'm going for.
[He glances down at that cookie. This man and his acquisitions.]
[With a deep sigh Richard eases his back against the chair and crosses one leg over the other as he considered the follow-up question. How did he prefer to spend time with a loved one? By scheming and plotting the downfall of their enemies, spinning tales so rich and brilliant that they would fool even God's eyes, turning lies into the truth. Committing the sin. That kind of stuff.
But it's not like he could admit any of it out loud. So, instead he just leaned onto his usual excuse: his wife.]
Pardon me. It has been so long since I saw my wife that I have grown rusty at the topic of romance. Anne and I would go outside riding in the woods. And during the winter she would invite me to ice skating. Although, I suppose that the activity was never the important part. Just her presence. [It's not technically a lie. That's exactly what they had been doing with Anne during their youth. Back then when he was still naive and foolish enough to fall for the convenient lies of romance]
[Wife. So—this is just going to be a conversation. Ah well, perhaps he'll get something useful out of it. He withholds a sigh and responds like nothing's occurred to him at all.]
That sounds lovely. [He means that, mostly? Ice skating less so because he detests the cold, but the idea of it is romantic enough.] I've always enjoyed the outdoors, away from the busier cities, but it's been hard to find time for that sort of thing.
[And now he's being given way too much time, even with how much he's trying to fill it. His amber gaze turns to Richard, away from his own thoughts.]
[Dante had guessed the point of this holiday fairly quickly upon arriving to check it out, and though the theme already had them hesitant, the lackluster decoration and lack of enthusiasm by even the programmed populace was ready to send them packing.
And, in fact, they're just about to leave when Altius arrives, crew in tow, and Dante can't help but stop and stare.]
[Somehow, Vincent always ends up in these weird activities against his will. It's par for the course by now, so he honestly doesn't even fight it so much as he's dragged away for the ... party? Gathering? Honestly hard to tell. Nonetheless, he's going to be the world's biggest wallflower, hanging by a corner. Slowly, he's munching on a bag of some kind of off-brand potato chips that are definitely way too greasy to be that good, but depression is hell of a drug, so. You know.
"This time we'll be doing a guessing game! Time to go into pairs. If you're struggling to find a partner, we'll help you out!" announces one of the organizers.
Vincent feels exhaustion suddenly drowning him in body and soul as he would absolutely prefer not to, but it is what it is. With a sigh, he turns to you.]
Let's just get this over with.
["We'll present a question. One person has to guess what their partner would answer with. If you get it right, you get a point!"
Sounds awful.]
ii. speed dating
[look we all know how this one works. Vincent is seated across, bag of neverending chips in his hand as he slowly munches on one chip at a time, staring blankly at you without a word.
Maybe... he wants you to go first. Possibly. Hard to say.
So what question do you have for this Dracula cosplayer?]
iii. secret secret secret tunnel
Seems like a pain.
[Whether he means to say it to you or the attendant, either way Vincent is being an absolute buzzkill as he stares down at the entrance of the tunnel.
A heavy sigh escapes him. This is utterly exhausting, and he won't lie; it's tempting to just go back to his coffin, which is the feeling he's had for several days now. He's trying to not just go back old habits, but somehow this is the most tiring thing out of the entire event so far.]
[The look Altius shoots Octavian will hopefully be plenty, but—]
Do I really strike you as the sort of man capable of being whimsical? [A half huff, half sigh.] But nutritious, no. Flavored with anything at all is what it should be.
[ Enchanter sure is a presence. Not only is he a tall being but he's also wearing a mask, with two horns affixed to it, that has no mouth to speak of and just two golden slits for eyes that move rather oddly like he has full control of them?? Gray hair spills out from beneath it but he's just clad in all-black metal garb hidden beneath black robes that twinkle like starlight. The black is evenly cut with golden divets and ornaments hanging along the horns on his mask. His hands are also black gauntlets but he looks to be amused as hell to be here. ] Speed dating, huh? Oh, right! That is what you humans do when you're lonely and desperate right? [ He just laughs. That's so rude what the hell. ]
What a fun occasion to be dropped into! I love getting to know lonely desperate people. Very well. How does it feel to eat?! [ This is not an appropriate dating question and it's more of him just asking random shit, sorry. ] With those oddly grotesque human mouths of yours I have always wondered! The fact there are bones in there is rather disturbing, but fascinating too!
[ But he seems to 'smile' as the golden slits narrow and he leans on the table while propping his chin on his hand. ] Or better yet! I have another one for you. Are familiar with interstellar travel? Wormholes, rips in the space-time continuum?! Inquiring minds would love to know! And how do you feel about this planet right now!? On a scale of 0-10 please rate your experience thus far! I will not tell the current overlords, I promise! [ Sorry to whoever gets stuck with this stupid ass. ]
Secret tunnel;
[ Again he is just here to mess around and is not taking much of this very seriously because?? Look at him? But that's not enough, oh no, he has to say something out of pocket because The Enchanter does not stfu. ]
Holding hands?! That's what you humans do when you form intimate relationships, correct? I would love to see it happen with my own two eyes! I've never held hands with a human before, how exhilarating!
[ Sir, please. ] I did not realize that experiencing potentially life-threatening scenarios was considered sensual either! [ Enchanter STOP. Anyway, he will hold out a gauntleted hand for whoever to take. ] Put it there!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2025-02-10 12:12 pm
Page 1 of 56