player event: spring speed-dating festival

[socialize]

Speed-dating Spring Festival

Believe in your flyness, conquer your shyness.

breaking the ice

Lonely and looking for love? Friends, maybe? Well look no further—the ASUNARO-sponsored Spring Speed-dating Festival has begun. Join us in room 3-A, where participants will then be given an assignment of "even" or "odd" and seated at a numbered table. You only have so long to talk to your partner before the bell rings and it's time to move on, but not to worry, if you find someone you like, the two of you can step out together! At the end of each round, "even" players will stay at their tables, and "odd" will move to the next. This is mostly flavour, but there is one important piece to keep in mind: in the interest of nobody being left out, leaving before the end of the event is only allowed in pairs.

Better hope you find someone you click with!

Icebreakers:

1. Do you have a party trick?
2. Exploring or lazing on the beach?
3. If you could be granted three wishes, what would they be?
4. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
5. If your friends compared you to an animal, which animal would it be?
6. A human hand extends out of the toilet! What do you do?
7. What would be the title of your biography?

Or anything else you can think of!

getting to know each other

So you've found someone you vibe with—congratulations! The next step is getting to know each other a little more. Cementing the bond, y'know? But high school is maybe a little young for marriage, so let's stick to the dates.

For the duration of the festival, classroom 3-E has been transformed into a makeshift movie theatre. Stop in with your date to watch one of these heart-racing movies, guaranteed to bring you and your date closer together! For the more romantic of the bunch, classroom 3-B will be home to dance lessons. Find a partner and get to know a Waltz, Argentine Tango, or request another, and try not to step on each other's feet as you get up-close and personal.

Movie showings: (CW: They're all horror)

April 25: Other Side of the Box
April 26: My Best Friend's Wedding
April 27: The Ballerina
April 28: Don't Look Away
April 29: The Mandela Catalogue Part.1

together forever

At the end of the event, two lucky winners will receive a secret grand prize!

Anyone else who finds someone willing to pair up with them can write both of their names for entry into a raffle for a runner-up prize. Winners of the raffle will be given the choice between riches, quality of life, or valuable information as a thanks for participating and a congratulations on their new life together.

Comments

Prize draw

[socialize]

Comment here to enter for a chance at winning a prize!

ICly, the prizes are a mystery. OOCly, the Grand Prize will be a pair of matching ASUNARO collars, connected by the "red string of fate". This prevents characters from traveling too far from one another without Consequences(TM). If your character is selected as the primary winner, we'll coordinate with you on details, including who your character can be paired with.

[decrypter]

puts Helena's name in the box

[heroicpolonaise]

puts kaede in as well.......

[antitoxin]

A neat, printed Alice Yabusame raffle is placed into the box.

:)

[antitoxin]

A neat, cursive Himeko Inaba raffle is placed into the box!

:)

[antitoxin]

A very Shin Tsukimi-like handwriting, with Sou Hiyori (Not the Host) raffle is placed in the box.

:)

[dereban]

↳ option one.

[Did she somehow time travel back to Valentine's Day? Or even worse - the culture festival? Because that's what it feels like, and having this whole thing be romance-related feels like one big joke. Yeah, that's right, she's calling the afterlife a joke. Deal with it.

Well, if she's forced to be here and can't leave without a suitable partner, guess she's going to have to play it up a little.

Although she's sure that most people probably have seen her wearing the magatama necklace. But she's keeping that off, tucked away in a pocket, away from prying eyes. Maybe she can at least find someone decent enough that she can manage to escape with.

But for the time being--

Why, yes, she's going to judge the icebreaker questions.]

So. Do you want to start with a question or shall I? Although don't ask any of the... [A lengthy pause.] Strange. Questions. If you're into that sort of thing though, I'll yell. I'll seriously yell.

↳ option wildcard.

[head empty but if you want to play something else, feel free to hit me up for threads i'm hungry for shenanigans at either discord, plurk (tsundereban) or pm!]

1.

[antitoxin]

Actually, I was making sure you weren't acting rough towards your peers...!

[ inaba who he has had the fortune of slightly understanding, a realist, as she calls herself while having a natural nasty attitude that protects her more squishy inside. he can only imagine how her types are within a speed dating event, and knowing that she'll yell, and cause problems... ]

Did you know Maple-chan is the security for this event? ...So as long as you keep it an inside voice, I'm sure you'll be fine!

[ they're just rules... ]

one

[shimashima]

Of course I had no intention of asking any strange questions!!

[ So there's no need for anyone to yell! Why would she suspect him of being into "that sort of thing" — whatever she's referring to?! He's only infiltrating these rooms, subtly observing everything as a participant to make sure that the ultimate goal really is nothing but safe fun for all parties involved! ]

...Perhaps we should begin with that. Which questions are the strange ones, in your eyes?

[ Arranging the selection on the table between them, Alice frowns at the range of options. ]

[moraloutrage]

A.

[Ishimaru had his share of hesitation. Is it appropriate for a school to host an event based around dating? But he supposes that this could also be used for the sake of making friends, and thus it follows the theme of forging bonds among the student body! So he signs up as well.

With each person he's matched up with, he regards them seriously, as if this is a business interview.]

Good afternoon! [He raises an icebreaker to read.] Tell me, do you prefer exploring or lazing on the beach? Please answer honestly!

B.

[The dance lessons do seem potentially valuable. At the very least, it's another skill to learn! And so Ishimaru stands at attention while facing a potential dance partner.]

Excuse me! Would you be willing to take part in this dance lesson to me? I promise to be courteous and respectful as a dance partner! [No tomfoolery here!]

B.

[antitoxin]

Of course, which dance would you like to try?

[ midori smiles, extending his hand towards the other for him to take. ishimaru will realize that midori was not standing here at first, and somehow just appeared out of thin air. it's fine, he just does that. ]

The ones where we're chest to chest, or... oooh! Where we mirror one another, but keep our distance... there's so many lovely ones, don't you agree...~?

a!

[socialize]

Good afternoon!

( it may not be quite so formal as friendly, but at the very least, ishimaru will notice that the girl across the table matches him with perfect posture. her smile is warm, and she seems to give the question serious consideration. )

It's a hard choice, isn't it? There are so many exciting things to see, but I think I would choose the beach. I've been meaning to go swimming recently, after all—I never have before.

( she needed more skin first to be able to go. long story. she's good for it now though. )

B

[shimashima]

[ Oh, someone is approaching him?! The student council president, at that! Alice draws himself up fully to match Ishimaru's straight-backed posture, but the effect is altered somewhat by his looking down at the youth, arms crossed. ]

You've chosen wisely, Student Council President Kiyotaka Ishimaru... I shall prove to you that I'm an equally courteous and respectful dance partner!! Have you a dance in mind?

[ To tell the truth, though he recognizes the names, it's not as if he has any experience with any of the available options... ]

[decrypter]

one.

[it's a few days into the event when she can join it, and she's nearly vibrating out of her seat in excitement. in room 3-A, there she is, seated with the even numbers, carefully tucked in her wheelchair, sweater covering her from neck to wrists. safer that way, she knows, since now it will be obvious why she was away. but a blanket on her lap keeps her warm and hides her legs, and for all the world, she's happy.

when the changeover happens, she smiles brightly, happy to greet whoever it is.]

Good afternoon! How wonderful to be here today - please, go ahead. You can ask a question first.

[she's ready to answer anything.]

two.

[she hasn't slipped in here to dance, but to listen to the music. partner or no, it makes her happy, and it also affords the opportunity to listen in on whatever's going about. when a song finishes, she tries to look innocent, as though she's only here for the calmest of reasons, but she can't help but turn her head in the direction of conversation, to hear it better.

what, it's a good place to hang out, after all.

but it's not so great for everyone, as the furious bickering of a pair of students manages to make its way through, to both her and you. they're trying to be quiet, but clearly, they're using the dance as a cover to argue. trouble in paradise, then...

a curious person eavesdrops. a nice person tries to help. and someone committed to the event might just throw them out. Helena's the first category, of course.]

three.

[or she's escaped, but she's writing, notebook and stylus in her hand. she writes quickly in her shorthand, working on pages in small groups of thoughts. notes, on everything around her. talk of romance, of who's hoping for who, even the mistakes - all of it needs to be remembered, as information to maybe spin apart and write on. by the open window and the sweet breeze, she writes, and she's happy.

though hearing footsteps come too close, she starts, and quickly flips the pages away. even if they can't read her braille, she still needs to act natural...]

wildcard.

[have another idea? let's go for it!]

One

[moraloutrage]

[Ishimaru is swapped in, and he smiles as he greets Helena.]

Good afternoon, Helena-kun! I - I am glad to see you in good spirits! It certainly is a splendid afternoon. I shall read you a question right away!

[He grabs a card and immediately starts to read it!]

'A human hand extends out of-' [He pauses, turning red as he sees the rest of the message. ...Then he quickly clears his throat and reshuffles the answers.]

On second thought, I would rather ask you a different question. Ah...

[Quickly he grabs a different one.]

'Do you have a party trick'?

three.

[socialize]

( it's only a few steps away when the voice behind the footsteps rises up to greet helena. )

There you are, Helena! I was wondering where you went.

( bright and warm, maple sounds awfully glad to see her friend. of course she would be; this isn't an opportunity she wanted for helena to miss, after all, and she just can't help but want to check in. even if... it does mean leaving some of her duties overseeing the event to come visit. listen. we're not worrying too much about that right now. hiyori can handle it! )

Are you enjoying yourself so far?

one

[heroicpolonaise]

[there's a reason kaede is the one moving about, she guesses, catching sight of helena's state -- just a bit, just a bit, she doesn't know the extent but it wasn't hard to notice her being wheeled in by hiyori-kun (midori).

she's doing her best not to ask. this is an enjoyable time. do not ruin it right out the gate.]

Are you okay? [--ah,] I-I mean, um... Sorry, um... Adams-san, that is, um... W-What is your fondest memory...?

[please she's doing her best.]

two.

[antitoxin]

[ trouble in paradise, of course.

the light scuffle of shoes against brown, ebony floors along with the quick smack of hands against flesh, signaling for the other not to touch sounds too scandalous, especially with the muffled complaints going. the excuse of "you didn't dance like this with carol!" is what comes up first, then the exhausted exhale, and a roll of her partner's eyes second.

"well, you're not carol, sunday."

a light yawn leaves from the girl's mouth, tired herself as a leg moves up to kick her partner in the leg. the sound of a dramatic "hey!" her partner cries out, and there's another scuffle of feet distancing, and soles screeching as another song plays— one more vibrant and cheerful, and another person calls out with cupped hands around their mouth so that their voice carries:

TANGO!!

and the female trying to grab her partner from getting away, "WHITMORE!!"]

Oooh, it sounds like Whitmore isn't doing too good, hmm...?

[ a whispered, familiar voice appears behind helena, a chin rests on her shoulder after he leans down to be closer to her in... sitting to small girl but he's a tall guy ratio. ]

2

[addendums]

[Dynamo is also observing the squabble carefully, falling neatly into that third group... but this is normal for human romantic behaviour, according to their database, so instead they allow themselves a slight distraction from their Important Helper Duties™. Their electronic voice cheerfully rings out, along with one of the drones hovering down next to her hand.]

Hello, Helena Adams! Are you enjoying the Spring Speed-dating Festival?

[... it's the same voice as before, but. different, notably. a little more natural, though still very robotic and formulated, and there are more micro-expressive beeps scattered in between. they're very happy to see (meet?) her!!]

wildcard

[shimashima]

[ He's aware that Helena chose to attend the event of her own will, and as far as he could tell from a distance, she enjoyed it. Though he'd considered speaking with her there, he thought better of it — after all, she really might be hoping to meet a potential significant other, and scaring off even worthy individuals would be no good. That, and it could be dangerous to let Midori discover that Helena has befriended both his former target, as well as his perceived murderer... Seeing him lurking around her at one point was worrying.

Her abrupt departure is no less so — it's the reason why Alice now seeks her out for an unannounced visit, poking his head into the room once he knows to enter freely. Perhaps she merely grew tired from the excursion, still recovering, and she'll have other visitors, but he won't forget that she was pleased that he came to join Shin Tsukimi, the other day. ]

...Helena?

[heroicpolonaise]

a. questions

[this... whole thing is so embarrassing, but she is dedicated to trying new things.

...

including speed dating, she guesses. it seems fun! she is going to have fun. she will be getting to know people and making friends like that. it'll be great! surely the person before is nervous too, so kaede smiles brightly like she doesn't want to leave and play piano and looks at the questions presented.]

So, um... What do you like to do for fun?

[perfect. besides how many new faces could there be, she's seen everyone in meetings and around the dorms and school and such this isn't nervewracking nope there's no reason to be.]

b. dancing

[...

yup! no need to be nervous. definitely not. it isn't like kaede is unused to being close to others or touching them or being touched or anything like that, nope, she's absolutely used to all those things, as young teen girls probably? should be? she thinks? maybe. normal teens have. she is a normal teen. she is a normal teen and she wants to learn to dance there is no reason to be nervous in a room full of friends in a school full of people she knows (some more than others) nope there is no reason at all.

...

does she ask. does she let herself be asked. kaede shuffles on her feet and can't hide the experession of uncertainty plastered on her face.]

c. wildcard

[anything else also movies. we have to commit tho if we do the movies, we have to watch them together or separate it is necessary!!!! and fun ☆]

c.ommit to movie

[antitoxin]

[ april 25th.

the first showing of movies that is meant to frighten people down to their souls so that they hop into the arms of another. it's rare to see, so maybe they'll be lucky to catch it this time because the previous movie nights were way too fun-filled, now a little horror never hurt anyone.

scanning the room, his eyes gloss around to find someone who isn't with anyone, and as he finds a familiar someone sitting in a chair with no one else. he doesn't have to sit here and watch the entire movie, but he can check in to see if she finds the start interesting before her date returns.

unless she's dateline, then that's a different story. ]

Kaede!

[ his voice quiet as he ducks his head out of the way of the projector so that his head isn't in the film. his arms crossed against the desk as he looks up to her. ]

Are you excited for the first movie to start?

[shimashima]

a. icebreakers

[ Truly, what a month — but then, that continues a pattern in this place. As annoying as some of the earlier bonding exercises were, for certain reasons, they were fun in the end, though that was short-lived, given the days that followed. Comas and deaths and disappearances (and the decidedly unpleasant experience of drinking poisoned tea) have all made "fun" a foreign concept, and any distractions are outnumbered. This so-called spring speed-dating festival simply strikes Alice as the latest dubious activity to approach with caution, considering that none other than Midori appears to be overseeing it, and so closely that he's taking part himself!

Without a doubt, there must be a catch. Nothing so far gives anything away — these icebreaker questions are merely a mix of conventional and bizarre — but Alice is determined to divide his attention between acting like an ordinary participant and keeping a close watch on the proceedings!

That said, with people like Helena and Maple attending, he'd prefer to be wrong. If that's all it is, an opportunity for new meetings and friendly exchanges, the things that Maple values, then that really could brighten the final days of a bleak month somewhat, despite everything painful that has taken place... Perhaps it was in fact Maple's idea, and Midori isn't stupid, no matter what else he might be.

And Alice himself is no fool, either, contrary to what others might say! He intends to blend in perfectly — and of course avoid upsetting Maple. ]

...Why in the world would a hand reach out from there, of all places?!

[ A new table, and a new question, but Alice stares at this one in disbelief, the card pinched between his fingertips, raised for another look to confirm the words written there. ]

No one wants to imagine that!!

b. dance lessons

[ Graceful dance moves were always Reko's forte, much like all things music. Even so, while he may lack his sister's coordination and lithe physique, Alice is confident that his presence here won't arouse suspicion. As a matter of fact, his appearance can only work to his advantage, since everyone must assume that he's in dire need of lessons to improve as a dancer!

He's ready, in any case. Whether he's expected to lead or some surprisingly strong schoolgirl enters the scene to dip him for tango practice, he'll execute every step flawlessly and elegantly soon enough! No toes will come to harm... Not because of him, at least. ]

I'll have you know, unless I'm completely tied up, nothing can hamper my movements, so you'll see that I'm a good choice of partner...

c. wildcard

[ Anything else! If movies happen, Alice will probably get spooked in most instances. ]

a

[addendums]

Hello, Alice Yabusame!

[you thought this was a new dating partner.... but no, it was actually! a surprise survey!! congratulations!!! the trio of drones settle into their seat while the hologram projection of a cute cat orb floats at eye-level. they beep cheerfully, because Alice is Add's roommate therefore they like Alice and think he's nice.]

Do you have a complaint about one of the selected icebreaker questions? Please note that all comments, suggestions and critique will be forwarded anonymously to an ASUNARO representative in order to better improve future events.

[antitoxin]

01) opening.
•　open — start.

[ he's proud of how things have come so far, and between him and maple, he finds that this is actually a success! people are getting along, they're off guard, and so anything could happen, but he does have to continue to oversee everything to make sure it stays the way that he likes it. midori is a nasty perfectionist, and since he's running the show, he wants everything to go as smoothly as possible.

once he's done checking over his patient because he's unable to leave her alone for too long, making sure she's accommodated properly, a person may find midori sitting at a table. there's various slips of paper in his possession, some forged, and some actually written by the participant. whether it's footsteps, or any noise, the moment he's engage: ]

Ah, hello! ☆ Have you come to place yourself in the drawing? Or is there a problem... you can take your queries to either Maple-chan or Dynamo!

[ he's yet to look up because he's trying to get everything together with the raffles. ]

02) movie.
•　open — classroom 3-E, BONUS!!: the movies come to life like the ring, so whatever movie is chosen... get ready!

[ as the projector plays the ending credits, midori picks up a remote ready to turn off the machine. he turns around, pointing the device at it, and his eyes come to see someone standing by the door's entranceway. he's not surprised since he already knew that they had been standing there or just appeared, whatever type of freak your character is deciding to be today. ]

Oh my, it's nice to see you! ☆ We have time for one more movie, would you like to watch?

02!

[sisters]

( he's the kind of freak who just got here in time to see the credits come to an end, and only lingered to see if there would be one more showing or not. though, when it comes to an offer like that, he can't help but feel a little sheepish.

apologetically, amami holds out his hands, as if to reassure hiyori. )

Oh, you sure? I thought I could make it in time for that last one, but if you guys are already closing up shop, I wouldn't want to stop you for my sake or anything.

I am here to give a robot a kiss on the head

[mermaidcursed]

i. closed to dynamo!

( she has no intention of doing any speed dating anything, truth be told- she didn't even know what was happening, she had just poked her head in curiously and then someone pushed her in on accident, it was kind of a whole thing honestly. but. she's... here! reluctantly. nene has yet to take a seat and honestly looks put off about the whole thing, up until dynamo putters on over. who doesn't perk up instantly for dynamo. losers is who. with a small but bright smile, she waves! )

ii. wildcard

( nene is here. she has no intention of staying, but she's here. )

finally pounces on this

[addendums]

[Dynamo is working hard!! They are keeping time and collecting survey answers and also eavesdropping for personal data that Master Add might be interested in... but there's a lull at the moment, and they can easily multitask whatever they're doing along with projecting their avatar towards Nene and smiling back at her.]

Hello, Nene Yashiro! Are you here to participate in the Speed-dating Spring Festival sponsored by ASUNARO?

[they speak the question out loud, but they also project a small input screen and holo-keyboard for her to use if she wants.]