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

[dereban]

I'm not negative, I'm realistic, there's a difference.

[And besides, she knows that if she could find someone that catches her interest, she would have already done that by now.

She sighs, eyes gazing over at the ice breaker card before the question is raised.

She definitely needs to avoid doing a dare.]

"Are you happy?"

[It's a simple three worded question, but that's enough. Anything more than that is asking for things out of her power. Things she shouldn't be asking.]

[antitoxin]

[ how he wants to ask does being a realist have to make her look at everything with a frown? such realism seems kind of painful, but he keeps that question to himself. ]

I sure do hope the Himeko of the future is smiling then when you ask.

[ smiling for what? he's not sure, but she seems to have been through a lot, and hopes for her future self to have positive emotions which is something he can't ignore. ]

We'll just have to make sure you're happy now in order for your question not to be a waste of breath!

[dereban]

You really are just going to keep referring to me by first name when I don't want to be called that, aren't you.

[She wants to leave. She wants out real bad.

Her fingers curl and nails dig into the skin of her palm, already annoyed.]

[antitoxin]

You didn't pick up a question card!

[ that's not one of the questions, inaba, so he's not going to answer it like he should. he's trying to get to know her through the sake of questions, she could at least play fair! ]

I could ask twice in one go, but then it sounds like I'm interviewing you for a job... We should do this together! ☆

[dereban]

... I wasn't asking.

[Her voice is deadpan.

But she takes a card, looks at it, and asks the question in an equally monotone voice.]

"If you could be granted three wishes, what would they be?"

[antitoxin]

Good. Now we can play.

[ how cute, she's getting all frustrated! with a small smile, he waits for her to read off the question, and with that one spoken...

he hums.

hmmmm, ah yes, he has something: ]

I want Gundams to be real! Tons of gold doubloons and bricks! Anddddd a Venti Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with 60 shots! Mocha, white mocha... ooh, I'd like white mocha drizzle with caramel drizzle, some protein powder and I want hazelnut drizzle as well! Yum! ☆ Hey, what do you think? Great wishes, right?

[ if inaba thinks he's fucking with her, she's right to think so. ]

[dereban]

No comment.

[Again, her response is dry as she tries her best not to show any emotion on her face.]

Just move onto the next question.

[antitoxin]

What criteria helps you decide whether to say “no” to something or commit to it?

[ she must not like magical girls either. ]

[dereban]

Morals.

[It's a short and curt answer, but she doesn't really want to go into detail with this guy, so she keeps it short.

She picks another card, robotically.]

"If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?"

[antitoxin]

Aren't you going to tell me what sort of morals! That's too much of a vague answer...

[ it's supposed to be speed dating, but even her attempt at ruining this doesn't bother him when he's been through worse.

he cants his head to the side. ]

This is about getting to know each other, not to be mean...

[dereban]

[She sighs for a moment before leaning further back into her chair with a grin.

It's not one that meets her eyes.]

Aren't I allowed to keep things to myself? Simple, short, straightforward answers are still answers. This is speed dating, after all. Rambling just isn't in the picture. Besides, [Inaba lowers her voice, venom practically oozing out with every syllable.] I don't like you. I don't have to share what I don't want to.

[antitoxin]

You don't like me because... I use your first name?

[ that's a hill to die on, he guesses. ]

Oh, Himeko... life is way too short to get up in arms over a name someone else in the world also has!

[dereban]

You use it in spite of me saying that I don't like, which clearly means that you don't respect me at all in the slightest bit. Sure, it's not an uncommon first name, but continuing to do something after somebody has asked nicely not to shows enough of one's character.

Referring to someone by first name is intimate to me, and it's something only people who truly care should be allowed.

Now.

[She gets up from her chair and immediately puts back on her magatama pendant that she had pocketed earlier.]

If you would excuse me. It's probably for the best that I leave sooner rather than later.

[antitoxin]

It's because you believe I don't care for you? ...It's quite the opposite, I care about everyone.

[ if he didn't care then he wouldn't be a doctor, he wouldn't take up a profession that comes to watching over a person's wellbeing. ]

I use your name because it's your name. [ which is true. ] Spiting you would mean that I care enough to get under your skin... I don't.

[ which is also true. ] Now, why don't we talk like adults, because all you do is walk away. It must be tiring, I do think we can get along, you just choose not to. Nor will I chase for your attention.

[dereban]

You don't fucking get it, stop putting words in my goddamn mouth.

Saying you care about everyone is bullshit. To me, it comes off as superficial. Skindeep.

[Inaba's teeth grit, her fingers tighten as nails dig into the skin.]

I have a last name, you know. I let people use that. People who really bother are respectful enough to use it, because I ask. Because that's what I want. But you ignore that. So why should I bother with someone who does something like that? Why should I give a damn? If someone can't do something so simple as properly refer to me by last name when I ask, how can I expect anything more?

I can talk just fine, but there's no point if my words just go through one ear and out the other. Or if I just can't agree. Why should I be wasting my time on someone like that when I can talk to others that would be a better use of it?

[antitoxin]

I don't believe you get it either.

[ honestly, no one knows how he feels. ]

This isn't the first time you've bumped heads with others.

[ ... ]

Why should I do anything for you when you come off so cruel and antagonizing? If a name causes you to act like this... I really don't believe you hold any right to expect certain behavior from me.

[ it's said calmly as ever, not a hint of agitation, but responding like a grown adult would to a child throwing a tantrum. ]

[dereban]

It isn't, and it will undoubtedly be the last.

[She pushes out a cold front in her tone and voice, her expression completely hollow.]

But that's fine. This conversation is over. Perhaps you think I don't "get it". But you see... with what you just said, you already ended up contradicting yourself. So don't act like you hold the higher ground because of your position.

[She closes her eyes shut for a moment, and takes a breath out.]

I will be going now. And I hope that I never have to speak to you ever again.

[And she finally, right then and there, turns on her heel to leave.]

[antitoxin]

That so.

[ looks like he's following because he's used to her walking away now. ]

Now, why is it always an argument with you? Can we speak like adults.

[ inaba... enough! ]

Is this really because of your name?

[dereban]

I said I didn't want to talk to you anymore, so don't follow me.

[It's a chilly cold front as she starts to hurry her footsteps; she's not quick, but it's clear that she has a location in mind to escape to.]

[antitoxin]

[ now if she says please!!! he'll think about it... ]

Where are we going?

[ maple can watch the event. ]

You shouldn't miss out on the prizes...

[ :( ]

[dereban]

[Inaba can easily be petty, which is why she doesn't answer back, instead just continuing to walk in silence before heading into the bathrooms. She's taking a stall, don't mind her, she can easily be left alone like this, she's sure.

At least, that's what she thinks, anyway.]

[antitoxin]

[ no, not really.

... ]

Himeko!

[ echo... echo... echo... echo... ]

I understand you're in such a rush, but bringing me here is quite scandalous...!

[ there's a LOUD audible gasp from another stall...

oh good, someone's in here too! ]

[dereban]

Then just leave, you fucking stalker!

[She's getting more and more frustrated by the second and she is just angry at this point for something completely different from earlier.]

[antitoxin]

I don't understand... you brought me here.

[ gossip, juicy gossip!

he sounds confused to her actions, and how could inaba have a stalker? she attempts to act like the regular students of the school, so obviously this doesn't add up...

a small sigh. ] We should return, you can help me on how to offer the prizes. I'm thinking intel would be best, but there's not many people who try to investigate...

[ a shame... ]

[dereban]

I [she hisses out, venom in every syllable] didn't bring anyone anywhere. You were following me, you creep! Jerk! I was just leaving to be alone for fuck's sake.

[And while intel is tempting, she's not taking the bait.

She isn't.

She'd rather get her intel from someone else, or sniff around herself.]