Autumn, November 5th - Super Date

[zenoh]

Video - Shrine

[ Ayame is hanging out at the shrine for some fresh air; lying down on a bench with a cup of coffee with a straw (actually booze), a sketchbook, and her trusty camera on the ground beside her. She was at a loss. An art block, perhaps? Or something else... Truth is, she watched a talk show earlier and they talked about the topic. It interested her enough that it's all she could think about. She plays with her comm device, lightly tapping it against her chin and lower lip while staring idly at the sky. With a hum, she fires it up and ponders on using the anonymous option to hide her identity to the network. But she decided to just show herself anyway.

Sitting up and fixing her hair, Ayame starts the video ]

Good morning, Genessia. I just have a quick question. Actually a couple. Might seem out of nowhere, but to the point: one - in your opinion, what are good places in this world to go on a date? Two - if you have you ever dated anyone while you were in here, was it worth it?

[ She doesn't really know a lot about things that normal people do, dates being one of them. But she knows enough about it that she can understand people's aversion to it here, since anyone can vanish at anytime. Still, with the alcohol loosening her usually reserved personality up a bit along with her morbid curiosity, she just had to know ]

To those unaware of what a date is. It's modern human vernacular for a time and place for people to meet and get to know each other, often romantically.

Comments

[alwaysimpaled]

I'm always fond of the classic hanging out at a bar, playing pool, that sort of thing. So long as the beer is cheap and the pizza's good.

[zenoh]

[ The sight of a familiar face made Ayame almost smile. Instead, she tilts her head just slightly enough to make a fringe of her hair brush against her raised brows ]

Ah, it's you. Hello again, Dante.

[ A brief smirk did tug on the corner of her lips as her part of greeting to Dante through the small video phone ]

I figured you'd be the beer-loving type, but not of the classics. Bars are frequently decent places to have fun, however. I can see why they make a classic choice.

[ If they're clean and not so loud, that is ]

[alwaysimpaled]

[Have an eyebrow waggle and a nod.]

Good to see you again as well, Ayame. As for the bar, it really depends on the kind of bar. Dive bars are no good. Too many bikers and yelling. Get yourself a decent pub or something - and the pool table is a requirement - and you've got yourself a recipe for a good time.

[zenoh]

Yes, yelling is something I'll never learn to tolerate...

[ Ayame gives an amused huff at Dante, gently pushing a lock of hair behind her ear ]

Care to share your secret knowledge of decent pubs? The ones with a pool table and bearable amounts of noise.

[ The pool table isn't a very attractive feature to her, since she's never actually played it before or cared about it. But she's willing to learn ]

[historywhiplash]

I'm not sure it matters what world you're on, as long as you're doing something you both like together it'll be a fine date.

[zenoh]

That is true. But given the nature of this world and how it can sweep away anyone at any moment without warning, it's difficult for me to see why anyone would bother with starting a romantic relationship here.

[historywhiplash]

Why try one anywhere? I mean... people can leave anytime even without weird world shenannigans getting in the way. Maybe you don't get along as well as you do as friends, or a job comes up and they have to move, or something else happens.

Being with someone, even for a little, makes the hard parts easier.

[Video]

[youfool]

1. There's a list of tourist attractions in the Welcoming Center brochure, actually. I had a lovely date with Hinata in the Crystal Caves. It's tricky to get the timing right; got to go when the fog's cleared up, but it may just be the most beautiful place in the world. Just watch your step and wear what you don't mind wetting.

2. Yes, I did during Valentine's Day. It was...very lovely. It felt as though we could simply talk and tell the truth to each other all day.

[zenoh]

I still have the brochure from my arrival here. But I'm thinking there would be places that aren't listed in there that only the locals or people who've been here long enough would know. My experience in traveling is that you can't always depend on tourist brochures and guide books to show you the best spots. Sometimes, the ones aren't listed are even better.

[youfool]

Haha, quite the opposite I'm afraid. Before that brochure I'd hardly heard of such a place. Perhaps it happened to exist very recently? This places creates so spontaneously. Goodness, you novelists and your love of untrod paths. [He says light-heartedly.]

Well, take it from me that the best place I've seen is, happily, well-known. Goodness, who'd be mean enough to keep it a secret? Though I suppose some pleasures are best enjoyed singularly. There are, I've found, some places that can be made; you remember Trevenant? He's a got a knack for woodland areas, and making space therein.

[Video]

[swordprincess]

I've been on a number of...dates here.

The best one I had was at a place called...Nakiba. It's a fancy restaurant where you make your reservations in advance. I say it was the best date because it was the only one I had actually planned for myself. Although my reason for going wasn't for romance...

[zenoh]

I see. It must be someone important to you if you chose a place like that. I can't even afford it there on my own.

[swordprincess]

Well...I actually chose it for a different reason...but yes, the person I went with is important to me at this point.

[Video]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

A date?

You're going on a date?!

[ You might want to wear shades because Konoka is sparkling with FUCKIN' EXCITEMENT HERE. ]

[zenoh]

[ Ayame blinked a couple of times as she was kind of startled by Konoka's energetic introduction. She gives a sheepish half-smile and waves her hand in front of her ]

Oh no no... I was just asking. This is all simple curiosity. I've just never really understood the custom, is all.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

[ D'awww. Well Konoka calmed down, momentary disappointment replaced by her usual chipper attitude. ]

Well, dating is really an act of romance. It tells someone that you're interested in them, and want to get to know them more. You also get to go to fun places and see how they mesh with you!

[Video]

[blackparagon]

[Try as he might, Xander is unable to hide the look of curiosity on his face. His eyebrows are raised and his eyes are very animated. No trace of his trademark stern glare.]

I can't answer your questions, but I must confess you have me curious. What brought this on? Is there somebody you're interested in?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame watches Xander curiously from the small screen of her device while she thought about his questions ]

Oh I simply watched a talk show earlier that spoke of the topic, and now it's my nagging at my curiosity.

[ Ayame shakes her head. Even if dates are a common tradition of her time, Ayame's sheltered life has prevented her from experiencing or knowing about a lot of things that normal people do on their everyday lives. ]

I can't say if there is somebody I'm interested in. At least, I'm not quite sure if my interest in them is of the romantic sort... The more important question is if there is anyone interested in me... I'm unfortunately quite boring.

[ Ayame spoke in her usual refined way with a sheepish smile, showing her last comment as something not stemming from a lack of self-esteem, but rather an acceptance of herself. She is fully aware that most people wouldn't find someone like her to be interesting. With her reclusiveness, unpopular interests and hobbies, and her background, she can't really blame people ]

[blackparagon]

"Talk show?"

[Xander can't help but be only further confused by Ayame's response. He doesn't watch TV, the concept being thoroughly alien to him; he gets all of his news from the newspaper.]

Ah, come now. It sounds to me as though you're selling yourself short. You would be surprised by what people can find interesting if you just look or focus on your presentation.

[It's a field Xander is extremely familiar with himself. He was a rather timid and fragile boy, and the persona he has now is one that he spent years cultivating. He, better than anyone, knows what it takes to work with what you have and what you are capable of.]

video;

[whiteas]

I wouldn't take back most of the relationships I've had here. Just be warned that nothing here is going to end well... One way or the other.

[zenoh]

Oh... I suppose I shouldn't keep my hopes up too high, and I imagine the fact that people can be swept away at any moment is one deterrent in forming romantic relationships in this world.

[whiteas]

It's dangerous too. [ She pauses. ] I would suggest not going out of your way to make it happen, but not fighting it if you find someone you like. There's no point in keeping yourself from the times that you can be happy.

[ Weiss considers most of those in the past for her. Too much of her life here has been ruined, but it doesn't mean she's going to try to drag others into that kind of thought. ]

voice;

[truesmiles]

Admittedly I don't regret getting involved with someone here before they left, but at the same time it's a double edged sword with it's positives and negatives in that it hurts a lot when and if they do leave. It's unknown if it would happen.

For me it was at least worth it to learn something and for me getting hurt is perfectly okay.

[zenoh]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that...

I suppose it's something worth thinking about. I've never really been in a "date" before, so I don't even know if it's for me. But I find the idea to be fascinating enough that I want to experience it.

[ Ayame sighs, glancing away to the Shrine for a brief second before she turns to look at the screen again ]

[truesmiles]

It's one of those things you cannot really know until you try. It's how we learn after all. Asking is one thing, actually finding out is another.