It's For Your Own Good

[thechurbyboxmod]

Blind Date Meme



Let's face it, sometimes it's difficult finding someone to share your time, and your heart (or maybe just your body), with. Luckily for you, you have well meaning friends. Unfortunately for you, you have well meaning friends who didn't tell you this was coming. That's right. They have taken it upon themselves (and no doubt friends of friends or family members or someone else who clearly doesn't know you) to arrange a date. Without telling you.

That's right. The dreaded blind date. Which means now you've got to get through at least a reasonable amount of time with a total stranger (or maybe not a stranger if you're particularly, well, we can't say if it's lucky or not) before you can reasonably escape. Maybe it will go well. Maybe this will be the start of the rest of your lives. Maybe you'll get laid. Maybe you'll have a horror story for the ages.

No matter what plays out, though, you're here. Might as well see just how your luck is going to play out.

How to Play

1. Post your character and canon below along with any preferences. Then go back and edit your comment with the next number in order (i.e. first TL is 1, second is 2, etc)

2. Tag other TLs. If a character isn't in normal preferences, ask if they might want a date that goes poorly instead!

3. Optionally, get yourself a truly blind experience by going here and randomly generating a number. Then find the matching TL (numbered back in step one) and enjoy your blind date.

4. For more fun, use the list in the first comment for randomized date locations!

Comments

Oh Nick, baby. Let's see how this goes

[california_dreaming]

Billy Hargrove makes entrances. That is impossible to deny. The roar of a Camaro pulling up to the arcade was part of it. The way he's dressed, the way he grins and meets people's eyes as he walks in. The leather coat, the perfectly prepared curls, the dark red shirt left open lower than it should so that the sun kissed gold of his skin is on display.

Eyes on him? That's definitely the name of the game. He, for one, is far from nervous about this 'hang out'. Because what does he have to be nervous about.

Ski-ball. That's what he was told to look for. And so he does. Finds a guy standing there, looking nervous as hell. Sounds about right.

"Nick. Hope I'm not late."

perfectly hilarious so far

[biactually]

If Nick had any desire to keep this date inconspicuous, it was pretty much ruined when Billy stepped inside of the arcade. Sure, he heard the car engine revving outside, but that could have been anyone. As soon as Billy steps in, even Nick looks up, his attention caught by Billy's walk, his clothes, his hair.

If there is anyone who is the epitome of "oozes confidence" it is this guy that saunters in, seems to grab the attention of everyone in the arcade, and...walks right up to Nick.

When he speaks to Nick, Nick almost wants to sink into the ground. Yet, there's a trickle of fascination that rises through and above that. He straightens his stance and uncomfortably nods his head as he, finally, uncrosses all limbs.

"Ah, yes. Billy?" he, those nerves still aflame, offers out his hand to shake. Talk about opposites, but he's not remotely surprised this is someone Harry knows, and thought would be a good set up for Nick.

[california_dreaming]

Seriously? This is what he was being set up with? Dude clearly looks like a rugby player, but with so much more 'softness' in his aura. Seriously, what's up with that?

"Harry's mentioned you, once or twice," he confirms, shaking the offered hand.

[biactually]

Hearing Harry's spoken of him, Nick rubs the back of his neck.

"Funny. Harry hasn't mentioned you, much. Not until," Nick waves his hand at the arcade, "this."

Speaking of, they had this whole arcade to experience, not just the one machine. "Would you to play a game? I'll pay." In the least, Nick came prepared there.

[california_dreaming]

It's not normally his speed, but... Well, he had taught Max how to kick ass at Dig Dug so why not.

"Sure. I could do a bit. What sort of games do you like?"

[biactually]

That felt a little more like familiar territory and he finally gives a short, small smile.

"Racing games. Mostly," Nick answers as he makes his way to the machine to reload his game card.

If the worst date ended up was awkward tension and acknowledgement it didn't work out, that was fine by Nick. Still, he is determined to give it a shot.

"What about you? If racing isn't your style, we could try something else."

[california_dreaming]

Racing games, huh? Billy would rather be driving, but he supposed he could try.

"They're never as close to what life really is behind the wheel," he says with a shrug. But he could do it. "Maybe one with head to head?"

[biactually]

That perks up some curiosity, even as Nick walks to one of the racing games available.

"You drive?" Nick, as of yet, doesn't. "I wouldn't know first hand myself."

[california_dreaming]

Oh he drives.

"I've got a '79 Camaro," he says with a wide grin. "It's outside. Wanna see it?"

[bornofwords]

[ That was the problem with ability users… Unless you were lucky (or unlucky) enough to know about them prior, you never really knew when you would run into one. One would think they were rare enough that it didn’t happen often without some designed plan put in motion, but it happened more than one thought.

Letting go of Mark’s hand, he moved closer counter to sit on a stool and consider if he was going to get a proper drink or stick with soda… The latter might be smarter, at least for keeping your wits about you. But keeping up the act of confidence did get tiring after a while… At least Mark seemed nice. Nice and normal for a change, compared to everyone else he dealt with. The guy was even giving him the out if it came to it. ]

You’d have to tell me if calling dibs is okay on a blind date, actually. I’ve never been on one myself. [ He admits with a sheepish expression, before nodding lightly. ]But I’ll accept it under the same conditions. If you decide you’d like to leave, I mean.

[ In a way… maybe accidentally ending up on a date with someone not in whatever plan was in place was better for him. Less chance that someone knew who he was and what he could do, right? Maybe… Maybe he could just meet someone nice and enjoy the conversation. ]

[ask_whydunit]

Hey, we unleashed nothing. We were brought here against our will. If anything, we should be counted among the victims after whatever mess they make explodes.

[ He offered with a shrug, hands raised lightly. His eyes lowered and glanced over at the food being sorted out on the table, and the teen shook his head politely at the offer. ]

Thanks, but I’ll get something in a minute. This is on Melvin’s dime, considering he insisted on all this. [ No point in damaging a fellow students wallet, even if they were probably from a different school. He doesn’t know Nida’s situation, and if he’s anything like him? Savings were important. ] And I’m in charge of ordering for both of us, since he’s never eaten fast food before. I just wanted to see if anyone would show or not first.

[ Waver’s a grump, but he would be lying if he didn’t admit he was a little worried his friend would get stood up. Rich or not, Melvin talked a big game, and he was a lot. Especially factoring in the rather big turn off his health could present. ]

Well, unless he hasn’t warned her- [ Waver would flip a coin on that one. ] we’ll probably see before too long.

[ghostlyflame]

[ Nope, definitely not coming from Gray. Definitely not a rude little magical AI that doesn’t know how to be quiet and finds this whole situation way too funny.]

Oh, um… I don’t know, I could check!

[ She offered, having forgotten that they did have to wait. This isn’t anything like she’s used to, after all. Gray had come from a very small, obscure village in Wales. They didn’t even have cell service or the internet out there, let alone fancy restaurants. It really added a whole layer to what was already a new experience. ]

It is a little different from the kinds of places I usually would go- but I’m sure it’s nice? I wouldn’t want your friend to be disappointed if we just left. And um… someone I know also had to be here today, too. I think they’d be nervous and get themselves in trouble if they thought they were here alone… So I really don’t mind staying for a bit, as long as you don’t?

[atypical_echo]

Me either, if I'm honest. So since we're both new to it, I think we can make our own rules. And my rule right now is that I get to call dibs.

[He's smiling to himself, because it's pretty fun to just be silly like this. Carefree. Just for the moment. He's confident in this second and that might fade.]

At least at this moment I don't intend to leave. I mean, I haven't even finished my drink, Sigma.

[seed_pilot]

Don't say the 'e' word anywhere that Selphie can hear it. She might get ideas.

[Her specialty was combat magic after all. And a lack of restraint. Nida wasn't much of a mage himself. He wasn't much of anything actually. Just a guy that was going to be in so much trouble.]

Damn, I wish I was here on Selphie's dime. All she's paying me in is the chance for breaking our diets and the potential for a week of detentions cleaning the training grounds.

AS for Selphie, she might have forgotten about being told something, so I guess we're the safety net here?

[work_wife]

[Oh, that is fair. She can understand having a friend to look after. She smiles.]

Oh, I'd be happy to stay and watch the play. Steve doesn't really care about this stuff. His parents bough the tickets after all. Not that I'm so in love with plays I can't leave. I just...

[oh man, she's flustered and when she's flustered she rambles.]

[thunderwarden]

Cid, if it pleases you, and I'm invested because I'm pretty sure you're the lass I'm meant to meet here, though they neglected to mention-

[He breathed a sigh, crossing his arms and looking down at his boots.]

-Robin, isn't it? [He shook his head.] Look, I get it. Either I'm too old for you, which I agree on, or I'm too man for you, which is your business, or it's a combination, but, there's still an offer of a meal on the table, if you like. No reason to go home empty-handed when we were both duped.

[work_wife]

Cid.

[Okay, there are names now. That's useful. That doesn't change how awkward this is. In fact, she's really intrigued with the name being trotted out.]

You're not wrong. You're definitely too much of both of those things. So yeah, not really excited at the idea that my best friend who knows the issues there would set this up. Like, you're not what he'd offer me. Giant mysteries he'll pay for later. But if you're paying, yes, meal. Definitely.

[She needs energy to lay into Steve with.]

[thunderwarden]

[Board Game Café? Not his first choice, but it's where he was sent and he, surprisingly, doesn't have anything better to do at the moment. He wasn't one to turn down a night of taking the piss with the lads, though, not when he was Lord Commander, and not now so it was just as good as any place.

Of course, this was a place that served coffee, not wine, but it was also paid for so he wasn't complaining.

Cid, however, had been told he was meeting someone, not who or even a description, but he had been told they'd know him. Uncomfortable, that, but he could roll with it.

the lad who approached, though? Not at all what he was expecting.]

Not too long. [He leans back and pulls a cigarillo from his breast pocket, because tonight's supposed to be about "relaxing and seeing where the evening takes you" and he hadn't seen any sort of posting banning it.] You're the lad I'm to spend the evening with, then? [He raises not a lighter, but his index finger and thumb to the end of the cigarillo as he pinched it between his teeth, a spark of electricity and the end lit up.] Thought you'd be taller.

[aquatic_sitar]

[Lad? Demyx pouts at that. He's probably older than this guy. Maybe. If he remembered it. Which he didn't of course. But still, what the hell man?

And then taller?]

Uh... I'm as tall as I need to be!

Re: god RNG is a thing, and it demands Barcade. At least he can win prizes

[bayou_born]

He wasn't difficult to locate, given the picture she'd gotten although it's been a while since she's even considered something like this. But she'd been talked into it and it was something to keep her busy for a couple of hours if nothing else.

She does clear her throat before coming too close, just a warning someone's behind him before. "Hi, I'm Hayley, you're Clint, right?"

[raisedtohunt]

[ The bar isn't that crowded, and the sound of his name has him glancing toward the door before he lifts the bottle he's been drinking from. Sam had told him it was information gathering so he'd shrugged and taken it on. ]

Over here. The waitress will probably come by in a few minutes if you want a drink.

[biactually]

So much for video games. Nick grins to that, and puts away his card.

"Yes," he says with a far more confident tone. "I definitely want to see it. I don't know too much about cars, but I know that is a very nice car."

[ask_whydunit]

[ Oh, that’s not comforting at all. ]

Noted: Don’t mention that word where she can hear it.

[ He doesn’t need that, no one needs that. With his luck, he’d end up expelled or something even if he had nothing to do with it, if only to get the riffraff out of the school. Lord El-Melloi (the first) would love that, he bet… ]

Really…? Well, you can steal some of mine if you want after. I’m not that hungry, anyway.

[ he offered as he pushed himself to his feet to put their orders in. Hey if Nida was risking all that, then he deserved some extra fries for this fiasco, right? Waver wasn’t the sort with a big appetite as it was. The teen seemed to live on sandwiches, mostly. ]

Yeah, if something happens you can like… Assure her that he’s not dying? I’ll handle helping out Melvin.

[ghostlyflame]

[ She just what…? Gray tilted her head slightly, trying to guess what the rest of that meant. The snickering is heard again at how dense the girl was with this stuff. It was clear Robin didn’t want to make Gray stay for a play if she thought it would be a boring date.

At least she could understand that Robin would be happy to stay and watch, and that worked out for both of them, didn’t it? Something for their date, and Gray could keep an eye on her mentor. If it seemed okay, and Robin decided she wanted to leave later, they could decide then. Admittedly, Gray was used to the people she was with taking the lead when it came to deciding what to do. ]

I would be happy to stay and watch the play too, then? Even if I didn’t have someone to watch for as well, I still think it might be fun? Because, well, I’ve never really been to a play before, or any kind of show, really. Sometimes Sir has a movie night with some of the other students and that’s nice, so I think a play must be fun too?

[ Now she’s rambling a bit, because she feels more than a little inexperienced about social interactions, let alone a blind date… And her confidence levels are on something of a downward spiral. ]

[bornofwords]

[ Making up their own rules for this, that worked for him. Less chance of getting it wrong, at least in theory… Right? Smiling a little himself, he signaled the bartender to bring him a drink as well. ]

Then neither am I, and you can decide once you do finish your drink. [ That seemed fair, right? ] Maybe in the meantime you can tell me about yourself?