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

[bornofwords]

[ O-oh, was that a bad question to ask on a date? Well, he can’t take it back now… And he’s still genuinely interested. Getting to know someone is nice sometimes. The normal way. Not by taking, not by hours of research and memorization. Just talking with nothing serious going on. ]

I don’t think you should be worried about not measuring up. [ He offered with a charming, but genuine little grin before taking a sip from his drink. The man considered the information carefully. An artist, a photographer at that? He hadn’t met one before. Other artists, yes, but not a photographer. ] I’ve never studied photography before, but for an art form must be an interesting medium, I think? Though I imagine weddings must be a bit chaotic to photo, so many different kinds of people wanting that perfect day.

Is there a subject you prefer to photograph?

[ He really was interested in hearing too. Learning about people’s talents and interests was always fascinating. Besides… if the questions are turned in his direction? He’s not sure what he would have to pull from for comparison. Three years hadn’t been a lot of time to gain much in the way of interests or personal hobbies. ]

[atypical_echo]

[The guy does seem interested, and that makes him smile. Mark sips at his drink before he continues.]

Weddings are the worst, but also so important for finances most of the time. I'd rather not to have to do them. People are so fucking manic over it. And so I'd rather not do it. As for what I like...

[He gestures to a big shot along another wall, a black and white shot of a cityscape.]

I love buildings. A lot. They look so good.

[bornofwords]

[ He offered a sympathetic smile to that. Dealing with difficult people could be a hell of a time, let alone those who wanted their day picture perfect. The thing’s one had to put up with to pay the bills, unfortunately... His head tilted slightly to look in the direction of the long shot spread across the wall, admiring it for a moment. Sigma himself had often found himself looking at buildings, or old homes, and admiring them for his own reasons. ]

Some buildings are beautiful to look at. I can imagine they’d make interesting subjects to capture depending on the lighting and angles. Not to mention the way the different styles may mesh on a street?

[atypical_echo]

Exactly. It's so captivating, and it changes so often too. One building is different in different times, different seasons, different years. It's wonderful.

[He's grinning because this is something he could talk about for hours.]

And trying to convey them on film is so hard and so fulfilling.

[bornofwords]

[ And Sigma? He could listen for hours quite easily. He’s a very focused sort to begin with, but it’s also a nice topic of conversation. Something easy and relaxing, and interesting rolled into one. Taking another sip, he looked back at Mark after admiring the picture for a few moments more. ]

It’s almost like you could tell a story as you take pictures of them through time like that, to see how the world around them changes while they remain. It’s amazing to capture that, do you prefer any kind of building in particular, or do you like the variety??

[atypical_echo]

Exactly. I really do want to tell stories with that. I want people to see the echoes of how dark the world can be, or how bright the world can be. It's just so beautiful.

[He laughs at that, shaking his head. How silly was that?]

It's not about the specific building. It's the vision about it. So I'll do anything if I think I can get the right angle.

[bornofwords]

[ Sigma didn’t really see it as silly, not as someone who had lived on one side for so long. There’s neither a hint of a laugh in his tone, nor amusement in his features. Only a slight, wistful smile as he looked at his glass. ]

There’s a lot that some people don’t see in the world, hiding underneath the surface, and for others it might help to see the brighter side they might not have seen enough in their time. I think that’s a beautiful goal for your art form.

[atypical_echo]

[Mark smiles. This guy knew art, to make a comment like that. In fact, he was making Mark feel pretty good right now.]

What about you? What do you do?

[bornofwords]

I’m afraid my answer’s not nearly as impressive or interesting.

[ Or normal. Darn it... For someone who felt rather average compared to the people he was used to dealing with, he really wasn’t most people’s definition of the word. ]

I guess you could say I’m still figuring out what my interests are, and as for work, I’ve done a little of everything. Managed a casino for a little while. I’m kind of between jobs right now.

[ God, that made him sound vague, flippant and unstable, didn’t it? Ugh, not good to admit on a date. Still better than the truth, probably… ]

Waiting on a call from an agency that might take me on, though.

[atypical_echo]

[That was very vague, but it probably meant the guy didn't trust Mark yet, and that was perfectly okay and understandable.]

That sounds great. It can be nice to seek something new over time. Nothing wrong with that. I wish you so much luck.

[bornofwords]

Thanks, that’s kind of you. I think it could be good to make a change, a little scary to try, but good.

[ Sigma would at least appreciate the understanding; and it was partly the truth… and a little that he wasn’t sure it wouldn’t send the guy running at this point. ]

I’ve seen what a little extra luck can do for some people… So maybe with that extra luck from you, it’ll become a trend that leads to something I connect with.

[ He added with a small attempt at a smile. ]

[atypical_echo]

Changes are terrifying, so I get it. I really do.

[As he says that he's clearly fighting down a bit of a blush. The guy was charming with that other line and the smile, and Mark smiles down at his drink.]

I'm usually not the greatest luck for the people around me, so if it does go well for you, that's probably a turn around for me as well.

[bornofwords]

[ Sigma tilted his head slightly, observing Mark’s not quite blush with curious eyes. The man felt a little pleased with himself for putting it there, usually it was other people saying things to get reactions out of him… So it actually was kind of nice to be on the other side, and for a positive note instead of an annoyed one.

Then Mark continued, and Sigma took a moment to consider that thoughtfully. ]

Hm… You know what they say about pennies, right? Not always lucky just because you find them, they have to be heads up. So maybe for me you’ll be lucky. If not… Well, I’d say that was more my luck than yours based on my own track record over the years.

[ Seems silly, but he’d heard it while working at the casino from a superstitious patron. ]

[atypical_echo]

Uh... A penny saved is a penny earned?

[He mumbles that to himself, trying to guess what was said about pennies, only to chuckle at himself for getting it so very wrong.]

Sounds like we're both in need of a serious change of luck these days. Guess that isn't shocking. The world just seems more and more hostile, and that hostility is the thing that gets us down. So we sort of have to meet it with positivity and hope.

I really love Mark, he's great ;w;

[bornofwords]

[ A soft, clumsy little laugh escaped at himself for the differences he hadn’t anticipated as a possibility when he asked. ]

They do say that too, don’t they? I suppose pennies are a popular focus of different phrases.

[ He’d keep that one in mind, though, if he ever tried to use the example again in the future. But as Mark continued, his expression shifted to something more wistful as he spun the glass lightly in his hand. Meeting things with positivity and hope was a new thing for him, but he wanted to try after seeing that there were people out there different from those he’d kept falling in the hands of. Sure, he had his ‘customer service’ facade that could feign it, but trying it genuinely was taking practice. ]

No, it’s not. There’s a pattern that seems to hold true regardless of where you are in the world or where you go… But you’re right, I’ve seen there is kindness in some people... Even in unexpected places. So at least trying to find the positive and allow for hopeful feelings is better.

He is a genuine guy with geniune problems. not shocking given he's one of mine

[atypical_echo]

[Mark smiles and then pauses. Because when he lifts his cup to his lips to sip he finds it empty. Guess it's a decision point for the night.]

Okay, so for sake of transparency here? I'm really enjoying myself. And I've got a personal rule these days of no more than one drink a night. College party days and all that. You won't be offended if I order something non-alcoholic and maybe some bar food to share? This isn't a ploy to force you to stay longer or anything. Bar food was not part of the earlier agreement. It's just... an added bonus?

[bornofwords]

[ Sigma noticed as the man paused, and he realized the other’s glass was now empty. It brought the earlier agreement to mind, and he found himself wondering if Mark would call it a night now. Oddly, he realized that he kind of hoped the guy didn’t. So, it was hard not to smile when Mark admitted to enjoying himself as well. ]

I wouldn’t be offended by that at all. In fact, I’ll feel a little less awkward about switching to soda myself once I finish my own.

[ Frankly, Sigma appreciated knowing the guy wasn’t going to just get drunk. He was never fond of dealing with people who had gone past their limits. ]

And if we’re both going to be honest? I’m enjoying this too, so I’d like to stick around a little longer if you would. Let’s adjust our earlier agreement to include food, what would you like to split?

[atypical_echo]

[It feels like a hurdle has been found and easily vaulted, and they've got a clear stretch in front of them. That makes Mark smile quite a bit. He's happy with this part, with the implication that this could go a bit longer, that they could get to know each other a tiny bit more.]

Alright then. I hear they have really good loaded potato skins here.

[bornofwords]

[ Mark had a nice smile, and Sigma finds he likes to see it… And was a little glad maybe he played a part in putting it there. Setting his own glass aside, he grinned lightly at the suggestion. ]

Potato skins sound good to me. [ Despite his flashy appearance, Sigma isn’t really fussy about food. He had things he liked, of course, but he didn’t need a fancy dinner to enjoy. Though desserts were a plus. ] And since I’ve never been here before, I’ll take your word for it.

[atypical_echo]

[Oh good. Mark was worried the guy would not really be into it. Though desserts weren't exactly likely here. They'd have to go elsewhere for that.]

Awesome. I've only been here once, with some old friends.

[He reaches into his pocket to pull out his phone and pulls up an app to punch in an order.]

Apparently they get so busy with serving the bar that it's just easier to order food via the app. I don't want to bother the bartender more than I have ot.

[bornofwords]

[ Sigma wouldn’t mind if there weren’t any, he could find a convenience store and grab a box of cookies later on if he wanted something. But he also wouldn’t say no to the company if Mark decided that he wanted to walk a bit after they ate. ]

So only once more than me, then. Sports bars are not your usual scene, or just not this one?

[ He observed the app and smiled a bit. ]

I’m sure they appreciate that. The bartender at the casino bar would have at least. I had to step in on a few occasions to help when people were getting a bit pushy and impatient.

[ Well… He didn’t have to. But he never did like standing by while an employee was dealing with a scene, both because he wanted to be useful and because it just seemed wrong to leave them to deal with it alone. At least people tended to more easily to ‘the manager.’ ]

[atypical_echo]

[There was also a fro-yo place down the street. For later. Maybe. If things went well.]

I'm more of an arts than a sports sort of person. I can recognize the appeal, but I never got so involved in it that I wanted to go out of my way to watch them with strangers.

[Still, he smiles at Sigma's observation.]

That's super nice of you. Retail work can really blow, and it can be hard to just deal with people making scenes.

[bornofwords]

[ Mark did strike him that way, but it was nice to learn it from him. ]

It seems a fairly popular past-time if the crowd is anything to go by, but I admit I haven’t seen the appeal either.

[ He smiled a little, a bit uncertain if he was actually nice or just practical… But it was nice to be complimented sometimes, and it felt like it was genuine from Mark. At least, he hoped it was. Sigma liked to think he could read people well enough by now, but pretty words and kindness had always been a good way to get him to let down his guard. ]

People can be difficult, especially if there’s something they want... But I did enjoy it, difficult patrons aside, it’s interesting to meet all kinds of people and to learn about them.

[atypical_echo]

Yeah, learning about people used to be something I liked too. It got to a point where trusting them was hard enough to not make it worthwhile for me.

[Trust had been so very, very hard to achieve lately.]

[bornofwords]

Sometimes it’s too easy to trust the wrong people, I think… Masters of manipulation know how to make you let your guard down, and it’s not a fun lesson to learn from my experience.

[ He admitted with a sad little dip in his tone. ]

So, no hard feelings if you decide you don’t trust me for now. I actually would hope you wouldn’t given we only just met.

[ He added in a quieter voice, getting the slight feeling that Mark must have had some experiences himself to have said that. They could see how the night went and go from there.

Hell… It would probably take him a while to get there himself after the last mess. Coming here tonight was a rather… unexpected step. But he had found he liked taking the chance so far, to meet someone like Mark. ]