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

[unbreakable_king]

Rhy nods and summons a server. He gives careful instructions, slips the server an early tip, and then returns his attention to Joshua.

"There, all arranged. We should have something shortly."

[phoenixawakened]

That unfamiliar gesture garnered Joshua's curiousity. "I don't quite understand why you gave him coin before he served us. Is that something that is a custom in your world too?"

[unbreakable_king]

"Ah, that."

Rhy chuckles.

"It encourages good service and allows my server to know that they need not worry that I shall be stingy."

Those who bribe for good service at the start are not as likely to stiff on tips later.

[phoenixawakened]

"I see. That would appear to be a good strategy then, to keep yourself in their good graces while they continue to serve you." This new custom or ritual did make sense in his mind now that Rhy had been kind enough to explain it.

Joshua smiled with a small nod. He'd keep this in the back of his mind the next time that he needed to be served.

[unbreakable_king]

"Yes, but it only goes so far. If you're cruel and rude after that, what cause do they have to be polite? There is no tip hanging in the balance. It is a matter of trust."

But it was something that would get him what he wanted so he stuck with it.

[phoenixawakened]

"Yes, that would stand to reason as well. If you're rude, and you order something perhaps it could be burned or not taste as well as it should, had you remained polite and appreciative."

These were definitely good lessons here.

[unbreakable_king]

"Exactly," Rhy says with a smile. "The server feels less like they have to walk a knife's edge with me, and I am held responsible for my own behavior as they can find subtle ways to avenge themselves. I like it. It returns some power to those who work a position of service."

And that matters to him, very much. To not be able to abuse things so easily.

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua listened and nodded. There were thoughts of people he knew back home that had served him and there had definitely been times that he wished he could do more for them even with as much on his plate as he did.

"And that philosophy can extend even to those outside of service."

[unbreakable_king]

Yes, it could. And Rhy smiles.

"A wise man you are. I do so appreciate that."

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua smiled just a little.

"And I appreciate the lesson. While it's truly a matter of common sense, a refresher is never a wasted effort."

[unbreakable_king]

"I am glad you think so," he says with a touch of relief. "I have had people tell me that it is... presumptive to tell people these things. That it makes me seem as if I feel myself better than others."

[phoenixawakened]

That response had him wonder. "I didn't take it that way." He then thought a little more. "Although I do suppose if one is searching for a way to fit that narrative, it could perhaps be seen in that light."

[unbreakable_king]

Ah, what a good point. Something Rhy has seen many times in his noble circles.

"People sometimes desperately seek to be offended. It is maddening."

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua looked up at Rhy with a smile. "Perhaps they seek a quarrel outside of themselves to drown out the one within."

That was what he'd seen far more than once.

[unbreakable_king]

Well now that is an interesting idea.

"I suppose that assumes a darkness in the hearts of men that I fear is all too real."

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua smiled very briefly.

"I knew plenty of good men, but we had encountered those that were otherwise."

The King of Waloed came to mind.

[unbreakable_king]

"One can always find those who are dark of heart, and often fair of face," Rhy laments with a shake of his head. "People who wish to see the world shaped to their own will. For their own gains."

[phoenixawakened]

"Dark of heart." Joshua echoed softly with an equally soft sigh. Yes, he'd seen plenty of that firsthand.

There was a nod as he seemed to try and shake off the memories.

"There are many people such as that. It would seem no matter which world they reside in."

[unbreakable_king]

"That is unfortunately true. I would not suggest it is our predisposition to be like that, but there are some who do not think of others and it shows."

Rhy tried to think of others whenever he could.

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua nodded, recalling the first words he'd spoken to Clive after not seeing him in what felt and seemed like forever. At that point, he'd tearfully uttered an apology.

Lifting his head up to look at Rhy with a sigh, he nodded solemnly. "Yes, that has been the case many times that I've seen. But I believe you are not one of them from what little I've seen."

[unbreakable_king]

"That is kind of you to say," Rhy says with a soft smile. "I try to live up to such things. To the faith that others might put in me."

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua smiled as he picked up his drink. "And that is what makes a leader as such." He had circumvented using the man's true title out loud but had opted to use a simpler form. Clive then came to his mind. His brother had done that very thing so many times, doing what people had placed their faith in him to do and accomplish. And had been doing it undoubtedly countless more before he came back into Clive's life.

He had regretted how much time they had missed together, time they couldn't regain.

[unbreakable_king]

Time that was lost could not be regained. But that did not mean that one should not seek to gain more time to help make up for it. There were always new moments that might be shared together.

"I suppose it is. But we must learn to define that leadership for ourselves as well. How we will choose to address the titles we are given."

[phoenixawakened]

Joshua smiled. While Clive might not be so well spoken, he would certainly say things along the line as this man was so he nodded.

"Yes, I have found that to be true with the leaders I've known back home."

Clive and Dion both had it in them, and Joshua had admired both men fiercely.

[unbreakable_king]

"Hopefully they will prove to be good leaders," Rhy says with a nod. "Or have already proven themselves thus."

Because it was important, to have that sort of leadership. Calm and confident people who are more than their titles.