speed dating 2.0

[idolpro]

WHO: More idols looking to have a good time
WHERE: Game Tower
WHEN: Day 120, morning

[ Hello, Idols! Are you ready for a game?

Some of you may have played this before! The area is familiar for sure: today's playing field is an expansive balcony with several mini-tables paired with two patio chairs each, garden umbrellas planted to keep the heat away. You can see the rest of the city from up here, too - it turns out you're pretty high up as you can even see the start of the Rainbow Bridge from here, though the railings are high so there's not a high likelihood of accidentally falling down.

There are a few pink lemonade pitchers scattered around with paper cups if you're thirsty, and some bite-sized chocolates if you're hungry. Cute snack food!

The instructions look familiar, too: it's a light game, with no enforced truth-telling even. No status effects! Just dates!

There are cards on the table, too! ]

INSTRUCTIONS | SIGN-UPS | TURN-IN | OVERFLOW

Comments

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Furudo Erika.

[sancrimony]

Ruler. Or, Lucifel if you like.

Have you found anything interesting in your stay here so far?

[thinkoutsidethebox]

I have found a number of things.

But we're not talking about those right now. We're talking about you.

[sancrimony]

My, is this an interrogation, then? I thought we were mutually sharing information, here.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Then, for each piece of information you provide you, I'll give you something equivalent in return. I don't have a problem with that.

[sancrimony]

Then, in the interest of equality, I'll say I've found a number of interesting things here, too.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Is that how we're going to do it...? What would you like to know about me, then? Do you know I came here willingly from hell?

[sancrimony]

I already suspected as much, but perhaps it's simply that I'm a little familiar with the pattern by now.

I am curious as to why, however.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Do you think I'd just give myself up to being Damned...?

Or, were you referring to my wish? I'm afraid that's confidential. Even if you provided me with information worth the exchange, I wouldn't share it on camera.

[sancrimony]

My, how secretive. Well, though I do understand.

Then, I suppose I'll leave the next topic to you.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Tell me about how you play games.

[sancrimony]

Isn't it the same as how everyone else plays games? Prioritizing the safety of one's own self and unit.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

You're not that much of an idiot. You know not everyone plays that way.

[sancrimony]

Well, everyone should play that way.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

You think so...? The chaos of every man for himself?

[sancrimony]

Such is what the existence of this place relies on. Such is what we've learned here, before.

And yourself?

[thinkoutsidethebox]

I play to win. Which includes, but is not limited to, playing for the safety of my unit.

[sancrimony]

I see. You and Intensity-sama are rather alike in that regard.

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Yes, we work together surprisingly well.

[sancrimony]

From here, it doesn't seem like it would be a surprise. . . ?

[thinkoutsidethebox]

I'm the detective. I don't generally have 'teammates.'

[sancrimony]

?

The detective - as opposed to a detective? Then, if we were to presume this to be a role, perhaps in a story, is it not true that the detective may also have an assistant? Further, might she not have assistance from the police, from fellow detectives - might she not have allies, if not teammates?

[thinkoutsidethebox]

It's precisely a role in a story. And in a mystery, there may be only one detective. That's Van Dine's 9th.

Of course it's common for the detective to have a friend or assistant, the 'Watson,' but by definition they must be less intelligent than the detective and oblivious to some of the clues. The reader who struggles to match the detective's wit must feel like they have the advantage over the assistant.

[sancrimony]

[ pausing, absorbing all of this like a sponge

then, giving a sheepish laugh ]

. . . My apologies, I'm not familiar with anything like Van Dine's or any mystery novels at length - I only have a cursory knowledge at best, so I don't understand it all that much.

[ a beat; then, innocently, ]

Then, you think of Intensity-sama as someone who could match or best your wits?

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Best...? I'm not sure about that. But it is a bit of an insult to call him a 'Watson,' even if he's played that role for me happily enough in a few games.

[And then the buzzer goes off.]

...And you haven't shared much about yourself after all. I'll find you for my repayment later.