Speed Dating

[selfhelp]

Who: Anyone who wants/is forced to come
What: Speed Dating!
When: Saturday at a vaguely-afternoonish time period
Where: The Rec Center
Summary: Details here, Roster here!
Rating: PG/13/T/R/god I don't know there's too many people



[The rec center today is colourfully decorated, with posters and directing signs here and there to make this whole process easier. The main floor is peppered with a bunch of tables and chairs pilfered from various locations (primarily the school) with two chairs facing each other per table. There's a couple of bigger tables off to the side, one for food (carrying drinks and various snacks, including Teddy and Ororo's homemade rainbow cookies), and the other with a few chairs and piles of paper everywhere. And a checklist. The checklist is important.

The desk is Billy's, and he's handing sheets of paper out to anyone who comes in and was signed up for the speed dating. Give your name, get a sheet and a name tag, go to the first desk or mingle until it starts- that's what people will be told when they arrive. Teddy's not far from the desk or the door depending on where he's needed, directing people to follow the signs, get comfortable, try some snacks- whatever they want.

Finally a lounge area has been set up with cushy chairs, couches, and the rec center's supply of games and whatnot in the corner. There is a sign for the area that says, "If you find yourself on a turn without a date, come hang out!" It's also got a picture of a weird-looking potato man hanging out, but never mind that.

When everything is ready and people are good to go, Teddy steps up and calls for attention, with Billy sitting on top of the table behind him for moral support (and unhelpful interruptions).]

Hey, guys – Hey! Can everyone hear me? Everyone? [...] Great!

I'm sure everyone knows why they're here. Or, you know, not, since a few of these sign-ups look a little suspicious... [He raises an eyebrow at that, but his smile remains good-natured, and his brow smooths over soon enough.] On behalf of Alliance, welcome to Luceti's very first -

-We think.

- speed dating event! [Though Teddy glances at Billy for that interruption, he'd paused as if he expected it to come.] I'm Teddy, and this is Billy, and we're your hosts today. I'll try to be brief for those of you who just want to get this started already, but let's go over the rules and regulations first.

If you happened to get dragged into this without knowing what you're getting yourself into, it's basically exactly as it sounds. You might remember one of us handing you a list of numbers. Well, when Billy gives the signal, everyone will head to the table with the first number on their list, which will pair you off with someone in the room you just might not have met before! You'll have five minutes to talk to them and get to know them, just enough time for a good – or bad – first impression. After that, one of us will blow the whistle, and you'll go to the next numbered table. And on and on, until it's all over! By then, you might have found someone you're interested in, either as a friend, a potential love interest, or even just someone you really don't want to see again.

To keep track of it all, there's a space beside the number to write down the name of the person you're talking to and anything else you might have learned about them. And maybe by the end, you can write down a no, a yes, or an oh yes.

Try not to be too vague about it and we'll give you your matches at some point in the future.

[Teddy grins after that, a happy and excited one.] Remember, this is all about having fun and meeting new people! If you want to take a break, get bored, or don't have a partner, refreshments are on that side of the room [He gestures to the side, showing off the assorted foods and the cookies that he and Ororo spent a good part of the night baking.], or you can come up and talk to us! We're just the supervisors here, after all.

[He takes a step back after that, his attention going to Billy, his way of telling him to give the signal.] Billy?

[Billy gives a small wave, remaining on his table. Teddy did the hard part, after all.] There's a lounge, too, if we're not interesting enough. You might meet somebody there you're not paired with and find a new friend, so give it a shot.

That's pretty much it, so everyone can go on and head to your first table, and we'll blow the whistle in one minute. Thanks for coming, and try to have fun!


(( ooc: directions are as follows:

1) check your roster
2) make a top thread for your character with their name in the subject line
3) tag and be tagged
4) THERE IS NO QUESTION MARK ONLY PROFIT ))

Comments

[tearmeanewone]

[There are many things that scare Elizabeth, but fortunately a giant turtle isn't one of them. Strange yes, but nothing frightening. It's taking a lot of willpower for her not to ask why her next conversation looks like a giant turtle, but she's trying so hard to seem normal too.]

Hello, I'm Elizabeth. [She smiled and sat down across from him.]

[i_speak_softly]

[It's been a long afternoon, and it may be obvious that the giant turtle finds this whole exercise more draining than fun.]

Donatello.

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth blinks, a little surprised.] Ah... [She chuckles and tucks her hair behind her ear self-consciously.] I guess you were signed up against your will too?

[i_speak_softly]

I signed myself up, but I didn't really know what I was getting into. [This intrigues him, though.] How did you end up here?

[tearmeanewone]

I signed myself up, and I didn't know what I was getting into either. I'm... not really too familiar with dating or anything like that. So I signed up to see what it's like! [She offers a tentative smile.] I've met some interesting people, and so I think it's been a success.

[i_speak_softly]

[Oh. This makes him a little uncomfortable.]

This isn't a date.

[tearmeanewone]

...But it's called 'speed dating'... [Elizabeth looks briefly around the room, wondering if she missed some sort of memo. Unless...]

Oh! Oh you mean us talking? [She smiles and shakes her head.] We're just talking now, aren't we? To meet?

[i_speak_softly]

[Don nods vigorously, wanting to be very clear about this.]

Yes. I'm already taken. Sort of.

[tearmeanewone]

Oh that's wonderful! [Elizabeth is clearly not upset in the slightest about this. If anything, she sounds excited for this person she just met.] I've read stories about people in love. But I don't think that a story can really convey what it's actually like. It seems to me like it's too big to encompass in a few paragraphs or pages.

[i_speak_softly]

[This is a strange reaction.]

Well... a lot happens that I don't think anyone would write about.

[tearmeanewone]

Right--books and stories take us to the most interesting moments in the lives of the characters. But I want to know what happens in the uninteresting moments too. If you really love someone, the best thing in the world would be the opportunity to see them everyday, even if nothing exciting happens. [She fidgets a little, realizing that she's doing a lot of talking.] At least, that's what I think.

[i_speak_softly]

[Donatello looks distinctly saddened at this.]

-- Yes.

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth picks up on this, her smile falling.] Did I say something wrong?

[i_speak_softly]

[He picks at the edge of the table before answering.]

Do you think just seeing someone you love every day should be enough to make you happy, Elizabeth?

[tearmeanewone]

Just seeing them? [She pauses, considering the question.] I suppose not. I mean, by 'seeing them' I meant having a chance to interact and live with them. Not just, seeing them every once in a while and talking about nothing that actually matters.

[i_speak_softly]

Is that what you're here for? To find someone you can be with that way?

[tearmeanewone]

I think it's a little early for me to be thinking about that right now. [She nervously tucks some of her hair behind her ear and folds her hands in her lap.] Before I came here, I was only really close to one person. I just wanted to meet people. And learn about 'dating'.

[i_speak_softly]

[Sensing the bell will ring momentarily:] Well, it's nice to meet you. Maybe we'll talk again sometime?