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

[kickingcatcher]

So you do more than just send them back, you protect everyday citizens, too. You all sound pretty brave.

[rashness]

Thanks, but I feel like I'm doin' all the talking here. I kinda feel bad.

[kickingcatcher]

--ah, that's true. I guess I should talk a little, huh? Well, I already told you I'm a Pokemon trainer, but I'm also a research assistant for one of the Pokemon professors, Professor Oak. I've been working for him since I was about thirteen.

[rashness]

Since you were that young? Wow, that's pretty awesome.

[He was failing out of middle school then]

[kickingcatcher]

Most kids start being trainers around the age, or earlier. Ten is the common age for starting a Pokemon journey.

[rashness]

Ten... [Man, Skarmy can shoot lasers and has wings sharp enough to cut up people's hands. A ten year old can really handle something like that? But questioning that would probably be awkward, right? Not to mention he doesn't want to get into some sort of argument in a five minute date thing if she would be... argumentative about that. not that she seems like a difficult girl the way Izumo is or anything. And Rin itches his head and tries to work out what to say next]

[kickingcatcher]

... is that an odd age to go traveling at? [She's grown up with this knowledge, so she could somewhat understand people from other worlds being confused. Ten does sound young, but it's okay for her because she knows most Pokemon protect them.]

[rashness]

[Oh man-] It just seems like a lotta responsibility for someone that young. I thought I was all that when I was ten, but I really wasn't.


[Man, now they're going to get into an argument. His tail droops in anticipation]

[kickingcatcher]

Does it? There's also responsibility that falls on the Pokemon, after all. They need to protect the trainer from any possible danger, while the trainer works to train the Pokemon to get stronger. See, most kids start out from New Bark Town, where Professor Elm's lab is. The Pokemon right after it aren't very strong, so it's a good place for new trainers to begin their journey. As their Pokemon get stronger, they travel to more areas with stronger wild Pokemon. It's like one giant training session for the trainer and Pokemon.

[rashness]

What I mean is the Skarmy's strong - really strong, and more importantly, I can see a ten year old more than not being able to handle that kinda power.

[His tail curls further. He knows he's probably unfairly associating his own flames with this]

[kickingcatcher]

That's why they always start off at low levels. The lower the level, the weaker the Pokemon.

Besides, it's not as though every child can get a Pokemon. If they're cruel or unfit to be a trainer, the adults will make sure they won't be until they're ready.

[rashness]

Alright, alright. [Skarmy advanced pretty quickly from an egg... but yeah, it's clearly a thing in their world, and he really shouldn't be questioning it. It clearly works out for them] I guess that must be cool either way. [To get your own super monster when you're ten. Hopefully cooler than having super strength was at the same age for him. His tail curls up his chair as his itches his head here]

[kickingcatcher]

It is. [Her attitude shifts from serious to kind as the conversation goes on.] Some kids couldn't ask for better friends than their Pokemon. I'm the same way, they've been with me since I was little. They pretty much saved me when I broke my arms. [BECAUSE TRAINING ON MOUNT MORTAR IS TOTALLY A THING A SIX YEAR OLF SHOULD DO.]

[rashness]

[She broke her arms? Another little spring of compassion wells up in him as he nods again] I'm not sure I totally get it or anything, but people who're there with you through difficult stuff - I can get that, anyway.

[Which is really why he needs to get home and can't afford to be here... but he digresses. With an eye to steer this somewhere he knows he can actually manager the conversation-]

Do you cook, at all?

[kickingcatcher]

Your family and friends are like that? [Not that she'd be surprised if they were.]

Cook? [A bit of a random question, but keeping the conversation going is a good idea.] On occasion. I can't really do anything fancy, however.

[rashness]

[He nods - yeah, of course they are. As for cooking] Oh, so what sort of stuff are you good at? I'm best with Japanese stuff myself.

[kickingcatcher]

Oh, just things like pasta, soups. If I have recipes nearby, I can cook a few more things.

[rashness]

Oh, that's cool. Got any favorite foods in particular?