songerein | Dreambucks Dating Sim(?!): Limited Edition

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Dreambucks Dating Sim(?!): Limited Edition

Who: Emet-Selch, Mei Lee, and a Bevy of Beautiful Boys (maybe)
Which: OPEN to friends and acquaintances (and innocent bystanders should you prefer it!)
Where: Dreambucks, five days later at high noon (backdated to ~August 10th or thereabouts)
What: In a half-hearted effort to help Mei overcome her unusual "ailment", Emet-Selch has agreed to take tea with her at Dreambucks and to invite a few of his more objectively attractive acquaintances. (Worry not, he's only here as a chaperone.)
Warnings: Cringe, regret, and secondhand embarrassment.

[The day is young; the wind is high. A small change of plans to begin what is certain to be a rather... unique experience, all told, has ushered Emet-Selch and his party indoors. Emet-Selch sits at a cafe table not terribly far from the entrance, positively bored as he pores over preliminary scheduling notes for his grand talent scouting venture whilst waiting for their guest of honor. The shadows beneath his eyes are more prominent than ever today, and he seems considerably older than his "forty-two" years. In other words, he's managing to look his age for once.]

[How this all came about, he still isn't completely certain. Perhaps at the time he was exceedingly exhausted and low on sleep (such as now), searching for anything at all to keep him focused and awake. Or perhaps in a lapse of judgment he saw this endeavor as a source of inspiration for an upcoming production - something whimsical about the struggles of life; a sentimental comedy. Or... perhaps a small, very small perfectionist-driven part of himself wished to help put an end to a young girl's peculiar affliction once and for all. "Stage fright" in the presence of others, broken focus, a tripped tongue. To have one's mind clouded is a tragedy, particularly when it would prevent one from reaching their full potential. And as it happens, Emet-Selch knows well how important it is to be able to make oneself understood when in the company of others - yet this is hardly the time for an origin story.]

[Emet-Selch lets out an exaggerated sigh and his hard gaze pins itself to the first person who is unfortunate enough to make eye contact.]

I do hope the child does not overdress for the occasion. This is a common social gathering, not a wedding reception. I reiterated the fact several times, yet I'd be foolish to think she heard a word of it. She was too busy shouting about her "first grand step into the exciting world of adulthood".

[A sideways glance at the doorway.]

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[Emet-Selch looks up. Honestly, he can't wholly blame Akechi for wanting to beat a swift retreat after an introduction such as that, yet he could certainly use the manpower, so to speak.]

I take this to mean you are uninterested in further supplementing your lessons?

Son of a bitch.

He heaved a sigh that spoke of the sort of unimaginable agony that could only possibly be felt by a teenager being forced to do something they really...

really did not want to do.

"... Fine."

[Between the nudge to his shin and the time afforded to him by Akechi, Hythlodaeus finally manages to calm down, sitting back up in his seat and looking, for the most part, as if he'd never lost his composure at all.

(Red cheeks and slightly wet eyes aside.)]

Ahem, what I believe they meant to say is that it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Meilin. If there is anything you would like to eat or drink, you need only say the word and I shall fetch it for you.

[ But a flashy entrance is how you make a good first impression! Mei nailed it! They won't forget her anytime soon! And look at this brevity of cuties!

... And Emet.

Uh. Hm.

Well! ANYWAY!

Mei lets out a few girlish giggles before taking her seat, fluffing up her hair a bit. Time to put on the charm and ignore the fact that HER HEART IS BEATING SO FAST IT FEELS READY TO EXPLODE. ]

It's so nice to meet all of you in person! And thank you so much for helping me out. I was right, this world is so full of good, good... gooooood people.

[ and such goooooood lookin' ones. wolf whistle. ]

But I believe in equality! I'll pay for my snacks and my very-grown-up latte!

[Yes, yes. No fear of that. Emet-Selch, at least, will not soon forget it. And because it would be remiss of him not to expend some modicum of effort on introductions, he remains standing a moment longer. Years of leadership have made such things frivolous and easy.]

Think nothing of it.

As I'm certain you've surmised, I am Emet-Selch. To my right you will find Hythlodaeus, one of my oldest and most trusted friends. And to my left is Themis, another of my countrymen whom I have collaborated with on occasion.

Opposite us are G'raha Tia, a historian and self-styled adventurer, and Goro Akechi, a recent student of mine who is currently studying dreamotion and its myriad applications.

Oh, and then there's this other...gentleman who simply invited himself. Though given our earlier discussion, I'm inclined to believe the two of you already know one another?

Edited 2022-09-02 00:56 (UTC)

[He kept to himself as he introduced the others to Mei. Upon his introduction, he shot her a friendly smile and wave before realizing something significant.

Wait. Did he just...?]

I hope we have a pleasant get-together, Mei.

[Instead of addressing it, he'll just overlook it, for now, giving Emet a look of surprise. This entire time, not once had he referred to him by his name. Why did he now? Formality, he would assume. It did seem strange to be introduced as The Crystal Exarch when he'd been going by his name here, after all.]

[Well, what? Don't seem so surprised, Exarch. After all, you're the one who offered your name to him in the first place. He isn't so forgetful.]

[Just don't read too much into it.]

Well, the only way this could possibly be worse was for someone he actually knew to come in. Alright. It wasn't the worst thing he'd ever had to do to further his goals. Probably there'd been things he'd wanted to do less.

He just couldn't think of any of them, in the moment. "So... Lee. I suppose I have a name to put to the face."

[ Mei continues to be oblivious to the CLEAR TENSION VIBRATING between these guys. Maybe she's just blinded by all the shoujou sparkles she's seeing from all these guys. ]

Oh, you can just call me Mei! You all can! Wow, Emet really knows how to pick them! A bunch of smart, educated, powerful guys...

[ Yup, this is a dating sim all right. She kind of wishes she could get the Harem Ending... ]

I can't ever thank all of you enough for helping me out with this! I feel stronger already! Look at me, forming complete sentences and everything!

"That's a little overly familiar for my tastes. We've barely exchanged more than a few words. But yes, complete sentences. I'm sure you're progressing very well."

Don't mind him, he was just going to take a bite of this parfait. Mmm, berries and yoghurt.

"Well, we can get to know each other now!" Wasn't that part of the point?

"I'm an open book! Ask me absolutely anything, and I'll tell you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!"

None of us are questioning your truthfulness, Miss Meilin. But perhaps an icebreaker is in order? (Not that I believe we require any such thing at the moment.)

What sorts of things interest you? Have you any unusual hobbies?

[She clears her throat, that's your first warning... ]

Singing and dancing are some of my favorite things to do, especially to the best boy band across all universes, 4-Town! But I'm also amazing at playing the flute, I got the solo in the Spring Concert! My academic skills are off the charts, A+ in all classes, 'cause I can't do anything but win!

Akechi reminded himself that audibly sighing would be rude and against the purpose of the exercise. Also, boy bands?

"Alright. Fine, I'll bite. Meilin Lee- your family's from China, is that right? Or would it be Taiwan, or are you not from Earth, like so many around here? I'm admittedly curious."

[Although the term "boy band" means very little to him, Emet-Selch does at least pause to make note of the rest. The entire purpose of this particular exercise may be to improve Meilin's speaking skills, but he has never been one to let an opportunity pass him by.]

So you're musically-inclined are you? In that case, perhaps you might consider performing in the Reverein Talent Show. We've several other flautists in our midst; you'd be in good company, at the very least.

[And although he's unfamiliar with any of the geographical locations Akechi has seen fit to mention, he does offer him a glance. "Earth", is it? What a terribly uninspired name.]

[ Mei makes a Wrong Buzzer sound, and crosses her arms. ]

Wrong! Actually, I'm from Canada! My family immigrated from China many years ago. But we have a family temple, the biggest one around, and everyone comes from all over to see it!

[ She pauses at the new set of information, and gives it a "hm" of consideration. ]

Huh... I've never competed in something like that before. I may be really dang awesome, but what about the other flautists? Are they, like, all adults?

[A wise question, actually.]

As a matter of fact, they are. Most of our applicants have indeed been at least eighteen years of age, but there is no official minimum.

After all, age is simply a number in the end. The only thing that truly matters is one's ability to entertain.

Akechi paused, staring into the empty bottom of his cup. Damn. "That and audience reception. But the sort of crowd that comes to an open talent night isn't likely to be full of assholes, so there's that, at least. Plus, Emet-Selch owns the venue?" He quirked an eyebrow at the older man, questioning.

"So he can alway throw hecklers to the curb, if he's so inclined."

Alas, I can claim no ownership over the theatre house itself. Rather, this has been the result of a long and arduous process of weaseling my way into the director's good graces.

...in the end, they proved more than happy to host my talent show. The staff has been rather wanting for creative minds, you see, and they view the event as a potential source of inspiration as well as new performers for the theatre.

[Much as Emet-Selch would deem this coffee date, ironically enough.]

It is true, however, that I will not tolerate any untimely or inappropriate interruptions. I assure you the venue will be perfectly safe.

[ Language, Akechi Goro! Mei does give him a raised eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't comment on the potty mouth. ]

Oh, I'm not worried about booing and heckling. That kinda stuff just doesn't even affect me. I'm rubber, they're glue, it bounces off me and sticks to... them.

[ Wait, that was supposed to rhyme. Ah well. ]

Anyway... I'm just being real. As awesome a kid I am, I am still a kid. I can't exactly compete with people who have been doing it their whole lives. And the adults might feel kinda bad going up against someone my age. Talent Shows are supposed to be about fun, not feeling sorry for people. But I could still help out with stage crew stuff if you want!

[ Yes, as it turns out, there IS more to Mei than being boy-crazy. She continues to smile, swaying back and forth a bit. ]

He looked up, making actual eye contact with Mei for several seconds. "The notion that you're somehow lesser than people older than you because you're a child is a pernicious and annoyingly persistent lie that only preserves to protect the fragile egos of people who peaked in their early twenties and decided to make it everyone else's problem. I know people not much older than you whose paintings are on display in the most prestigious art galleries in Tokyo. I know a girl who regularly hacks into government websites for fun. A professional model at sixteen. An internationally-competing gymnast at fifteen. The only thing stopping you is not wanting it bad enough and adults who think children are property."

He stood up. "I'm getting more tea. I'll be back."

[ ... Um. Ummm. Ummmm?!?! Mei can feel herself shrinking from that sudden rampage, hands clasped together so tightly her nails almost dig into her skin. She swallows thickly, not sure what to do or say. She was just trying to be polite! Why did that set him off?

As Akehi storms off, she slowly glances over at Emet, her voice down to a whisper. ]

... Did... did I say something wrong...?

[Well, how about that? It seems that this girl is far more sensible and mature than he initially gave her credit for. Although he isn't precisely impressed (an extremely tall order, that) it's enough for Emet-Selch to take her words seriously and at face value.]

[Unfortunately... It would seem that something she said has struck a nerve with his more volatile charge, enough so that Akechi sees fit to snap and growl at them and then wander off to find another bone to chew on. Hmn.]

Weeeell, that was certainly an interesting reaction, now, wasn't it?

[He glances over at Meilin, as unperturbed as if nothing at all just happened - although a certain sly glint suggests he witnessed the same thing she did.]

Nay. The problem doesn't lie with you, but within Akechi himself. He's a sensitive sort, you see. Still struggling to get along well with others. And from the sound of it, he doesn't much like being underestimated by people who are older than him.

As for you, you'd be more than welcome if you should like to assist the stage crew - or even simply perform for fun. Although I see the right of what you've said, there are also many adults who would be happy to cultivate the budding talents of the youth around them.

[ Mei nods silently, still trying to look at Akechi. Right now, she couldn't care less about the talent show - she wants to make it up to Akechi, even if she's still not sure what she did. But it's clearly her fault! Even if she didn't mean for it to happen, it still happened, and she feels awful for it. ]

... What should I do about him, though? This was supposed to be a good time for everyone... I-Is there some kind of, like, drink or snack here I can buy him? Or something he likes about himself I can compliment a whole lot? Or some favor I can do for him?

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The Underworld itself felt that burn.

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