songerein | 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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[ Though the voice is muffled, there is a hint of familiarity, which only makes Mei more curious. She leans left and right, trying to get a glance at this person's face. ]

Oh, well, kind of? It's more like I'm an experiment in the world's best lab today!

[She raised her drink to help mask her face, helped herself to a drink.]

Experiment...! Is that your analysis, dear, or that of your chaperone's...?

[ What a mysterious person! ]

Both! The short version is, I'm training myself to be less boy-crazy! So I'm in "shock therapy"! I get exposed to cute boys, and I control my craziness!

Hmm... that could help, perhaps. Just make sure to take a drink of water to cool down, yourself, darling. There are a lot of good-looking faces in here. Must be tough.

Oh, it's not easy - but that's the point! I wouldn't want them going easy on me. And it's already working - I'm not sweating up a storm, and my sentences are coming out whole!

[ PROGRESS ]

Whole sentences? Well, that certainly is progress. Any idea what your type might be? Anyone here you think sounds up your alley?

Oh, but no rush, of course: Your type will change all the time at that age, and the fun is taking the time to figure out what you like. And what you don't like, too!

[ At that, Mei pauses, crossing her arms and tilting her head a bit. ]

Actually, I think that might be part of the problem... I think I have a type, and then, BAM, brand new cuties come along and totally change up my direction. It's like, you think you have a favorite flavor of soda, but then they come out with a new flavor, and you never saw it coming!

... Abs are a plus, though.

A young woman of taste, I see. You need to be able to wash laundry on those abs!

[There's a sound knock of a fist against the table with 'laundry' for emphasis.]

It'll make chore days more interesting, in the least.

[ Mei giggles, rather enjoying this odd little conversation! ]

If I'm thirsty, I need a six-pack to quench it! I need to be able to grate cheese off of 'em!

[She laughed.]

That's the way! May you have the cheddar to test the quality of said abs when the time is right.

...Who here might have the best ones, you think?

... Well, they're all covered up in that area, so it's kinda hard to tell. And I don't think I can exactly ask them for a demonstration, y'know?

Nah, that's not good first-date conversation. But I'm thinking intuition: Who do you think might have the best ones?

Hm... maybe Gra'ha? I know he's dating Madhuri, and she seems like she has good taste?

[She was mid-sip, and it went down the wrong pipe. Between a few coughs, she croaked out:]

O-oh, is that so...? I'm glad you think so!

...That...! You think this person has... good taste...!

[ Buh? Mei blinks rapidly, then once again tries moving around to see who this is behind all the disguises. ]

Um... are you sure you're all right?

M-mhm...! I just- I just tried to imagine grating cheese off of Raha's...!

[Okay, she can't handle it anymore: She pulled off the hat and frantically fanned herself against the heat while she managed to get her senses and trachea back from its assault of liquid.]

[ Wait a darn minute! She only knows one person with that purple-colored hair! ]

Madhuri! Is that you?

...!?

[Another drink of water, and a blissful sigh as she felt the cool sensation working its way down...]

Yes, I'm afraid... the twist is that I was here all along!

[ Mei frowns, crossing her arms a bit. How very strange! ]

But... why were you in disguise? What's going on?

I...

[She lingered on that syllable, then paused. A sigh.]

...was curious!

[Another pause.]

And worried. Emet-Selch isn't exactly a "do good for others" sort of guy. I mean, look at him. A smile would shatter his face. He's enjoying his tea and he still looks like he could sour milk with a glare.

[ She raises her eyebrows, looks back at Emet, then back at Madhuri. ]

Maybe he's just the type to hide his smile on the inside! He did all of this to help me out, after all!

[She couldn't entirely mask the slight narrowing of her eyes, but she smiled all the same. Protect the girl, Madhuri.]

...You might have a point there! I wonder if he's ticklish.

One day I may test this.

Just don't tell him I gave you the idea.

[ She's not 100% naïve. Just mostly. ]

But... you're okay with Gra'ha doing this with me?

[She canted her head curiously for a moment.]

Oh, certainly! I would have volunteered him if he hadn't done so himself. He's a very kind kitty, a very charming kitty, and would be good experience for you.

I will say this, however: Jealousy is a tough habit to break for those who suffer from it, for sure. But those who grow angry over their partner getting any attention at all that is apart from them speaks of immense insecurity.

If you're secure in your relationship- if you have trust in your partner- then you've nothing to fear.

[ Whoooaaa. What a mature, grown-up answer! Madhuri is so full of wisdom! Mei's eyes sparkle with how impressed she is! ]

... You're so cool, Madhuri. I wanna be just like you!

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songbird_slayer - 2022-09-25 00:21 (UTC) - Expand

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