★VIDEO - WITCH & MONSTER SPEED DATING

[starseedling]

Name: Steven Universe
Date: Juril 23th
Format: VIDEO

[Steven starts the video with the composure of someone who has been practicing what he's going to say. It's not stiff or awkward, but it is definitely a pitch.

His pocket watch is settled in front of him, showing most of his upper body. He's in a house somewhere, and clearly a fae. He's got pink antennae and a set of insect wings that are partially spread out behind him. There are little glimmering stars just floating in the air around him, which are illusions, for anyone with the sense for that.]

He-llooo Aefenglom! Or at least the mirror people part of it!

So, I've been thinking! There's a lot of us out there that haven't made Bonds yet. I know it can be hard, meeting new people! But I have an idea that might help you out.

I'm going to be organizing a Witch & Monster Speed Dating Event for the start of next month! If you don't know what that is, it's when a bunch of people get together and take turns breaking the ice with each other. You get to chat for three minutes, and then you move on!

[The little glamour stars you can see turn into soft pink hearts and bubbles now.]

If you like them, you mark it down, and if you're a match, you'll get an invitation to hang out together after the event! I thought I could set it up so there is one set monsters and one set of witches, so that you can try to find someone to form a safe Bond with if you haven't already!

I'm going to start off by trying to organize something big enough for 10 monsters and 10 witches for the first event, and if it goes well, we can totally do it again in the future. I won't be participating, but I'll be the to organize, provide music, and... well, if anyone out there is willing to help me catering then that would be amazing! I... don't have a lot of cash, right now.

Attendance is totally free but if you want to bring something along to share it would be super appreciated! Let me know if you want to come and I'll book you a slot.

Oh, um... I know I said this is speed dating, but it doesn't have to be romantic! You can also just be friends if you like that better. 'Speed Dating' is just kind of a thing back on my homeworld. The Bond potential is what's important!

[OOC: There is going to be an OOC organizational component to this as opposed to it just being a free for all - everyone will be OOCly assigned a few people to tag for rapid fire threads with possibly strangers. It's mostly going to be randomized pairings for your character to get out there and meet, but you can also just tag into whoever you want beyond the ones you're assigned.

Provided there is enough interest to run this event, I'll be doing an OOC post to explain the specifics more completely and get concrete sign ups. There are limited slots, so be sure to let me know if your want your character there! I'll hold a spot for any characters that commit to the event in this post.]

Comments

[starseedling]

K-Kind of...?

[Finding out he was a diamond put all of this in a totally different perspective, and it's been a bit weird to adjust to.]

I don't know if they add stuff to it, but its a liquid they 'extract' from the Diamonds, and... [Unsure.] ...I'm a Diamond, so it I guess so?

hahasob, hopefully you enjoyed it

[bloodyuseless]

Breaking the ice means getting to know each other?

[Well, he supposes if someone were trapped under actual ice, that guy would really like to get to know whatever person was on the other side of that ice.]

Um, I don't mind breaking ice with you guys then. I don't have any bonds yet.

[spaghettimonster]

[Papyrus' voice - and smile - goes a little stiff and too bright again.]

That's... a word you could use for it!

[He remembers little of it but the early part - when he got first felt scared, and angry, and hairy, and broke something in surprise. Which just made a feedback loop when trying to calm down didn't work. Excited... in not-so-great ways. Time to change the subject.]

I can't say I've met excited soup, before. Or have any idea what that would feel like...

[starseedling]

[Steven is a bit lost trying to interpret Papyrus's expression - is the faces he's making because he feels awkward or upset, or do skeletons just look like that? Getting to know new species creates a lot of questions.

But what to do about it? The only way to know is to become more familiar with him.]

Well... you could meet me!

[Maybe that doesn't communicate his idea properly.]

I might not be excited soup right now, but... if you want to come to the Speed Dating event, maybe we could talk about that stuff!

[starseedling]

Yeah! It's like... um... breaking any of the awkwardness you feel when you meet someone! Come to think of it, I have no idea what they call it that... maybe because ice is cold?

[He considers that for a moment, and then smiles.]

But that's perfect! Are you a witch or a monster?

[starseedling]

Yeah, and it really does make things easier. That's why I wanted to organize this... meeting new people can be hard, and not everyone ended up with friends, here.

And if people are going to keep getting pulled here... it could be nice to have a way to get to know them.

[fiddlestick]

Can't argue with that logic. You're a sweet kid, Steven.

Well, count me in! Any music you want me to play, I'll be happy to do so. Free of charge.

[spaghettimonster]

[For all that his skull shifts enough to emote, lacking skin and muscles really cuts down on the amount of microexpressions Papyrus has on display. It makes sense to miss when his smiles aren't really smiles.]

I suppose... I'll have to talk about it, with anyone I bond with...

[As he muses aloud, Papyrus glances to either side - anywhere but directly at Steven - then shrugs and faces him head on.]

Yeah, okay! But, that can wait until then. I do want to come! And, I wanted to ask... what sorts of catering do you want to get???

[starseedling]

[This poor skeleton. Or, at least, he thinks that is the appropriate response.]

I'm not sure! Nothing really expensive. I don't have that much money.

At worst I guess I could make a bunch of sandwiches? But, I was wondering if anyone who likes to cook would be able to help me out. Food makes it more exciting to go to things, right?

[spaghettimonster]

[Oh, money concerns. Relatable. Their housing might be free, but the barely furnished barracks rooms haven't been cheaper, with his occasional impulse buys of knickknacks to make it feel homier. At least the repair work was cheaper than a nicer house would have been.]

Yeah!! Nothing makes people feel welcome, like food made especially for them. Even if the details of 'them' were a little hypothetical....

[He's never known for sure what an incoming human might be like, but that's never stopped him from cooking for them. Before or after beginning his mom lessons.]

I'm new to cooking, but I like it! And I'd like to help out.

[bloodyuseless]

[Oh! It does sort of make sense when Mary thinks of his partner Maria and the cold way he approaches anyone at first. In a way, he did succeed in breaking Maria's ice! That took a very long time, however. It's nothing he can accomplish during a "speed" date.

Oh well.]

I'm a monster, a vampire. But I promise I'll try my best not to bite anybody.

[starseedling]

[Steven looks a little surprised.]

I'm not worried about that - I trust you! None of us asked for this, right?

[bloodyuseless]

[He hastily nods, then thinks better of it and shakes his head, then realizes Steven might think he's saying no to the wrong thing and nods his head again! He doesn't want to confuse the poor guy.]

[tinyfood]

Whoah, whoah, hold on – [ Some frantic scribbling is occurring in the background. ] What's a Diamond?

[wordsinthesoul]

[He's fairly caught by the little glamours, but- hm.]

It's hardly a bad idea. If we can all say we met someone, that would be a good start. I would be interested. [in seeing… just how it goes, too.] Is there anything you still need help with?

[starseedling]

[That's a bit visually confusing, but.. alright! Steven laughs softly, nodding back, thinking he probably understand the intent.]

I'll see you then, okay? I'll send you more info once it's all planned out.

[starseedling]

That's great! Thank you!

[Steven grins.]

What kind of food do you like to make? I could help you find ingredients!

[starseedling]

I dunno! Maybe finding a venue. Are you any good at stuff like that? I've mostly just been playing music, so I don't know too many of the business owners, yet...

[starseedling]

Um. It's a type of gem. They're like... the leaders?

My mom was one, so...

[bloodyuseless]

I'll be there. I will!

[Meeting people is important, after all, right? He's never done much of it. This must be a good thing.]

[wordsinthesoul]

I've been known to negotiate a thing or two. There's bound to be a hall we could borrow for a time- have you been working somewhere in particular? If you have some relationship with them, that might help.

[spaghettimonster]

That's excellent teamwork! But, I don't know if I like to make any food more than other foods...

[He strokes his chin a couple times, jaw shifted at an angle as he thinks.]

The important thing is, it be something that people want to eat. What do people like? I've been practicing my savory pies lately! They're sometimes called 'quiche'.

[A little experimental, maybe, but better than some of the alternatives. Pasta dishes are not the best idea. They can be good, but he'd run the risk of accidentally following Undyne's training, and having another noodle incident...]

[tinyfood]

Oh, like royalty? So is that just a title or do you have distinct properties?

[starseedling]

Well... they're really tall, and they are the only ones that can make other gems. As far as I know...?

They're just really strong. Most of the other gems treat them like... I dunno. More than royalty. Like they aren't even on the same level.

But... the Diamonds are just like any other person, when it comes to feelings and stuff.

[starseedling]

Well, I've been working at the Little Melody... I dunno if they do rentals, though...

But I could ask! That's a good idea, thank you!