text / anonymous (before the last day of the party)

[heartstopping]

[Rolo's not generally bothered by what anyone thinks, but somehow this feels like an extremely embarrassing thing to have to ask, so he sticks with posting anonymously like he has been so far.]

How does one go about "forming bonds" with people on purpose?

[ don't laugh please he has literally only ever stumbled into this by accident ]

Comments

[heartstopping]

What else am I supposed to focus on, your vague and patronizing advice?

[heartstopping]

I'm not sure I'd want to befriend the sort of people that have things in common with me.

[ ...at least he's somewhat self-aware? ]

[laserguy]

What the hell, man? I'm not being patronizing-- besides, I literally suggested the arcade.

[heartstopping]

Offering suggestions while acting like the question is stupid sounds pretty patronizing to me.

[heartofsalvation]

Not at all? Truly?

Then... what about people who might naturally complement you? Outgoing personalities are less common, I find, but I'm sure there are at least a few here who would welcome your efforts.

action it is!

[coordinatroll]

[ Once he arrives and enters the shop, he will find himself in a big lounge, though it's lit by several small lanterns instead of the variety of lamps, for obvious reasons. Mitama is sitting on the couch, reading a book, but she looks up when she hears footsteps. Not knowing who the anon was, exactly, she assumes it's just another client, and she greets him with a warm smile. ]

Welcome ♪ How can I help you?

[fieldtrip]

I'm not saying you should ask people to be your friend -- what is this, a children's story? -- but you generally start that process by talking to them.

You figure out if you like them based on what they say.

[earnedmystripes]

[It's definitely a flaw in Kotetsu's plan, which he absolutely 100% didn't consider until he actually got to the arcade. Barnaby would probably be shaking his head at him right about now, but look, it's okay, because he has an IDEA. The tablet was a little unwieldy to bring with him to the arcade, but he does have the charm, so once he's in the building, he sends a message with the voice to text function, but maybe Rolo just hears him embarrassingly calling into it.]

Helloooooo, I'm here!!!

[breakin_ur_lore]

[From this response, and the other ones he can see, it's clear to Med'an that this is person is really unused to being social. It's ok, unsocial person, Med'an will help.]

Well, having a shared interest is always a good way to make friends. There's a few clubs around here that you could join, like the cooking club. Or you can just make a letter about something you like and see who else likes it too.

What kind of hobbies do you have? Do you like reading?

[heartstopping]

[Rolo absolutely does hear and see the man embarassingly calling into his charm, and the subsequent ping on Rolo's tablet only confirms it. It almost has his turning right back around and leaving, but he sucks it up and approaches.]

H-hi...

[He's quite possibly younger than expected, mid-teens and kinda scrawny.]

[heartstopping]

I can tell the difference between whether I like someone or not. That's not the issue.

[heartstopping]

[Being unused to being social is only half of the issue, apparently.]

I read when I need to. I wouldn't really call it a hobby.

[heartstopping]

It's less about "who" and more about "how". Just talking to people hasn't ever earned me any friends before.

[heartofsalvation]

Not untrue. But then, if you have never spoken to people as people, rather than as problems to be dealt with or some such, that would stand to reason. Am I close enough to the truth on that?

These things tend to happen slowly, yet I do not know how much time you have been given. But even small efforts build up, so if you were to get the seeds planted now, I am sure your attempts would be noteworthy enough to the Council to count. 'Tis about the mindset you approach it with, I believe.

[heartstopping]

[He's not sure what he was really expecting the interior of a shop like this to look like, but somehow he's still surprised. Rolo glances around as he enters before his eyes fall on the girl greeting him.]

I, uh....I said I would come by...

[That feels like a mildly less embarrassing way to put it than just saying "I'm the person from the network who was asking how to make friends".]

[heartstopping]

Close enough.

[Closer than he'd have liked, honestly.]

You have a surprising amount of faith in the Council.

[heartofsalvation]

I suppose I do. Faith is all I have right now, really. Of course, I'm under no illusions we could still be pawns in a larger game we're yet unaware of, but as one of those who has no life to return to, I would choose to try and make the most of it instead. 'Tis more than I've had in... a long, long time.

[heartstopping]

I'm also someone without a life to return to, but it doesn't mean I trust the people in charge here. They're just not really giving me a choice.

And cooperating isn't much better. Did you know the default reward for "rehabilitation" is being sent home, regardless of whether or not that means just dying again?

[laserguy]

[Scott pinches his nose, no wonder this person has no friends--]

Geez, I was just saying that you could be more honest. There's nothing stupid asking for friends.

[izanagis]

Oh.

[...uhh...]

Maybe you just need to hang out with them more, then?

[coordinatroll]

[ She closes her book and claps her hands together cheerfully. So, not a client (at least for the time being) but a guest! That's good, honestly; with how the recent events have played out, she welcomes a distraction. ]

Ah, then you must be Anon-san! [ That's one way of putting it. ] Like I mentioned, my name is Mitama Yakumo, though you can call me Coordinator if you wish~ It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!

[ She gets up from the sofa as she introduces herself and gives him a polite bow. ]

Please, take a seat! Would you like some tea or coffee?

[earnedmystripes]

[Ah .... Kotetsu had gotten the impression this person probably had a messed up childhood when he'd said he'd never done anything for fun, but the kid certainly is younger and smaller than Kotetsu expected.

At the back of his mind, he resolves that if he ever meets whoever was making this kid fight and not do anything for himself, he's going to punch them in the face. A lot. Despite that, he smiles and waves at the kid, trying to look as friendly and nonthreatening as possible.]

Hey. I'm Kotetsu. What's your name?

[breakin_ur_lore]

[He's gonna need to coax this along gently, huh. No worries. Med'an is great at friend-making.]

Hmm...you don't like reading for fun, or you just don't have a lot of time for it?

[heartstopping]

[There are so many reasons why he has no friends, honestly.]

I can be honest once I actually know what I'm doing.

[heartstopping]

[ thank you for being patient with his emotionally-stunted ass ashfhakfja ]

The latter, I guess. I've never really done anything just for fun.