expiationnet | OKCINDR POST #5

OKCINDR POST #5

Ever wanted to have CR with a character and wasn't sure how to get them to cross paths? Wanted a dating app so you can hook up with hot people? Wanted to just find friends because you're a lonely bastard?

With the update of the tablets and the apps, we now have a dating / friendship app called OKCINDR! Players can use it as they please for the two months that it's up -- just imagine that they're profiles to swipe right on and everything. The idea is to encourage CR that may be difficult to get with characters who may or may not be interested in events / posts / logs / other network posts.

So, on January 2nd, characters randomly look back at their tablets to see the following:

OKCINDR PROFILE RESET #4
PLEASE RESET PROFILE

This month, if players reset their profile, they will have a list of questions to answer:

- What is the maximum amount of sheep you have counted when trying to fall asleep?
- Is it harder to forgive yourself, or to forgive others?
- How strongly do you feel that the past defines a person?
- What is your dream?
- Why would an android's dream contain electric sheep? Are they particularly drawn to livestock animals?
- If you could return to one specific moment in your life, would you?
- How do you wake up from a dream?
- Please
- Wake up
- You must wake up

Players, of course, are able to ignore this message. However, if a character wouldn't fill it out but a player would like to participate... the profile mysteriously resets itself. There may even be responses sent from Character A to Character B without Character A actually doing anything, if you'd like! This is a completely opt-in scenario! But for players who would like to participate fill out the post:

network profile

Character_Name

@username

ABOUT_ME

CODING

<lj-raw><div style="width:280px;margin:0 auto;background:#fff;box-shadow:1px 1px 4px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);border:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);border-bottom:4px solid #587AC0;border-radius:4px;overflow:hidden;line-height:1.7;font-family:tahoma,arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;">

<div style="text-align:center;background:#587AC0;padding:5px 0 5px 10px;display:flex;align-items:center;color:#fff;font-size:25px;font-family:georgia,serif;font-style:italic;letter-spacing:-1px;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/wmn8wYK.png" style="filter:invert(1);margin:0 5px 0 0;">network profile</div>

<div style="height:220px;overflow:hidden;">
        <img src="URL HERE" style="width:100%;height:auto;">
    </div>

<div style="border-bottom:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.1);padding:10px 5px;margin:0 10px;font-size:13px;line-height:1.2;">
		<b style="color:#587AC0;">Character_Name</b>
		<div style="color:#999;">@username</div>
	</div>

<div style="padding:15px;max-height:160px;overflow:auto;box-sizing:border-box;color:#222;">

ABOUT_ME
 
	</div>

</div><div style="margin:3px auto 0 auto;width:280px;font-size:8px;letter-spacing:1px;text-align:right;"><a href="https://tessisamess.insanejournal.com/155095.html" style="color:#999;text-decoration:none;">CODING</a></div></lj-raw>

If you'd like to for shits and giggles, here's some notifications that may be used:

Name (@username) followed you

Name (@username) unfollowed you

Name (@username) blocked you

Have fun! Code credit.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's fine, sarcasm in service of how charming he is is perfectly acceptable—]

I have recalled a sweet drink you may enjoy
But I will have to describe it when we are on location
I do not know what it would be called here

[ wait, what is this — he somehow simply assumed that octavian would choose something that he himself remembers liking, very much how viktor had immediately made him try his favourite drink... but no. apparently he's thought of something that might appeal to him, and that makes him pause for a moment and experience an emotion or two. ]

I look forward to trying it, then, if they have it.

Shall we meet at Lupin, again?

[this too is how he gets ya, or: he likes Viktor, ergo, Viktor gets the attention and consideration that most people do not. Very simple, he won't elaborate.]

I know the ingredients in any case

And yes let us meet whenever you are available

I shall finish a few conversations, and then I am free. I would not have the distractions later.

[ read: let him somehow get rid of many conversations he isn't all that interested in having, and table the few that are somewhat interesting, so he doesn't have to listen to the tablet notifs while they're out. ]

Will an hour do?

[Just leave them on read and turn the sound off, that's what Octavian would do. Possibly will be doing, it depends. Still,]

In that case I am looking forward to monopolizing your time

An hour is fine

[ if they don't get the hint... yes, he will in fact do that. ]

So am I.

[ coming from mr. "oh this isn't my bedroom" — ]

I will see you soon, then.

[ and he does — he does end up just muting the tablet in the end, but picks up something on the way to lupin, so he's carrying a small plastic bag with him when he gets there. ]

[Good luck with your conversations, Viktor— Octavian doesn't even take his tablet with him when he goes out, why should he, it's too much effort to carry around. He leaves it sitting in his house and heads out to Lupin, but he doesn't go inside early to preorder drinks like Viktor had done the first time. Mostly because he'd have to loiter around inside and, god forbid, maybe make smalltalk... shudder.

So he's waiting outside for Viktor, folding and unfolding a small piece of paper. Ah, and there he is,]

Hello. Good to see you.

[And to business, going inside. He gestures for Viktor to pick a table and fully expects him to pick the same one as last time, ahem,] I will see if our drink of choice exists.

[ the life hack is choosing a bar where you know the owner — and when the owner isn't inclined towards small talk either, well, all the better. ]

You too, [ he answers and means it quite genuinely. as for the pick of the table, well, octavian is in luck, because viktor prefers routine in things like this... and it is the most remote table available, which has a particular appeal to it. ]

Best of luck. [ said dryly, as always, like getting drinks is akin to going off to war — which, again, if it includes small talk it might as well be, ]

[Knew it, there he goes, love that dedication to routine. Octavian heads for the bar with his piece of paper, which is a list of ingredients for what amounts to a Shirley Temple, not that Mars calls them that anymore. It's actually slightly imbalanced, with extra grenadine to make it Very Red, and Octavian makes sure to request an extra cherry for each one.

He brings the drinks over to Viktor and judges them briefly, then gives Viktor the one that looks slightly more red. It'll be sweeter.]

Here you are. At home we would call this a Red Desert. Not very original. Or dry.

[ he can't help but feel slightly wrong-footed, still, metaphorically instead of simply physically — octavian returns with the drinks, deliberates on which one to give him, and the sheer quiet thoughtfulness of it all makes his breath catch.

he manages a smile, though, a quirk of his lips as he huffs out a sound that lands several paces away from a real laugh and yet expresses his amusement regardless, ]

It is very red, though.

[ so at least it's got that going for it, name-wise... he takes the glass and lifts it, to clink it gently against octavian's. ] I do appreciate this, [ he says, quiet but genuine, before taking a sip — and his expression brightens instantly, eyes warm and delighted. ]

Yes, I do appreciate this.

Partial credit, [he says, for the drink's name. Red yes, Desert no, but effective enough? Sure. He's a split-second late to move his glass to meet Viktor's for that clink, so it's a little louder than it should be; just another one of those normal living people things he isn't used to anymore. This drink he sips more readily than the sweetmilk, if only because he knows what to expect, but his gaze lingers on Viktor over the rim of the glass, to see what he thinks of it.

Ah, and it's a grand success, so he'll allow himself a moment to feel smug and accomplished about that. He's doing so good at this.]

I thought you might. Try the cherry.

[ the loud clink of the glasses makes a few locals turn their heads towards them, in a nearby table, but viktor ignores them with supreme ease — much better to enjoy the drink and the way octavian's expression goes smug and pleased, and though his own expression doesn't change from that slight smile, his eyes do go a little softer. ]

I was told to try a cherry pie, [ he says conversationally, ] Apparently they are a famous dessert in the world of this, hm, mage woman. Perhaps we might see if we can find some. We've only kept to drinks, but you might like to eat something, too, no?

[ though yes, alright, he will try the cherry — and again, it's a great success. even after a decade and some change in piltover, fruit are still a luxury to him. so, with the warmth from his eyes seeping into his tone, ] I see your recommendations are to be taken seriously.

A mage woman, [he says, swirling his glass to watch the cherry spin around in it, hm, surely there are multiple mage women, but,] Not the stern one that turns into animals?

[She poked him and asked him invasive questions! Does she also like cherry pie? Do big spiders like cherry pie? Unless, of course, there's another mage woman. Regardless, he will consider the merits of pies. He likes the way this one cherry lights Viktor up like a hearth fire, slow and easy, so yes: more of that sounds excellent.]

I am a good listener. [He spends so little time paying attention to anyone else, he has plenty of attention to spare for Viktor and his preferences. Of course.] It feels like I should be writing a list.

[ he gives a shrug at that, his nose wrinkling as he makes a sound like ehn, to express that he's not sure and doesn't actually care all that much either. ] The one with the prosthetic arm.

[ see, that's where his focus had been... he has no clue about any shapeshifting, actually. they talked about inventions and poverty and the greed of those in power, which he also cares about, incidentally, far more than the shapeshifting part.

though his attention switches away from that easily enough, into a small smile and, ] You are. It is rare.

[ at least in his experience — people talk, and talk, and don't listen. at least those with a modicum of wealth, and he suspects from octavian's manners and way of speaking and the good quality of his clothes that he's had quite a different childhood to viktor's own... which makes it even more meaningful that he still listens better than even those who come from a similar background to his.

another tilt of his head, then, ] For what? [ the list, that is. ]

[Hm, okay, he shakes his head; different mage woman, then. Makes more sense that there are many mage women around this city than the possibility of just one running around talking about turning into spiders and recommending cherry pie. Either way: unimportant and off topic, they can circle back to mages some other time.

Hence the list—]

Things to experience. Unless you think you will get tired of me.

[Ha ha, who could ever— Well, honestly, he's pretty sure most people would. He's also pretty sure that Viktor isn't included in that demographic, considering he keeps paying for drinks and taking him to pet cats and so on. So: his little joke. He'll remember the pie, with or without the list; he's a good listener, he simply can't disappoint Viktor now.]

Shall I?

[ oh, a list for experiences, he gets it now — just as he gets that the words that follow aren't really meant, because octavian would know better. viktor is here, after all, which already disproves the possibility.

still, he says wryly, with not a small degree of fondness, ] Get tired of you? No, I don't believe I will.

[ said with the slight raise of his brows, a little tilt of his head. and then a nod, ]

It is not a bad idea. Having a list might prove useful.

[It was a joke and they both know it, but Octavian still likes to hear Viktor say it. How novel, or perhaps not novel, actually the opposite: how nostalgic it is, to feel this easy comfort and playful banter, and to have someone say, no, I won't get tired of you, how silly to suggest such a thing.

Anyway, all of his ideas are good, thank you for noticing. He taps his fingers on the side of his glass and nods in return.]

I thought so. And this is a nice establishment, but there are others.

[Others... to avoid other people in, specifically.]

That is... I assume so. [he doesn't go out,]

[ that final comment makes viktor duck his head with an exhaled hah — it is the kind of joke-not-joke that he appreciates, especially with how much he can relate to the sentiment... he doesn't go out either.

but he does know this much, ]

Yes, there are others. I simply favour this one as it is owned by... a friend.

[ can he call vi such? he supposes yes — he remembers her coming by, telling him she missed talking to him, and it's still a strange thing, one he doesn't dwell on right now. so, with a rising inflection, ] We'll branch out next time?

[They will wander around and pick places to go based solely on the crowds visible through the windows—]

Yes. Next time.

[He really doesn't have anything else to offer in terms of locations... He's lurked around until he got some day olds at a bakery? Is that anything? Such is the life of a man who has no money but also no reason to eat until a few weeks ago, and only for fun. They can go beg for day olds.

Or maybe not.]

We could visit the library eventually.

[ yes, they will vibe check the places based on the crowdedness and how many out-of-the-way tables they have available —

but, no. perhaps he'll invite octavian over the next time caitlyn brings him too many baked things. ]

Hm, yes, that could be interesting. I wonder whether the selection covers all worlds we have been pulled from, or whether all the books have been created by this simulation.

This has been my concern as well. I wonder if the information is even trustworthy, were one to research this world itself.

[Why would it be, if it's a simulation and all of those past iterations thay turned into snake people were kept from them, after all. And how far back could a recorded history of a simulation go, for example...

But maybe they have nice encyclopedias with the pretty spine art. Pros, cons.]

I will bring a notebook. For criticisms.

It is quite possible we will find no information about this world at all.

[ said with a kind of a grumble, low at his throat, accompanied by the pursing of his mouth in a distinctly frustrated way — he hates that this place makes no sense, and doesn't bother trying to hide that.

but as ever, octavian doesn't fail to make that frustration bleed away into something else, approval-amusement, and he huffs out a breath. ]

Another good idea. I don't doubt there will be many of them. [ and should they be there together, picking this world's book selection apart is sounding quite appealing, actually. ]

That will be one of the criticisms.

[It'll be scathing and everything. A whole page reserved for it. They'll be frustrated for certain, but he likes a nice library, and he likes sitting with Viktor, so it should be a nice afternoon, or however long.]

If nothing else... There must be novels. I suppose.

[He hasn't read a novel in a very long time, maybe that would be fun.]

[ yes, surely there is something to be said for the fact that they would do it together — alone, his frustration might overshadow everything else, but with octavian there to trade ideas and observations with, to share that frustration and translate that into words that most of the population would undoubtedly call bitchy... yes, that might be nice, actually.

the remark about novels makes him blink, like he hadn't even considered that. ]

... Yes, you would imagine so. I've not read one since I was a child.

[ and he used to love them, then; see the world through different sets of eyes, read about distant places he'd never witness. but slowly, non-fiction took over, and then he didn't have any time for anything but to devour textbook after textbook, preparing for the academy, and then once there, well. yes, he hasn't thought of novels for decades. ]

[Isn't it weird to remember libraries have other books— Octavian can relate, being a creature of academia himself. Who reads novels anymore? Who has the time?]

I might have read a novel as a teenager. I do not remember it though.

[Should they start a book club, he wonders... if nothing else, they can criticize it together. Hmm.]

Well. We shall see. It might be... fun.

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