▶ 001. video

[anti_altruisms]

Good evening.

[ The video flickers on, and there's a very pale, very fatigued-looking Archer sitting in his apartment. A dragon egg is also visible, nestled in a bundle of blankets next to him. (Is he nesting??)

In any case, he doesn't mince words. ]

Since we're all likely experiencing similar symptoms, I'll be brief - I'm looking for moonlacing partners, specifically hand-holding and basic physical contact. Anything more than that is subject to discussion.

[ He moves a hand, and just for a moment, it almost looks translucent. Or maybe, it's just the crystals staring to form on his skin. ]

Thank you for your time.

[ With that, he ends the feed. ]

Comments

[timemachine]

[Without really asking, she sits next to him on the bench. A bit rude, but that's sort of how she is... sadly. Granted she figured hand holding was in order, it's more comfortable if they're sitting down, after all.

Anyway, that's... quite the name. Maybe it's a surname? Who knows, while it's definitely not Japanese, she knows some westerners prefer that method of being called. It's rare, but sure... And she prefers it anyway.]

My name's Kurisu. [She holds out her hand palm up, almost like a handshake, but silently indicating he should hold it if he chooses.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ It's okay. Being straightforward is generally how he prefers to do things, and it's not like he...doesn't feel awkward about needing to ask people to hold hands. ]

Kurisu. [ He tests her name quietly, and when she offers, he extends his hand as well. ] Thank you.

[ The sensation that comes with moonlacing like this is faint but pleasant, and...it does help. The fatigue isn't quite as pressing, though it is slow to recede. ]

[timemachine]

You’re welcome, I guess.

[Even at a time like this she finds it difficult to be sincere. But this moonlacing thing is a two way street. Yeah, she’s helping him, but it also helps her in return as she can feel that Chroma replenish within her as well. ]

It’d be nice if there was a less awkward way to do this, huh?

[Because she can’t just stay silent and hold hands…]

[anti_altruisms]

[ That draws a short breath of a laugh. ]

It would be preferable, yes.

[ Especially for those of their number who find physical contact to be...less than ideal. ]

Unfortunately, I haven't heard of a way around it.

[timemachine]

[She grumbles.]

Neither have I. I honestly wonder how this is going to affect introverts that are here. The energy they gain from Chroma is necessary, however, they also have energy depleted from them from being around people. I wonder if that is something that they have researched here.

[At this point she’s just talking to her self. Just a way to distract her from the situation, to distract her from the fact that she’s holding hands with a stranger. To be forced to be so touchy-feely so against her nature but she can’t deny now that she said that out loud just curious. She then looked up to Archer, squeezing his hand a little bit tightly as if to gain his attention as if he may have not been paying attention to her at the current moment.]

Hey, what do you think about that? Do you have any theories?

[anti_altruisms]

[ That sure is an interesting line of thought, Kurisu; he's kind of inclined to let her go and keep going, but then she asks for his opinion which...well. Honestly, he hasn't considered it. ]

...I do think there's a difference between being an introvert and a hermit. [ He's actually both, really, but moonlacing and a bunch of people already knowing him kind of prevents that. ] Physical contact isn't my first choice, but it can be with only one person, in private, and it doesn't necessarily have to be every day?

So perhaps it balances out.

[timemachine]

I guess that makes sense. One on one contact usually isn't too detrimental for introverts, and they thrive when they're with a smaller group of people they know. The problem is those of us brought here knowing no one and forced into this ritual. I guess at the end of the day we all have to reach out unless we want to face the consequences.

[She sighs at the end to enunciate her semi-displeasure with this situation. Which is probably not the best thing to openly complain about when she's holding some stranger's hand.]

But you're right, at least it doesn't have to be a daily occurrence.