Blind Date Collab - First Encounter

Sepia normally isn't interested in all the activities Matentines season offers, at least, not unless it offers snacks she can snatch for her usual movie watching. However many others have tried to encourage her to get out more, that being inside all day in the dark isn't great, yadda yadda yadda. To get folks off her back, she's at least going to try doing one-time only events. Since the church is offering these uhhh Blind Dates with others, maybe they can find a potential film loving partner! If not, at least she can live out some of her more romantic vintage movies.

More romantic clothing is probably encouraged for something like this, something about first impressions, but they don't particularly care that much. Instead of her usual sleepwear attire, Sepia dons her fluffy housecoat and shorts, then stuffs some snacks in her pockets. Uhhh, dating involves snacks, right? Probably.

Before going out the door, she gives Popcorn, her Uniqor, a nice fresh plate of dango. "You're in charge while I'm gone buddy" She points at the imp, who just stares back in mild confusion. "Don't start our movie madness marathon volume 3 without me, k?" Then closes the door, not forgetting this time to lock it.

Thankfully the church is hosting the blind dating service in their own building, and that's at least easy to find. Munching on some candy as they walk onwards, Sepia pulls out a crumpled copy of the Blind Date advertisement to review.

("It seems they'll match me up with someone there. Dunno how that's gonna go but okkkkkk" Sepia thinks to themself)

Reading it over passes enough time for her to arrive at the Church of Sulfur. No big deal. As she looks around for an entrance, she spots a volunteer bun in front of a blind date banner. Yep, this is the place. Sepia walks up to meet with the volunteer "Yeah umm, I'm here for the uhhh, blind date- thingey." They mumble, hand rubbing the back of her neck. "So umm, is there a place I go to sit down, orrrr-" She sheepishly asks.

"You can go sit at… That table," says the volunteer, pointing at a Succubun sitting by herself. 

Dressed in her finest black sparkly tutu, Elodie excitedly clicked her hooves against the ground while waiting for someone to sit down across from her.  She had thought about wearing something a little more low-key, but then she decided that the first impression is most important, so one might as well make it memorable.  

She could hardly believe she was actually outside and ready to meet someone.  It has been some time since Elodie has had a partner, and her friends have been saying that she’s been spending way too much time with her imps lately.  As if that could even be possible!  Still, she did admit to herself that the company of imps can’t truly replace that of another person.  

Maybe it was the changing of seasons, or more likely it was the pheromones in the air, but Elodie decided to sign up for the church’s Blind Date event.  She was used to meeting other people through performer circles, so this sounded like an exciting change of pace.  Maybe this is how she would find a true love that would whisk her away and make her forget all about her previous heartbreaks!  Or at the very least, she figured, it would still be a memorable experience.  

Elodie was pulled back into the present by a small chirp from her purse.  “Oh, you must be hungry,” she whispered to her Phloof, Cloud, who she smuggled in with her.  Nothing on the advertisements said anything explicit about not allowing imps, and she felt less nervous about going out when she had a little buddy alongside her.  Plus, it could be a great conversation starter!  Elodie pulled a small piece of sesame dango from a purse pocket and set it by Cloud for them to mysteriously consume.  She then looked up to see another Succubun, wearing a fluffy housecoat and shorts…

Sepia's now starting to regret wearing such casual clothes, everyone here is so well... dressed up. Oh well, not like she can just turn around and bail. Or can she...? No, she shakes her head a little, probably not the best idea. She awkwardly waves at the bun sitting at the table before speaking up. 

"Uhhh, yoooo. I'm uhhhh... Sepia." almost grimacing through a smile.

She then sits down, assuming they're free to do so. The next minute or so is awkward as she just scans around the room, barely making eye contact. There's a few couples in tonight, one's clearly hitting things off in more than one way ("Good for them I guess..." Sepia thinks to herself).

As they turn their attention back to the bun they're sitting across, they can't help but notice the sounds of an imp munching on a snack. She looks around to see a little Phloof enjoying a snack! Perking up a little, she points out. "Is that your imp? Looks really cute. I uhhh left my imps at home unfortunately." Once again rubbing the back of her neck.

Fuck... this blind date is going so awkwardly for Sepia, they really hope the bun across from them can lighten the mood a little…

Upon being noticed, Cloud pops out of Elodie's purse and performs a little somersault in the air. They then sat on the table and received expected headpats from their owner. 

“Ooh, Cloud is excited to meet you!” Elodie exclaimed, handing her imp another piece of dango.  “You look so comfy - that’s smart!  The glitter on this is starting to chafe a bit, eheh…” She takes a moment to adjust the bodice part of her tutu and looks around the room.  “Wow, some of these people really hit it off!  Look at those two climbing on the table…!  Oh, maybe look away now, eheh.”

“Oh, pardon, where are my manners!  It’s very nice to meet you, Sepia.  My name is Elodie, and this little guy here is Cloud!”  The Phloof squeals in recognition of their name.  “They’re cute indeed!  You have an imp, too?!  Wonderful! I have many waiting for me at home - an Impup, a Chirop, an Avia, a Freign, and a Harpup, and we all perform together… o-oh, but, I have plenty of Succubun friends too, of course! I’m not a crazy imp lady! Ha ha… ha…”  

Elodie takes out a handkerchief from her purse and gently pats the sweat off of her brow, being careful not to smear any of her makeup.  “SO!  What do you like to do for fun?!”

"Hah! I like Cloud! What a funky little guy!" Sepia says, perking up. "And yeahhhh, I figured if I haaaave to go to social events, might as well be wearing something comfortable."

A slight smile creeps along their face. Maybe this won't be such a bad time after all. This Elodie individual seems really sweet, and bringing imps was such a good idea. Maybe next time, Sepia'll bring Popcorn along. Or Snacks. If Snacks is willing to be held.

"By the way, I don't think it's crazy to have a lot of imps you care about. For me, I have Popcoooorn, Snaaacks, Sodaaaa, and- oh! and Cinema! He's a new addition to the family haha!" She counts on her fingers as she lists each imp off. "They're all at home currently, Popcorn's holding down the fort for me."

(Cutting back to Sepia's home, Popcorn is chasing down Cinema who stole the remote. Soda is sleeping in the punch bowl, again. Snacks is just sitting in Sepia's favourite spot. Not moving an inch. Classic Snacks~!)

"What do Iiii like to do for fun? I uhh mainly watch movies. like. All the time everyday. I really have a passion for old timey cinema especially!" They realize quickly that it's a bit... unusual to mention how much she likes to watch them. "I think the technology that developed over the years to make movies is so fascinating, and I love analyzing the films I watch! Monster movies are my favourite personally I-" She cuts herself off.

"Sorry.. I don't bring this up to others that much. People usually find it off-putting that I care more about cinema than. like. other stuff. like sex. Don't get me wrong, fucking is cool and all, but I think the art of cinema should be appreciated more than it currently is. In my uhhh humble opinion."

At the mention of sex, Elodie began to blush a little bit.  “It sure is cool!”  (“Come on now, that’s just the seasonal pheromones - keep yourself under control,” Elodie thinks to herself.)  “A-ah, the art of cinema, I mean!  It's great to have something you're passionate about!  If all anyone ever did was have sex, it'd get pretty boring… eventually, probably.”

“I'd be lying if I said I put a lot of thought into how they make movies, but I do love ones featuring imps!  It's amazing what you can train these little guys to do!  Teaching them tricks is my quirky little hobby.  None of mine have had any film roles, but we've definitely put on shows with some traveling circuses!  I've had people give me grief about it, but hey, as long as the imps and I are happy, what's the harm?” Elodie scratches the top of Cloud’s head with her finger as he coos happily in response. 

A crack rings out throughout the room and Elodie jumps a bit.  The couple lost in their own passion knocked the candle down from their table, shattering it against the floor.  “Eep!  Hehe, looks like things are starting to get out of hand here!  Say… Are there any good movies that are out in theaters now?” Elodie asks.  (“Sepia seems really cool…” she thinks to herself as well. “I don't want to blow this by getting all worked up by all the friskiness around us!”)

Sepia stares at the fallen candle in a mix of mild shock and... unamusement? Perhaps out of being too tired to show more than a glance at the couple's antics. Maybe that's their cue to wrap things up, lest the feeling sweeps them up too. Elodie seems really nice though, and while it's obvious cinema isn't her thing, the fact that she finds it neat and likes things with imps in them is more than enough for Sepia. It's been so long since they had a friend who even liked movies. Maaaaaybe Elodie could be convinced?

"Hey so, this place is uhhh getting a little rowdy for me. Would you ummm... like to go see a movie with me? The nearby theatre sometimes does a vintage marathon which is fun, i can check to see what they have on schedule." Sepia asks, before sheepishly pulling out their phone to check.

Their heart pounds as they type the web address to the theater. Seeing a movie... with someone... after having a blind date too... It's almost exhilarating!

"Ah there we go! Shoot it's all gonna be romantic movies this season."They deflate a little as they continue to scroll down the list of showings. Makes sense it would be all romantic ones, quite a few lustful choices too. Can't go wrong with those this time of year. She eventually notices a showing for a romantic movie starring imps, probably for the buns who say they're kids at heart. Romantic and light hearted, and with imps! Elodie might like that!

Sepia shows her phone to Elodie with the movie poster on the screen. "There's a movie you'll like that's on later today! It's got imps as the main characters!" They exclaim in excitement.

"It looks like it's gonna show midday tomorrow, would you umm like to go with me then?" She asks, that sheepish expression returning, her cheeks starting to flush in that sort of pale pink.

Elodie’s tail starts wagging in excitement at the mention of a movie date (that involves imps, nonetheless!).  “Oh my gosh, that sounds so fun!  I haven't been to the movies in… Oh, I can't even remember!”

She takes a quick glance at the couple physically expressing their love (or something of the sort), but when she feels her face become flushed, she turns back at Sepia looking up movie times on their phone.  (“Don’t you dare let yourself get swept up in the season, Elodie!” she thinks to herself.  “This is a very nice bun you’re with, and they DON’T want sloppy makeouts on the first date!  Maybe the second date, but not the first!”)

“Oh, tomorrow?  Yes, tomorrow sounds perfect!”  Elodie happily replies at the suggestion.  “That gives us all of tonight to get off - err, let off some steam - uhh, to get prepared!  Yes yes!  I definitely need to do laundry, wouldn’t want to wear the same thing twice, eeheehehh…”  She was certain that her cheeks were pinker than the seasonal decor at this point.  “Here, let me write down my number.. It was lovely meeting you, Sepia, and I look forward to the movie!”

After saying their goodbyes, Elodie leaves the church, practically skipping on her way home.  She made a new friend!  And one that wasn’t a snobby performer, either!  AND they were actually going to go out on a date!  For the first time in a long time, Elodie is excited for something other than imps.  Could this budding relationship still end up going nowhere?  Perhaps, but that’s for Future Elodie to worry about.  For now, Present Elodie is bursting with joy, happy that she ended up going to the blind date after all.

Cloud pops out of Elodie’s purse and begins twirling in the air around Elodie as she prances along.  A happy Elodie meant lots of treats for them and their imp friends, and Cloud had a pretty good feeling that they were going to eat like kings tonight.