Audience: Ashiya Douman

[probe]

Comments

[commedia]

I guess you have a point. Some of those people are really scary.

Oh you would? I would be honored...thank you.

[probe]

no kidding
...what are you doing right now?
if it'll help, i can always stop by for a little bit!
less overwhelming

[commedia]

Right now? Looking at this...strange colorful light box.

Pinball machine? I think its called?

[probe]

[well. they're out of texts. they're out of texts and for a while it might seem like douman's been left on read, but it doesn't take too long before he'll hear footsteps behind him as lust enters the bar.]

You're right, it's a pinball machine. [they appear to be a bit waver-y, almost like a hologram, but they're here now!]

[commedia]

[Ah, that's fine. Lust probably has other things to do anyways than talk to the dead, and-]

[Lust suddenly enters, and Douman lets out a yelp of surprise, and drops their phone.]

A-ah! I didn't think you'd come! Lust!

[probe]

[they just laugh a little, crouching down to pick up their phone to hand it back to them. or. try. hologram...an attempt is made it's fine.]

My phone started acting weird, so I thought I'd come visit instead. Is that okay?

[commedia]

[Douman just hurriedly bows, remembering their manners.]

No, that's fine, I...

[They blush, flustered, before realizing that they can't pick up the phone. They move to reach for it themselves.]

I'm glad you're here. What do you mean, "acting weird"?

[probe]

Hmm...if I try to send too many messages it sort of just stops responding? I've been trying to figure out how it all works, but I'm not that great with fixing electronics. [they shrug!]

I didn't want you to think I was ignoring you though. [because a.) that would be rude and b.) they do like douman so it's fine.]

[commedia]

Oh.

[Oh.]

Yes, this technology is rather confusing. So...please, do not worry.

[Phones are WACK.]

How are you here like this, though? Technology, again?

[probe]

Yup! Or something like that? I'm not entirely sure...this is the first time I've been here. Saying it's technology is probably the easiest.

[commedia]

[Just reaching out to try to grab their hand? Does it go through, too?]

[probe]

[yup :( holograms are holograms and lust tries to grab their hand as well.]

...guess that's the downside to this thing.

[commedia]

...

[:(]

I guess that's just as well. How unfortunate. [Huffs.] Well, if you're here...its nice just to talk to you, more. And maybe help me figure out this pinball machine.

[probe]

Yeah! I haven't played one in forever, but they're fun! Especially if you can hit the bonuses. Come on.

[they will drift over to the machine, taking a look at it before they also just. reach up and lower their hood. without it, douman can see the heart-shaped pupils of her bright pink eyes and the way her pink hair is actually tied off into two twintails. the ends appear to be moving on their own, prehensile and shaping themselves into small hearts and waves. there seems to be something moving behind her bangs (and judging by the slight pink glow, it's likely a third eye), and sticking out from the collar of her cloak are the tips of two small rainbow-colored wings. oh, and yes, she's wearing the cat headband.

crystal you earned this i'm in tears.]

So! See these buttons? These are the ones you wanna hit to flip the levers and keep the ball moving. And you want to pull on this to send the ball up so it starts at the top.

[commedia]

[THERE'S MY GIRL WHO YOU HAVE DENIED ME FOR SO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THERE'S MY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!]

...

[Sorry, they're just...a little starstruck?]

Ah, you're quite...

[And just glancing away!! GLANCING AWAY AND BLUSHING!! YEAH!!! PINBALL MACHINES WOW LOOK AT THAT PIN BALL OR WHATEVER THEY DO]

[probe]

[douman...it's fine, she's tilting her head curiously and eventually just smiling instead.]

Guess I should've given you a warning?

[commedia]

...A little bit.

[But they shake their head! Get ahold of yourself!]

It's just...you're quite nice to look at. [A clearing of the throat.] Anyways, I apologize. You said something about levers?

[probe]

Oh. Thank you! [that's really sweet? but she smiles graciously because that's what you do and she nods as she dances out of the way to gesture to the machine.]

Put your hands here. I'll pull to start the game. When the ball gets too close to a lever, you press the button!

[commedia]

Very well. Hands here...and pressing button when I see the ball get close to those...levers.

[Sounds simple enough!]

Let us try!

[probe]

Okay! Get ready!

[and without warning she pulls the launch knob and sends the ball flying straight up the chute and into the machine as it immediately starts making all kinds of noises. lust, did you have to pull so hard?]

Don't lose sight of it!

[commedia]

O-oh-!

[There it goes! Douman startles, easily, as the lights go on, and the ball starts to bounce off characters and other lights and circles...and by the time it reaches the bottom, Douman suddenly remembers what to do and-]

[Oh. Its already fallen through by the time they activate the levers.]

Oh. Goodness. It's so fast-!

[probe]

[lust is off to the side cheering them on, but even as the ball falls right through the center of the levers they only laugh and wait for the next ball to load.]

It's pretty hard! You have to really stay on top of it and follow it to make sure you don't let it drop. It's taken me a long time to learn how to play, too. Wanna try again?

[commedia]

...Yes, please.

[They have a very determined look on their face.]

I can get it this time! I can!

[probe]

You can! [they believe in them! which is why they move a hand to pull on the starter to send the ball up the shoot.]

Get ready for it! And don't be afraid to tilt the machine if you have to!

[commedia]

Ah-!

[THIS IS EXTREMELY NERVE-WRACKING but! Douman watches the ball intently, and when it gets down to the levers...]

[They slam the button! And the ball shoots back up into the field!]

Oh! I did it!