[Drabble PRP] Arrangements (Ruth and Aaran)

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

There wasn't a lot for Ruth to go on. But at least there was a school directory and that allowed her to find a way to contact her "date" for prom. She was using a cheap skellular phone, capable of only sending and receiving simple messages and calls. It wasn't anything against the boil Aaran but she didn't know him in any capacity to deem him worthy of taking presence on her real phone.

The message she sent read as: Greetings. This is Ruth B. The student council has arranged for us to accompany each other to Prom.  

[Rhodonea]

Messaging

It had all seemed so above-board when Aaran’s neighbor in the demon dorms invited the void kitsune along to sign up for prom matchmaking. It was customary, the other demon had explained. It was a good way to settle in and meet other creeple.

After the persuasion and the signing up came video after video regarding the traditional activities of prom night, to Aaran’s growing consternation. And just as he was debating whether to have oh so accidentally missed the student council’s message, his arranged date texted.

Hi, Ruth B. Do you require a promposal? And… sent.

Please say no. They all looked so... excessive.  

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

For the briefest of moments, Ruth thought the boil was offering a minipet. There were so many stray hybrid minis she wouldn't have been surprised if this was one of the newest breeds. But she eventually interpreted the portmanteau and debated her response.

If this boil was anything like a certain Anubis demon, she could theoretically bank roll off them until she could graduate and get a job. If they weren't, then lesson learned and valuable experience and information gained.

Yes. It is imperative to distinguish yourself from prior dates. But I leave the details up to your discretion.

Yvelissa

 

[Rhodonea]

Imperative, really?

Very well.

Aaran recalled the various videos of promposals (and the rather more entertaining, if considerably less helpful, promposal fails). The dreadful weight of the task ahead sank in.

Let’s not bore you with a rehashed idea, then. What have prior dates done?

Only after having sent off the message did he decide that his attempt to fish for ideas was not nearly as subtle as he might have hoped. Bah.  

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

The boil was straightforward. Ruth wasn't sure if she liked that but it certainly made things easier on her end.

Floral arrangements. Coordinated clothing. Dreaded glitter.

What Ruth left out of her response was distinct lack thereof. She'd never had a Promposal before and depending on what the boil produced would decide whether she would want anything of the sort in the future. The reaper would apologize to Aaran but in all honest, she was enjoying herself.  

[Rhodonea]

Messaging

Just as well. Aaran did not care to incorporate floral arrangements, coordinated outfits, or glitter into any undertaking of his. On the bright side, given this Ruth B’s previous experiences, it looked like he would not have a high bar to clear.

He filed away the brief list in his memory. In particular, it was very helpful to know glitter at this promposal business might serve to get him out of this predicament, if worse came to worst. Meanwhile, best see how far nosiness and lack of tact could get him. (He tried to ignore the small, quiet voice of duty that cautioned against unkindness toward someone who had in all likelihood signed up for matchmaking in good faith.)

Oh. And you accepted the promposals nonetheless?  

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

Propriety demanded an acceptance. Performance appraisals were given, however.

In other words, Ruth judged the candlejacking s**t out of them. Despite the fact they were imaginary and completely made up on the spot. The paranoia agent saw nothing wrong with this sort of perspective.

Fret not, I will take into consideration that it was the Student Council who made this decision.  

[Rhodonea]

Messaging

There was nothing quite like the phrases “performance appraisals” and “fret not” to instill a sense of unease.

How reassuring. Thank you.

Feeling on a better footing with nosiness, he fired off another text in short order: Why let the Student Council decide for you this time around, anyway?  

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

Possibly for the same reasons you allowed the Student Council to make your decision.

She doubted it. But there was a limit to Ruth's ability to answer truthfully. Misinformation was still a knee-jerk whenever the focus was too much on her. Also she wanted to see his proficiency with the less formal method of emoji-communication.

: )  

[Rhodonea]

Messaging

Aaran saw her emoji and decided to raise her... a kaomoji. Possible, but I doubt it. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

The answer to his earlier question probably wasn't that important in the great scheme of things. She was an assigned prom date. Extending the acquaintance was not a given. But he noted the evasion and decided to press on. Care to disclose yours?  

[Huni Pi]

Messaging

Ruth considered her next response and decided to play coy.

; )

A beat.

Alert me when you are ready with your promposal. I have some duties I must handle.

Yvelissa

 

[Rhodonea]

Messaging

The reply was prompt. Ready when you are, actually.

Another message would arrive in short order: I am given to understand that spectacle is optional but often integral to such proceedings.

Hmm, was that spectacle or public humiliation? And if the latter, was it more so for the one who made the promposal or the one who received it? Aaran supposed he would, for better or for worse, find out the answer to both soon enough (and was, besides, confident that at least he could hide out of sight).

As a special concession to the earlier and vaguely ominous mention of performance appraisals, he added: Please feel free to choose a meeting place to suit your preference.  

[Huni Pi]

Promposal

Ruth had tried not to panic at the mention of a spectacle. She enjoyed those. She even loved to watch but only when the focus of said spectacle was in no way related to her or her own.

She could pretend to have not received it. Her current skelephone was antiquated and did not register when a message was read or not. Uncertainty was the lifeblood of a paranoia agent, and this should not at all bother her. But she was not dealing with another agent was she?

Her response took several minutes Near The Shed. with the capitalization suggesting that she assumed the boil knew where or what she was talking about.

Yvelissa