[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rwQbPiW.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/4qplrou.gif[/img][/center] [hr] Day -1 Jacob felt silly. He was checking, rechecking, undoing his cases and then zipping them back up. He was going over the 'suggestions' in the pamphlet, and then the checklists of those who travel online. The fact that the itinary promised so much made Jacob kind of reevaluate his luggage a half dozen times. A tropical paradise? A ski resort? Banquets and fancy dinner. So somehow winter clothes, summer clothes, and dress clothes. He ended up with three suitcases, a tux protector, a gym bag full of shoes and amenities. Something about this wasn't right. He collapsed on the bed amongst his belongings. Now he was starting to get nervous, and it usually took alot to get him uneasy. Day 0 He couldn't remember the last time he'd been on airplane and to be honest, the trip was actually way more relaxing than he figured. The way movies, the way commedians made it sound, flying seemed like a nightmare these days. But he got snacks, he sat next to smart gentleman, they were playing a mildly interesting move, and he could set up his laptop to announce on social media what he was doing and where he was going. The TAP resort wasn't too well known but people swore by it. He was going to be the first of his friends to give it a try and already he was getting well wishes and requests to take lots of pictures. He made sure to do so, as soon as he got that iconic skyline in the distance. Hours later he was at the hotel with his luggage taken care of, and he freshened up, putting on a skyblue suit. He fixed his hair, brushed his teeth, put on a spot of cologne, trimmed his facial hair. Looking pretty good. He made sure to wear that wrist watch they swore by. He liked little medical contractions and he figured there was some science behind the whole dating event. Probably wait until you get a little tic of oxytocin and endorphins, getting a dose of epinephrine as your heart skips a beat from meeting that special someone and BAM! Science and Chemistry said you are destined to be together forever. Science was fascinating but it sure took the fun out of real life. Jacob actually settled down when he reached the party. He was surrounded by equally nervous folks and it shone through so his big smile and forward disposition really helped him out. He made sure to make single comments, see who reacted, a way of fishing for conversations. [color=lightblue]"Good god... They really went all out with this place huh." "I always wanted a chandelier like that. You hang it right about your stairs, call it a foyer to be fancy." It honestly didnt matter who he talked too, as long as he did, it kept him nice and calm, nice and open for everyone. When the crowd began to form around the bar and people began to get some courage and settle down with their drinks, Jacob got himself a Jack & Coke and took it to his lips, loving the clink of ice that tapped at the rim. He heard a woman say that her knees were shaking and Jacob in return seemed to reflexively reply. [color=lightblue]"Shakey knees and hands."[/color] He said joining in. [color=lightblue]"I'm amazed I haven't dropped my these yet."[/color] Jacob seemed to kind of smooze his way into the discussion of the group socializing at the bar, and he was one of those guys that was encouraging, going out of ones way to remind those around him that they were all here for the same reason so there wasn't much to be scared of.