- Joined
- Feb 3, 2013
Maybe? I've rarely seen it happen, though. In my experience, the mating dance of the awkward, semi-hot nerd is ritual lasting hours, or perhaps days.
Most cons last three days. Friday is the day when people get their badges, check the place out, attend their first parties, and wear their more casual costumes. Saturday is the day when primary courtship activities take place: the corsets are laced tightest and the boobs are hoisted highest. People hit the floor and circulate, posing for photos and perhaps roleplaying with other people in costumes from the same series/game/etc.
Shared costuming provides an opening for conversation and thus, an initiation of courtship. An Aeris and a Sephiroth who have never met will pose for photos, admire each other's costumes, and talk about Final Fantasy VII. Typically, the more attractive of the prospective mating pair will be the one to receive overtures, as subservient, less-hot members of the opposite (or perhaps same) sex compete for attention, photo opportunities, and chances to talk about whether or not they liked "Advent Children." The pair may separate and meet again several times over the course of the day, each time exchanging overtures and, if mutual favor is found, engaging in courtship behavior. The Aeris will offer to hold onto the Sephiroth's unwieldy Masamune prop while the Sephiroth is in the restroom, for example.
More overt signs of sexual favor may be given and received. As we see in this example, the Sephiroth will posture and display his masculinity and availability as a mate by engaging with the prospective mate on a character basis--pretending to stab or menace her during photo ops, for example, or displaying his strength by carrying her around the dealer's hall. The female will proffer signs under the guise of soliciting the male's help, asking for assistance with a zipper or (for the truly favored male) stockings or a corset.
Typically this stage of the courtship ritual concludes by late Saturday, when there is often a dance. For the more sexually-aggressive or desperate cosplayers, too much adrenaline and caffeine followed by grinding at a Hilton ballroom rave will be sufficient to initiate mating. Shyer or more awkward types will continue courtship behaviors into Sunday, when everyone's a little tired and wearing their schlubby, second-best "I can't be in those heels any more" costumes. If favor continues to be found under these circumstances, Facebook details will be exchanged and the courtship will either be broken off (usually when one just stops replying to the other's IMs) or resumed at the next in-person meeting, when mating is likely to occur. Nine months later, a child is born, and whatever its gender it will likely be named Cloud. And thus, the cycle of life continues.
There are, of course, many exceptions, but this gay-ass post is long enough.
