005 | Sakura In The Night

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: Cherry blossom viewing
When: Nighttime March 26, 2016
Where: A park with sakura trees
Summary: Heaven is throwing a small party to view the sakura and let everyone relax.



After the absolute disaster that happened with handing out chocolates, the Heavens are tripping over themselves to make up for their inability to properly handle the situation. They are eager to make amends and assure everyone that they are hardworking individuals who want nothing more than to make everyone's stay here enjoyable or at least pleasant. To that end, they have invited all of the gods and shinki to a lovely flower viewing, since the sakura are in season.

And by 'invited', they mean 'mandatory', of course. You will accept their apology, whether you like it or not.

It's not all bad, though. The Heavens have provided various kimonos that can be worn, if you haven't brought your own, but you're not required to wear a kimono. They would, however, really like it if you did wear them. It's very traditionally Japanese, after all.

The party is taking place at night so that you can all hide your merrymaking from the Near Shore residents and also because the night sky is beautiful against the cherry blossoms. So try to at least enjoy yourselves while you're here.



Banquet

Every kind of food imaginable is available for your eating pleasure. On top of that, there are dozens of different kinds of desserts ready to be devoured as well. For the older crowd, booze has been provided and is being served by white-clad shinki bearing the golden chrysanthemum of Amaterasu. They are, however, refusing to serve alcohol to anyone who looks too young to drink, sorry guys.

Cherry Blossoms

The blossoms are absolutely gorgeous this year, and they are at the peak of their blooming right now. Nearly every single bud has bloomed and the pink petals are floating by everywhere you go. There is an ethereal light emanating from each of the trees, lighting up the area with a soft, pink light, yet it doesn't seem to be drowning out the brightness of the stars at all. It really is the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing anyone could ever hope for.

"Secret" Corner

Somehow, the Heavens have managed to make one small corner of the grotto into a completely secluded area. There is no marking or signs to indicate what this corner should be used for, but anyone entering it will suddenly realize that this is a place for lovers to meet privately. Only those that you enter the corner with will be able to notice your presence, and you will be unable to notice anyone else's presence as well. Enjoy yourselves, young ones!

Counselling

Off to the side, there is a tiny table set up with a small, nicely written sign that reads "Gentle Counselling". On the other side of the table is a sweetly smiling shinki who is willing to listen to your problems and answer any questions you might have. She is also here to help out any gods that are having a hard time dealing with knowing about how their shinki died and any shinki that is having trouble coming to terms with the fact that they are dead. Counselling will also gladly be offered to anyone who is still pissed off or upset in any way about what happened after White Day.



In Summary:

• Enjoy the cherry blossoms
• Eat lots of good food
• Promise it's not poisoned
• Spend time with people you like
• Meet the newbies
• Have fun~

Comments

[subtract]

Add doesn't even hesitate after hearing Genos' vague response. His eyes light up, sparks flying (again, literally).

"If I assist you then you have to make some for me." It sounds like more of a demand than a request, when he says it like that...

If he has a large number of augmentations, then would Genos also have the capability to make desserts beyond human capabilities? The ultimate desserts?! It's something that requires thorough testing, to be sure. This would of course mean plenty of taste testing as well, to ensure the flavour is correct and to Add's high standards.

This is definitely an important research subject.

[scrap_metal]

The biggest problem for Genos is that he still haven't figured out what kind of job he can get in the Near Shore. And no job, means no money. No money, means no way to afford ingredients. Because the fridge is apparently self-refilling, but only with ready foods.

"If all necessary ingredients are on you, then sure." If Add can figure out how to restock the kitchen, then sure thing, he will share the desserts, why not.

[subtract]

"On me? Well, I wouldn't have any of that right now..." But it's easy enough to get the supplies. No one can see them in the Near Shore, so he can just walk into a store and take whatever he needs. It's only a crime if you get caught, right?

Ahh, just thinking about the perfect dessert... if only he could run off and get everything now, but they're stuck at this party for at least a little while longer...

"Kekekekeke, very well. I'll research this topic thoroughly for you and acquire the materials. In return, you are to provide me with the samples when you attempt to reproduce it."

And, as part of his research, he proceeds to pluck the minty chocolate out of Genos' hand and toss it in his mouth. It's pretty good, even if it might not be an ultimate dessert crafted with the power of cybernetic enhancements. He pauses to savour it a little.

[scrap_metal]

Easy if you have a job, probably. Genos wasn't able to hold an interview for one, as most of the time the interviewer stopped paying attention to him halfway. Annoying.

"Exactly, that's a fair trade. I will share the results evenly-- hey" he protests when his desserts gets attacked. "Do that again, and I will cancel the deal."

Don't take someone elses food if it's not given to you!

[subtract]

"You were offering it to me," Add responds confidently. Well, more like Genos was shoving it in his face for analysis...

There's still a few left on the platter, though, so he picks up another one and puts it in Genos' hand. Problem solved!

"Kukuku, be more careful with your intentions. But I'll try not to repeat it." That's the closest thing to an apology he's going to get, sorry. "After all, I'm sure your own creation would be much more satisfying. I'd hate to be disappointed."

[scrap_metal]

"Be more careful when taking what's not yours" Is that a threat? No it's just Genos way of interacting with others. Subtlety and him does not always mix.

Because he takes that apology dessert and starts eating it immediately.

[subtract]

As if he'd take that threat seriously anyway. "Add" and "careful" don't mix very well...

... And he's also pretty bad at subtlety, too, which is evident in how he's staring blankly at Genos while he eats like some kind of huge weirdo. Does Genos need to chew his food? How anatomically correct is the inside of his mouth? Can he choke??

"Ah!" Add claps his hands together suddenly, looking excited again. "Do you need to breathe? Since if you still have organic parts, they would need oxygen, but there could be some other method to acquire it more efficiently..."

[scrap_metal]

Genos rolls his eyes and moves a step away.

"I need to breathe. Aside from needing oxygen because brain, I wouldn't be able to speak otherwise." But it's only now that he realized it. He didn't really paid attention that ha has artificial vocal chords, and not some digital vocalizer.

He wouldn't probably think about, so if there is one thing that Add is useful about, making him remember how his body works is that one thing.

[subtract]

"Kekeke, I see! So your brain is still organic?" He is completely unperturbed by Genos backing away, surprising no one at this point. As long as Genos is still answering his questions he can't really complain about being treated like a nuisance. "Are the lungs still the original tissue as well, or are those synthetic? If it's the latter, I wonder if your lung capacity is enhanced. Humans can train to hold their breath for long periods of time, but a machine doesn't need practice to be at peak performance, kukukuku."

Add's lung capacity is probably pretty good, considering how skilled he is at talking for long periods of time. And laughing obnoxiously between sentences.

[scrap_metal]

"What's with that cackling, really?" Genos can understand excitement, but he can't understand this level of it. Oh, if this boy could only remember. It's not even the creepy manic grin, or invasive questions, it's just the dedication that makes him wonder.

[subtract]

"Wh-what about it?"

He's trying not to show it, but that question totally throws him off. Why... why does everyone keep bringing that up? It's not like he's weird or anything, right? It feels totally normal to him...

"I'm laughing because I think it's amusing, isn't that reason enough?"

[scrap_metal]

"You start doing it when you get overly excited and nosy. I've been wondering if there's a link." Genos shrugs but notes a sudden change in attitude.

And well there is, since he considers these questions amusing. "I guess I got my answer."

He finishes the mint dessert, still having not a slightest idea of it's name. Then he picks another one, hazel-nut parfait. That's easier.

And of course he puts it almost right into Add's face.

"This one is easier to make"

[subtract]

... It stings a bit to be insulted so bluntly. Overly excited and nosy? That's not what he's like, right? No, he just has enthusiasm and a scientific curiosity...!

His thoughts are interrupted by a parfait being shoved in his face. He leans back again.

"... You don't need to hold it that close, you know. I can see it just fine from here."

[scrap_metal]

Ah, so you don't want it? Sure. Genos takes that dessert back and starts eating it also moving away, along the stand. Not even saying goodbye, or something.

This dessert isn't as good as the previous one, really.

[subtract]

... Add can only stare at Genos' back. Did he seriously just walk away in the middle of a conversation?

That doesn't really stop Add from following, though... but on the other hand, there will be more opportunities to analyze Genos. Better opportunities. Ones that he should be preparing for.

He picks up the entire platter of minty chocolates and carries it over to an empty table. It's time to put his skills to the test and reverse-engineer a brownie recipe.

[scrap_metal]

That's what Genos does, you better get used to it, Add.

He'll probably disappear in the crowd in search for either his god, or maybe some other interesting food.