34 - Love is in the Air

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: An enterprising pair of shinki is trying to spread love throughout the Far Shore with exciting blind dates.
When: February 14
Where: Hot romantic spots throughout Tokyo
Summary: Blind dates on Valentine's Day? Sounds like fun (or possibly a disaster, but everyone needs some good disaster stories.) That's not all that's going on, though. Ayakashi are looking to chow down on the negative emotions that a romantic holiday can generate, and those who aren't busy with their own dates might be sucked into helping out followers who need help to make the day go well.






The Dates

Blind Date Matchups

Those who have signed up -- or whose friends and colleagues have signed them up -- for dates will get cards with specified times and meeting places inside for the big event. The cards don't list their dates' names, but instead have a matching symbol to allow everyone to find their proper partner. If anyone tries to stand up their date, they can expect a small and angry owl to harass them until they give in.


• Date One: The Romantic Brunch.
  Couples will find themselves with reservations (and pre-paid coupons for the prix fixe menu) at a swanky French restaurant with a wide balcony overlooking the lake in a central Tokyo park. They can dine on dainty pastries, sweet milk coffees, bowls of grapes and hothouse strawberries, and a selection of fancy chocolates and petit-fours-- plus, some of the trees in the park are blooming in holiday-appropriate red and white!



• Date Two: The Aquarium.
  Couples scheduled for this date have tickets to a rooftop aquarium in Ikebukuro: brightly colored fish, animals including penguins, seals and pelicans, a small petting zoo and plenty of shadowy, secluded nooks to cuddle in make for a fun lunchtime date. The tickets even include admission to the one o'clock penguin and seal show!



• Date Three: The Amusement Park.
  This date sends couples to spend the evening enjoying themselves at a seaside amusement park. Ride the roller coasters! Take selfies with the costumed attendants! Share an overpriced ice cream cone while you watch the fireworks after sunset, then wind up the night with a ride on the colorfully lit Ferris wheel with a romantic view of the Tokyo skyline.

Ayakashi Menace

There's more than just romantic couples out to enjoy themselves today. Romantic holidays can be tough for those whose love lives aren't so rosy, and as always, those negative feelings draw in ayakashi who are ready to ruin everybody's day.

All across the city, besides the usual ayakashi, characters might encounter the following:

Flocks of dove ayakashi whose mournful call induces self-doubt, suspicion and paranoia in everyone who hears it. Are your friends really your friends? Is your lover betraying you? Shouldn't you hurry up and stab them in the back before they can do it to you? These ayakashi are small and agile, difficult to catch but easy to destroy once they're caught... if you can overcome the urge to turn on your allies first.

Long-fingered shadow ayakashi, large and powerful, and capable of sneaking around by blending into genuine shadows. These ayakashi draw those who are alone into their clutches, filling them with resentment and despair. Anyone battling them needs to watch out for the humans they might already have influenced, who may become unpredictable and violent as the ayakashi influencing them grows more desperate.

Cute teddy bear ayakashi, that influence anyone they cling to into greedy obsession: they need attention, affection and gifts, and they can never have enough. When attacked, the teddy bears turn out to fight a little more like a grizzly bear than a stuffed toy, so gods and shinki beware!

Praying for Love

Those who aren't busy with their own dates might find themselves busy taking care of other people's instead. On a day like this one, everyone's praying that things turn out perfectly! Prayers gods might hear include:

"He's just got to ask me out! I made him the biggest box of chocolates... please, let senpai notice me!"

"Does she really like me? Please, give me a sign."

"I got concert tickets for our date, but it's supposed to rain. Please let me find a way to make this work out anyway!"

"The restaurant I wanted to take him to isn't taking any more reservations for tonight. What can I do? I can't cook!"

Wild Card -- players are free to make up their own romance-adjacent prayers for their characters to fulfill.

In Summary:

• Enjoy your dates
• Fight some ayakashi
• Make sure to answer prayers for a good Valentine's Day
• Have fun~

Comments

[unlucky7]

[It's really less a group and more a hostage situation, in Ginia's opinion. She looks at the person Kasumi approaches. It's not the kind of thing someone would normally wear to date, but she's not here to judge. His pants and boots stand out from their cut and style, recognizing them for what they are.

Kasumi smiles and holds out Ginia's invitation with the symbol on the front.]

"No, I'm only here to support a friend and make sure she goes on her date. Wave hi, Jitsumi!"

[Ginia waves, smile embarrassed.]

"Isn't she pretty? So! Do you have a matching card?"

[smilingbullet]

[ It's not like any sort of hostage situation that D2's ever seen, so it doesn't register as one to him.

He smiles and he waves back. Jitsumi? Is that what she's called? Are her friends there as moral support or to make sure she goes? ]

She is. [ Though it's really awkward to just answer a question like that while the person in question can hear, he masks it well enough, probably. ] Here, do they match?[ He shows her his card. ] It's nice of you to come for support.

[unlucky7]

[It's been a morning of embarrassment. Kasumi may be one of Ebisu's shinki and in his employ for a few centuries, but she's still a giddy and young at heart. Charming, but embarrassing. She looks at the card and grins, turning back to wave at Ginia.]

"Found your date! Oh yeah, you're welcome. She'd probably run if we weren't here."

[Ginia sighs and rolls her eyes at her coworkers and steps forward. She sets a hand on Kasumi's shoulder, typing a message on her phone and playing it.]

Thank you, Kasumi, Fuyumi, Hidemi, I'll take it from here.

"Have fun! Don't forget to give us all the details!"

[Kasumi regroups with the other two women, but they don't leave immediately, staying around to make sure Ginia doesn't bolt on them. Ignoring them, Ginia smiles at her date and inclines her head. If he turns out to be a god, the accidental slight can be excused.]

It's nice to meet you. I'm Ginia.

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 can't help the amusement when he observes the exchange between the group of ladies.

Once they are left on their own, he offers a handshake to Ginia. If she were to take it, his grasp is firm, but not painful; his palm is calloused from years and years of handling firearms of various kinds. ]

I'm D2- My name's Carl but I'm called D2. It's likewise nice to meet you, Ginia. I take it that you didn't sign up to this on your own accord?

[ But perhaps he's wrong! Maybe she just changed her mind about it, or found someone that she likes since then, or something. There are a lot of different possibilities. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia returns the handshake, her own firm and professional. Her palm is calloused simliarly too, fingers as well from handling knives. She pauses, handshake lasting a second longer before she pulls back. From her side, it's clear what he knows. It's a weird comfort because meeting the other firearm experts around is nice, but it also comes with the risk of knowing more firearm experts. If he's a shinki, it comes with another level of possible complication.

She smiles sincerely, resists the urge to look back at her coworkers and shoo them off.]

I was going to help Minako with fending off ayakashi, but my coworkers had other ideas. What about you?

[smilingbullet]

[ Another pro at handling weapons, huh. He doesn't exactly know a lot people who use firearms so much that it's possible to tell from a simple handshake, but it's best to be cautious for the time being. He has a fair amount of memories back, but what about her?

If she was going to help with fending off ayakashi, then his guess is right. He assumes, at least. ]

I was curious about what Chikusa had gotten himself into arranging, and decided to sign up on my own. [ Though he almost did tell the kid that he was canceling. In the end he sticks to his commitments though. ] Should we find our seat?

[unlucky7]

[There's a single memory to her name, but with the skills she has and the fights she's been through, it's pretty easy to make assumptions about herself. She may never know for certain, but maybe it's better that way.]

This is definitely not Chikusa's style.

[Too involved, too lovey. What is he planning?]

I think so. Time to see what's in store for us.

[As busy as the restaurant is, Ginia is a little worried any reservation might have been overlooked. But through some sort of magic and persistence, it doesn't take them too long to get shown to a table with a view of the lake. There's a prickly discomfort sitting close to the window, but Ginia shoves the feeling aside as she looks around, a bit wide-eyed.]

This is all very impressive.

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 chuckles; a bizarre image of Chikusa as some sort of frilly cupid popped into his head. ]

No, yeah, it definitely isn't, that's fore sure. It's pretty far removed from how he is.

[ Pretty much a window seat, huh. There are both positive and negative factors in that, but he supposes that the only ones that would stop and look are people from the Far Shore, and it's public knowledge that Chikusa and Minako are up to things today. ]

It indeed is. [ D2 pulls out her chair for Ginia, and it is a completely natural motion that he doesn't even have to think about. ] It is a very nice kind of place, it seems, but at least it's not overly fancy, thankfully.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia smiles and nods appreciatively as D2 pulls out a seat for her. Manners are always appreciated and the gesture feels nice.]

I'd feel out of place if it were any fancier.

[She admires the view of the lake a little more before looking over the menu. It's a distraction more than anything as Ginia realizes she's not sure what to do on a blind date. Small talk is definitely not her forte, though she can put in the effort.]

So how long have you been here?

[smilingbullet]

[ Manners are well-ingrained in him, and some of them doesn't make most people here uncomfortable. ]

Yeah, me too.

[ After she is seated, he takes a seat for himself, and honestly, he can't recall ever being on a date before (except friend dates, but that's a completely different thing) and he looks between the menu, the view, and the other people. ]

Oh, um, about nine months, give or take a few days? What about you?

[unlucky7]

[She has to think for a moment. Time has a way of feeling fast and slow and the realization surprises her a little.]

Only four months, give or take a few days. Feels longer though, or maybe because of how much happens.

[Investigating that cult sure kept her occupied for a few months. And it's only been a month since the volcano too.]

After a volcano erupting, I'm okay if the next few months are quiet.

[With a wry smile, Ginia punctuates the end of the message with a light rap on the table. Yeah, good luck there.]

[smilingbullet]

That's longer than some, so I'm not sure if 'only' is entirely appropriate.

[ After all, some people stay for only a few days. ]

Hahah, if only we'll be so lucky. That would be good.

[ On the other hand, whenever something does happen, they're kept busy. D3 prefers being kept busy. Though without a god there's not much that he can do at the moment. ]

[unlucky7]

[A fair point. When the longest are barely passing a year, every bit of time matters.

Ginia glances at the menu for the brunch course they'll be partaking in. Pastries, fresh fruit, light desserts, it's a nice spread for the morning.]

Think we'll have to wave down a server or do you think they'll remember we're here?

[smilingbullet]

[ If it's a good thing or a bad thing that sometimes, a person doesn't last for long, can be very debatable. Some should go away sooner. ]

I'd guess the former. We are forgettable, and all that. Do you know what you would like?

[ They wouldn't want to stall the server for too long with the place being busy. D2 has a bit of an idea for his part, though he would usually cook his own after he returns from his run. But this morning he has only had some tea thus far. ]

[unlucky7]

The crepes suzette with fresh fruit sound good. Do you mind ordering on my behalf?

[It's a little lighter than she usually eats and it's a little tempting to order more when it's on someone else's dime, but she wants to set at least a good impression. She can have a big meal tonight after finishing off a night of driving of ayakashi.]

[smilingbullet]

Mh, no, I don't mind at all, sure I can do that.

[ Her logic is sound and, really? He had been intending to go for fruit-related food as well. But partially because he doesn't have an appetite for anything heavy. He's unfortunately not in a position to guard against ayakashi at the moment. ]

[unlucky7]

Thanks. What are you getting?

[Ginia smiles, knowing communicating through a phone is always going to make the conversation stilted, but also hoping it's not that awkward to deal with. No one says anything, but that doesn't mean people don't think it.]

[smilingbullet]

[ Communication through phones is just fine, so long as he doesn't have to do too much typing himself. That would leave the conversation stilted. ]

The Breakfast Fruitata. I can't say that I know if I've had fruit frittata before so I'm curious about it. And cinnamon coffee.

[ He likes being adventurous with food, both made by others and by himself, so long as there is no pickles or pork in there. And also, he likes cinnamon coffee. ]

Do you want anything to drink with yours?

[unlucky7]

[Cinnamon coffee... it sounds appealing with the extra flavor, but Ginia knows she's not the biggest fan of coffee. Not without too much cream and sugar to render the coffee near nonexistent.]

Green tea and water sound great for me.

[A server draws into range and Ginia focuses on making herself as visible as possible as she sticks a hand in the air and waves her down. The server double-takes, but hurries over.]

"Sorry for the wait. Are you two ready to order?"

[smilingbullet]

Alright.

[ D2 is a heavy coffee drinker, but only when he's not deployed. Cinnamon he adds to a lot of things. He nods and he looks over at the server with a brilliant smile. He wonders if it comes off as a little forced for once, but hopefully not to people who don't know him. ]

Yes, thank you. A breakfast fruitata and cinnamon coffee for me, and crepes suzette with fresh fruit, and a green tea and water for the lady.

[ He says it without rush, because he can imagine it might be annoying if a person ordered in a rapid-fire way. He offers further thanks to the server after they finishes writing their order down and saying 'no thank you' when the server asks if there was something else they might want. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia watches the server leave, hoping they aren't completely forgotten. It's uncommon, but it still happens from time to time. Which means as they wait, it's back to getting to know each other.]

I guess there's a question to get out of the way. God or shinki? I'm shinki to Alex, the goddess Oshun.

I also work at Ebisu's temple, hence my coworkers earlier.

[smilingbullet]

[ The servers will probably be wondering about a lot of orders today, considering the specific clientele the organizers has given the business as a result of the even. ]

Ah- of Alex's? [ That is definite recognition he shows. ]

I'm shinki to Forrest, Lakshmi.

[ Was, not is, but, she won't know that unless she's in the habit of passing through the entire Far SHore to check on temple status in the morning. ]

[unlucky7]

[Without knowing Forrest well at all, his cover is safe. But come the next training session when Ginia checks the contact list for arrivals and departures, Lakshmi's missing name won't go unnoticed.

What is noticed now is the recognition at Alex's name.]

I can't say I've met him, but I've heard Kairi mention him. I take it you know Alex?

[smilingbullet]

[ So there's some relief for a little while at least. ]

That's not surprising, since they're not so secretly dating. [ And the poor girl was a wreck this morning. He did not like that. ] Yes. Yeah, we've been friends for a while now, yeah.

[unlucky7]

[Anyone that's friends with Alex is good in her book. She'll have to confirm things with Alex later, but Ginia relaxes a little.]

Alex is great, isn't she? One of the nicest people in the Far Shore.