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

[ofnovalue]

[ She was really starting to wonder about Hibiki's princely manners. A forceful personality was one thing, but... ]

Regardless, we shall to the kitchen. We've fineries to examine.

[priforprince]

[ Shikyoin Hibiki lives life on her own terms, no one else's. This could be an admirable trait if she were not a dreadful snob about it.

Still, she can take a cue. That statement gets a nod and then she continues on her way, pausing in the doorway to take in the....heaps of chocolate....sitting everywhere....here.

The owner of the chocolate piles fidgets, having followed the two sudden helpers (putting a prayer in the movie theater box office sends FANTASY LADIES and RUDE HANDSOME PEOPLE TO YOUR HOUSE?! The more she thinks about this, the more amazing that is, but she's still nervous). She just....really doesn't know. She tried to keep each batch and flavor separate, but - which is best? ]

All will be well. My palate is exquisite.

[ Hibiki steps aside so Ovelia may enter the kitchen, as well. She appears deep in thought about the optimal way to approach this challenge. ]

[ofnovalue]

Milord's confidence is ever unshaken. [ Ovelia gave a small sigh, turning her attention to the worshiper. ]

Milady, we'll need a palate cleanser to truly be able to judge your works. Have you any lemon?

[priforprince]

[ "Oh! Ah! Y-yes...."

The worshipper bustles about, trying to prepare things for her guests. This is...because she prayed. She has caught onto that much. She was not expecting that to merit being a "Milady", but that is actually kind of fun... ]

We'll begin at opposite ends.

[ While Ovelia and the worshipper were getting things actually ready, Hibiki has hit upon The Ideal Chocolate Consumption Order. This is truly a team where everyone contributes useful information. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Ovelia takes the offered lemon slices with a gracious bow, setting aside one for herself and one for Hibiki. The plan of attack didn't particularly matter for her, since that was the whole point of having palate cleansers... But hey, at this point, she was starting to get the impression she should just let Hibiki be Hibiki. ]

Shall we, then?

[priforprince]

Bon appetit.

[ And thus, with their worshipper in need hovering nervously in the wings, it's time to begin!

Hibiki is certainly taking her sweet (hah) time with this, though. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Ovelia also paces herself rather slowly, making certain to take small bites, and chew thoughtfully, to try and discern various flavors and textures. ]

[priforprince]

[ On the other side of the kitchen, Hibiki starts. A teacup that she sure didn't seem to have brought with her, but is here now, falls off the counter and breaks. ]

T-this is....

[ Trembling fingers go to her lips. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Both Ovelia and the worshiper just sort of... stared at Hibiki. Where was she going with this? ]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki marches hurriedly to the sink. She turns it on.

She glugs down water right out of the faucet, which is a grievous blow only an emergency could merit. Then, twisting the flow shut with a wrenching motion, she turns to the worshipper. ]

WITH WHAT DID YOU FILL THAT LAST CONFECTION?!

[ "Ah...." the girl says, looking sheepish. "That was the one where I thought it was green tea....but it was wasabi paste. There's another over there....somewhere."

And she gestures to the pile of chocolates closer to Ovelia. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ ...

Slowly. Very slowly. Ovelia sat down the chocolate she'd bitten into. Thankfully, it was just chocolate, so far, but now she was suddenly deeply uncertain about this prayer. ]

Milady, prithee... what ingredients have you used thus far?

[priforprince]

[ The chef tilts her head, considering this. "All the foods my crush likes. Matcha, and potatoes, and konjac, and steak - " ]

HRK!

[ Hibiki turns away, clapping a hand over her mouth and leaning on the countertop. She's blue in the face just listening. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Ovelia, on the other hand, actually holds a gentle smile on her face, giving a small nod. ]

I see. Milady is sound of mind in that decision, however, I feel that not all flavors will blend so well for your intended's tongue.

Let us, for now, pass on the chocolates mixed with wasabi, steak, or potatoes. May I try the chocolates mixed with matcha and konjac?

[priforprince]

Best leave out the konjac.

[ OVELIA HAS SAVED HER the least Hibiki can do is return the favor.

"Oh, uh...." The girl starts sorting through the piles of chocolates and comes out with a rather lumpy one. "It's this. I think. It might also be the steak."

Hibiki's knees give out for half a second. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Ovelia takes a small bite, not given pause by the warning, but with the slowness of her chew and the tender way she set the rest down without finishing probably said it all. ]

Well. That's fine. The point is to sort the good from the bad.

[priforprince]

Given the situation, unfilled chocolates may also prove most pleasing.

[ Hibiki puts a hand to her face. And when she lowers it, ta-da!

The Prince is back in business. She's a Professional like that. ]

Pure chocolate, like your feelings.

[ The girl blushes a little at that. O-oh.

She now seems open to further suggestions! ]

[ofnovalue]

[ She almost wanted to stomp on Hibiki's foot. ]

Matcha is also fine. Green tea and chocolate pair well as flavors. As do many liquors. But if you want something that's sure to please, simple milk chocolate will usually work.

Though I'm sure your crush may even find it amusing the extent you went to before. Be honest with your feelings and I'm sure your chocolates will share that sincerity...

[priforprince]

[ "Honest with my feelings...." The girl thinks this over. "Then....should I give him....one of each?

"With labels," she adds, after a moment's pause. "In case he doesn't want one after all." ]

You are the very portrait of consideration.

[ What? Hibiki is helping. ]

[ofnovalue]

I do believe your mind and heart are alligned on the right path, milady. [ Ovelia gave a warm smile. ]

I hope we have proven useful to you on this task.

[priforprince]

[ "Ah, yes!"

Somewhat fittingly, the girl is only looking at Ovelia when she says that. "I can't believe people really came to my house because I prayed! I'll leave extra offerings at all temples I visit!" ]

Here, as well.

[ Hibiki presents the girl with two tickets to the current smash-hit romantic film, now playing in theaters. The theater in question is in the area. ] Your smile is my only reward.

[ "Oh...thank you!"

Hibiki smirks. She wasn't lying. That movie theater...is her shrine. ]

[ofnovalue]

If I may ask you offer your thanks to the Goddess Sancus as well. Her dedication to virtuous oaths is why I was able to help today.

[ Or, to put it more accurately, Ovelia's admiration of Agrias is what lead her to being willing to offer her aid to people that had intimidated her previously. If Agrias could face such things with a brave face, so should she. ]

[priforprince]

[ "Sancus...I will! I'll pray to her every night!"

Hibiki files that goddess's name away for further investigation. ] Then, we'll take our leave. May your love be as blessed as this day has been.

[ "Yes! I...I'll do my best!"

Hibiki, to her credit, refrains from offering an opinion on the girl's best. ]

[ofnovalue]

[ Once the farewells were given and both were outside once more, Ovelia let out a sigh, the smile she'd been wearing seeming to weaken, subtly replaced by something that seemed practiced, almost forced. ]

She shall be fine, I am sure...

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki also drops the prince look now that it isn't needed. This was a surprisingly tiring prayer. She may need to go home and watch TV for a while. ]

That will depend on her, from here.

[ Will Ovelia's point about the girl's feelings carry the day? Or will her beloved be unmoved by the idea that "it's the thought that counts"....?

Hibiki will have to spy on it later. ]

[ofnovalue]

There is much about love that seems so alien to me, still... But I believe I have learned something valuable today.