when the moon hits your eye... [Valentine's Day Date Night]

[ayes]

Who: You Watanabe (ayes) & lots of folks!
What: Valentine's Day Matchmaking: DATE NIGHT
When: The evening of February 14!
Where: Olympia
Warning(s): Some mild druglike effects, and probably some NSFW stuff in threads?

Earlier in the week-- about the night of February 12 or so-- you received a letter in the mail. Upon opening it, you found an invitation, hand-written in a sort of looping script.

Hello [YOUR NAME HERE]!
You're invited to a really great night!
On the evening of February 14, please come join us in Olympia for a special surprise!

Your friend,
You

P.S. "You" is my name. I'm not saying it's from you!

She's drawn a little smiley face on the invitation, and you may remember her from her earlier post to the network. For some of you, this invitation isn't surprising. You signed up for her party, after all. For others, though, this may come as a surprise.

[I: The Message & The Arrival]

Nevertheless, you decide to go anyway. She's listed an address in Olympia, and the night of the event, when you show up, it's a decent-sized dining hall. There are pink and red ribbons and balloons and lacy heart shapes everywhere.

You may catch sight of the young woman scurrying around, looking a little harried. Or you may just find other people who seem confused to be here. Did your name wind up in the drawing list? Did theirs? What's going on?

[II: Dinner...]

Be it as it may, you go inside. Inside, you can find more of those ribbons, and balloons, and hearts, as well as dozens of small, round tables for two, each covered in a white tablecloth and with a pair of candlesticks. Approaching the tables, you find that each seat has a small nametag, written in that same looping handwriting. They're names you may recognize: Reinhardt Wilhelm, Isabela, Mikazuki Augus, and more.

One of these names is yours. And across from you is another name. Maybe you recognize them, maybe you don't.

Either way, it's not long before someone comes by to light the candles and take your food order. You've got a date.

[III: ...and a show!]

Maybe half an hour after your meal order is taken and has been served (it's delicious, by the way) a spotlight cuts through the dim light, illuminating a small raised stage off on the side of the room. The young woman, You, is standing there, wearing a short dress that almost looks like that of a ballet dancer, her hair pinned up. She has to reach up to bring the microphone down. She's not very tall.

"Ah... um, hello? Is it on? Hi!" she says, her voice fast and a little nervous. "I'm You Watanabe, and... happy Valentine's Day! I hope you're all having a wonderful time, and maybe the person you're meeting tonight, um, I don't know, something could come out of it, I hope!"

She pauses, like she's not sure what to say. "Anyway, uh, I thought I'd perform some songs while you're eating, so listen if you want!"

You takes a breath and then steps back before gesturing to someone in the darkness, presumably who then starts a music track. She begins to sing and dance, performing a number of different songs. Some of them are sweet and slow, others a little more upbeat, and there's even one that's kind of... sensual in a rockin' way? Still, while her dance moves are well practiced and her voice pretty and clear, you get the sense that these song and dance routines were meant to be performed with way more than just one person. There should be harmonies or other parts there that are missing.

Still, there's an empty dance floor in front of the stage, and there's something catchy and almost strangely inspiring about the girl's singing-- even if this genre of music isn't your particular favorite, it's somehow encouraging. Why not ask your partner to dance?

[IV: Sin and Sweetness]

Eventually, You leaves the stage, thanking everyone, and the night continues uneventfully. As your dinner wears down, you may be drawn to a cart off to the side, piled high with desserts, pastries of all types and color. Eventually, a pair of waiters begins pushing it around from table to table. Do you want some dessert, they ask.

These pastries have been baked by your hostess, You herself, based off a book of recipes she'd found in some of the... seedier parts of the Entertainment District. There's another one of those handwritten notes in that looping script, written on thick card stock folded in two to make a simple sign:

Tonight's a night of excitement!
If you want a little help feeling romantic, try the pastries!
They'll definitely spice things up! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

The various pastries themselves have similarly handwritten signs on them, notifying you (if a little obliquely) of some potentially interesting effects...

• Strudel: "Find beauty in the world!" (For whatever reason, other people look a little more attractive.)
• Baklava: "To tell them how you really feel!" (You'll feel more likely to be honest, if not overshare.)
• Cannoli: "Because love needs laughter!" (Everything other people say is somehow funnier than usual.)
• Cinnamon Roll: "The nose knows!" (The first person you look at smells oddly like your favorite smell.)
• Blueberry Scone: "For a bit of courage!" (This will make you feel bolder, intensifying emotions you already feel.)
• Mooncake: "To feel like falling in love!" (Every time you look at the first person you see, your heart beats a little faster.)
• Taiyaki: "Try to see someone else differently!" (Every time you look at the first person you see, there are little sparkles around them.)

The effects themselves aren't designed to be overwhelming or all that powerful, and can be resisted with just a little effort. However, You's recipe only dealt with one effect at a time. Mixing and matching multiple pastries? Who knows what might happen...?

There are also plenty of non-magical desserts, for anyone looking to sate their sweet tooth without chancing an odd experience.

[V: Singles Mingle]

You's spent most of her time arranging the couples event, of course, but if you didn't sign up, there's still a place for you! (Or maybe your date went terribly and you're here early.) There's a bar off to the side where people are welcome to sit and drink and meet other folks.

That said, they're bringing the pastries around here, too...

[VI: Wildcard]

Didn't see a prompt here for you? Write your own! The night has plenty of dancing, food, romantic moonlight, and plenty of places you can sneak off to be alone.

((OOC: As always, please label your threads if they turn NSFW, and make sure your thread partner(s) are okay with whichever pastry effect you're getting!))

Comments

You Watanabe | OTA

[ayes]

[Feel free to interact with her during any of the above prompts! You can catch her running around before dinner, or grab her as she's coming off stage.] [VI] [The night is over. Everyone is clearing out. Maybe you're going home with your new date, or maybe you just stuck around for some more drinks. Either way, as people clean off the tables and take uneaten food and magic pastries away, you can find a thoroughly exhausted-looking You, still dressed in her performance outfit, slumped over a table in one of the corner booths, resting her head on folded arms. As with the beach party, it seems that the girl's been working herself to the bone. She's practically passed out. Maybe you should let her rest... or say hi?]

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt had had a very fun night. His date likely doesn't mind that he drifts over to their host. She is really a very sweet little girl. First the beach party and then the clothing he's wearing right now. Now this. She does far too much for so many without any sort of reward.

He goes over and takes off his jacket to rest it over those small shoulders like an absolutely massive blanket. ]

You, you were amazing tonight. I've not heard such great music in such a long time. And such dancing. You must have been a rock star where you came from. [ He barely manages not to compare it to Hasselhoff. ] But you can't sleep here. You'll get sick.

[ayes]

Huh? [She stirs when she feels the large coat draped over her shoulders, straightening up and blinking blearily. She manages to give Reinhardt a tired-looking smile when she sees who it is, stretching and yawning.] Oh, no, no, it's nothing! It's, ah, no problem! I just did what I could, you know? I was just resting for a bit, I'll head home when it's all cleaned up.

[panzersoldat]

[ He smiles softly at the sleepy look. He just shifts a little to adjust that jacket on her shoulders. She looks even more small and adorable swimming in it. ]

Well, you deserve the rest. You worked hard tonight to make sure we were all having fun. You even went up there and preformed all those fun songs for us. You really were good. But I can't help but have noticed... were you part of a group?

[ayes]

[Yeah, the jacket does kind of completely dwarf her. She yawns again, reflexively pulling it around her shoulders.] Oh... haha, how'd you notice? Yeah, my friends and I were all part of a group back home. [That's another yawn.] Um, we were called Aqours.

[panzersoldat]

[ He settles next to her and gives her a small smile. ]

I used to fight in a shield wall. You learn to move a certain way because there's someone next to you and you don't want to trip them or hit them. Your dancing reminded me of that. Like there were supposed to be people next to you.

[ He adjusts the coat around her. ] The Aquors. Is that where the music comes from too? It's such a nice sound. I'd love to hear more of it. But only when you're more awake. You've worked yourself to the bone tonight. No need to be indulging an old man.

[ayes]

[It makes sense, though You has the brief mental image of her and the other girls holding shields, Sparta-style...

...boy, that's weird. She's too tired.

She nods at his question.] Yeah, those were all our songs!

Um, I can send you the music files if you want. That way you could listen to them whenever you wanted. [She does give him a tired smile.] I don't think I'm up for another stage show before I've had, like, at least a good nap.

IIIish!

[meinwaifu]

[So no doubt by now You's noticed the weird old guy in the bright blue and pink suit who seems to be really really enjoying the music. He wasn't there for every song, but he was cheering her on and applauding all of them whenever he had the chance, like some kind of one-man mosh pit or a very excited stagedad.]

[He won't approach her right after she gets off stage-- she's probably tired! It's improper concert etiquette to bother the performers before they have a chance to rest!! But perhaps not long after she's finally decided to take a rest and sit down, he'll approach her, all smiles.]

Ah, Watanabe-san? If I might have a moment of your time--

[And he bows... and holds out a little notebook and pen. Does he carry these around everywhere he goes waiting for the chance to meet an Actual Anime Character and ask for their autograph?? Yes, yes he does.]

May I have your autograph?

[ayes]

[You's finally sitting down to catch her breath for just a second, before planning on scurrying off somewhere again to ensure that everything's going well, when Mephisto approaches her. She looks up, surprised-- doubly so when she realizes what he's asking.] Huh?

I mean, that's me, but-- my autograph? Really?

[meinwaifu]

Is that so shocking? You're an idol, aren't you?

[HE KNOWS... vaguely who she is, there are a lot of high school idol anime out there okay. But more than her name or face, he recognizes the songs. Still, he's not sure just how much it'd be safe to say without coming off as creepier than... this might already be...]

[But he is a demon. He can make any excuse sound like the truth. Especially when there's plenty of truth to be found just below the surface lies.]

Ah, or perhaps simply an aspiring one... but I can tell your talent is beyond a mere amateur who enjoys singing and dancing! You normally perform as a group, yes? Those dance routines aren't the sort you'd see in a typical solo performance, after all!

[ayes]

[And You is tired, and a little frazzled (even if she hides it well) so she completely doesn't see through his stories.] Oh, uh... yeah. I mean, we're not idol idols, we're school idols, not professionals or anything!

And by "we" I mean me and my friends, uh. Back home?

[meinwaifu]

Well, you certainly fooled me! Ah, but perhaps I should introduce myself--

[He bows.] My name is Johann Faust. I was the principal of an academy for children back in Japan. I've always made an effort to keep up with the latest trends among my students, and seeing as idol groups have become rather popular these days, I suppose I became something of a fan myself by extension.

[A weirdly tall German-looking guy who loves idol groups and works as a principal in Japan??]

[It's sad how much of this is actually true.]

[ayes]

Ohhh... that makes sense! [It sorta does. That's why he'd know stuff about idol culture!] Well, it's really nice to meet you, then!

Hey, are school idols popular where you're from, too? And the Love Live competition?

vi.

[centurian]

[ he feels her. oh how he feels her. ]

Hey. Did you want any help?

[ look. he wasn't the greatest big brother to his own younger sister. he might as well try and make up for it right now.

not that he's really the best at the whole "tlc" thing, or whatever it is that humans call it. ]

[ayes]

Eh? [She says, blinking her eyes sleepily as she sits upright-- and looking briefly startled at the strange inhuman face in front of her before realizing that it's just Garrus.] Oh--!

Haha, no, I'm fine! I'm just resting for a little bit.

Um, did you have a good time?

[centurian]

I did.

[ his mandibles flare widely, in an approximation of a smile. not that romance was really in the cards for him right now (as humans might say), but look. it's the thought that counts. ]

Did you do all of this on your own?

[ayes]

That's great! [She gives him a genuine, if kinda exhausted, smile.] I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

I mean, I didn't do all the catering myself, but yeah... I kinda set everything up. Haha, it was a little more work than I expected!

[centurian]

...Impressive.

[ seriously, You. ]

Next time you want to do something like this, I'd be happy to help in any way I can. And if you need help taking the decorations down, I'm more than happy to do that too.

[ayes]

[She looks up at the decorations, all the balloons and hearts and ribbons, and gives a little sigh.] ...geez, I didn't even want to think about that. [She stretches over her head with a big yawn.] You don't suppose that it can wait until tomorrow, right? Thanks for offering, though-- I really appreciate it.

VI

[izanyagi]

[If by saying hi, one means 'carrying in his arms to try and find the nearest place where he can place her in a bed' then yes, he was saying hi. If she needed to say here, he'd make sure that a bunch of chairs were placed in a makeshift bed patterns so he could continue to help with cleaning.

As far as Yu was concerned, if she was going to nap, at least he'd make her comfortable.]

[ayes]

[You is sleeping pretty soundly by the time he stops by-- snoring and all-- but even she doesn't sleep through being picked up and carried. She stirs slightly before realizing she's in someone else's arms, and there's a brief moment of embarrassed, albeit sleepy, confusion.] Uh... ...hi?

noooo my internet lag

[izanyagi]

[Oh no, his Nanako carrying skills had failed him if she had woken up. At still, he couldn't help but smile down at her. Don't worry, this is strictly professional of course.]

Hello, You-san. I figured you could sleep a little better somewhere else.

[A pause.]

Not in my arms, I was taking you somewhere.

[ayes]

[In all fairness, You is nearly 17, and thus quite a bit bigger than Nanako.

It's a little awkward to be carried by a guy she barely knows, and her cheeks do redden slightly.] N-no, it's fine, I was just resting my eyes! I still gotta finish cleaning up here, so...

["Resting eyes" includes snoring in her world.]

[izanyagi]

[He's a professional You. Despite the other's blush, he just continues as if this was perfectly normal.]

Don't worry, I'll be helping out too. You can continue to take a break, right? You were snoring...

[Translation: He's not buying it.]

[ayes]

I was only snoring a little! [She says, equal parts sheepish and defensive.] D-didn't you have a nice date that you went on tonight? You should uh, go find them!