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

anders

[judicia]

( Anders hadn't signed himself up for this, but that doesn't mean he doesn't put at least a little bit of thought into his appropriately colored outfit. His golden hair is tied up as it usually is, though this time it is with a matching red string. )

sin and sweetness

( He's not adventurous enough to try all of the desserts that were offered, but he does give a few of them a taste. The strudel, in particular, seems to be a favorite of his. He's already eaten a couple of them by the time dinner concludes.

So if he ends up staring at someone for an unusually long time, it isn't going to be entirely his fault. He does look plenty embarrassed about it when he gets caught, though, as his hand reaches up to scratch the back of his neck. )

Hi. ( He says, still looking a bit bashful. )

x'rhun

[judicia]

( Anders, admittedly, hasn't ever been on a proper date like this before. Sure, there was that time with Rhys, when Anders asked him out as a joke and they spent the rest of the night in some seedy bar, but this is different. This place has candlelight, music, everything that Anders has ever read about in those trashy romance novels.

He's not nervous, per se, but he is extremely curious to find out who this X'rhun Tia is. Fortunately, he doesn't have to wait long. Anders looks over as his date approaches the table, his mouth curling into a friendly smile. )

Are you... ( He makes a little gesture toward the nametag, not wanting to butcher the poor guy's name. )

[verflair]

[ It’s been a very, very long time since he’s been on a date proper. In his younger days, he used to be quite the heartbreaker, but romance has been the furthest thing from his mind for a long time. War will do that, he supposes.

Granted, it’s far from peaceful in this new place, but that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy what little reprieve there is. Besides, he can’t let Alisaie have all the fun.

By some miracle, he’s without his rapier and crystal, and even his usual garb is absent. He’s still wearing red, however, which wouldn’t be surprising to anyone who knows him. His hat his absent, leaving his ears exposed, and they perk with interest as he approaches the table designated for him and his partner for the evening. ]

X’rhun Tia. [ He knows how daunting his name can be, so he lays it out for the other man. “Sheh-run Tee-ah.” ] And you must be Anders, unless of course you have simply taken his chair.

[judicia]

( So much for not making an embarrassing first impression. Once Anders notices the ears twitching atop the other's head, he couldn't help but stare, wide-eyed and in wonder. He doesn't notice that he's doing it until he hears his name being spoken by his date. )

No, that's... that's me. ( He stammers, his face already flushing a soft red to match the sweater that he's wearing. He steps up out of his chair a little bit too eagerly, and thrust his hand out for the other man to take. )

It's a pleasure to meet you, X'rhun. ( He mimics the pronunciation as best he can. Knowing what he is, he really wants to get this man to like him!! )

[verflair]

[ For whatever it may be worth, everyone stares at X’rhun’s ears when they first see them. He’s more than used to it by now, and doesn’t seem bothered when Anders’ gaze lands on them and stays there, wide-eyed.

He chuckles a bit, the sound accompanied by an amused flick of his feline tail. (Oh yes, there’s more than just the ears. Poor Anders is doomed.) The pronunciation of his name is close enough, and he accepts that offered hand for a shake. ]

The pleasure is mine. Shall we?

[ He motions to the table set out for them. ]

[judicia]

( Doomed to fall in love with him you, you mean. Anders does notice the tail a little moment later, and his infatuation becomes all the more pronounced when he squeezes X'rhun's hand and settles back into his chair. He's staring at his date the whole time, not with the wide-eyed look that he had when X'rhun first appeared, but with a softer, more enamored expression. )

You're not what I expected. ( He says, before realizing how bad that sounds and he forces himself to bow his head in embarrassment. )

Sorry, that didn't come out right.

[verflair]

[ It’s probably a small blessing that X’rhun is notoriously hard to offend, and at Anders’ remark he only laughs, tail swaying. ]

Worry not, my friend. I have taken no offense. I have ever been one to defy expectations, after all.

[ And, just because Anders keeps staring at his ears, best to get the obvious and potentially awkward out of the way first. He flicks his ears in his date’s direction, something playful in the motion. ]

Before you ask, I am a miqo’te. But one of an entire race, though the rest of my kin yet lay sleeping.

[judicia]

( He was just about to ask that, actually, once he found a way to phrase it without making a total arse of himself. At least X'rhun doesn't seem too bothered by it. That seems to draws a small, if not shy, smile out of Anders. )

Does that mean that all the miqo’te look you? You know, with the ears and the tail and everything.

( It's probably a good thing that they're all still asleep in their cryopods. Anders would probably go into cardiac arrest if he saw more than one. )

[verflair]

Aye, that they do, though the shape of the tail and the fur color can vary wildly, even among the same tribe.

[ Yes, it's probably a good thing. Never mind that there would be a decent number of them, but not all of them were as nice as X'rhun and likely wouldn't take his staring in stride. ]

[judicia]

( Anders would gladly take whatever abuse or insult they give him just as long as he gets a chance to stare at them. X'rhun will always be his favorite, though, since he's the one indulging him in these questions. )

I see. ( There's a single, imaginary tear rolling down his cheek right now. )

Well, if I'm allowed to say so, yours looks very nice. You look very nice. ( He smiles genuinely, hoping that X'rhun won't mind the compliment. )

justice

[judicia]

( Once the night begins to wind down, Anders finds himself back at Justice's side. He's smiling, because he's still under the influence of the strudel that he ate earlier. It's mushy and sappy, and if this happened to be a cartoon, he'd probably have little hearts floating above his head.

Not that Justice would notice. Still, Anders looks at him like that for a moment, his expression soft and eyes creasing happily at the edges. )

You don't mind if I steal you for a while, do you? ( He doesn't wait for Justice's answer before slipping his hand into the spirit's own. )

[whatisright]

[Justice can feel the magically influenced warmth radiating off Anders, especially when he takes his hand. It doesn't seem like the influence is particularly dangerous, though, and it's nice to see Anders smiling. So Justice just allows them to hold hands, lacing their fingers together on instinct.]

It is not stealing if I come with you willfully.

[judicia]

( Getting drugged up on magic treats is what Anders has had to settle for now that Justice doesn't let him get drunk. It's completely harmless, so there's nothing that he should worry about. Anders is just going to be staring at him a lot more often than he normally does. )

You smooth talker. ( He retorts with a soft chuckle. ) Let's go, then.

( He pulls gently on Justice's hand, leading out from the main hall and onto one of the open balconies. Night has already blanketed the city, but that just makes the setting all the more romantic with the light filtering out from the doorways and windows.

Anders squeezes Justice's hand, his expression suddenly turning curious. ) How do you feel about Valentine's Day now?

[whatisright]

[Justice hopes that he never stops appreciating how beautiful the mortal world is. For a while, he is enraptured by the view, taking an unnecessary breath of night air and letting the magic of an entire city preparing to sleep wash over him. He can feel them, all the souls behind those glowing lights marking doors and windows. Bubbling with so much depth and dimension, justice and injustice, grief and joy, hate and love, all churning together.

It's beautiful. He keeps an eye on the view, even as he turns to face Anders.]

I believe I understand the appeal. It is a day to celebrate love. It may not be my virtue, but I see the joy it brings nonetheless.

I do not believe I am well suited for the celebrations, however. [They involve lots of eating and dating, both of which Justice isn't particularly good at.]

[judicia]

Well, maybe not this kind of celebration.

( He says, chuckling as if sharing an inside joke with himself. Anders may not have much experience in the dating arena himself, but he does know, at least, that there's a lot more to it than just dining and dancing. )

You did give your date a nice view, so it wasn't all for nothing.

( He's going to have to get after Venom about that later. He has to know how socially awkward the pair of them were together so he can tease him about it. )

[whatisright]

Isabela has informed me that this form is attractive by human standards. [Justice assumes that's what Anders is referring to with the 'nice view' comment. Although Justice says it like it's a comment on the weather; Justice understands that mortals might find his form attractive, but he hasn't made the connection that this may actually mean they might be attracted to him.] Perhaps that is enough for a single good date.

[A part of him feels a little sorry for Venom, because Justice knows he's not the ideal date for a Valentine's Day celebration, but hopefully it wasn't excruciating.]

Has your Valentine's experience been satisfying as well?

[judicia]

That doesn't surprise me.

( Anders' eyes twinkle with amusement. Justice may not understand the full extent of what it means when someone else finds him attractive, but Anders is perfectly fine with that. Let him believe that it is just a simple compliment.

When Justice asks if he enjoyed himself, Anders nods. )

For the longest time, I never thought that I'd be able to do anything like this. Going out on a date, being a normal person. I'm glad I was able to experience, even if it's just for one night.

( It sounds a little sad, but he knows Justice will understand where he's coming from. )

[whatisright]

[The corners of Justice's eyes soften. Justice knows that he will never be a 'normal human', but he has no reason to crave normalcy the way Anders does. Anders is human, and by all accounts has a right to an average human experience. It was people fearing his magic that stole that from him. Those who feared his magic, and a spirit who he cared for too much.]

I am pleased you had this experience, then.

[He leans against the balcony banister, considering Anders quietly.] Is there something else you have wanted to do for a celebration like this?

[Justice has taken much from Anders. Maybe he can give him something back.]

[rosebyanyother]

[When he wants to be eye-catching, Peter absolutely is. Which means that the act of being watched isn't particularly surprising to him. After all, he did dress up to be noticed. Dark red lipstick and heels and all. He's pretty in his own right. Or at least he likes to think he is.

Still. Whoever it is just keeps looking. He can see them out of the corner of his eye as he stands at the edge of the dance floor. He's doing his own watching of the couples out on the floor, though it's decidedly less pointed.

Finally, he turns to look. Out of sheer curiosity. He might have had something witty and a little pointed to say, but Anders' bashfulness just makes him smile instead. It's a little sharp itself.]

Hello. Enjoying yourself?

[He sounds amused, not bothered.]

[judicia]

( It's good the other man doesn't seem too annoyed by it. Anders still feels plenty embarrassed about it, but the fact that he isn't giving Anders a hard time for having stared for so long, it helps to raise his spirits a little. )

I am, actually. More than I could have possibly imagined.

( He wasn't sure what to expect when he got that invitation in the mail, but this party has exceeded every bit of it. )

You look very nice. ( He says, his bashfulness slowly receding. ) Has anyone told you that yet?

[rosebyanyother]

[Ah, compliments. Peter doesn't preen but he does stand up a little straighter - as if he needs to make himself any taller - and the smile on his face widens just a little. It's nice to be appreciated. Which he has been already. But he'll take every ounce of it that's given to him.]

Yes. [He tilts his head a little towards Anders, the smile a little more mischievous now.] But I really don't mind hearing it again. Thank you.

What were you imagining?

[judicia]

Nothing that should be repeated in polite company.

( In truth, he hadn't been thinking about anything of the sort. But admitting to that wouldn't be half as fun, so Anders meets his smile with an equally mischievous smirk of his own and steps closer. )

I'm glad not the only one who noticed. My name's Anders.

[rosebyanyother]

[There's something very pleasing about Anders' boldness and the insinuation he makes, which just serves make Peter's smile a little more mischievous in answer. Ah, so that's what they're doing? That's fine, he enjoys a good flirt.

He extends a hand for the introductions.]

Alexander Noble. It's a pleasure.

You must have had quite a night so far, if it's exceeded those kind of expectations.

[The look in his eyes is both knowing and amused.]

[judicia]

( Anders takes his hand and squeezes it gently, a small chuckle spilling out at the other man's inference. He went on a date with a cat man. It's been one of the best days Anders has had in his entire life. )

I'm not going to kiss and tell. ( He says, still smiling a bit and not wanting to let up on the teasing. His night may have been amazing so far but he's not opposed to seeing how much more interesting it could get. )

Let's talk about you instead. How has your night been going?

[rosebyanyother]

No? That's disappointing. I love a good story. Maybe I can convince you otherwise, eventually.

[His tone is genial and light and he almost certainly doesn't mean what he's saying. Unless Anders wants to spill his (fake) story, in which case Peter will be all ears. But he's not opposed to the conversation wandering in his own direction either.]

My night? Not as interesting as yours, I'm sure. But not disappointing either. I met a very charming, fascinating elf. My first, in fact. Very enlightening.