OPEN💗 LATE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

[peoplewatch]

WHO: Newbies, oldbies, everyone is welcome!
WHAT: A Late Valentine’s Party mingle, since Valentines’ Day was over Kaiju month…
WHERE: “MANTRA”, an underground, alternative club in Neo Toyko
WHEN: March 10th
WARNINGS: Romance and shippy things, alcohol, hookah, suggestive things. Anything NSFW is to be appropriately labelled.

Around the 10th of March, Outsiders will receive a message in their ocular inbox from Kabru, the Outsider also known as @ rasgulla. The message reads:

“To my dearest friends and teammates,

If we haven’t met before, call me Kabru. When not on missions as an Outsider, I work as a freelance event planner for various businesses and private organizations within Neo Tokyo.

Valentines’ Day is a popular holiday in Japan that was sadly interrupted last month by the kaiju. My current client is holding a belated Valentines’ Day event and they would really like the Outsiders to come. There will be plenty of food and things to do. Even if you're not looking for a romantic time, I'd encourage you to come!

Please wear something comfortable. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Yours sincerely,

Kabru.”



A location pin comes attached with the invitation. It looks like Kabru’s become more adept at technology over the months.

Follow the location pin and you’ll find yourself in front of ‘Mantra’ in metro Tokyo, an underground, alternative club making waves for its uniqueness in the club scene. Outsiders will all be allowed in without much fuss. The owner of the club is a gentle woman who kindly requests that all guests take their shoes off and leave them at the side. There is a lingering scent of incense and the people hanging out in the club look remarkably calm as they relax; cuddling and enjoying each other’s company. What kind of Valentine’s day party is this? A New Age, alternative kind, apparently. The owner of the club wants to be promoting togetherness in a completely different way.

Thankfully, finger foods and alcohol appear to be abundant, even if Kabru would really like you to be mingling with the people! There is a bar with free flowing wines and spirits, and a table with hors d'oeuvres and small desserts as accompaniment. These can include sushi rolls, small sandwiches, crab cake bites, small skewers, chocolates, little cakes and tarts. Food aside, there is live music playing and guests are highly encouraged to dance.

Naturally, couples are also coupling up, but anything too raunchy is of course cordoned off to a private room. Also, ignore the people smoking electronic hookah at the side…

What can you do besides eat and drink?

1. DANCING 💗

The DJ mostly plays trance and synth pop music in the background but he’s happy to take requests. On the dancefloor,there’s always a group of tipsy guests dancing their hearts out, some dancing alone and others dancing as a couple. There’s no right or wrong way to dance and most people will not cast judgement. Give it a try? Better hurry, before some of the overeager guests try to drag you in.

2. CUDDLE PILE 💗
Numerous cushions are set out around the venue for guests to lounge in and cuddle. It’s highly encouraged, in fact! Especially after a vigorous dance session. There are people lying together in larger groups, and couples choosing to spend their time lounging and enjoying each other’s company. Finding it difficult to relax? The owner might give you a whiff of her special perfume that’s guaranteed to put you in a state of complete calm. It might even make you more open about lying together with someone else.

3. SPEED DATING 💗

There’s a speed dating round going on in one side of the club. Guests are numbered and paired up randomly, then given a short amount of time to get to know each other on a speedy little date. Don’t know what to say? A list of questions will flow in through the oculars to give you a prompt. (Please refer to here and here for some examples or make up your own!)

4. MAKE SWEET TREATS 💗

In the spirit of Valentines’ Day, the owner of the club is hosting a quick desserts-making workshop at the event. Guests will be provided with ingredients and taught to make chocolate or cupcakes, and they will get the chance to decorate it however they like. It’s highly encouraged to make something to give to your sweetheart or the person you admire. Do you really want to be the person eating their own chocolate on Valentines’ Day?

5. PARTY GAMES 💗

What’s a party without party games? Throughout the night, people will be getting drunk and playing local drinking games such as the King’s Game. Eventually, other games from the West get introduced by other people. These games include Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle and 7 Minutes in Heaven.

6. TAKE SOMEONE HOME 💗

If it looks like you're having a pretty good time with someone else, a helpful robot will approach you and provide you both with a key to a private room. Some of these private rooms are normal and some are themed, similar to a love hotel. There's no need to actually do anything raunchy of course. You could just cuddle up and enjoy the warmth of the digital fireplace! Everything one might need for a nice time together (condoms, lubricant etc) will be readily available.

As the event planner, Kabru will be buzzing around and making sure everything runs smoothly, but he can be stopped for questions or concerns (pls be nice to him he has anxiety). Characters can sit out of anything they want, but drunk and overeager guests might decide to drag them in.

[ OOC: I put this up so everyone can enjoy a chill mingle after the chaos of last month! And also because we didn’t get the opportunity to have do much for Valentines’ Day given the timing. Naturally, please label any NSFW, add your content warnings appropriately, and state your boundaries and preferences in terms of shipping/gen/being tagged by younger/older characters. ]

Comments

Dante | Limbus Company | Revelation

[followyourstar]

1: Dancing

[Most parties are a little too busy to be Dante's thing, but the prospect of romance... actually makes it even less so. And yet, somehow, they've been convinced to come out and at least try to enjoy themselves (and stop working so much).

But while you can bring the wallflower to a party, you'll have to pry the wall away from their cold, dead hands.

Other patrons appear to have taken this as a challenge.]

< W-Wait! I can't--! I don't know how to dance! >

[The empty cup they'd been holding to try and fit in with everyone else stands sentinel, its nonexistent gaze uncaring, cold as the thin film of frost that clings to it as Dante is dragged toward the dance floor. The question is, are you here to save them from the other patrons? Or are you the one doing the dragging?]

2: Speed Dating

[Another activity they've been talked into... But at least they can use it as an opportunity to get to know new people? Looking through the list of questions, they finally pick a question:]

A
[Unfortunately, out of all possible suggestions, they've picked something that sounds like what you'd hear in a job interview]

B
< Whose opinion do you value most? >

C
< If you were a flower, what... would you be? What? What is this question? >

3: Cooking

[No convincing required here--this activity was something Dante chose all on their own. Even if they can't enjoy the treats themselves, it seems a little fun. And maybe someone might enjoy it? Just need to stick with the chocolate and avoid baking lest things... go poorly.

Just one last thing:]

< Hey, uh, you have a minute? Could you test these for me? I'd do it myself, but... >

((Chocolate quality will be determined via D20 because I have all these collected and by god I'm going to use them. Let's see how well Dante did~))

4: This spot's taken

[Hopefully you weren't planning on enjoying this particular patch of pillows, because it appears that Dante has taken up residence here, and they don't appear to be moving anytime soon.

Mostly because they're fast asleep.

The dangers of making one of your main attractions a particularly soft, comfortable place to sit, it seems.]

5: Wildcard

((Feel free to put forth your own prompt or hit me up at shadetoshade if you'd like!))

3

[saudadist]

[ Nyuu nods emphatically as she looks over the chocolates. She could never turn down sweets. ]

Okay! I'll try however many you got.

And it's a 2. I'm so sorry, Nyuu.

[followyourstar]

[Dante nods, but shifts in place, looking a bit hesitant.

The reason why quickly becomes clear as they offer her a lopsided, heart-shaped piece of milk chocolate, bubbles trapped within.]

I'm hoping it tastes better than it looks. I think I had the heat up too high?

u.u

[saudadist]

It's alright, it's chocolate! It always tastes good.

[ So she says, but as she pops the milk chocolate drop into her mouth...

Dread. Instant, doorslam-to-the-face intense, and with the sweats running down her hairline to go with it. She makes a funny face but chews without blinking. There's bubbles so it's a bit light but it's also burnt? Not quite charcoal and yet...

She swallows. Thankfully chocolate melts at mouth temperature or she'd choke from how little she's chewed on it. ]

Not...not bad for a first...attempt!

[followyourstar]

[That's not a good sign.

That's a very bad sign.]

Guess that answers that. You don't need to spare my feelings, you know.

[saudadist]

[ As warranted as it may be, Nyuu instead croaks out: ]

W-Water? Please?

[followyourstar]

[They wince]

J-Just a moment!

[And with that they rush away, returning with a full glass for her.]

You, uh... You're going to be okay, right?

[saudadist]

[ Nyuu nods before taking the glass with a thankful "mm!" She pretty much just chugs it, however, and lets out a big sigh once she's done so. ]

I'm okay! Honest!

[followyourstar]

Just making sure... I swear I was doing my best to follow the instructions.

[They must have misheard something in addition to the heat issue. Or maybe they didn't stir enough? Or stirred too much?]

Oh well... I guess I can safely call this batch a bust.

[saudadist]

[ As ever, someone feeling down on themselves is her kryptonite. She gives Dante an understanding look before she's smiling brightly at them again. As if she didn't just nearly choke from their attempt at chocolate. ]

Maybe, maybe I can help you! Next time you want to make some sweets, let me know, okay? I love cooking.

[followyourstar]

[They nod somewhat hesitantly.]

If it ever comes up again I'll make sure to ask. At least now I know it's harder than it looks.

[saudadist]

It's alright. It's important that you tried! You can learn a lot from messing up, so the next batch will be better for sure.

[followyourstar]

Right. Just gotta try again. ...The next time I decide to give it a try, anyway.

[They can't really see themselves going out of their way to buy chocolate they're never going to eat, but maybe if they somehow get their hands on extra it'd be worth it.]

Thanks for the help, by the way.

SPEED HATIN' (Could be any question lmao)

[zauneyete]

Is that really the question you want to ask me?

[ Dante had probably been so focused on the questions that he doesn't realize who it is that's sitting down across from him until it's too late. Until the wafting scent of cigar smoke (can Dante smell??) makes its way to the table, and he sits down like he's playing along so nicely with the game.

He isn't here for "dating", at least. This is called information gathering, as he's far more interested in the information provided by other outsiders. What questions they ask, what they're actually here for... He can't actually fathom using this sort of thing for dating, but then again, Silco isn't exactly... the type to look for a date.

Despite what Geto suggested to him. ]

Or do you want to try for something a little more informative? For both of our sakes, it's better to not waste our time.

[ Y'all are speed dating. Only Silco would make it this serious. ]

[followyourstar]

[Wait, that sounds like--

They close the window of questions taking up most of their vision and the expression on their simulated face immediately drops.]

You're serious. At a party?

You aren't going to start talking about how all of this is a metaphor for all the reasons people can't be trusted, are you?

[zauneyete]

I could, of course...

[ He said, tipping his head up, and his eyes roll with the words. ]

But you all are already desperately playing a game to pair up, so I think you all already know the truth of it.

[ Again, he's here too. Though he hasn't exactly made much of an effort to engage with the festivities. Of course he hasn't. He sighed, with a soft chuckle at the end. ]

Oh, do you think I'm here for that too?

[followyourstar]

[They lean back with a huff and fold their arms.]

It's either that or you're here to be condescending and put words in everyone else's mouth. But I guess you could be multi-tasking.

[zauneyete]

Oh it is most certainly that.

[ He shrugged, with a soft chuckle under his breath. ] Multitasking is something I reserve for important business, not frivolities.

[ He leaned back in the chair, an arm over the back, belligerent to the task at hand. ]

Go on. Don't you want to actually ask me a question? Or are you just going to insult me. That doesn't seem to fit the spirit of the event, does it?

[ Neither is he, in general. ]

[followyourstar]

[Silco may not be willing to multitask outside of business hours, but Dante is more than willing to pencil it in during their freetime.]

...Fine. What "frivolities" do you like then?

[A genuine question as much as it is a way to pick back at him. There's a beat, and then they add:]

Aside from alcohol and cigars. Those you've made pretty obvious.

[zauneyete]

Isn't that sufficient? We didn't have much more than that growing up where I'm from.

[ He asks, still leaned back. a tip of his head. ]

Besides, what more does a man need? [ Well... ] Although, I'm curious. What could you possibly indulge in? I can't imagine you have the time...

[ Yeah, just laying in those clock puns.</small}

[followyourstar]

[...Great. He finally put it together. No point in denying it, but they're not going to encourage the puns, either!]

Aside from trying new things and giving them an earnest chance? [Unlike some people] Don't know.

[zauneyete]

Oh, and does that include this?

[ He looks around at the tables, his eyes sliding over the rest of everyone enjoying ("enjoying") their dates. They certainly stand out, so Silco smiles placidly at them. ]

You must do something more than that, or does offering... oh, what was it... [ He drags his fingers down his lips, considering. ]

Talking to people take up that much time?

[ Yes, he saw the post. ]

[followyourstar]

[They frown.]

I've got other things I do too. It doesn't mean I'm going to tell you about all of them.

You can mock it as much as you want. At least I'm thinking of someone other than myself.

[zauneyete]

[ He smiled. ]

Are you implying that I think only about myself?

[ He asks. Look! he's not even putting words in your mouth, Dante! He can learn. ]

That's an interesting conclusion to draw about me.

[followyourstar]

Sorry, I should rephrase that. I think you're the sort of person who only thinks of your own benefit.

If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.