( open )

[hoasen]

Who: YOU, MY FRIEND & The friendly staff of Thistle Do Nicely, a humble flower shop.
When: IC: 29th January to February 14th (OOC: Starts 3rd July, full month log.)
Where: Thistle Do Nicely, Shopping District.
What: It's nearly Valentine's Day, so there's sales and events! Want to learn how to make chocolate? Look here! Cashing in your coupon for the upcoming Blind Date player event? That's here too! This is a mingle log, so everyone come mingle to your hearts content, and come in anytime, there's no such thing as late.
Rating/Warning: Nothing so far. There might be some future nightmares.

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NOTE: There are some forward-dated prompts/part of prompts in this log. This is to coincide with the Blind Date Player Plot this month! More links and updates will be posted here once they come up.

Also if you wanna know how this works, it's just a mingle! An example here, our previous open mingle log. Treat it however you like, open and closed options welcome.

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Welcome to Thistle Do Nicely! Make yourself comfortable and browse the grand selection. In spirit of upcoming Valentine's Day, the store is decorated in pink and red, hearts scattered here and there. Sweet soft toys are on display, and there are bargains to be found. The tea shop is also decked out, but there seems to be something extra special happening on that side too.


A: ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE DISCOUNTED

[Are you here for the flowers? Sure you are, it's a grand tradition that all Valentines must share: the giving of flowers to loved ones. Roses are a definite favourite, but maybe you're after something more unique? Then look no further! Ask one of your friendly staff about it. Or maybe they're coming to you! But if they do, some may have the misfortunate of being told by the mysterious NPC boss to repeat the following: "What can Cupid's assistant do for you today?" Yeah, it's pretty embarrassing.

Or maybe you've bumped into a friend! In that case, buying flowers for Valentine's Day? Are you proud of this, or are you so embarrassed you must hide all evidence.

Alternatively, time has passed and you're now here because you have coupons for an additional price cut on your flowers if you are taking part in the Blind Date event. Blind dates can be particularly nerve-wracking, so let this store make things a little easier for you. You'll thank them for it.]


B: ANYONE WHO HATES CHOCOLATE IS A MONSTER (no we're kidding we still love you)

B.1: KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

[In all walks of life, chocolate is a very popular gift for Valentine's Day. And in some places, even more importance is placed on whether it's homemade or not. A section of the tea shop has been cleared just for this: earthy tables now have small stoves on them and ingredients set out. It's time to learn how to make chocolate. These classes are lead by head chef Shokudaikiri Mitsutada and his (reluctant) chef's assistant Ookurikara, but you can be sure that all the other reliable staff of Thistle Do Nicely are getting in on the action to help out (or learn themselves) too! Maybe Mitsutada and a handful of staff will make this great. The other half...

Everyone interested in these classes will gather round each of these tables, and together you will learn how to make chocolate. It's a team effort, so discuss with each other and work together to perfect it! In the end, you will be given cute little boxes or bags to put your chocolate in so you can give it to those intended. Or yourself, you can eat them too. Alternatively, you were forced into this mess, or have no idea why you're here but you're going to roll with it because it's chocolate.

The classes are free, happening a couple hours a day, but the ingredients require a small donation to keep the classes going. These classes are ongoing, so by the time you've gotten your Blind Date, you don't have to donate if you show them your coupon.]


B.2 CHOCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

[Or maybe you're not here for the classes, you're spending time on the other half of the tea shop where it's still set for customers. The tea shop half of the entire store is not actually that big, so you might be finding it a bit cramped.

That being said, a treats bar has been set out as a complimentary offer. There's a chocolate fountain in the middle of this bar, and you know you wanna dip some heart shaped marshmallows or fruits in that sucker. There's also these flower shaped gummies. No one actually knows how they got there, but maybe for the sake of science, you want to coat it with chocolate and eat it.

Do it.]


C: WILDCARD.

[Because there's so much more to explore! Or maybe you're just here to visit and laugh at them. Or maybe you wanna use the tea space as a PLACE FOR A DATE, AYYYYYY in which the scene from Lady and the Tramp could happen and there will be a cute musical number (look, I'll have it arranged, I'm not even kidding. Too bad I can't get an Okiayu character to do it though, you might have to make do with a loser girl). Or maybe you've MESSED UP THIS ENTIRE PLACE Vietnam will kill you with her bare hands (unless she likes you, then you will live).]

Comments

[masakados]

a:

[Let's say that he's come in a little later in February, closer to actual Valentine's time.

HE JUST CAME TO LOOK AT FLOWERS...

And, oh boy, is Naoki ever looking. He's staring at the types of flowers, his brow crinkled, his mouth curled down. It might be a weird sight, this guy with a horn and glowing tattoos with a hand at his chin as he slowly shuffles from flower type to flower type. (Yes he does have a shirt on don't let the icons fool you.)

And oh you can bet he'll be here for a good going-on-an-hour or so.] ...I should've picked up a book on these first, [you might catch him muttering to himself. man why are you agonising over flowers so much]

[souredsweet]

[AH YES it's the demon, the demon who isn't a shithead (seemingly)!! Kaoru, who had been drawn into the flower shop because of all the hype surrounding it (and for the flowers - definitely also for the flowers), pauses once Naoki is spotted. He sure looks... like he's trying really hard at whatever it is he's doing. Picking a bouquet? He did say that he was at the dance with someone, back then...

And then he speaks and Kaoru is just mentally like oh. WHAT A FINICKY GUY who even knows the language of flowers these days?? Kaoru thought it was a dying art, okay.]

Are you having difficulty making your decision, sir?

[masakados]

Hm? [Naoki glances over one of his shoulders, head moving in a small motion of greeting.] Kaoru. [SUP.]

I'm-- nah, not really. I was just looking.

[Lies. He was totally being super finicky and he'll go back to being finicky once he's by himself. He glances back to the flowers he was staring at again, then turns slightly away with a shrug.]

[souredsweet]

[He gets a gentle nod of greeting in return! Hi friend.]

Ah... [HM, IS THAT SO. What a very convincing fellow, that Naoki.] If it's about hanakotoba, I'm well-versed... Though I would imagine that my knowledge is slightly outdated.

[masakados]

[Yes, isn't he just super convincing, SO CONVINCING always...

Naoki's eyebrows hike up, as though he's surprised, but then he hums thoughtfully.] Think there's a flower that can compliment someone's looks as well as how well they can throw a punch at the same time?

[He says it laughingly so it's hard to tell if he's joking...]

[souredsweet]

[NAOKI... WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU DATING.]

My... Perhaps you could combine two together to say that? A flower for admiration of beauty, and one for admiration of strength. How does that sound?

[masakados]

[AN AWESOME PERSON.]

That'd work pretty good.

[Given of course that he likes the flowers, too. He's being so picky.] What kind of flowers would those be, anyway?

[souredsweet]

[THE PUNCHINGEST...]

There are several that you could use. Lavender, lily, stock and amaryllis all represent beauty, though the fine detail can vary... Amaryllis is for something splendidly beautiful, for example, where stock is for lasting beauty and a happy life. Snapdragons, gladiolus and even thyme can all mean strength in one sense or another. I suppose it depends on the look you like best.

[masakados]

More options actually makes picking harder.

[With a light smile that belies that he is actually wracking his brain about this. Naoki glances toward the flowers that Kaoru mentioned, looking at them thoughtfully.]

[hoasen]

[And closer to Valentine's it is! It's getting busier, she has truly underestimated the power of Valentine's Day. This is what she gets for never working in such a place before.

But when she spots a familiar face looking over flowers--] Naoki?

[masakados]

[Naoki glances over at the sound of his name, smiling in greeting and waving one of his hands in a casual motion.]

Yep. Hey there.

[hoasen]

[She nods, and even offers him a tiny smile! Before waving back and moving over to properly speak to him.]

Hello, Naoki! It is nice to see you here. Are you looking for something in particular? [Vallleeentine's Daaay?]

[masakados]

[Naoki shifts to face her, one of his hands resting on his hips as he grins.]

Ah, well, something that'll make a good present. [VALENTIIINE'S DAAAY.] ... But I'm still working out the kind of flowers I'm gonna get.

[hoasen]

[She's suddenly quiet, looking around like this might bust his cover. Well, discreetly looking around, she's not that bad, she's just cautious.]

A good present, for the upcoming occasion, no? Do you know what flowers your intended likes?

[masakados]

[Naoki watches her... and fights down the urge to laugh. Oh Vietnam. He side-steps closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.]

I don't. That's why I'm taking... ages. I want to get the right ones.

[He's never bought flowers for anyone before...]

[hoasen]

[Naoki is a treasure for doing this too. Now she doesn't look like a fool all on her own.]

I see, it could be quite hard when you don't know what they like, but it is not a problem that can't be overcome. Perhaps by personality? Which flowers would invoke such a memory?

[She could suggest meaning too, but let's see what he thinks first!]

[masakados]

[He's always happy to play along, let's be real--]

Uh... [His eyes scan around... And he gestures with his hand.] Sunflowers. [...] And probably those.

[Daffodils! ...Both, bright yellow. It's probably because he associates Yang with bright things and the sun and not just... the colour yellow. Probably.]

[heiwana]

[ They can both look at flowers together, then, because Kousetsu doesn't know which ones to pick either?! So he is just busy with staring and debating on which to choose.

They're both terrible at this since Kousetsu has probably been there around the same amount of time as Naoki. ]

...Naoki-san are you having difficulties as well? [ Choosing things is never easy especially when you want to make sure that the person you're choosing for likes them. ]

[masakados]

[Welcome to the let's stare at flowers club, Kousetsu--

That presence is unmistakable, and Naoki looks over with a sympathetic quirk of a smile, shrugging his shoulder.] Yeah. It's tricky when you wanna get juuuust the right ones, but you don't even know where to start.

[Will she like them? She'll like them, won't she? He isn't sure because he hasn't even been able to pick yet. Alas.]

[heiwana]

...I am not sure which ones to pick. [ He's not really sure what his Valentine will like. ] ...the language of flowers there are many different meanings. It is...best to know that before picking them out.

[ Kousetsu knows a good few meanings but he doesn't know all of them, as much as he spends around flowers throughout the day. ] ...it is a very...difficult choice to make.

[ Flowers are serious business, man. ]

[masakados]

[Are there flowers that convey admiration for your girlfriend's ability to knock a monster out with a single punch and yet tell her how beautiful she is, probably while knocking out said monster...

(Naoki's looking for something too specific.)]

Tell me about it. And I don't even know flower meanings-- well, except red roses meaning love. [He leans a little on one leg, glancing up at Kousetsu.] What ones do you know?

[heiwana]

[ Oh Naoki. If only there was something as specific as that. Kousetsu stares for a moment before he points to red tulips and yellow ones. ]

Both are for declarations of love. [ And then he points to a sunflower. ] That is admiration.

[ And then there's amaryllis that Kousetsu motions to last. ] And that one represents...splendid beauty. There are...many others, which is why it is...difficult to choose.

[masakados]

[Clearly they should start making new flowers with those very specific meanings. But Naoki's gaze has settled on the sunflower Kousetsu indicated, thoughtful. He wanders over to it.]

...So who're you trying to pick out flowers for?

[heiwana]

...I am not certain. [ He wasn't exactly given a name, only just to meet them at a specific time on Valentine's Day. ]

It is a...blind date.

[masakados]

[Stares at him... a blind date. Well, he didn't expect that at all. Naoki looks at him again, as though trying to see him in a new light. A blind dating light.

No... he still doesn't feel the type, precisely.]

Then... you should probably get something that's not too intimate, right?