( 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

[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.]

[souredsweet]

[Kaoru is here for that... Here to make things harder whether it's intentional or unintentional. What a great pal!!]

It gives you the ability to truly tailor your bouquet, at the very least. Does she like any particular colors?

[masakados]

...Yellow? She wears it pretty often.

[SO HE ASSUMES. And, on that, another assumption,] Maybe bright colours in general, though I haven't heard her say she doesn't like any.

[souredsweet]

[Kaoru's mental image of Yang is so weird right now, but not entirely inaccurate. A colorful bruiser...]

That shouldn't be too difficult. Does she like warmer colors?

[masakados]

[...That's sounding pretty on point, to be honest.]

Yeah-- [They suit her, he thinks.]

[souredsweet]

In that case, might I suggest the amaryllis and snapdragon? Since the flowers are red, you could supplement them with yellow and orange ribbons.

[A BOUQUET THE COLOR OF FIRE.]

[masakados]

[Naoki takes a moment to picture it... and then he grins. FIRE FLOWERS.]

Sounds like it'll be pretty fiery, huh?

[souredsweet]

[WHAT A GREAT DUO this nerd, getting Yang fire flowers...]

It sounds a suiting match for the person you're creating it for.

[masakados]

Yep.

[And while he mulls over fire flowers for Yang, he'll switch the topic to something less him-centered...] So, what're you doing here today?

[souredsweet]

Ah, I've never heard of this holiday before, but it seems very popular. I wanted to learn a little more about it, that's all.

[A smile! It's been a pretty hilarious adventure so far, honestly.]

The spirit of the holiday itself seems very sweet, at least.

[masakados]

[Watching all these losers. With their love. Pfff.]

Yeah, pretty much. Usually, it's the girls giving chocolates on Valentine's Day, and then White Day is when guys give gifts back, but...

[He shrugs a shoulder. GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN and he's pretty sure if Yang doesn't have Christmas in her world, she might not have Valentine's Day. Maybe.]

[souredsweet]

[TRULY what silly silly humans... And non-humans who are just as silly.]

Ah? I've never heard of White Day, either. That sounds a little complicated. Why not just celebrate both in one day?

[?!? Why you gotta make this so complex, future!!]

[masakados]

That's an excellent question.

[Implying, naturally, that he in no way, shape or form can answer it... well, except for that always right answer of COMMERCIALISM.]

...I think the chocolate companies made it as a response to Valentine's Day, or something like that. [Yes, commercialism.]

[souredsweet]

[Ah, commercialism. Kaoru is starting to feel like it's the backbone of the future...]

Companies can simply make holidays?

[WHAT A SHOCK.]

[masakados]

[Well... it's not wrong to call it the backbone of the future...]

Apparently so. Guess people just liked the idea a lot.

[souredsweet]

Are there any other holidays like that?

[If people can just make new ones up for no reason other than "it's neat", Kaoru's imagining a lot of weird stuff pops up...]

[masakados]

Hm--

[Naoki tips his head a bit in thought.] Right off hand, I don't think so... Some holidays incorporate stuff companies came up with in 'em, but White Day is the only one I can think of actually made like that.

[souredsweet]

Ah... So the practice isn't very wide-spread?

[Nodding along! Kaoru learns new things about the future every day. What a weird place...]

If I may ask, what would you consider the best holiday?