[Video]

[sailor_v]

[Oh no, it's HER again. Just look at that jerk, all happy and smiling in her crisp little business suit and pencil skirt, pretending to be a professional just because she's sitting at a desk, UUUUUUUUUGH.]

Good morning!

[She's way too chipper for morning hours.]

This is just a friendly reminder for a couple of things. One, tomorrow night is the holiday party, which includes a hot spring bash for the ladies beforehand. No guys allowed.

[She wags a finger chidingly at the camera, so don't even think about bringing your gross peeping tom antics, perverts.]

It's going to be at the Fairy Tail HQ, and you can dress as warm and comfortably as you'd like since it's pretty informal. There's also going to be a date auction! We're going to be handling that part of the night a little differently than what you're probably used to, but I promise, it's going to be fun. You should come only if you're comfortable with the idea that one of your friends might have signed you up for the auction, because I'm pretty sure half of the offers I got weren't from the actual volunteers.

[She shrugs; what can you do?]

On the plus side? The proceeds are going to charity -- specifically, more extracurricular programs for the public schools in Attleton, like sports and arts and music. It's supposed to be relaxed and fun, so if you're going to pitch a fit at the very idea of going on a harmless date, just avoid that part of the party. There's still plenty of other stuff to enjoy!

[She waves her hand back and forth dismissively.]

There's going to be plenty of food, live music, probably some dancing if you're not too shy, games, and maybe a sprig of mistletoe here and there.

[Minako winks.]

So you should come! And make sure to thank Fairy Tail for letting us host a party there. Now for the second reminder!

[She leans forward, blue eyes glittering eagerly.]

I've been promoted as the owner of the Aphrodite Lovematching & Arcade, so there are going to be some exciting new changes and improvements! If you haven't signed up for our dating service and tutorials, give it a shot! We have private lessons on how to slow dance, behave at a nice restaurant, and even offer practice dates so you can get some experience in before asking out that special someone.

But don't forget! We're also an arcade with the hottest games, and we're looking to expand our selection. So if you've got a game idea you'd like to pitch, or even better know how to make, we're hiring! We'll pay a commission for game scripts, especially for dating sims, and we'd love to hire anyone who knows how to make games. I'd also like to include a VR suite where you can run through with a laser gun and defeat enemies with your friends. It'll take a while to build the extra wing, but trust me, it's going to be worth it.

[She leans back and folds her hands on the desk, beaming.]

Which reminds me. Whoever won the StarDate device from the newspaper puzzles? Call me. If they're going to compete with our matchmaking, I want to know if we need to step up our game.

[There's a little flash of fire in her eyes. As long as people are falling in love, she can't be TOO mad, BUT THIS IS HER JOB THEY CAN'T JUST TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HER!]

That should do it! Questions? Suggestions? Let me know, and I hope I see all of you at the party tomorrow night!

Comments

[video]

[liveandforgive]

[he'd slept in. Cloud almost never slept in... but he still had to have something in the morning. which is why with a warm cup of coffee, sunlight pouring into the room despite the cool weather outside, the blond flips through entries in the device to catch up on events. now that everything seemed to be returning to normal, Cloud intended on going out and looking for places to stay.

with work finalized, he's got a direction. just gotta wake up after some coffee and-]

...??

["Good morning!" someone was a ball of sunshine today. Cloud's listening to the video and glancing back at it here and there as she relays information. some kind of date auction for charity?]

(Not interested.)

[but...it was a good cause either way. hopefully it went well for them. not that he'd be partaking or so he thought. he picks up the device after taking another longer drink of his morning cup, faint glowing blue eyes having a little more life to them now that he was a bit more awake after listening to this.]

You guys got any racing games? [like motorbikes and snowboards?]

[video]

[sailor_v]

Where would we even have room for-- Ohhhhhhhhh, you mean at the arcade.

[Her baffled look changes to one of enlightenment.]

Yeah, loads of them, for just about any kind of vehicle you can think of. Cars, skiboats, motorcycles, skateboards...most of them have a moving seat for it too, they're a lot of fun.

[video]

[liveandforgive]

[damn. ... this might get dangerous for him. he had work to do. but he could treat it like a rare day at the Gold Saucer or something. he was curious, admittedly.]

When I've got some time, I think I'll stop by.

Congrats on the promotion.

[video]

[sailor_v]

Thanks! I've been working hard to make this place something awesome.

[She really has, even if people might find her methods questionable.]

We'll have some passes as prizes at the party, so hey, even more reason to show up, right?

video;

[innocent_royal]

I know you invited me to the hot spring party, but... Are you absolutely certain it's okay for me to be there?

[Anastasia wants to go, but she's nervous about doing so. Perhaps she's afraid there will be people who won't approve of her being there?]

video;

[sailor_v]

Well sure, as long as you're a girl!

Ultimately that's more Maribelle's call than mine. I won't be going to that part, since I'll be busy setting up for the party.

Re: video;

[innocent_royal]

I certainly am, so there are no worries about that.

Though I never met Maribelle before. I don't even know who all will be there...

[Now she's thinking there's a chance she'll be outright denied at the door rather than just not having anyone's approval.]

Whoops, I meant Mira! Pretend I was smart.

[sailor_v]

All girls from the sound of it, so it should be a safe and comfortable space to have fun and relax. I think you'll have a good time!

[Video with some private]

[youfool]

[There appears ship-happy blonde #2]

Oh, the party and auction are combined then. All right.

Ah, but to answer your question, that was I. I don't think you need to worry about that; like most doll-run businesses, I expect it's largely for the benefit of the, ah, other ones. No one of significance was on there, last I checked.

[Private]

I won it for Zexion, figuring he might need every advantage he can get. You know, keep a finger in every aphrodisiac pie.

[Did he sign him up for the auction? Probably not; he has reasons.]

[Video with some private]

[sailor_v]

So you're the only one who's got one, it sounds like.

[That's good...at least, it means her business isn't in any danger of becoming obsolete due to machines. She taps her chin thoughtfully.]

Would you mind if I borrowed it and took a look at it? You can have it back afterward.

Re: [Video with some private]

[youfool]

It wouldn't surprise.

[And, hey, that's on a Friday, which means he can go! Thanks Winter. Thinter.]

Oh, go right ahead. I'll look for you tomorrow at the fated spot.

[Silly Minako. Everyone knows machines can't love.]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who still uses the Thants joke!

[sailor_v]

Awesome, thanks, Ted! You're not going to sign up for the auction, then?

[Because he should! He might be pleasantly surprised! ...Or horrified if he gets a heathen.]

[Video]

[redhairedknight]

Glad we can help - it sounds like a good cause. [She's a little relieved that she knows it's a date auction this time around. Her date was nice, but she's way too nervous to enter one of those under normal circumstances.]

...What's a dating sim? [Arcades in general are foreign to her, but that catches her attention.]

[Video]

[sailor_v]

Well...are you familiar with video games? It's more story-based than the other types, and you make your decisions based around what you think the characters most want to hear, so it teaches a lot about being perceptive to other people's likes, interests, and needs.

Plus they're a lot of fun!

[Video]

[redhairedknight]

I'm not, but from the sound of it, it's like a story where you get to make the choices? It does sound interesting...

[Admittedly, she's not too sure about how good she'd be at that sort of thing, but at least it would be good for practice.]

I'll have to keep an eye out in case you get one. What are some of these other "video games" like?

[Video]

[sailor_v]

Some of them! A lot of them involve controlling a character on a screen by pushing buttons. It's a test of reflexes! And some of them are all about choices instead. There's a whole world full of games that cover all kinds of things. We've even got some to measure your dancing rhythm and singing pitch!

[Video]

[mira_strauss]

Ooh! Nice call on the mistletoe!

[Whether or not she knew it Minako had played right into her trap for Erza. From the date auction to a second date auction at the Fairy Tail guild hall where Erza would have to attend, Mirajane was slowly but surely making her move. If she was successful? Well she'd definitely have to give Minako quite a bit of credit for her success in love.]

Do you have the game prizes ready? I've cleared out a section of the bar to hold them.

[Video]

[sailor_v]

You can't have a holiday party without mistletoe! It'd be a crime.

[She folds her arms with a proud confidence. Aw yeah, she's totally got this.]

I do! I rented a truck and a driver, so I'll sit in the passenger seat to guide him through. A truck will fit on the road that leads to your headquarters, right? Otherwise we'll have to unload at the archway, and that's gonna be tough. The arcade machine is heavy.

[Video]

[mira_strauss]

Do you have any plans for a special someone~?

[What's a little gossip between girls right?]

We don't really see too many trucks in Fayren but the road to our guildhall should be able to handle it. If need be, I might be able to carry it some of the way.

[She probably could carry the entire truck, but that sort of thing can usually alarm normal everyday individuals who weren't used to people with magical strengths.]

[ video ]

[deathsought]

So that's what all of that noise was about.

{ He's gotten used to the parties going on downstairs, with himself only making appearances when Mavis drags him there, but... a bath party? A date auction? He still remembers when someone signed him up for one of those, once. Thank the Gods Mavis won. }

Don't worry, I have no intention of even being on the same floor as the bath party. { Somehow, though, he feels as if he isn't going to have a choice about the party the day after; if Fairy Tail is hosting, Mavis will basically be required to make an appearance, and it would be bad form of him not to go with her.

He's suddenly grateful none of the Spriggan Twelve are here. If they were, he'd never hear the end of it. }

[ video ]

[sailor_v]

[If he's hearing noise the day of the party, then yup, it's definitely Minako and her crew setting up. But if it's the day before? She has no idea what's causing the ruckus.]

You live at the headquarters or something? Haven't seen you before.

[ video ]

[deathsought]

I'm... not a member of Fairy Tail. I usually keep to myself. { It's complicated. } But I live upstairs, with the Guild Master. It's usually off-limits to non-members.

video;

[gamerrep]

How exactly would a dating sim work in an arcade?

[She was actually curious.]

video;

[sailor_v]

Hey, Chiaki!

I was actually thinking of making it a take-home sort of game for consoles, or even an app for our comm devices that people could download. But it might be worth considering for the matchmaking department.

Speaking of which, who's this Sein guy? I see him on the employee list as the manager, but I've never met him.

video;

[gamerrep]

Sein has been gone for a good number of months now. Also Sein was a girl.

[Right to the point on that one.]

As for the game, it's best to actually do a check to see who actually uses the only game we have on our device first. I'm not sure how many might or might not, but then you'd also be alienating the natives who don't have the device that we do and when you do the numbers they outnumber us considerably. So that would be a lot of potential you would lose. [A pause.] I'd want everyone to have a chance to play the game whenever it was to happen after all.