genessia | Festival of Amore

Festival of Amore - Dated 2/14

Welcome to the Festival of Amore!
A wonderful festival dedicated to celebrating love of the romantic nature.

The whole park is decorated in the traditional colors of Valentine's Day, red, white, and various shades of pink. Hearts are the theme and though you won't be turned away, those without a partner to spend the evening with may get a few strange looks or start to feel rather lonely.

Festival Games
There are a number of activities to partake in, including festival games, the most popular of which seems to be the Super Ball Scooping, in which hundreds of balls float around in a pool of water, secretly marked with prizes- mostly goldfish, though there is one hidden that has a special romantic getaway to win! The challenge is that you must use a paper net, so the balls will often break as you try to get them into your bowl. Additionally, the balls are stirred up after each play of three scoops. Other traditional festival games like dart tossing, wack-a-mole, ring toss, and more. However, there is one challenge that you should be aware of for all games. You and your partner must do them together! This means two hands on the ring when you toss it! Hold the paper net steadily together! Good luck!

Food Stalls and the Chocolate Fondue Stream
There are a variety of foods from around the world available at the festival, most of which seem to have some kind of love-related theme to them. Spaghetti for two a la Lady and the Tramp, heart-shaped pizzas, pink french macarons, hearty waffles on a stick, romantic eggs in a basket, Shrimp skewers, and more.

Running through the inner circle of the food stall areas is a small stream raised above the ground with candy and fruit decorations lining it to hide the metal fondue heater that keeps the chocolate within the body of the stream warm and flowing. There are large bins of fruits like strawberries, bananas, rice krispy treat bites, and other fun things to dip in the chocolate river. It's very cute, and very chocolatey.

Paddle Boats
The large pond in the middle of the park has a number of paddle boat swans available for you and your partner to go through a tunnel of love, or simply enjoy the water and get some alone time away from the rest of the party for a good cuddle.

Live Entertainment: Eli Ayase and Nico Yazawa!
The live entertainment will be provided by celebrity idol Nico Yazawa and Eli Ayase tonight! Put your hands together for a special performance filled with their L-O-V-E for everyone! ♥ ♥ ♥ They've got a wonderful set prepared!

Feel free to enjoy the concert either by standing up close or putting down a blanket for you and your bae. Blankets are available for purchase if you forgot yours!

Fortune Telling
Love fortune telling, of course! Find out your romance's future from famed fortune teller Geneva Godiva! She won't give any truly negative fortunes of course, it's a positive occasion, so if your outlook is bleak she might try to phrase it more positively or offer advice to turn things toward the positive. Feel free to pick your own fortune- be it anything from "You might want to see a couples counselor to make it through a rough patch, darlings" or "I see triplets!" or just "Wowie, I can see clearly now- your rain is gone! Looking good for this next year, sweetie pies!" Enjoy and have fun, the accuracy of the reading is up to you, but she won't tell you that a relationship is going to sink at any point. She'll use crystal ball, tarot, whichever- but not seance or anything. It's happy lovey-dovey fortune telling!

End of the Night
The festival itself was timed with the arrival of Genessia's firefly season. The first night of fireflies rising coincides with Valentine's Day this year, so if you stay until the end of the festival, you'll be able to see the fields light up with little glowing bugs. It's a romantic sight, best seen with your partner.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Okay.

[With Takeru close behind, Hikari pushed aside the curtain fabric and stepped into the makeshift tent. It was small, and felt even smaller due to the incredibly dim lighting; whatever material had been used to set everything up was light-blocking, the only sources now a handful of flickering candles scattered around in strategic locations. For ambiance, most likely.]

[But it was also too dark to see with her sunglasses now. A fact which caused Hikari to momentarily tense before slowly removing them, holding them in one hand as she approached the center table. In the light of the two table candles, her eyes glowed a momentary pale yellow before settling back into spring green. It was only a game, after all. Hardly life-shattering.]

[The young woman sitting behind the table looked up at the pair, glancing between them for a time as she took in her latest customers. Couples were the theme of the day, so there were two chairs ready and waiting. Although she seemed mildly surprised for some reason when Hikari explained they wanted separate readings, she simply shrugged and set to work shuffling her deck, explaining that she would put four cards down in all. The first three were meant to describe the young man or woman of their future, while the fourth was to indicate an Obstacle of some kind.]

[Hikari nodded, and the first card was flipped over: The Fool. Her eyes did not yet change, but she smiled.]

Not bad. Your guy’s got a sense of humor [The fortune teller smiled before shifting into a slightly more serious demeanor.] Of course, there’s more to the fool that silly hats and jokes. Remember how the fool was always the only one allowed to mock the king? This was to allow his majesty a reminder of perspective. Humility. The fool is often much wiser than he lets on, and some even consider him the major protagonist in a long journey of discovery.

[That...had clearly not been what Hikari was expecting. The card, maybe, but the explanation behind it...and the choice of words...]

[A second card flipped: The Lovers. Except it was upside-down. Hikari’s eyes immediately shifted orange to great amusement, and she had to hold up a hand to keep from laughing.]

I know, I know. A little obvious, right? But just as with the Fool, there is more to the card than what’s written. Lovers symbolizes a close bond in which few secrets are kept. Only here, the card is reversed. It signals an internal conflict. Words unspoken. I’ve seen this card appear often in people who are contemplating change, and remain uncertain about it.

[The third card was flipped, and Hikari’s eyes actually widened. Lips parting as an inaudible gasp escaped her. Surprised to the point where she barely heard the girl’s explanation about facing challenges head-on and something about fighting to maintain status quo.]

[All she could focus on was the card. The seven of staves. Seven. Staves. Showing a picture of a young man holding a woman protectively in her arms, a might bo staff held above his head. It was...hard not to parallel a memory to that image. More than one. Strong enough that she seemed almost shaken. Despite the fact that her eyes appeared to flicker a new color. One which could have been a trick of the light, but upon reflection, seemed a little too red toned to be her usual eye color. When they weren’t also shifting between shades of yellow and tan.]

[The hand holding her sunglasses twitched, and she reflexively moved to put them back on. No longer caring how dark it made the world around her. As such, she almost missed when the girl placed the last card down. The Devil. An “obstacle”. Fear. Restraint. Using a scapegoat of some kind for avoidance to the point where a drastic moment of realization must come about for the desired change to happen.]

[Here, the girl sat back and let out an uncharacteristic low whistle.]

That has to be one of the most epic readings I’ve seen today. I’m almost jealous.

[Smiling weakly, her mind in a whirl, Hikari shifted aside to allow Takeru his turn.]

Edited (fixed links) 2018-02-17 15:31 (UTC)

[Takeru had been one to pay close attention to what the cards were and their meanings. The Fool, The Lovers, The seven of staves and The Devil. That was most certainly an interesting combo for Hikari. He had even been paying attention to his friend's actions, actions that he didn't expect at some points, he had at least made sure to at least lightly place a hand on her shoulder, letting her know it was okay as he looked at her, spring green colour in his eyes during that time. He wanted to at least make sure she was okay first.

When Hikari's reading was over and the woman had to shuffle the cards once again and Takeru figured now was a good time to speak to her.]

Hey, you okay? [He smiled slightly, he was sure she was fine, he wanted that at least, he figured he might as well cheer her up in some way, this probably was going to be that] You get to enjoy my one, I'm sure that will be just as interesting.

[She was soon done and already the first card was shown: The Empress, but it was reversed. So it seemed like this wasn't a repeat of what they just had, which he gave some credit for.]

Interesting. This card is reversed which means you focus on the needs of others while ignoring your own needs in the process, choosing instead of bottling it up and keeping quiet. Which if it is the case, you really need to talk to someone.

[Takeru paused for a moment, that seemed accurate. He did kind of focus on Hikari when she first arrived and still kind of did even now. Considering he had been comforting her even now when she seemed a little off. It was a brief moment, but his eyes did switch from the calming green to a red before they reverted back. The next card was soon flipped over showing The Star. Takeru had kind of ended up not focusing on what she was saying and instead seemed to be more focused on the stars themselves on the card. The number seemed a little too exact. There were eight. Seven smaller stars and one larger one. The style of the star would make one think of one's crest and once again his eyes flickered before green and red, if only for a moment.

The moment the next card was flipped Takeru had snapped out of his own thoughts as he looked at the card. It was The Sun and once again it was reversed.]

Oh boy, you are getting a lot of the reversed ones, aren't you? The Sun is usually a sign of optimism and fulfillment, however, because it is reversed signifies a setback of some kind...

[That was not one he had been expecting or honestly wanting to hear, more so when he was well aware of the setback and he wasn't sure how Hikari might react, but his eyes which he wasn't bothering to cover up had turned a pale yellow. He was checking on Hikari and moving to wrap an arm around her, he figured probably now was the best time to just end it just in case.]

Ah, thank you...I think that is enough, but thank you very much.

[It was only a game.]

[There was a gentle pressure on her shoulder, and she looked over to see Takeru smiling faintly. His eyes were still green. Calm. Peaceful. For some reason, that really did ease her mind some, and she took a deep breath before nodding. The coincidences had been startling, yes, but if he didn't seem all that bothered by them...]

[She sat back and awaited his turn. A reversed Empress appeared, and Hikari couldn't help nodding in silent agreement as the fortune teller provided her explanation of the card. Focusing on the needs of others...well, that seemed to fit a lot of the people close to them, didn't it? So of course it would be a trait Takeru could relate to.]

[Then the next card appeared. The Star. An eight-pointed opject surrounded by several smaller twins that Hikari let out a soft gasp, hand reflexively coming to rest on her chest. Directly in the spot where she could feel the ever-present warmth of her Crest. It must have reminded Takeru of something as well, because she caught the flicker of color change to his eyes. And...wasn't sure what to think of it.]

[Then the Sun appeared. Reversed. Signaling a "setback". As opposed to its usual optimism and sense of fulfillment. Maybe even happiness.]

[It was only a game.]

[Empress. Star. Sun.]

[It didn't feel much like a game anymore.]

[Her chest tightened, and though her hand was still lightly pressed against it, she squeezed her fist that much tighter. She barely registered Takeru's arm coming to wrap around her shoulder and heard him say something about wanting to end things there. To which she reflexively nodded, bowing her head in hopes he wouldn't see the way her eyes had suddenly turned dark. Mourning.]

Are you sure? [The teller seemed momentarily confused, eyes darting back and forth between the two. Although there was a healthy degree of skepticism in her gaze, and she seemed to be zooming in not on their reactions, but on the physical gestures. Separate readings. Sure.] Alright, then. It's your call. Enjoy the rest of the festival, you too.

[It wasn't until they were outside that Hikari let out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, mutting a soft 'Oniichan" under her breath as she struggled to regain herself.]

[That...was not what she had expected. At all. Not the cards. Not the interpretations. It was only supposed to be a game. Vague and entertaining and maybe just a hint of embarrassing so that the two of them would have enough teasing fodder to make it back to the apartment.]

[Another breath, and she closed her eyes beneath the glasses. Willing the sadness back down, until she opened them again. And looked up at Takeru with a very obvious weak smile.]

Good thing...it was all just pretend, right?

[She sounded far less convincing than she wanted to.]

[Takeru nodded slightly, it was best that they ended it there, he could tell Hikari had somewhat reverted back to the way she was when she first arrived. Which was really, really not a good thing. His eyes turning dark blue, betraying the smile he put on for the time being. He was upset at her being like this, but he was determined to try and do what he always did best:

Cheer her up in any way possible.

Keeping his arms around her, letting her know he was still right there, he moved to look at her.]

Yeah, it was just pretending, Hikari... [He took a small breath, he was pretty sure that was not pretending, that was a little too accurate for his liking, but he was trying his best to cheer her up.]

Why don't we try one of the games? Then maybe go home, or do you just want to just go right home?

[She wanted to go home. She wanted the day to end and to go back to bed and curl into a ball under her blankets and—]

[She looked up at Takeru. At his eyes. It would have been far too easy to see the sadness in them even without the color changing, but that merely confirmed it. His arm was still around her shoulder. He had yet to move it. She had yet to move away. Even leaning slightly against him for support.]

[...no, she didn’t want to go home and curl into a ball. She wanted to stay here with her best friend. Take away the sadness in his eyes. It would only be fair, considering she was the cause.]

Let’s try one of the games.

[The smile felt a little more genuine now. Her eyes shifted, but in the bright light, combined with her dark shades, and with her looking directly at him, it was impossible to tell which color.]

[He honestly wasn't sure if it was going to work again, but whatever her choice he was still going to stick by her.

It was the very least he could do after all. It was at least something he could do. When he heard her speak up a bit, he smiled a little, eyes changing a little in order to mix between the orange and the blue. He was glad that she was coming around a little, but he wondered if perhaps he should talk about it again at another date or when they were alone.

The subject was a rather complicated one after all. But he figured today was probably not the right time for it. But later.]

Alright, do you have a preference? Or do you want me to decide?

[It had only been a moment. Easier to come out of than before. Whether that was a good or bad thing, she wasn't sure, but what Hikari did know was that she most definitely didn't want to talk about it. Not right then.]

[Fortunately, Takeru's next question had a much simpler answer to it.]

You can decide.

I picked first, so it's only fair that it's your turn now.

[That seemed fair really, in his head and he knew that he wasn't going to pick a game that was too hard or mean, but easy for the both of them to do.

His eyes looked at what was on offer and soon his focus had been on the ring toss. It was easy and simple and sure, they had to play together and probably throw the rings in such a way, but it was probably one of the easier ones to do.]

How about the ring toss? The couple playing it look like they are having fun and it's not too hard. [In all honesty he just wanted to win her something, maybe that might cheer her up more, right? He was determined to end it in a positive way.]

[She looked over to the booth in question, needing a moment to spot it among some of the similarly-designed games. There was one couple in the middle of their turn, and Takeru was right: they were both smiling and seemed to be enjoying themselves, despite the fact that the modified rules were making it a little more difficult to succeed.]

Okay.

[There were a number of prizes hanging all around, but Hikari didn't pay them much attention. She was instead focused on exactly what they were expected to do, and how. There were two different ways to play. The first was what caught her interest most. It looked like a team effort at first, except they were supposed to toss the rings at the same time and at the same target. The girl kept giggling as her ring deliberately knocked her partner's off-course, to which he promptly pouted and got her back on the next turn.]

[The other one appeared to be far trickier, with both partners attempting to toss the same ring at the same time. One hand on either side. However, due to the level of difficulty, the prizes surrounding that bottle appeared to have increased in quality. And size.]

Which one did you want to try?

[Takeru had been quietly studying the methods to the best of his ability. Both seemed tricky compared to the usual method, of course, both required them to work well together, which... when he thought about it more he figured they both would do well in that area.

He was pretty confident in that anyway. Next thing to check out what there was on offer, seeing what he figured Hikari might like. It wasn't long before his eyes paused on one and that was pretty much enough to secure an answer from him.]

Why not try throwing the same ring. I'm sure we're good enough as a team to be able to do it.

[He was up to something. Probably. Whenever he smiled like that, it usually meant he was scheming. At least, this time, Hikari had a decent idea as to what said scheming involved: rings. Being tossed. By the two of them, simultaneously.]

I suppose there's no harm in trying.

[She approached the booth with him, only having to wait a short time before they were allowed their turn. The rings on this side were a little larger--as was the neck of the bottle, to add to the challenge, but still of a size where their fingers would lightly brush together in the center if they were to each hold an opposite side.]

[Their height difference would be the biggest challenge, she figured. He wasn't taller than her by that much, but it was still enough that she would have to hold the ring a bit higher relative to her own body than he.]

...this does feel kind of weird.

[She smiled sheepishly up at him. Eyes still hidden behind the shades, but seemingly reverted back to their previous green.]

[As Takeru looked at the rings in the booth it seemed obvious how to throw the rings, at least for how friends would need to throw it anyway. Looking over to the over, he couldn't help but smile. He was happy to see she seemed happier than just mere moments ago. It was enough to change his eyes back to the green as well.

He was content with the way things were right now. He was happy as well as the bright orange would mix in for the most part. It was a step at least.]

I mean it's set up for couples, so yeah it is going to be somewhat weird, but there are ways around it... I think.

[Think being the precise wording of choice here. But he had picked up one of the rings and looked it over carefully, seemed light, but not too light and bigger than normal. Holding up the ring, he was still standing next to her.]

We should try it like this first. Though is this the right height, or does it need to go higher or lower?

[She took a step back. Closing one eye and tilting her head at a few different angles. Not unlike how she would line up a shot for photographing.]

A little higher. I think. If we can throw it pretty straight and not too hard, it looks like it should land.

[...not that she wasn't partially guessing. But it was as close to a proper assessment as she could make before returning to the spot beside him and lightly grasping the other side of the ring with him.]

Ready?

[He moved the ring a little higher for a moment, looking over at her to check that where he put it was correct. It seemed to be the case when she came to hold the other side. So this could land, or it might miss, but at least they can get another go anyway.

Looking over slightly, he smiled.]

Ready as I will ever be. [It wasn't going to be too hard for the both of them to actually throw it at the same time. He first starts by moving his hand back and soon throw it forward, before checking to see if the ring they threw actually hit or if they would need another go.]

[Hikari watched the ring sail through the air. At the right height, yes, but quickly veering a little much to the right, missing the bottle by several inches. Meaning one of them had either pulled or pushed more than the other.]

[Still, she hadn't expected them to make it on the first try, and already her eyes were hovering on the second ring, trying to think of a way to overcome that challenge.]

[He hadn't expected them to make it on the first try, that was always a rare thing to happen in general, but it was enough to give him a moment to pause and think over how to try it next.

Maybe trying to throw in another way, which could always work. It might mean they have more control if their hands are in the same place. The thought of how that would work was enough to cause the blonde to turn his head away slightly as a way to be able to give a moment from his eyes to change to not give anything away about his emotions at the thought. After a moment he had turned his head back, eyes have gone to the usual orange shade.]

We can try it another way.

[The eyes should have tipped her off that he was up to something; then again, “up to something” was practically his default state.]

What way would that be?

[Takeru had moved till he was standing behind her.]

Pretty much this way, it solves the problem of the height difference so the ring should be easier to toss, at least I think that is the case.

[It also solved the eye problem without the use of sunglasses, which Takeru kept forgetting was in his shirt pocket. Two birds with one stone. He paused for a moment, before speaking again, there was one thing he should have thought about, really.]

But we can do it another way.

[She let out a soft gasp when he moved behind her. Close enough that her back was practically against his chest. Ironically, it was probably the best position for them to be in for two reasons: one, he was right that they’d have a better chance at hitting the target if they both three from the same angle...]

[...and two: he wouldn’t be able to see a blush spreading across her cheeks that shades wouldn’t be able to hide.]

No, it’s fine. We can...try it like this.

[If she said it was fine, it was fine, right? He had gone quiet for a moment. They were friends, this was really no big deal at least that was what he was trying to tell himself. He started to wonder if he hadn't caught Mimi yesterday panicking would he be feeling this awkward now?

He was pretty sure the answer was he wouldn't be. He 100% blames Mimi for it. He had managed to pick up the ring before wrapping his arms around her waist, making sure the ring was once again at the right height.

He was very glad she couldn't exactly see his face either right now considering the red that was on his face, even if it was very light. Really glad of that fact.]

Alright, let's try again, shall we?

[He’d held her like this once before. Sort of. That day at the bathhouse. Clothed in nothing more than a towel, he’d appeared just in time to catch her after getting her foot stuck in a water bucket and sliding halfway across the floor. His hands had been on her waist, and he’d smiled up at her a little too coolly for the situation. She couldn’t even look at him without blushing—no, she’d looked away and still blushed.]

[Did he have that same expression on his face now? She figured he probably did. It would be just like him to smirk teasingly while boldly holding her in such a way that a casual observer would think...]

[Not fully trusting her voice, less she be caught in a completely unnecessary stutter, she nodded in response to his question. Letting him take the lead in movement as the ring was held up to roughly the right height and angle needed. A sharp flick of their wrists later, and it soar through the air, coming to a spinning landing around the bottle neck.]

[Hikari’s eyes lit up, and the subsequent rush of pride was almost enough to get her to forget the momentary awkward—including the fact that her arm had come to rest atop his around her waist.]

[Almost]

We did it!

[He had been happy about the tose and when it landed, he admittedly was both happy and glad the thing actually worked. It gave him a moment of not feeling as awkward and managing to keep his usual smile that for the most part, though he was very much aware of where the other's arm was once the excitement of the actual win settled down a little bit.]

We did and it only took two tries. I think that speaks a lot at how good we are as friends, don't you think?

[He smiled as he slowly realized he was still holding her, so finally unwrapping his arms he moved to stand next to her once again.]

Take a pick of your prize.

[She tried very hard to ignore the sudden lack of warmth when he pulled away. It was February. Of course the air would feel chillier at times.]

Hmm? [She glances up at the array of stuffed animals and toys, then back to him.] But you did most of the work. You should be the one to pick something out.

Oh, is that what you think, hm?

[He put his hands behind his back as he was studying the prizes. He soon found himself spotting one, in particular, he was sure she might like. He soon pointed to the prize, it was a cat-like stuffed animal, more of a reminder of her own Digimon.]

We'll take that one for the pretty lady. [There was a slight hint of teasing in his voice at least, as the person behind had gotten it down and holding it out.]

It's yours, Hikari.

[Her eyes widened when she got a better look of his choice. Watching with slightly parted lips and a slow exhale when the booth vendor took down the plush, handing it to her. So caught up in the visual similarity that she accepted the gift without further question.]

Takeru...

[The plush was soft. Not quite fur. Fleece, maybe. Definitely quality material, with strong seams holding each piece in place. It fit in her arms almost exactly the way Tailmon did, and even though the eyes were different, Hikari couldn’t help see a momentary overlap of her partner in the plush’s place. Something which caused her to hold it that much tighter before peering up at him.]

Thank you.

[Her eyes peeled through the top of the shades, betraying the red-colored emotion she was feeling right then as she smiled gratefully.]

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