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

You wound me so, Hikari.

[He looked slightly offended, putting a hand on his chest to add to it. But it wasn't for long because he wasn't serious about it, instead, he was soon laughing again slightly, putting his hand back down where it had been before.]

I'm sure you like that about me really? [He smiled, the usual one was there places firmly on his face as he looked over. He wasn't being serious in that reply really. He knew his teasing could annoy people, but she was the only one who knew how to deal it right back or even start it if she wanted to.]

But let's hope that never happens like these two, though I wonder how that turns out. [He glanced over once again to take a peek. He had an inkling as to what is possibly going to happen, but he couldn't say for certain.]

I’ve learned to overlook it. Most of the time.

[Spoken with a smile that would tell him she wasn’t being serious.]

[Joking aside, she too settled back to watch more of the movie. Things were starting to get interesting from a dramatic standpoint. It was pretty clear that the girl was starting to fall in love, and the boy might have realized this. Flashbacks indicated a longtime crush on his part, which ironically led to hesitation. A conflict over whether the feelings for the “old” girl he knew were influencing the “new” version of her, and if he was being selfish in encouraging her without confessing to the past as well as the present.]

[Hikari has to admit, she hadn’t anticipated it turning into a romance film, but the depth of the theme—not to mention the acting—was compelling enough that she didn’t seem to mind. Her eyes remaining green a majority of the time, even as she sympathized with the fictional characters and their plight.]

[His eyes remained the same spring green as the others, content in watching the movie play out and admittedly for him, actually enjoying it more than he actually expected. He had gone to grab the only popcorn they hadn't tried which he was aware at this point was just the plain sweet one holding it to the side for her to take if she wanted any before grabbing some himself.

He smiled slightly as he popped in a bit of popcorn, figuring the film was close to over at this point or at least reaching what he hoped to be in an interesting climax. he soon found himself glancing over once again just to see what she was doing, before looking back to the screen.]

[By that point, Hikari was fully engrossed in the drama playing out. For all her eccentricities and the bizarre aspects of her life, in moments like these, she really was a typical teenage girl. Enjoying the heartache as the characters very nearly split and the girl prepared to leave town and start over once and for all. In typical melodrama fashion, a bit of it was too over the top to be 100% relatable, and there was even one particular moment that should have been a lot sadder, but because of the antics of the mutual friend, she found herself lightly giggling.]

[At some point, Takeru offered her popcorn. She didn’t look at either him or the bowl and yet somehow knew just when and where to reach for a small handful, which she proceeded to pop in her mouth piece by piece without question. Good thing it was a more typical flavor, and not the jalepenos.]

[The movie ended on a slightly ambiguous, but still hopeful note. After another tense moment of potential danger, the girl decided to stay. The boy realized that his feelings were too strong not to be genuine, and he resolved to come clean and tell her everything. In the very last scene, they were sitting in the park where they’d apparently met as children, and he began telling her the story of how. Voice fading out as the music took over, screen altering between their satisfied and interested expressions before planning over to a swing set which had been the core part of the story.]

[And sitting on it was a little girl, being pushed by a little boy about her age. Both of them laughing and the girl encouraging the boy to push her higher even though he expressed momentary concern about her getting hurt.]

[The credits began to roll.]

That was a good choice, Hikari.

[When he saw the credits roll be had placed the bowl down before moving to stretch and stood up. After spending he didn't know how long it was nice to stretch one's legs.]

So you were engrossed in the film near the end, it was cute. [He said in a slightly teasing manner, the grin, as usual, had returned. he was going to take that moment while he could.]

[Her eyes and cheeks proceeded to turn matching shades of light pink at the comment, but only as long as it took her to shove those feelings aside and replace them with a mixture of dingy yellow annoyance...and happy orange.]

See? Mean.

[Because she knew he only said it to tease her. The way he teased so many other girls. Usually to get a reaction out of them, and little other reason.]

And speaking of...it’s your turn, isn’t it? To play your movie.

How is calling you cute mean?

[He laughed slightly as he was already over to switch the movies, kneeling down in order to do so. His eyes were more focused on his task than behind him.]

I thought it was a compliment.

You call every girl cute. Just so you can see them blush.

[She didn’t seem that mad about it, though. Her tone was more of a casual call-out than accusation.]

Not my fault if it's true.

[He grinned as he turned his head slightly, looking over at her. The movie was in place for the most part so he moved to stand up and go back to sit right next to her, picking up one of the chocolate popcorn and threw it into his mouth as he did.]

Though I'm sure I'll enjoy this movie a lot. Don't worry, I'm right here to protect you.

[Takeru...]

[She certainly didn’t blush this time, eye color flashing solid dingy yellow as she stared him down flatly all the way to the return of his seat beside her. Continuing to stare until the music of the opening credits rang out, and she shifted her weight to pull her legs up onto the couch in front of her, resting her arms across her knees.]

[The beginning wasn’t so bad. It typically wasn’t. Introducing the characters and relationships and setting up the overall plot. One might almost be deceived into thinking the movie would be pleasant.]

[Takeru had only seen a scene or two of this movie, so he was only aware of what he told Hikari and one other scene. But he didn't know when that scene was... but he was pretty much aware Hikari would not be a fan of it.

As he watched the set up of the house was established, the large and extremely derelict mansion. Abandoned for years after the whole family went missing in one night with no reason, never to be seen again.

So far Takeru figured the build-up was decent, best way to put the tension on. When the characters finally arrived at the place, one seeing a figure in the corner of thier sight Takeru found himself looking over, checking on her and seeing if she was okay.]

[Hikari didn’t scare that easily. Too much real life experience not to possess a certain degree of bravery. Even as a child.]

[...but there was just something about movies. And stories, if told by the right person. Meiko’s tale had been expertly executed. Everything from her tone to delivery set up an atmosphere of tension. The suspense of buildup. Audience knowing that something was about to happen, but helpless in terms of figuring out what and when.]

[It was the same with Takeru’s movie. Nothing that scary had even happened, and yet the tension was high, leaving Hikari tense. Eyes wide as she braved herself for any sudden reveal—and still unprepared when the figure abruptly appeared, flinching in her seat and letting out the tiniest ‘eep!’ of surprise.]

[Takeru smiled slightly. It really was adorable and he couldn't help but watch her rather than focus on the movie for a moment or two. It was slowly dawning on him that he might be looking at her too much and that his eyes might give it away, so he quickly looked back at the screen just as the team was planning on separating in order to investigate the place better. He soon leaned over slightly before whispering.]

Who do you think will die first? My bets on the guy who looks like a jock.

[In that sense, Takeru was lucky this time: Hikari was so engrossed that she didn’t notice the staring. Any usual tingling senses attributed to the movie. Nor did she notice when Takeru leaned towards her, and thus was so caught off-guard when his voice rang softly in her ear, she let out a sharp gasp. Nearly jumping in her seat.]

Huh? [She turned to look at him...and his face was so much closer than expected....it left her blinking twice in a stunned silence, eyes reflecting the vibrating colors betraying her freight before settling into a pale pink...although, for half a second, they almost looked magenta...] Oh. Um...maybe. He’s the one taking the most risks.

[Takeru found himself baffled for a moment, he was sure they went a certain color there. Was this his imagination expecting something that really wasn't there? Or did it actually happen which would cause a lot of question on his part?

He was still rather close but took the moment to move back slightly, the thought about what he had seen still linger to the point he didn't notice the scene with a door slamming over without warning. Even Takeru nearly jumped due to not having paid attention his eyes even changed to a few colors before going back to green.]

You know...this eye thing is getting really confusing...

[Still looking at him when it happened, the door slamming scene startled her just as badly and she jumped when he did. Nothing major happened after that, though, leaving her to fully hear his comment about what was happening to their eyes.]

...it really is. [Her head bowed just enough to conceal their latest shift from him.] I can barely remember what all the different colors are supposed to mean.

[Not entirely false. Some of them did take a moment to properly register. The ones she was sure she’d seen.]

It feels almost...cruel. In a way. Don’t you think?

[He turned his head away for a moment, looking over at the popcorn that was still resting on the table. Yes, they were talking to talk about it, or at least just about the eyes changing color, not about what he thought he saw.

he soon put his focus back on her, eyes fixated on her as he leaned back.]

With so many, it is hard to remember them all. Except for the major ones I swear that cupid dog wants you to remember.

[He looked down, nodding. He agreed it was rather mean, meaner than anything he could think of.]

Yeah... It's cruel. More so for the people who keep their emotions hidden. They are forced to show them. More so if it's a crush or something and they can't hide it.

[She tensed. It was only for a instant, but it was visible and even noticeable. Especially since she tended not on the line referencing people who hid their emotions—as they both knew she was inclined to do—but at the part about a crush.]

[Although, as if to highlight the point, it was difficult to say why without seeing her eye color.]

I don’t like it.

It doesn’t feel honest. [Which was ironic in and of itself, but she explained:] You shouldn’t force someone to reveal how they feel. It should be their choice. On their terms. Because they want the other person to know.

[That he could agree with. One shouldn't force it. It made things more awkward then they had to and well... Kind of how Mimi found out about him, not because he wanted to tell her, but because he had been forced with the eye color.]

Your right about that. No one wants to be forced into tell someone something they didn't want to. Like... If I wanted to tell someone I liked them...I would do it in a completely different way.

[That made her smile. Weakly, and she still seemed a bit tense...as if waging an internal debate with herself over something...but the fact that he agreed with the sentiment was enough to encourage her to ask:]

Like how?

[As if they were back to their usual friendly chats. Even if...it didn’t quite feel so “usual”. Not this time.]

[He smiled, he figured she was interested in knowing and he figured he might as well play along, but if it was the truth or not he was not making it obvious.]

Well, it would depend on who and how much I like them or how special they are to me. [he grinned slightly.] But no matter what I would always be a gentlemen and make it memorable for them.

[She grinned back. His response was sweet, and also generic enough that it could mean just about anything. Or reference just about anyone.]

Knowing you, I’m sure—

[Before she could get a full quip about, however, Hikari made the mistake of accidentally glimpsing at the television screen. Just in time for a dramatic jump-scare that had her let out a muted screen before reflexively diving forward, grabbing at Takaru’s hand with both her own and burying her face in his arm. A position which she remained in long after the adrenaline rush passed and the embarrassment at having been scared so easily set in. Voice muffled against him as she muttered:]

...I hate you, you know.

[No, she didn’t.]

[It was a good thing it was the scene Takeru had been aware of, but when he felt her head press against his arm and her hand with his, he found himself somewhat panicked himself. He should have expected some type of reaction and honestly, this was probably the exact one, but it was somewhat different to him coming from her.

He kept his head turned away, knowing that his face must be somewhat red at this moment in time as well as his eyes being the usual color. He just knew they were. Take a moment to calm down a bit be soon moved his hand to grip one of hers before moving his free arm to wrap it around protectively, pulling her in and lightly resting his head on top of hers.]

I know.

[She didn't think much of it. Not at first. Her heart was still racing from the jump scare, and she felt more sheepish about being 'caught' than anything else. Even when his hand reached for hers. Reassuring. Supportive. He could have made fun of her--she was half expecting him too--but instead...his other arm came up and around her. Pulling her even closer, until most of her upper body was leaning against him.]

[Then, a weight atop her head.]

[Sounds of horror continued to blare from the speakers, but her eyes were still closed. Anything and everything she was feeling in that moment hidden from them both. Because she didn't even know. Not how she felt. Not how she should have felt...]

[Her weight shifted. She dared peek an eye out from over his arm. A little better equipped to handle what was going on now the pace had sped up. The people on screen were terrified, yes, but the monster had already revealed itself and now it was a matter of watching how everything played out. She didn't move otherwise. Didn't feel the urge. Takeru might have been the jerk who got her into this mess...but, she was forced to admit, he was also the one who made her feel safest. Protected.]

[And she hated him for that.]

[...except, no, she didn't.]

[Before Hikari realized, nearly ten minutes of movie had passed with them in the same position. Her legs now tucked beside her, hands still clasped, heads supposed by one another. Watching the movie in an otherwise somewhat content silence.]

[Takeru was at least aware that this movie wasn't that scary to him, but then again this was the type of genre he liked and knew most of the tricks they had. So he managed to keep calm while watching it. But as he held Hikari, he knew that it was at least nice, letting her know he was there to look after her when scared, when she needed him and it seemed like he was needed for a while.

Glancing now and again, he checked that she was okay. She still looked scared for the most part. As the monster managed to grab one of the few survivors that were left Takeru once again had his eyes focused on the scene before him instead of the scene he was currently in.

He was also pretty much away his heart was still beating somewhat faster than normal and he was really hoping that she hadn't noticed.]

If the film really that scary?

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