Cherry Blossom Evening Party

[wipingallout]

You have received a private message:

Throughout the week, Hamuko has messaged the vast majority of people she's met so far - and eagerly invited them to come meet at Inokashira Park starting at 5pm.

⋆🌸₊˚⊹♡❀˖°🌸⋆

You're invited to an evening sushi-party-turned-hanami-picnic-party! I've organized a bunch of cognitive chefs and performers to come to that park on the listed date/time.

I've sent this to you because you were part of one of the three teams that helped with fighting Fatalis or rescuing Falcon and Wolf (or are Falcon and Wolf themselves!!) - we've all busted our butts a lot lately, so I think we deserve to have something nice together too!

Of course, the party is open if you have any +1s or more. But before spring turns into summer, let's celebrate what we've all accomplished together!




.🌸˚𑁍.ೃ࿔*:･

The Venue...


Inokashira Park has a lovely river and trail and a phenomenal collection of cherry blossom trees. They're in the tail end of their season, filling the air with petals like snowfall.

In a large open area, Hamuko's arranged a ton of picnic blankets for people to claim and sit down on, though each blanket is HUGE to accommodate people sitting with as many people as they can handle! There are cozy pillows for sitting on too, stacked neatly to be borrowed.

There's a truly humongous row of tables laid out with an impressive amount of sushi presented. With a few trucks nearby, it seems there's a few sushi chefs making fresh platters of it to lay out through the night.

Similarly, there are food carts along the trails if you're not in the mood for sushi and would rather have some more traditional fare like dango, taiyaki, matcha, takoyaki... it's got the place lively and smelling fantastic! There's sake for the adults, and some cherry-blossomed themed mocktails for minors.

🌸𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖🎐

Activities

There's a few set out activities besides just chowing down and socializing or walking along the lantern-lit trails under the cherry blossoms! Inoshikara Park has always had cute little swan pedal boats or regular rowboats for 'rental' (not that money matters here).

The area is SO pretty, perfect for taking pictures to have as keepsakes. There's even a booth to claim a yukata and privately change into it, if you want to go the extra mile!

Finally, in lieu of a traditional band or modern concert, Hamuko has picked out a large set of speakers connected to a small karaoke stage and screen - menace the party with your sing-along! Get a little boost to your Guts!!

Comments

[gorobo]

Falcon, despite himself, startles, anxiety spiking when Hamuko approaches him. He- why does she-? She doesn't know him-

He doesn't react outwardly beyond turning his head at her, and just as quickly works to calm himself down. She's just being friendly. Stop being such a bitch.

"I enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms, that's all," he murmurs in lieu of a greeting, before he follows her gaze towards the Yukata he'd be looking at. Something small and... envious knots itself in his circuits.

"They are," he says, shortly. "The craftsmanship is immaculate."

[wipingallout]

"The blossoms are gorgeous... this is my first time getting to see them at night with all the lanterns," Hamuko agreed fondly, gingerly pulling out the sleeve of a deep violet yukata to admire the pattern.

"Textiles are so intricate... I've been slowly learning how to sew, and getting the stitching done right is a challenge! I'd love to get to where I could make something like this myself."

[gorobo]

"Oh?"

That's got Falcon interested, actually. He can sew some- in part because the techniques are in his database, in part because mom didn't always have the time to mend her own clothes, and since Falcon didn't have anything else to do-

... Anyway.

"It's a craft that's slowly being lost," Falcon says, watching her dig through the yukata with another pang of envy. "Yet, the work is admirable, done right."

[wipingallout]

"I think it would be so much fun actually picking out textiles yourself and making your own clothes. They're already about self expression, so adding that extra personal touch would make it even more 'you', I think!"

She pauses to admire the lovely patterning on a white one, decorated with pale blues and small orange koi.

"I used to be in a club in school with a student from abroad - he was talented enough to make his own kimono. I have some catching up to do before I'm that good... maybe I should try and find people to sew with me, like it's a club again?"

[gorobo]

"I suppose it would," Falcon says with a shrug, "I don't particularly care for wearing clothes, so even if I can, it's a craft that's lost on me."

He didn't quite mean to admit that he can sew, somewhat, but he's distracted by the yukatas Hamuko keeps pulling out. They really are beautiful, and he...

... doesn't wear clothes. He doesn't know what he'd do with a yukata.

[wipingallout]

"Is it uncomfortable? Maybe if we find one that fits right...? Hmm..."

She pulls the black and red one he'd been eyeing before gently off the hook, holding it up and sizing Falcon up.

"I think this one should be right for length and shoulder width! Do you wanna try?"

[gorobo]

"Nothing like that," he shakes his head, "I don't feel much to begin with." Just enough so he doesn't accidentally destroy things, or hurt someone, or get himself out of sticky situations if he's being damaged. "It's more like..."

... How does he even explain? Does he even want to? It's not like he knows Hamuko that well.

"Well, I just don't," he settles on. "I don't need to, so why should I?"

Also I've never worn clothes outside of being forced to or to disguise myself, he doesn't say.

... The yukata is so pretty, though. He's been eyeing it long enough to know it'll fit him- the dimensions are too exact not to. It kind of pisses him off, because he sure as hell didn't ask for that.

It really does look nice, however.

[wipingallout]

"Well... if you ask me, 'I want to' is a perfectly good reason. Something nice like this is made to be worn by someone that appreciates how pretty it is," Hamuko suggested, gently offering it to Falcon.

"Do you want to try? You don't have to stick with it all night, if you don't want to."

[gorobo]

"I... don't," he says, slowly, and Hereward tuts at him. He tells his brand new Persona to go tut somewhere else.

I am thou, thou art I, Hereward reminds him.

"... but if you insist," he amends, and takes the yukata gingerly, as if it's going to bite him.

[wipingallout]

Gently passing the yukata, Hamuko smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I'll get an obi to match - let me know if you want or need help, okay?"

[gorobo]

"Right," Falcon says, looking at the yukata like it's a foreign object. "Thank you."

And then, very quickly, he disappears into the dressing booth- even though there's nothing to see anyway, and all he needs to do is stick his arms through the holes. He can't help it, he feels... extremely weird, putting it on.

[wipingallout]

Hmm, the red and black... Hamuko takes a moment to look at the obis before picking out a white one, bringing it to the booth and knocking on the door.

"Knock knock! Here's an obi - I'm not peeking," Hamuko called, holding the obi over the door for Falcon to take and try on. "How's the fit so far?"

[gorobo]

"Thanks," he says, hurriedly swiping the obi from Hamuko's hands and disappearing back into the booth.

Okay. Obi. Tie it around the yukata. It can't be that difficult. He has it in his databases, he just has to...

... after a few minutes, he still hasn't come out.

[wipingallout]

Hamuko waits patiently for those few minutes, not wanting to rush him - especially if he was taking so long from insecurity rather than difficulty.

But, just in case--

"Obi are always a pain in the butt to learn how to tie, especially on yourself!"

Light, a little jokey, a gentle reminder that he could ask for help or just an excuse if he wasn't ready to come out yet.

[gorobo]

Well, he's done, but he's...

He doesn't...

"Yes, yes, just- I- give me a few more minutes. I'm almost done."

[wipingallout]

"Don't worry! There's no rush," she answered cheerily, not pushing him.

[gorobo]

"Right."

...
....
......

More minutes pass by, when he calls, hesitantly.

"I'm... coming out now."

[wipingallout]

"I'm ready if you are! Let's see!"

Hamuko stepped back to give him space to come out. The coast was still clear, for now. You can do it, Falcon...!!

[gorobo]

A few more moments pass, and Falcon steels himself, before he hesitantly opens the booth, glancing around. When he seems satisfied, he slowly steps out.

He looks... well, he looks nice. The kimono fits him perfectly, and teh colors complement his mechanical body well. There's an awkwardness to him, hidden behind an embarrassed scowl. He feels ridiculous, not meeting Hamuko's eyes, waiting for her to call him ridiculous.

[wipingallout]

Naturally, contrary to Falcon's expectations, Hamuko gasps and smiles - thoroughly impressed.

"Falcon, you look so pretty in that! The colors are perfect, it suits you so nicely. You look wonderful!"

[gorobo]

Falcon's eyes widen minutely, looking up, before he looks away bashfully.

"... It's covering my fans," he protests weakly.

[wipingallout]

"Are you overheating at all? Or is the fabric breatheable enough?" Hamuko asked, admiring how nice Falcon looked.

"Say - do you want a picture of yourself? I won't share it with anyone else - it'll just be for you."

[gorobo]

In response, his fans turn on, causing the fabric to rustle a little.

"It's nothing I'm not used to," he mutters, "... it's fine, I guess. I won't overheat any time soon."

He looks up at her offer. A large part of him immediately rejects it; he looks stupid, he doesn't even like wearing clothes all that much, this was a spur of the moment decision and he feels like an idiot.

Hereward nudges him though, presenting the small part of him that wants to preen at the outfit, that acknowledges he does look good. Wearing clothes has many bad things associated with it, for him, but he wants... to look nice.

"... Delete it after you send it to me."

[wipingallout]

"I promise I will. But-- let's take a picture of you here, under this lantern - get the cherry blossoms in the background too, instead of the booth."

She got her flip phone out, but...

"Okay, so... my phone is from 2008, so the camera quality might not be as nice as a real camera or a modern phone. But I also have this," she took out the disposable camera, with her free hand. "I was going to get the pictures developed and printed out so people could frame them. I can make sure you're the only one that gets the copy of your picture. Whichever camera you feel comfortable with, Falcon, since this is for you!"

[gorobo]

Falcon, somewhat hesitantly, allows her to guide him. She's right, it's a nice place, but is that really alright for someone like him...?

"I don't care. Whichever you-"

Be honest, now.

"... The disposable camera should be fine," he murmurs. How should he pose...? Despite having posed for many a picture as the detective prince, none of those were really his own doing, so...