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

[rookandhound]

He didn't meet her eyes. "I can't bring myself to agree. I think most people, when the chips are down, would eat each other given half a chance. Digimon are the same way, but they don't pretend to be nice to each other first."

They certainly hadn't hesitated to pounce on his mother, when they'd sensed weakness. Ripped her to shreds and watched her bleed to death the instant they'd felt they could get away with it, all while patting themselves on the back for being 'good people'.

[wipingallout]

"I can see why you'd see it that way, for sure," Hamuko nodded at him, not dismissive in the slightest even at his pessimism. "They don't make good choices when forced into a corner. Still... there's a warmth that comes from having bonds with others. Something that can give you the will to try and be better and do what's right, I think."

She gave him a light laugh.

"I don't mean to sound like I'm lecturing or anything. Or preaching. I just want to share more of me, and my thoughts, since you didn't have a choice in me seeing yours."

[rookandhound]

Once again, his eyes fell on the little emblem now engraved into the back of his Digivice.

That seemed to be what people, including himself, now, kept trying to tell him. But...

"Kind of feel like 'doing what's right' is a moot point, now."

[wipingallout]

"Well... I don't think it's moot. You can still try. There are a lot of people here who're trying to do that even now - and I knew someone who never wants to hurt others again."

She won't name Shinjiro, that was up to him, but... it was hard not to see comparisons in that way too.

[rookandhound]

His face fell, slightly. "... And what if there were still people I wanted to hurt? Very badly?"

He thought of Shido. Of the small army of politicians, police, judges, businessmen, and crime lords under his thumb.

He wondered how many of them would fall if Tokyo burned, and silenced that thought. But maybe...

"It didn't go away just because you beat it up. I still- I think of him. And I want to make him bleed. Beg for his life like- like Isshiki did. That's not the kind of thing a 'good person' wants."

[wipingallout]

"Thoughts like that... they're not a 'good person' thing or a 'bad person' thing. They're a hurt person thinks. And there's nothing inherently good or bad about a hurt person. There's something very understandable in having deep, even violent anger about someone that has hurt you or hurts others."

She didn't think too much about whether she was a 'good' or 'bad' person, but she also had thoughts like that at times...

"I think it's actions that are good or bad, more than feelings."

[rookandhound]

"You're saying this to the person who recently got overwhelmed by bad feelings and turned into a fire-breathing undead kaiju who tried to murder everyone he knows."

[wipingallout]

"Yep! You sure did. I was there!"

Hamuko laughed a little, just a breath.

"I saw what I saw. And I think you're a hurt person, but... a good person, at heart. I want to help however I can, because I believe you can be the person you want to be, whenever you settle on who that is."

[rookandhound]

He fell silent, for several seconds, seemingly taking a moment to digest this latest bit of information.

In the end, what he said was, "Has anybody ever told you you're fucking weird?"

[wipingallout]

Well, she laughs, if nothing else!

"Yeah, they have! It hasn't stopped me yet, at least!"

[rookandhound]

"I don't get you people. You all... give a shit."

He sighed. "Where the fuck were you when it mattered? Why couldn't Igor have brought me here when it would've made a difference?"

[wipingallout]

"...I know that feeling really well, too."

Wondering what it could've been like, if she'd met people earlier, if she'd gotten to know her friends before the last year. If someone, anyone, understood what was happening to her family. To her.

"...I think Igor is bringing people here to bond with other people. I don't know how much control he has over when or how people are pulled here. But... here we are now."

[rookandhound]

"... You do, don't you," he said, quietly.

"You're not just saying that, I mean. People say things like 'I know how you feel' all the time, when they don't. They can't possibly. They just say that because it makes them feel better than 'well that fucking sucks'. But you... you're telling the truth."

[wipingallout]

She nodded, slightly.

"It's not the same - no one's pain is the same, and I had a lot of good in my life too. But I do specifically know that feeling. ...Ten years ago, I lost my parents and my brother in a disaster caused by Shadows. And it felt... so... maddening, trying to explain what I saw or get anyone to believe me. To get any help. It took me until the last year of my life before I met the people who helped me find meaning after all of that.

"...But I did find them. I think that's where I'm going with this."

[rookandhound]

The last year of my life.

Had she meant to say that?

"You think I'm likely to meet... other people with Digimon."

[wipingallout]

"I think so. Or people who might meet Digimon because of you. Things are a lot less... horrifying, when you have others with you that will stick by you through it. And I think that it's worth trying to find those right people.""I think so. Or people who might meet Digimon because of you. Things are a lot less... horrifying, when you have others with you that will stick by you through it. And I think that it's worth trying to find those right people."

[rookandhound]

He thought, for a moment, back to Raven's writing on the board.

They seem like matched sets.

Did that mean that, somewhere, there was a Ren- or Akira- simply... waiting for him, somehow? Rookmon had called him Chosen. And what did that mean?

"I don't know how I feel about that, I think. On the one hand, I don't like the idea that I'm somehow... I don't know. Fated to meet these people, or whatever. But on the other..."

She'd been there. She knew. Don't leave me alone.

[wipingallout]

"Oh, I get that, too. Fate is not kind, or fair, or anything like that... it just is," Hamuko agreed softly. "But at least some aspects of it mean... something nice, for once, falling into place. Having people in your life that matter."

She really, truly hoped for the best for him.

"And for your time here, however long or short it is, I'd be happy to spend time with you and get to know you. Share what I learned on my whole escapade, or just goof off with you and Akane-chan. While we're here, there is a life we can really relish and enjoy."

[rookandhound]

"If some power from on high engineered all of this, I'm going to find them and rip their throat out with my goddamn teeth," he replied, acid creeping into his tone again.

"But I get your point. I'm... going to have to apologize to Akane, too."

"Yes, you are, but I think she'll be inclined to listen."

[wipingallout]

She doesn't even flinch at the violent grumbling - she gets why he would feel like that, given everything he's dealt with. We all deserve to take a shot.

"She's fiery, but I think she understands what you were going through, too. I can tell that you feel bad for hurting her feelings, and I don't know you as well as she probably does," she assured fondly.

After a beat, though, Hamuko pulled out the disposable camera she'd been carrying around. "Say-- I'm taking pictures of everyone at the party, tonight. Do you want one of you and Rookmon?"

[rookandhound]

Wolf shrugged noncommittally. "I suppose. Not like we're doing anything."

[wipingallout]

"Okay! Then let's go stand you under one of the trees - that way it'll capture what the night was like, when you look at it printed out!"

Hamuko stood from the table, pulling the camera off of its loop on her wrist and beckoning the two guys to follow her for the better view.

[rookandhound]

"Hm. Is there any particular pose you would like, Miss Hamuko?"

[wipingallout]

"Let me see..."

Hamuko peeked through the viewfinder for a moment, moving herself and turning the noisy little scroll wheel to adjust the zoom and focus... eventually she almost finds a good frame that captures Wolf and the cherry blossoms.

"Wolf, can you hold Rookmon up? I want to get both of your faces in the shot!"

[rookandhound]

Rookmon cupped his chin, looking thoughtful. "Actually... Goro, if I may, I might have a better idea. You'd like a memorable photo, yes?" And oh, how the little bird feigned an expression of purest innocence.

"You have the world's worst poker face, Rookmon, what are you plotting-"

Rookmon struck what, in his mind, must have been a dramatic pose. "In that case- Rookmon, Evolve!"

"What- hey- Rookmon, what the hell-"

But alas, for poor Wolf's dignity, it was too late. Rookmon had been replaced by a ten-foot avian archer in striking black and red plumage, a bycocket hat roguishly tipped to veil the gaze- and, much to his partner's consternation, had lifted him bodily up, supporting Wolf atop one shoulder- and maintaining the same pose as before, albeit now with one severely-flustered human in tow.

"Will that suffice for your photograph, my lady? Do be quick, as I don't believe he'll stay put for long."

"Hoodmon, I swear I'll get you for this-"