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

[fogboundcrow]

"You won't know until you try, and things won't get better until you do." He says it gently, trying not to be too pushy. It's still Wolf's choice in the end.

[rookandhound]

He sighed. "I'll... text him. Or something. Maybe he's not still... terrified of me."

[fogboundcrow]

"I'm sure your shared circumstances will make it easier to extend an olive branch, at least. After all, you both were suffering for so long." Which is why it's so important, in his eyes.

He used to bury his feelings. It never helped.

[rookandhound]

"What do I even do? My literal existence is a giant fucking trigger for him because of that stupid goddamn operation or whatever- and I hid it from him because I was scared of how he'd react- justifiably, I might add, which makes it worse."

He scowled. "Because I'm a fucking idiot."

[fogboundcrow]

"Then explain it, but give him the space to process his feelings. You can be honest without making excuses." He pauses. "And without self deprecating."

That last part is important, Wolf.

[rookandhound]

"I'm afraid I'll also have to insist on the lack of self-deprecation, Goro. You're quite clever, actually, and not stupid at all, and I won't hear anything said against you."

"... Okay. I'll try."

[fogboundcrow]

"It can be difficult to fight old habits." A small smile takes form. "Just give it time. It's all you really can do."

[rookandhound]

He snorted quietly. "Aren't you a full year younger than me? You sound like a chapter out of a self-help booklet."

There was no real venom to it. In fact, there was almost a ghost of a smile.

[fogboundcrow]

"In my defense, I've been subjected to immense sentimentality and had to accept Shiro as a part of me." He shrugs, playing it off like it's no big deal.

Besides, it's good to see Wolf smile.

[rookandhound]

Only the ghost of one, mind, and it faded quickly.

Not for the first time, since the dungeon, he found himself staring at his Digivice.

What had Mom said, the night before she died? The most important thing. Why did her parents hate her?

What is the source of hate?

It was a question with an obvious answer. But his... Shadow had thought it was important to ask it. To make him think on it.

Even though it was staring him in the face. Not just in that funny little emblem, but in Raven's every act. Raven, who had an adoptive father and a sister and a brother and a home. In every other instance of 'Goro Akechi' throughout this place, with a few exceptions.

It was an obvious answer, but a stupid one, because... Because it just couldn't be.

"How... long, have you been with those people? The ones you live with."

[fogboundcrow]

"...A few months." He wilts at the realization. A few months isn't trivial, of course, but compared to his time here...

"It's strange to think about. I've spent so much time here, away from all of them."

His family here, his family back home... He doesn't want to put one over the other, and yet time is still a factor.

[rookandhound]

That little admission stunned him, so much so that he couldn't stop the words that slipped out in time. "A few months? But you're so-" So... friendly. So not like any of the others.

"... Well I guess I can't relate. All my family is here."

[fogboundcrow]

"To be fair, I also had to face my Shadow within two months of Dojima-san taking me in, which expedited some of my personal growth." He pauses, looking down. "But simply having people who cared was earth shattering. Sometimes, a single action can change everything."

[rookandhound]

A single action can change everything.

...

"I guess it does. I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for Rookmon."

Or worse, he thought. I'd still be here anyway, without ever having met him.

"Do you..."

"Go on, Goro."

He sighed. "If it's not too much to ask, next time you're planning a group... thing. It'd be nice to come, too. I'm. Sorry, about ghosting you at Christmas. Fucking Igor-"

[fogboundcrow]

"It's all right. I'm sure you had enough on your plate as it is." Raven's smile softens. It was unfortunate, of course, but so many of his friends have struggled these past few months.

Not just Wolf, but Ken, Falcon...

"We'll have more opportunities in the future."

[rookandhound]

"Alright," he said, after a moment of quiet. "Thanks, Raven."