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]

Shiro happily steps in. "'Cause this shit's gonna feel like velvet, turtle! My style fits tighter than a girdle." Yes, he's rapping in slightly accented English.

In stark contrast, Raven's face crumples up. "I will never understand why they would desecrate such a fine jazz accompaniment with such absurd lyrics."

"Raven, you need to sing along!"

...Damn it. "Like Chef Boyarde, my rhyme is truly cookin'..." Ugh. This is horrible. So, so horrible.

[wipingallout]

Oh... oh this song is bad...

Hamuko restrains herself, stepping back from the stage just a bit and sizing the two up, moving a little, aaaand...

...while they're singing, out comes the disposable camera that she's been using all night. She snaps a picture.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Hamuko is supposed to be up here! With them!

Ren's determined, though. He keeps making noises vaguely in-tune with the music. Loudly.

[fogboundcrow]

Shiro happily raps along. "I don't eat pork or swine when I dine. I drink a cup of Kool-Aid, not a big glass of wine!"

"...Ren, why don't you choose the next song?"

Shiro flashes a playful grin. "That implies you want a next song..."

This may have been a scheme. A tricky little play.

[wipingallout]

"Yeah, you gonna let the Akechi boys all choose jazz all night? Show off your taste in music!" Hamuko heckled, amused as ever, tucking the camera away again.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren puts his mics down. "I need a breather after that. What even was that song about?"

[fogboundcrow]

Raven presses his hands together, taking a deep breath. "Complete nonsense. Houses, carpets, velvet turtles, and for some godforsaken reason, Chef Boyarde. The cheap, canned pasta sold in the west that likely tastes of heartburn and broken dreams."

Shiro shakes his head. "Oh, live a little, Goro! Nii-san loves this song."

"Yu is also a human cryptid. His opinion doesn't count."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"Does Yosuke even know enough English to understand the song...?"

[fogboundcrow]

"No, not really. Yu, on the other hand, does. He's a model student who excels in every class."

Shiro pats his shoulder, tsking. "Nii-san finds humor in it. There's an absurdist charm to the lyrics."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"The next song can be in a language I understand so I know what I'm saying."

[fogboundcrow]

Shiro droops, suddenly self conscious. "Did I take it too far?"

Shaking his head, Raven says, "Japanese is perfectly fine, Ren."

[wipingallout]

"It's your turn to pick a song anyway, right, Ren?" Hamuko encouraged, her jovial attitude kept up to help lighten the boys' mood as best as she could.

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"I dunno..." Ren kicks at the floor. "Where's the song list?"

[fogboundcrow]

Shiro, being a good sport, brings it back to the song list. There's... a lot of Lotus Juice, but other options to pick from as well.

Raven offers Ren a supportive smile. "Take your time. There's no rush."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren flips through the offerings. "Rivers in the Desert sound good?"

Now that he feels less annoyed, he takes a good, hard look at Shiro. Hmm.

Hmmmmm.

Shiro looks good when he's...woah, no!! Not a good thought!! But Raven looks good when he's defeated, too...

His grip on his mic tightens. C'mon, stand up to him. Punch him in the face (metaphorically) and make him feel alive.

[fogboundcrow]

No punches here. Just a competitive smirk from Raven as he considers the selection. "Are you sure? The lyrics are in English..."

Shiro shakes his head. "I have faith in Ren! He wouldn't choose it if he didn't feel comfortable."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

"I know the lyrics," Ren huffs. "Shiro is right. There's too much on the line!"

Acting on something like instinct, Ren leans over and gives Shiro a peck on the cheek.

[wicked_plan]

"Yeah! Go get 'em, tiger!"

Wild cheers from the back with a chuckle, grinning at his younger self.

[minipancake]

Closer to the stage, Wagtail sticks two fingers in his mouth and adds a deafening whistle.

[wipingallout]

...!!!

Damn, if only she had her camera out for that!!

"Duet! Duet! Duet!" she cheered, encouraging.

[fogboundcrow]

Shiro's cheeks burn red at the sudden kiss and the audience. "I, ah... Yes! Duets. Duets are very good."

Raven touches his own cheek, his blush a bit fainter, but still present. "Well, then I suppose we'd best hop to it."

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Ren squeaks. He's...he's on stage, right...

...eep.

His face is even redder than Shiro's and Goro's.

[fogboundcrow]

"We should really start the song." So Shiro's just going to... do that. Yes. That seems like a reasonable and appropriate action.

Time to jam out!

[wipingallout]

Hamuko gives the boys a thumbs up, camera held up and ready. You've both got it!!

[mountainfoggedlotus]

Uhm.

Uhm.

The music kicks his mind back into action!

"It's now or it's never, and I've got to make my decision..."