week two | dates

[showhost]

You worked up your courage and asked someone out on a date! Good job!





Now you have to hope the producers are kind re: where they send you.

Comments

dorothea & kat

[showhost]

Dorothea and Kat are instructed to wear good outdoorsey clothing, given some backpacks with water and sunscreen and other necessities, and set loose on a hiking trail.

It is, admittedly, very beautiful! Lush foliage, the bright gleam of the ocean in the distance, and the peace and quiet of a little-known hike.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

- If you make it to the end, there's even one of those cliff diving spots
- lots and lots of flowers and neat plants!
- it's a pretty long hike. brace yourselves

[gravkitty]

Wow, what a view!

[Kat had to get some good outdoorsy clothing from production, but she looks like she belongs in it by the time they roll up for the hike. There's something chameleon-like about her style, like someone who's used to getting crammed into a couple of different uniforms for various reasons. Her long blonde hair is pulled into a ponytail through the hole in a baseball cap. She looks like a Jock with a capital J.]

Hm... Okay, no cheating! [Yet. No cheating yet. If things get dicey, what's wrong with shifting a little gravity on the way to those picturesque views?] Let's see if we can make it all the way to the cliff!

kat & ritsuka

[showhost]

How about... a cat cafe!!

First, you get to have neat, tasty treats and drinks, and then they give you treats and cat food and unleash you upon The Cat Room.

The cats are cute and cuddly and playful. I hope Fou and Kat's cat don't get jealous easily.

Highlights:

- You've got an hour to sit and chat and play with cats and vibe
- most are friendly but there's one or two spicy cats
- you are covered in cat hair when you're finished

[singurarity]

Look at them--!!

[ ENRAPTURED. ]

kat & mark

[showhost]

Let's go indoor sky diving!

The facility is quite nice and high tech, and they explain everything to you and set you up to get going, safety equipment included. Neither of you even needs the safety equipment probably.

WELL, HAVE FUN FLYING.

Highlights:

- you have to sign a waver for this one
- there is one spot where you can sky dive together!!
- there's also a nice chill breather spot for hanging between dives

[gravkitty]

I could have done this for us for free! [One of Kat's cheeks rounds out as she blows air into it and looks out at the huge tubes blowing people up into the air. Are you seeing this shit, Mark? They're trying to steal all of her thunder and sell it as an activity experience! Also the outfits they have people wearing are so... well, there's no hiding anything in these. She feels like she's wearing a catsuit, but Kat doesn't look particularly self-conscious about being squeezed into a body-huggling jumpsuit.

After a requisite amount of time pouting over their date activity stealing her thunder and turning it into an easy marketing package, she brightens up and hits him with a smile.]

But this way you can feel like a shifter yourself! [She hasn't picked up those two braincells yet.]

kat & lessing

[showhost]

Time for... a picnic!

The weather is just right, the field is full of wildflowers, the bees are buzzing, there's a cute checkered blanket underneath you both, and the basket is filled with tasty food.

What more could you ask for, really?

Highlights:

- there is at least one item in the basket that is each of your favorite food and/or drink
- the weather is perfect--warm but breezy
- it's perfectly quiet and peaceful, but there are people playing at the park in the distance to add to the idyllic vibes

[gravkitty]

[Kat definitely came to the picnic dressed in some kind of cute 1950s sundress... is Lessing still dressed in his classic clothing?

Since she loves sweet foods (all foods, but sweets especially), there's an excessive amount of junk and dessert pastries packed into the basket, along with some great cuts of meat. Yay! Beaming, she starts unpacking and laying things out on the blanket between them, stealing a berry here and there as she goes.]

Will said you were the one who built the campsite outside the house... Do you like doing stuff like this?

akechi & anna

[showhost]

Akechi and Anna are dragged out into the city proper, at which point they're dropped off at... an aquarium!

It's a pretty fancy one, with vast tanks filled with all sorts of fish imaginable. It'd be a pretty good date spot to wander around in, if, you know, you're interested in that sort of thing.

Highlights:

- There are otters! And you can pet sting rays!
- there's a gift shop, of course
- and a cute themed cafe

[flaweddetective]

[For all of Akechi's many many many flaws he does like animals. Exhibit A. And the aquarium was a place he frequented back home.

He mostly liked going her alone so... shame about the company that he was forced to come out here with. This feels a little like hell on earth. It could be worse but not by very much. With a deep and heavy sigh he simply decides that he will just focus exceptionally hard on the fish and resist the all consuming urge to push her into the shallow stingray pool.

They'll have to see how it goes.]

akechi & will

[showhost]

You ever been to a rage room, Akechi?

Well, here's your chance. Both Will and Akechi are suited up with protective gear, and then deposited into a room filled with breakable items and many things with which to break the items with.

Have at it. No holding back here!

Highlights:

- pretty much any breakable item you could imagine is here
- if you get bored of just breaking things, there's also a paint version, where you just make a mess
- there will be no using implements on each other, the usual house rules apply

[willandaway]

[is this how Will dies]

So the point is. . . to break as much as we can, right?

[a bit bewildered, a bit intrigued. they don't have rage rooms in Euchronia, sssso. . .?]

akechi & mark

[showhost]

Rock climbing! A great date idea for the athletic sorts!

Akechi and Mark are given fitted gear to be able to do all of the climbing they could ever desire, and then set loose on the place. There are only tall walls here, no bouldering, so they need to do this trust exercise of belaying each other and not, you know, dropping each other...

It'll be great!

Highlights:

- a huuuuge range of difficulties to try
- nothing like breaking a sweat to bond with someone!
- if you actually drop each other, you will magically be unharmed when you land. somehow. don't ask.

[flaweddetective]

[There's a little spark of joy at seeing the wall. It fades when he's told all the other crap. Ropes. Trust exercises. That's boring. And lame.]

I do this in my free time without a rope. [He tells Mark as he looks up at the wall.] No rope. No harness. Ideally you should still have good climbing shoes with you just for grip purposes. And I like to have gloves though that's not always advised.

[There's barely any slant to these walls which makes it remarkably easy to just scale. The slant provides the challenge. It's why actual rock formations are superior than the man made ones like these. Granted this is rock climbing and not bouldering but still.]

Do you have any experience with this?

akechi & ritsuka

[showhost]

Ritsuka and Akechi are brought to a biiig workshop--and they're told they're going to learn glassblowing today!

They're given lessons in order to learn how it all works and how to do it, and then let loose on actually giving it a shot.

Have fun!

Highlights:

- they have more than enough time to keep trying if it doesn't go right the first time
- lots of colors of glass to use!
- Bring something beautiful back to the house.

[singurarity]

I feel like every video I've ever watched on this subject made this look hard...

[ Oh, boy. ]

ritsuka & steve

[showhost]

It is... quiz night at the local pub/bar!

Steve and Ritsuka are a team entered into the competition, and the questions range from... all sorts of topics. Good luck! You can at least get tasty food here.

Highlights:

- there is alcohol here, if steve can obtain it. and survive ritsuka's disappointment
- winning the quiz will net them a cool trophy of a beer bottle and the title of Quiz Champs
- it is really hard though

[singurarity]

[ Well. He'd agreed to it at least, which is maybe some kind of compromise or truce. Ritsuka isn't going to say she would have dragged him off if he'd said no.

But dang, a quiz night... ]

Unless it's, like... mythology-based or volleyball or something, we might be in trouble on my end.

wednesday & josuke

[showhost]

Wednesday and Josuke are led to... well, yeah, it's basically an American Ninja Warrior course.

It looks pretty tough and intense... but I believe in them! They can do it! They can either compete, or take the course on together. Or both! It's up to them.

Highlights:

- they might get dunked in the water if they miss a jump
- there are those obstacles that will knock them right off the course
- everything is squishy soft otherwise, so at least they won't get hurt

[haircared]

[ He is stretching on the sidelines of where their little race is about to take place, as if he literally ever stretches in any other scenario. ]

Well damn, I didn't think they'd set us up with something so fancy.

[ He was definitely imagining, like. An inflatable one. ]

Ready to lose?

dorothea & anna

[showhost]

Time to go shopping!!

The girlies are led to a mall in some mysterious city that they can't quite place, and set loose with an honestly outrageous budget. They should be able to go on a full shopping montage with all of that money!

They can find all of the usual places at this mall--so the world is their oyster!

Highlights:

- there's a food court full of delicious food
- and those pretzel stalls that smell really good...
- and it's a super, super trendy mall!

[rosethorns]

[Two fashionable girlies unleashed upon a mall—what will they do?

Dorothea is a little awestruck by the place at first, glancing around at the brightly lit signs adorning the multiple floors of shops.]

Well, this certainly blows any marketplace in Enbarr out of the water… I hardly know here to start.

dorothea & steve

[showhost]

Dorothea and Steve are sent off to a large park, where it seems... a food truck festival is happening!

There are a ton of food trucks, each with their own cuisine, and the two are given a large enough budget to try anything they like. There's food, dessert, and very strange fusion items and novelty foods.

Enjoy!

Highlights:

- there's a live band playing! they're pretty good
- there are lines, but they aren't too terrible except for the taco food truck
- once they've gotten their food of choice, there are lots of picnic tables near the lake at the park to sit at!

[newlugers]

Oh, hell yeah! Now this is what I'm talking about!

[ a little festival is way more his speed - reminds him of home, distant though that memory may feel. Or maybe he's still riding the high of actually getting a date with Dorothea. Either way, he claps his hands together, looking enthusiastic. ]

So, got a favorite food?

ryuji & will

[showhost]

Ryuji and Will are ushered out to a lake, and before they know it? They're on a rowboat.

In the middle of the lake.

Aaaaall by themselves.

Don't capsize it!

Highlights:

- it's pretty serene out here, at least
- the weather is nice
- fish. and birds.

[willandaway]

[well now you know we're gonna capsize the boat]

[but not yet!! no, before that happens, Will is going to grasp at the boat's edges and lean over to peer at the water, observing as the fish dart around serenely beneath the glassy surface]

If we had bait and poles, we could have gone fishing.

ryuji & mark

[showhost]

What's more bro-y than going to a baseball game together?

Nothing!! Here they are!! Baseball!

It is difficult to say what teams are playing. But the seats are pretty good, and the weather is nice, and there are endless snacks and foods and drinks (non-alcoholic). May as well enjoy it!

Highlights:

- you've been put into the jerseys for the home team. They are purple
- maybe you'll catch a fly ball!
- just enjoy the moment. all nine innings of it

[titlecard]

[ A baseball game...! Mark can't remember the last time he's been to one, because the past year has been insanely busy for him. It's a callback to peaceful childhood days, a fun day out... and catching a ball would be so cool, he's never done that before.

Mark adjusts his hold on a popcorn bag as he makes his way to their seats, two hot dogs in his other hand, because what's baseball without proper baseball nourishment? He looks over at Ryuji and beams. ]

Man, I used to go to these all the time as a kid. How about you?

ritsuka & tsukasa

[showhost]

Well.

Tsukasa and Ritsuka are bundled up relatively warmly, ushered out of the house and out into an open field, and... onto a hot air balloon.

Up they gooooooooo..... so so high...

Hopefully nobody here is afraid of heights.

Highlights:

- it is very chilly up here
- but the view is stunning!
- and they are very alone up here

[singurarity]

... Well, I see why they wanted us to bundle up.

[ In a parka and everything?? ]

will & steve

[showhost]

Dance class! An all paid dance class!

This is definitely what you guys wanted to do today, right...

Anyway, it's a mixed dance class, so they can learn all sorts of dancing styles, but the specialty is..... pair dancing. :)

Highlights:

- learn to tango!
- learn to breakdance!
- learn to waltz!

[willandaway]

[. . . immediately looks at Steve]

Have you ever danced before?

anna & steve

[showhost]

Welcome to the zoo!

It's a pretty classic date, right? There are all sorts of lovely animals to enjoy and see and admire here.

Oooh, aaah!

Highlights:

- be sure to visit the reptile enclosure
- it's bright and warm! Maybe a little too warm
- this is probably a multi-hour affair

[newlugers]

[ anna has displayed some mildly concerning behaviors, but none of it has been directed towards him, so Steve isn't worried. She's cute and pleasant enough! The zoo wouldn't have been his first pick, but he's not bothered by it, either - only the hot sun has him concerned. He's definitely going to get sunburned. Should've brought a hat, Steve. ]

Oh, cool. I haven't been to the zoo in ages... I hope they have wolves.

[ like every angsty teen, he feels a deep kinship with them ]

lessing & steve

[showhost]

WATER PARK TIME!!

Slides! Wave pools! Lazy river! Swimsuit footage for the show!

Enjoy!

Highlights:

- it's very hot. Please wear sunscreen
- You've got passes to go on every slide and ride
- they have funnel cake here!

[counton]

[ Swimsuit footage nothing. Alongside his huge sunglasses, Lessing does have swim trunks on, but they're the long kind that goes all the way down to his knees and a Hawaiian shirt.

Probably good news for Steve, who got stuck in this mess alongside him, but will at least not have to also suffer the misery of staring at dude chest the entire time he's forced to spend time with the freak of nature.

Lessing looks out of place in a way that has nothing at all to do with his horns (well, only a little to do with his horns) as he looks at the attraction.

He may not be thrilled to be here with the horn pervert himself, but they are here, so he'll try to make the most of it, and play nice. ]

Have you been to something like this before?

maomao & kat

[showhost]

Maomao and Kat are shuffled off to the local ice rink, where the ice has been rented juuust for them for an hour. They're suited up with ice skates, and... off they go!

Hopefully they know how to skate. Or at least, one of them does, to romantically catch the other when they fall.

Highlights:

- skating is a highlight
- there's hot cocoa at the concessions stand
- they do have those little stabilizer walkers for kids if you really need it

[gravkitty]

[Kat is an extremely powerful blend of grace and clumsiness that makes her ice skating's worst nightmare. Her self-control is much better in the sky, but when it comes to getting around on the ground, her coordination can be either impeccable or lacking.]

It can't be that different from shifting, right?

[Maomao knows a lot about a lot of things...they may all be strange things, but Kat looks to her now as a possible expert in ice skating.]

akechi & kat

[showhost]

Akechi and Kat are carted off whether they like it or not on a nice date--to the water, where they then board a lovely dinner cruise! It coasts along the water smoothly, allowing them to enjoy the view while also being served high class food.

Highlights:

- excellent food and drinks
- they're on the cruise just in time to catch the sunset
- if they want to, they can go onto the top deck after the meal to enjoy the breeze!

I dont think kat deserves this

[flaweddetective]

[For what it's worth... He doesn't blame Kat for this. She seemed to take the hint when he basically told her to fuck off. So when he's dragged out, again, for a date he is unhappy but complacent. That complacency ends at the sight of the ship.

It feels like a cruel joke (but surely Cal would never do that to me. To Akechi.) and he really really tries not to get on this boat once its clear that this is their destination. There's a lot of arguing with production but... he does not get his way.

He grinds his teeth together, gloved fingers digging into the sleeve of his jacket once they're on the deck.]

This is bullshit.

kat & steve

[showhost]

It's....... a diner.

Yep.

That's all it is.

They're dropped off at the diner so that they can get a table, and once they're seated, they're kind of left to their own devices. Yay!

Highlights:

- good food (?)
- good coffee (?)
- you can eavesdrop on your fellow customers if you really want

[gravkitty]

Uh... Do you think the producers knew they were doing work in here?

[No way, right? But as Kat beholds the few workers cleaning and fixing up the diner not too far away from their booth, she has to wonder.]

Maybe we should... [She trails off because she isn't really sure what she wants to suggest here. Maybe they should help out? Maybe they should go somewhere else. Neither option seems exactly right, though they're probably stuck here, and if she thinks too hard about helping she'll probably get roped into working as a waitress instead of eating a meal.]

lessing & maomao

[showhost]

Maomao and Lessing have been sent to... a museum of the human body! There are all sorts of incredible exhibits here about how the body works, how modern and antique medicine worked, tools of the trade... you could get lost in here for hours!

Highlights:

- There are some interactive exhibits
- And a food court!
- And a gift shop!

[counton]

[ Is he thrilled to be here? Maybe not...

Is he still wander up with vague interest to a display case full of instruments that look as much like torture devices as medical ones?

Maybe so...

This isn't his area, but there is something morbidly fascinating about it. ]

So you're some sort of medical professional, right? Have you ever seen any of these?

anna & josuke

[showhost]

Anna and Josuke are sent... on a cheese tasting experience! They're brought to a cute little outdoor terrace where there are all sorts of tables, and then brought a board of all sorts of cheeses to try... and grape juice.

Sorry.

Not wine.

Still, it's fancy!

Highlights:

- There are some truly stinky cheeses here
- But for the most part everything is delicious
- The other patrons do have wine, and they're not watching you guys that closely, but it'll take some finagling to get it

[haircared]

[ Fancy cheese and grape juice.... delicious little nuts and other snacks to eat with them... yes, this is very pleasing (cheesing) to Josuke's ears and eyes. Delicious, expensive food is always a highly prized treat, especially if it's food he doesn't get to eat often.

They start out at a relatively tame table, with some fancy cheddar! ]

You ever go to one of these things, Yanami? We don't have them in Morioh...

ritsuka & sanji

[showhost]

Ritsuka and Sanji are instructed to dress nicely, but as if for a nice party--and then they're dragged off to... a drag show!

The stage is hopping, the crowd is super friendly, and the vibes are immaculate. Enjoy!

Highlights:

- there is alcohol here but everyone will be very friendly about carefully making sure you guys don't have any
- but there are other virgin mixed drinks too!
- it's just a good old time. get some nice seats, chat, enjoy the show

[singurarity]

[ She's honestly looking at the (virgin) mixed drinks before glancing over at Sanji. ]

... I think I need your expertise here.

[ She's fine with anything, admittedly. ]

wednesday & minami

[showhost]

It's... a graveyard picnic! Minami and Wednesday are dragged out of the house in the middle of the night and set up amongst a very spooky old graveyard with a picnic blanket and a basket.

En...joy?

Hightlights:

- The food in the basket is quality, at least. There's a bit of everything they both like
- The gravestones are actually really interesting. Looks like an eclectic mix of names and epithets from other worlds.
- it's cold

[ohwoe]

[A graveyard picnic? THIS ISN'T TERRIBLE AT ALL--

It's chilly and Wednesday adjusts the scarf around her neck with her free hand. She's dressed appropriately, you see! Her other is currently holding the basket. Minami's been tasked with carrying the folded-up picnic blanket for now.]

A picnic to die for.

[get it]