week three | 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.

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will & ritsuka

[showhost]

Welcome to the mall! They've been given a budget that is significantly less than Anna and Dorothea got for their mall date, and sent off to go enjoy themselves.

The most notable part of this mall is indeed the food court. Otherwise, it's a little dingy.

Oh well.

Highlights:

- Lots of types of food at the food court
- There's an Or*nge J*lius in here
- Go buy Will something else to wear

[singurarity]

Well, we've got enough money for food and... some clothes? I think?

[ Hopefully. ]

will & anna

[showhost]

Wednesday evening, Will and Anna are bundled up and sent off to... a tall observatory! It has a balcony that is set up to be able to see the city they're staying in, the ocean off the coast, and the stars.

How lovely!

Highlights:

- It's a little chilly up here with the wind
- They're the only ones up here, so at least it's quiet
- ROMANCE

[willandaway]

[FOR ONCE, WILL ISN'T WEARING HIS BEAT UP WHITE COAT!! it seems he picked out a stylish brown trench coat with a navy blue scarf while at the mall the other day. it's warm! and cozy! and different!! . . . and not very fancy, because he still sucks at dressing himself, but this is like. progress]

[he glances at the door that led them out here, just to make sure they really are alone-- and that no one from the crew is watching, surreptitiously or not]

. . . tall. . .

[building, he means. wait no don't get distracted, Will. there are more important things. . .!]

[to Anna, perhaps a bit awkwardly, a bit uncertain, grateful as he is that she agreed to come here with him]

Are you warm enough?

sanji & asa (yoru)

[showhost]

Asa and Sanji have been sent off to a fancy rooftop bar! It's evening, it's quiet aside from the chatter of the other patrons, and you've got a great view of this stunning city, (redacted).

Enjoy!

Highlights:

- There's no real dishes here, but they have a nice menu of fancy appetizers
- There is alcohol here, but they will be carded if they try to get it. Maybe have a virgin drink instead
- This is a nice establishment. They'll be kicked out if they make too much noise.

[hgeegh]

[Finally, the date he promised on the first day!

Once they're dropped off and escorted to the rooftop, Sanji holds out a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers he could find from the garden, artfully arranged in type and color. He put a lot of love into making it.]

Asa, I brought you flowers.

sanji & josuke

[showhost]

Sanji and Josuke are sent off to... Wh*le F*ods! Wow!

You've always wanted to go here!

They're both given some reuseable shopping bags, a somewhat okay budget, and let loose. Happy shopping!

Highlights:

- There's food here, at least...? And a little place to sit with it.
- You can buy fancy soap here
- idk, maybe bring something back to cook with for the house

[hgeegh]

[This is not a restaurant. It's not even street food.

However, it's true that a part of Sanji has been wanting to go to a place like this. In fact, he's quick to peel away from Josuke's side to hold up and inspect one of the many fruits on display with an excited grin.]

Is that what these are called here? I wonder if the taste is any different.

wednesday & ritsuka

[showhost]

Wednesday and Ritsuka have been sent to... a haunted house!

It's a regular spooky house for most of it, until they're taken into an elevator.

And then it's.

David S Pumpkins.

Highlights:

- spooks
- You can't leave until the experience is over
- you get a fun picture at the end!

[singurarity]

... Well, spooky expert? What do you think?

[ In the house proper. ]

ritsuka & lessing

[showhost]

Time to go off to the onsen with Lessing! They've had the beautiful traditional bath booked out just for them, which means they can enjoy it peacefully without interruption.

There's, of course, only the one bath.

What do you mean, wasn't mixed bathing the idea?

Highlights:

- You get a nice yukata to wear
- Dinner is included!
- If you can relax, it will be very soothing

[singurarity]

[ It's fine, they probably got changed in separate areas. How the towel has a convenient enough hole to allow for the newfound sheltie tail, she's not going to ask. And the additional ears are new too, sprouting from the top of her head and twitching as she takes in the look of the onsen with a satisfied nod and steps into the water. ]

Normally, private ones are really expensive! But this is more or less how a hot spring looks back home!

ritsuka & akechi

[showhost]

Ritsuka and Akechi have been sent off to the local boba shop! Get yourself a nice treat. You deserve it [citation needed].

Highlights:

- They have the wildest options available for a nice boba tea
- They also have waffles and little pastry treats!
- Occasionally there are groups of teens who come and ruin the peace and quiet, but it's otherwise pretty chill

[singurarity]

[ She's checking the flavors, and. ]

"Ketchup and Creme Brulee".......?

ritsuka & josuke

[showhost]

Welcome to Ol*ve G*rden! I hope the unlimited salad and breadsticks makes up for the awkwardness of this date.

It's pretty peaceful, at least, and they're seated in the back where they are the least likely to make a disturbance around the other patrons.

Have at it!

Highlights:

- yum yum pasta
- They have enough money for dessert, too!
- just don't break anything. Well. I guess Josuke can fix it tho so.

[singurarity]

[ Why this. Why this??

Ritsuka's not stuck with animal features for this thread or her ears would be plastered back against her head, but here they are.

She is chewing very silently on a breadstick. ]

josuke & mark

[showhost]

They've been sent to... a candy making tour at a candy factory! Oooh! Ahhh!

It's honestly pretty cool watching how all of these different types of candies are made, and at the end, you can even eat some or try your hand at making your own!

Highlights:

- There's a gift shop with candy
- The tour is not particularly strictly watched, so you can wander off whenever
- They make every type of candy you can imagine, because I say so

[haircared]

[ Whispering to him in a very good mood while the tour starts: ]

We got lucky! Some of these dates have been pretty lame...

[ A factory is a little weird for a choice, but Josuke likes sweets, so he's actually quite excited. It has not escaped his notice, either, that they're being kept at the back of the tour probably because of the filming — it means the people up front aren't really watching them. It'll be easy to swipe something, if the inspiration strikes. ]

You like sweets, Mark?

josuke & dorothea

[showhost]

Josuke and Dorothea have been sent to... an arcade!

Wow, it's so bright and loud in here. There's a game of every type you can possibly imagine around here!

Highlights:

- They've been given a card with enough points on it to play for a good hour or two
- There's a prize counter with cute prizes, if they can win enough tickets!
- My god, the groups of screaming children

[haircared]

[ Flashing lights... tickets.... prizes.... yes, this is the kind of date he can have fun at. Just as with the carnival, he's seeing a very easy opportunity for them to potentially rack up some more free things. Smirking, he walks side by side with her to survey some of the motorrcycle racing games, laughing good naturedly. ]

This is great — I love games. Though we hardly have any like this in my time...

[ Mercifully, he has accepted that he lives 20-30+ years before what the "modern" contestants consider the present. From his perspective, all the bright lights and 3D animation is like a crazy spectacle from the future. ]

You play 'em much, Dorothea?

[ <-- guy who has not yet figured out she's from fantasy ye olde europe ]

josuke & akechi

[showhost]

Welcome... to the local craft fair!

It's a pretty informal affair, with lots of fold up tables and makeshift booths. But all of the artisans here are selling their own personal art and goods, so that's pretty cool!

Highlights:

- They've been given a decent budget to play around with
- Any sort of artisan you can imagine is here!
- The day is actually pretty nice--temperate and warm without being too hot

[haircared]

[ Arts and crafts, huh... this is not really his scene, but he's going to think positively. Maybe this is his chance to find more common ground with Akechi, or at least give him another chance. So long as they can get along civilly during this date, he's going to be satisfied — that's going to be his goal. ]

Hah.... I guess you probably didn't have much time for artsy stuff, huh?

[ Too busy detectiving and getting straight A's, probably!! ]

josuke & ritsuka & mark

[showhost]

Nothing better for bonding than the local dog park, right?

Because that's where they're going! There are so many dogs here. They are all friendly and will come play or say hi.

Enjoy the day, you three.

Highlights:

- DOGS
- DOGS
- DOGS

the gang (protag dog trio) gets mauled by fou

[haircared]

[ He was lowkey dreading this the whole time they were in the car, so much so that he pretended to sleep for part of the drive. After Olive Gardengate, he feels better, but not perfect. And without knowing the extent of Mark's feelings about Ritsuka's whole, you know, thing, he imagines that a three way date between them is about to be awkward to navigate and cumbersome to try to keep normal seeming. Should he not say anything? Should he pull Mark aside to talk to him about it? He's not the type to just act like nothing happened for the sake of someone else... anyway, it's too stressful to think about in the presence of others, hence, the fake car nap.

Anyway, when they're let out into the field of the dog park, he stretches his arms over his head, his lil poodle ears folding forward a bit with the motion. Then, he lets out a big ol' sigh. ]

I'm not sure how I feel about being treated like a dog, too.

[ A dog park, seriously??? Not a very KEWL date location, if you ask him... ]

sanji & anna

[showhost]

Sanji and Anna have been sent to......... open mic night.

There is, at least, food and soft drinks while they listen to wannabe comedians and singers.

Some of them are probably pretty good, at least...?

Highlights:

- They can take a stab at it themselves, if they want!
- Probably pretty easy to get a hold of alcohol at this one
- Some of them are really, really bad

[makeine]

[ anna's in a simple black dress and matching heels for the occasion, not too fancy but elegant nonetheless, because even if she's nursing hurt feelings she's not skimping on being a little fashion lady.

besides, sanji asked her!!!!! adm

admittedly there's a topic between them she hopes doesn't come up but she's so content to sip her water and eat. what do they have at open mics. fries? fries. ]

Kinda reminds me of a school talent show. Except that guy's confidence outweighs his talent.

[ oh my god anna you can't just say that-- ]

sanji & akechi

[showhost]

Akechi and Sanji have been sent... kayaking!

Time to go get some exercise, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the long expanses of water ahead of them.

Highlights:

- They can either share a kayak or each get their own
- The water is beautiful and incredibly clear
- It's pretty warm outside, but the water is extremely cold

[hgeegh]

[Has Akechi been eating?

Sanji can't believe production has done this to them, but here he is in swim trunks and a t-shirt. Actually, the activity isn't that bad. His hand hovers over his eyes at the level of his brow as he looks out at the water.]

Hey, not bad.

lessing & anna

[showhost]

Welcome to spa day!

Both Lessing and Anna will be led in for a nice, classic spa day: facials, manicures or pedicures, and the like. They have the full package, so go wild!

Highlights:

- they have a whole rainbow of cute colors for nails
- There's aromatherapy too!
- Time to let those stresses ooze away!

[counton]

[ Well it's definitely something Lessing has never done before, and this whole venture is about new experiences, isn't it? It doesn't stop one of Lessing's ears from flicking uncertainly as he looks at Anna instead of the spa attendants, who are just smiling at him anyways as if they expect him to already have a clue what he's doing here. ]

After you?

[ So that he can copy her without anyone having the painful process of sitting down to explain the basics of spa etiquette to him. ]

lessing & kat

[showhost]

Kat and Lessing are going to be swept away to enjoy... a magic show!

The show is held at a proper theater and everything, up on stage--and they have great seats to enjoy it!

Highlights:

- The magician is very good!
- At some point, one of them might be called up to participate in the show
- They might be sawed in half

[counton]

[ Well no one has been called up yet regardless of if they got the good assistant (Kat) or comically serious assistant (Lessing) route. For now they're still in the crowds, having watched a few acts, with Lessing frowning more and more thoughtfully as the go. ]

I assumed this was going to be some kind of Arts performance. I guess not...

[ Arts as in the word used for magic in his world, though without that context that he definitely didn't provide, it sounds like Lessing was especially confused about what was meant to be happening in this theater. ]

lessing & sanji

[showhost]

Sanji and Lessing are going to be led to... a casino!

They're given a reasonable budget (not high, but not small, either) and set loose to enjoy the gambling.

This is where addiction begins.

Highlights:

- There are slots!
- There's poker, blackjack, etc
- There is also a nice restaurant when they need a break

[counton]

[ For a guy who has never cared that much about having more than the basics he needs to survive, the chances of developing a gambling addiction are blessedly low at least.

The bigger problem is the seeming lack of enthusiasm to even attempt to develop one. What a killjoy.

Lessing stands there with chips in his hand, frowning at the blinking machine lights as his ears press down to try cut back on some of the noise. With his ears, there sounds going on here are kind of overwhelming, but he'll still try to talk a little louder than normal so Sanji can actually hear him. ]

Have you ever actually done this before?

ritsuka & steve

[showhost]

Steve and Ritsuka are being taken out to Korean BBQ! Maybe this is an attempt to make up for the pub and quiz situation from earlier.

Either way--the ambiance is pretty nice in here, so enjoy!

Highlights:

- it's all you can eat
- the food is delicious
- cooking it together is probably a bonding experience

[newlugers]

Damn, they keep giving us food... Well, I'm not gonna complain.

[ this is a lot better than powdered mashed potatoes and gray chicken like they fed him on Rockfort. He's certainly feeling better than he was on their last date; on the other hand, there's a different sort of anxiety in the air now. It was hard not to hear what she yelled at Josuke the other night, for one thing. Steve's already decided he's on her side, not his, but it's a lot to mull over regardless.

He kinda feels like he should ask if she's okay, but it also feels superfluous to do so, and he's Steve, so. Commenting on the food it is!! ]

steve & anna

[showhost]

You challenge production, this is what you get. Steve and Anna are being escorted to a lingerie shop and let loose in there with just enough money between the two of them to buy one piece of lingerie.

I'm sure it'll be a blast.

Highlights:

- well, the lingerie is sexy
- and pretty much exclusively aimed at women
- they are not allowed to leave without buying something

[newlugers]

What the hell?

[ is this a date?? can this be considered a date?? is this another prank? he already had to cook burgers at a restaurant that wasn't even open yet and now he's in a lingerie store?! to Steve's credit, he's a mature-enough 17 year old boy to not immediately turn beet-red and flee at the sight of all these lacy undergarments. ]

You've got to be kidding me with this... Let's ask 'em to take us somewhere else.

anna & asa (yoru)

[showhost]

Time to go to the botanic gardens! The weather is great, the plants are flourishing, and it's so nice and peaceful here.

I'm sure it'll stay that way with Yoru around.

Highlights:

- the plants are all labeled in case you want to know more about them
- there are a couple of different paths to take, for the curious
- there's a little snack bar for if they get hungry

[makeine]

[ asa hasn't seemed like herself... it must be that time of the month. or maybe she's finally starting to get overly irritated at everyone in the house. it's one or the other and either way, the solution is clearly some fresh air with the bestie!!!!!!!!!!!!

...

she doesn't know... ]

Wanna start with the poison lane? It sounds pretty freaky.

[ making a note to tell wednesday about it later so she can take ryuji ]

kat & sanji

[showhost]

Kat and Sanji are being sent to a pottery class!

It's very chill, and they're surrounded by other beginners, so nothing to worry about! Just have a good time and make something to bring home!

Highlights:

- it's sooooo messy though
- the instructor will work with them until they have at least one vase or bowl to take back with them
- they can paint them however they want!

[gravkitty]

[Kat is probably getting a very unintended joy out of the date before the main event has even really started.

Before they can even put the clay on the wheel to start shaping it, they have to wedge it. That means kneading, slapping, and stretching it, and it's nice to have something kind of physical to vent her pent-up energy.

Slap! She tosses the pinched brick of clay back onto the table in front of them.]

This is so satisfying! Here, you should give it a try. It feels so funny.

kat & mark

[showhost]

On the other hand, Kat and Mark are being sent to a cooking class!

Just like the previous date, it's very chill, and they're surrounded by other beginners, so nothing to worry about! You'll even get to eat what you make.

Highlights:

- they can either make something savory or something sweet
- there are definitely some teamwork tasks
- hopefully they come back with at least one new skill!

[titlecard]

[ They're going to learn how to bake a cake!

This is genuinely exciting. Other than getting the chance to spend more time with Kat, who is just — such a breath of fresh air, really, compared to a lot of other people in the house at the moment — Mark's never had the chance to make a cake before. Let alone a layered one, which makes it seem all the more awesome.

First things first: preheat the oven, check. Then it's just a matter of... ]

Shit. Which ingredients do we put in first? Do you remember?

[ The instructor looks like they're checking in with other people first... ]

akechi & mark

[showhost]

It's time... to go bowling!

Classic date night behavior!

Highlights:

- they have to wear the bowling shoes
- there are nachos and sodas
- whoever wins gets one of those cheap medals saying "first place" intended for children

[titlecard]

[ ... Mark wanted to go out with Akechi again. He didn't want to leave things just hanging where they did. But now that they're here, the awkwardness feels palpable.

He's just going to, uh, be putting on his bowling shoes right now, all the while saying a silent prayer that this be normal. That this please go normally.

Looking up at Akechi as he finishes tying them up, ] Have you ever done this before?

akechi & asa

[showhost]

Akechi and Asa are led to... a Virtual Reality facility!

All they have to do is put on the headsets and they'll be able to play so many games together. Wow!

Highlights:

- they have to wear the dumb eyewear
- there are games where they compete and games where they have to work together
- it's very ~immersive~

AYA I LOVE YOU

[warhawks]

[ Yoru picks up one of the headsets and just. Looks at it incredulously. ]

These are... helmets? No... some sort of visor?

[ More importantly: those gnarly facial scars she has definitely weren't there yesterday. ]

akechi & kat

[showhost]

Akechi and Kat have been sent... to a glow-in-the-dark arcade!

It's quite bright in here when you consider the neon lights against the dark backgrounds and black lights, but it's pretty cool, too!

Highlights:

- There's a healthy mix of new and retro games to play
- They have enough money for a good hour or two of gaming
- If they're good, they can exchange their winnings for prizes!

[flaweddetective]

[Hey, just like they said. And, it should be noted, that this was the first date request that he didn't have to be pried off the floor for. He just got up to go.

His eyes need a moment to become comfortable with the neon lighting and he gives the place a sweeping and appraising look over and then does some mental math about their money, the money to arcade coin ratio and then ticket counts.]

Do you want to midmax this or just do what you think is fun.

[Midmaxing is fun. Breaking the system and taking advantage of it but... Well, he's not sure if she's that kind of girl. They'll have to see.]