Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was a week before the appointed date of dates. Romance and hate were in the air and frankly, some just didn’t even care. At Dues ex people took what small chances at happiness they could get, and even if not to shop, just to get off the island for a day was welcomed. The trainees had either been told they were paid, or for the newest, they had been given their cards and had their status explained to them. They were dead, the card had their pay on it, they were all lucky to even been paid at all for being trainees and to not bother anyone further.
The portal by the lighthouse was on, and the one on duty shrugged and told them it would close when the mall did. But what mall? As soon as the trainees stepped through the gates they would know exactly which mall. The mall of America, water slides and all the stores they could possibly need. Chocolate shops and carts were bursting with people, and red hearts decorated many displays. Valentines had hit, though it was nothing like Christmas.

Marcus had gotten up early to get to the mall to shop for Cass and for others. He had plans for Valentines, and surprisingly, not all of them involved Cassandra. He liked the holiday, (at least now he liked it due to having someone to spend it with). He liked hanging out with the other trainees, but they often didn’t come around and they lacked party supplies. At the very least, he wanted to buy some cards. That wasn’t… super awkward right? Friend based cards. None of that romantic stuff. Standing near the portal exit he debated where to head first, the chocolate shop or the card shop.

Molly didn’t have a special someone for Valentine’s either…but it seemed like a good time to thank some of the people who had been rather kind to her during her time at Deus thus far!

The Mist trainee had been rather surprised to be informed that she had pay to spend as she stared at her card. Not only that…but she could take the portal to a mall? Her mind was blown. Along with that shock came excitement as well. What girl didn’t love to go to the mall, even one as depraved as her? Dress in a simple pair of tan jeans, boots, her beloved green sweater and her green scarf (she couldn’t leave it behind okay), Molly was ready for St. Patrick’s Day Valentine’s shopping.

Where as Bix managed to not run into Marcus well…Molly wasn’t so lucky. She ran right into the both of them as she came through the portal. The young woman bounced off of the both of them with a yelp, stumbling backwards until she managed to catch herself. “Eep! I’m so sorry!” She cried. “I didn’t think anyone would be right on the other side…I should have been paying better attention!” Oh hey…she recognized them from the Gala and class…! Not that she knew them per say, but she recognized them.

Why, of all people, was Otto going Valentine's shopping?

Dude, the cake.

It would all be his.

All of it.

The blonde teen dressed as he usually di---wait a minute, no he wasn't! For once he was somewhat presentable. Why? Probably out of laundry, and all he had left was suits, a pair of jeans and the jacket Eva bought him.
As a result, Otto was wearing a nice dress shirt from one of his suits, denim jeans and a suave jacket. Oh, and his shades. Cause of reasons.
Deal with it.

He made a point to avoid as many hunter social hubs on his way out as possible.

Of course, as he entered the portal, there just had to be people he recognized. Otto sighed heavily. "Ya'll in on this sappy holiday or ya just here for a getaway?"

Molly was righted with Bix’s help, and shot the hunter a very grateful look. “Oh, yes, I’m fine! Thank you for asking! Are you two alright?” The Mist trainee was beaming now as they introduced themselves. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both! I’m Molly!” Oh, she was happy they didn’t seem upset that she bumped into them…in fact they were rather nice as well! Just a bundle of sunshine this trainee, quite the opposite of the one who came through the portal next.

“…O..oh hi, Otto!” Molly greeted as well. He was looking like a respectable young man today. Good. The young woman turned back to Marcus and Bix though. “Um…pardon me…but do either of you know where the card shop is?” This mall looked overwhelmingly huge…and Molly would most assuredly get lost if she didn’t have help.

A snide look was cast at Molly and Marcus, followed by a short snort. "As if." He answered, though he figured Marcus was just teasing anyway. "I want candy." He was serious. "Best time to get it in bulk."

Otto looked to the chocolates shop. Wow. Crowded. Crap. He hadn't thought this through.. Otto didn't like crowds. At all.

"Cards?" Otto raised a brow at Molly. "As in plural?" What did she need so many for?

"No card for me?" Bix made an offended face. Maybe he was teasing her a bit but she was sort of cute in her naivete. "I was gonna give you a card..." He further teased. Truth was he was also on his way to the card store.

"Otto why don't you just come with us to the card store and then we can all get candy together? I like candy." Bix looped his cumbersome braid around his neck like a scarf.

Overall, Wilson liked Valentine’s Day. By now, it had become routine for him to spend most of Valentine’s Day with Em. For a while, he had assumed he would have spent this Valentine’s Day alone, but not anymore. The thought brought a stupid grin to his face. He loved Em, and he also loved the sweets and chocolate February 14th brought (because let’s be honest, Wilson Hopkins had a serious sweet tooth.) While his first order of business had been to get a small present for Em, he found himself staring at the mall for a solid minute. Was this…Mall of America? Mouth agape, Wilson pulled down the hood of his dark green hoodie. This place was huge. Where the hell was he going to start? Scratching his head, he took slow steps backwards as he took another couple minutes to look down at the numerous steps and bustling shoppers.

Given his backwards walking, it didn’t take long for Wilson to bump into someone. “Oh! I’m sorry—“ He whirled around to face the stranger, but quickly found the face to be familiar. Wilson blinked, searching through his memory before tentatively calling out a name. “Ami?” It certainly seemed like her, long hair and all. He looked over Ami’s clothes. The words flew out of his mouth before he could think over the implications, “You look pretty.” It was a contrast to his plain white tee, hoodie, dark jeans, and beat up converses. “What are you doing here? Got a Valentine?”

Ami gave a little sound as she was bumped into, but she wasn't the type to start a fight over nothing. She just rolled her eyes and continued looking through the cards, like nothing ever happened, though in her mind she was seriously berating the man or woman.

Then the stranger spoke her name in a familiar voice. "Oh. It's you," she said neutrally; she wasn't excited nor angry. It was just recognition. He complimented her and she said, "Thanks~" with a fake little smile on her face. Whether she cared one way or another was a mystery.

"Ohhh you know me. Boys are just lining up at my door," she said sarcastically, but the smile in her eyes took the edge off her words.

< I'll be your Scarentine~! > Junpei chipped in excitedly.

Even if I knew what that was, no way in hell.

It was probably a tad odd that she was here at the Valentine's card store without a Valentine though, huh? It seemed it was time for a subject change. "What about you? Any exciting Valentine's plans in mind?"