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Ganon trotted down from the stage, loosening his cravat a bit and sighing as he flopped into a chair next to Aruna. "Good gods, what on earth have we gotten ourselves into here?" The answer was a fat pile of dough, seriously. Wherever some of these ladies were getting their deep pockets he couldn't say. He shook his head quickly, leaning up to give his serpentine lover a little peck on the cheek, then flopped back again. "Sorry you couldn't get your claws into Sain or Rath, dear, but the money's gonna help rebuild the city either way, and it's not like we came out of this too bad." He grinned-- the Hostess Club was going to see record profits after today, with all the drinks and concessions the auction-goers had purchased.

Now, as money was collected and people slowly filtered out, Ganon sighed, rubbing his face. People were slowly meeting up with the dates they had bought, sitting down to chat or heading out to go on their dates-- or schedule a better time, perhaps. It was just nearing noon, and with snow falling in crisp layers on the ground outside (because this is February, remember?), the cold-blooded bard was more than willing to stay in and put Ezekiel to work entertaining guests as part of an experiment with male hosts.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, then had the hired work start taking down the stage while he went to stoke the fire in the fireplace against the far wall, and finally got his hands on his guitar, sitting down in his favorite corner, closing his eye and just slowly picking out a nice relaxing tune for those still around and their incoming lunch crowd.

[This is the thread for people to post up their Valentines dates! It's recommended that if you come to a part where you've got lots of quick conversation between two characters, you might want to write the post together in sync.in or googledocs, but do keep in mind that kind of post can get huge fast! Of course, anyone else who just wants to have their character go on a date with another one for Valentine's is free to join as well!

Have fun!]

His auction ended before things could get worse, so when the bidding ended and the next bachelor was called up Sunil retreated back to where the other bachelors were waiting and sat down in an empty chair. He had then closed his eyes, leaned forward into his hands as his arms rested on his knees, and desperately tried to calm himself down. This little auction was supposed to be fun. He was looking forward to spending time with the one who would win his bid. But...The winner was that cloaked Laguz in the back, Lethe. How did she see an event like this?

Probably like a slave auction, which probably means I'll probably have to listen to her go on about how she saved me and such. he answered to himself. Wait, isn't Tibarn supposed to be here too? Wonder how she'll react seeing his face up on stage...

Imagining the expression the female cat would have on her face while her boss was on stage was enough to amuse the male cat and calm him down. Even if he kept his eyes closed, he could still hear what was going on out on the stage, so he could very well imagine what was going on. The rustle of wings told him that Tibarn was up now, and from how the crowd was reacting, chances were the Hawk was showing off. Why don't you just retire and go on to become an entertainer if you enjoy it so much?

The auction shortly ended after Tibarn's bid finished, and it seemed like everything was wrapping up and everyone was leaving. He opened his eyes and slowly got up to his feet when a voice ordered him (yes, ordered him) to follow her. Wow, it wasn't even five minutes since the auction's end and she was already taking advantage of bossing him around?

"Let me get dressed first." Sunil answered, heading towards the room where the clothes were stored so that he could be properly dressed for the cold weather outside.

In the changing room, he found his clothes and cloak neatly folded right where he left them. The light blue tanktop was slipped into snugly before he slid an arm through the lone sleeve of his orange-and-white gi, covering up the scars on his shoulder. He tied the dark-blue sash around his waist to close up the gi before wrapping a white cloak around his shoulders. It was cold out, so this would keep him a little warmer. Once he was dressed, he took a deep breath before heading out to find his date. Hopefully, today would be fun.

Once they went outside, Sunil glanced up at the falling snow as it gently fell against his warm features before looking at his companion.

"So, where to?" he asked.

Blossom nervously waited near the Cafe for Oujay, clutching onto her bag with both hands. Her breath puffed out in little white clouds of fog as she watched people pass in front of her, mostly on foot, though a few carriages rolled past amiably. She rubbed her gloved hands together, then relaxed again, brushing her hair away from her eyes as she waited.

Turns out a person could get pretty cold if they were told to go onstage shirtless in the middle of February. Blossom had told him to get re-dressed and warm back up before coming to the Hostess Cafe, which was where she was waiting now. She drew her cloak a little more securely around her as the wind picked up, letting out a little sigh. He'd be along quickly, she was certain, and they could have a relaxing afternoon. Didn't have to be romantic -- heck, she didn't know him all that well yet -- but it would hopefully be a peaceful, friendly time spent together. Probably some lunch, maybe go see if the lake was thick enough to ice skate? Who knew.

...He just needs to get here first. Blossom tugged her cloak once again more securely around her and continued to wait in the falling snow, smiling faintly as she did. She looked forward to this, really.

It'd be fun. Hopefully.

“Your home,” she replied. “They didn't specify when the date had to start. Rest up. Today’s events must have taken their toll.” The word date sounded so foreign when she said it. Lethe thought for a moment trying to decide on a schedule. “Meet me at the laguz training grounds at sunrise tomorrow morning.”

Lethe had just about reached the castle gate when she heard a voice calling out. Stopping her casual walk, the female feline paused to hear him out. A shocked expression appeared on her face. No one has ever asked her to a fancy Learanian ball outside of formality. Honestly she was speechless for a few moments. “... Beorc dances aren’t really my thing,” she said finally.

Sunil’s ears visibly lowered from her answer. “I...see.” he sighed. So much for that… “You sure…?”

“I think it’s better that you spend your time recovering from stress.” Lethe could tell that the auction had affected Sunil’s sanity. Although she was completely oblivious to the fact that she caused most of the trauma.

“I’m not as stressed out as you make it sound. Besides, the ball’s at sundown. I should be plenty rested by then.” he countered. After a bit of silence, he spoke again. “You’re…not much of a social cat, are you?”

If she had a penny for everytime that was said. “I’m a soldier, not a socialite.”

“Is a soldier not allowed to take a night off and go play with the rest of the people in town?” he asked. “Since you were going on and on about stress and such, you should probably know that you were the source of a lot of it, heating up the auction like that. I’ll take it easy for the rest of the day if you go with me to that ball.”

“...” Lethe tensed up when she heard Sunil blaming her. It was a necessary act, she convinced herself. She was use to looking like a bad guy because of her compassion for her kin. The goldenrod-colored cat started to get wicked deja vu. Sunil was starting to sound like her twin sister.

She reacted! Sunil clenched a fist under his cloak in satisfaction while maintaining his current expression to avoid arousing her suspicions. Just a little more and he’d have a date for that ball! Royal balls meant food! He wouldn’t have to work hard to get dinner tonight! He slowly began walking towards her, speaking again. “Didn’t I see you at the Harvest Ball a few years back? For someone who claims to not enjoy Beorc events, you still showed up there. You looked simply divine in that dress. I’d like to see you wearing something similar again. You may claim it’s not something a soldier should do, but…” The blue cat was now closer to her. “You are a woman first and a soldier second.”

“Please go with me to the ball.” he asked again.

“...!” Lethe became completely flabbergasted. How could he sling such compliments when he hardly knew her? B-Baka! The Gallian ex-captain crossed her arms under her cloak. Not because of the cold but because of how uncomfortable she was starting to feel.

“Alright, I will go with you,” she at last agreed in hopes that it would get him to stop saying such embarrassing things.

Sunil was surprised with the amount of cheesiness coming out of his mouth as he flirted with the female cat. He felt a little awkward about it, truthfully. Her response felt a little forced, but a confirmation was a confirmation. If she had declined him again at that point, that would have been fine too. Nevertheless, he smiled at her in thanks. “Where should we meet up then?”

“This is your idea. You tell me.”

Sunil crossed his arms, his feline mind racing frantically. “How about we meet up in front of the castle before sunset?”

“Very well. I’ll see you then,” Lethe responded. When she confirmed the conversation was over, the beast laguz went back on her way to the training grounds. This time she’d have to keep track of the hours.

"I'm sorry I didn't help you win your playdate for today," Isadora apologized as she walked out of the Hostess Club, walking alongside with Tiki. Although it was enjoyable making bets in a friendly competition to win a date, she had never expected she would be outbid by Lethe. She did wonder how the cat laguz managed to have a large sum of money. Nonetheless, Lethe won fair and square.

The Dame Knight pulled her cape closer to her body, hoping it would warm her up against the cold. The ice chilling wind breeze through, giving her a slight sliver. As the paladin trying to warm herself, she saw a bunch of couples, whether they were participates of the auction or those who came to the shop, walked pass her. While some expressed the look of unsure, some were expressing joy and happy. This made her feel a bit upset.

Today was Valentine's Day. The day of romance and love. Though it was nice to express the love and caring, Isadora had no one to share with. She knew that Harken was nowhere in this world as far as she could tell. Renault had disappeared from her life, leaving no goodbye or anything from their last conversation. And as for Cornelius...

Isadora shook her head out of train of thought. What was she doing, moping about having no one to celebrate Valentine? She had done it before when she thought Harken was gone back in Elibe. She was a single lady before she dated Renault. Heck, the Dame Knight was still doing fine today. If she could handle any day so well, what made this holiday different from the others?

"You know what," Isadora spoke to Tiki as she placed her hands on her hips. "Who needs men to celebrate this holiday? ((LOL What? Izzy, are you going lesbian now? LOL ... Are you?)) Sure, this holiday is about romance and love, but what makes it different from celebrating and sharing the experience with other people? Tell you what."

The paladin leaned down so she was looking face-to-face with the little manakete. She let out a gentle smile. "How about I'll be your playdate for today? We can have some girl's fun time together. We can go shopping, eat some desserts..."

Just then, she spotted a flier hanging on the wall. Isadora got up and walked toward the flier to read. From what she saw on the flier, it seemed that King James was hosting a fancy ball today. Well, this brought up another idea.

"Or we can go to the ball where the king is hosting," Isadora smiled as she torn the flier off the wall and held it up for the manakete to read (or look at the pretty design and picture of the flier.) "But if we're going to the ball, we first need to get ourselves some pretty dresses. What do you say? I'm sure it's going to be fun."

(This is something from March that FD and I started on doing over PM it's not much but enjoy)

Sain couldn't believe it. He was won, but he was won by a guy. That made the paladin have a look of horror on his face. They had to nudge Sain off stage because of the shock.

When he gets a better look at who bought him, Sain was even more surprised it was a kid. Well he looked like a kid compared to him.

"Look, I know I'm a charming man," He said, "But I'm not into guys. I love the ladies. So if you wanted a date with a guy, you probably should have bought someone else. I don't know where you will find a guy like that. So uh, what's your name?"

"I didn't hire you for romantic purposes!" Blythe blurted in response, his face reddening slightly from a combination of anger and embarrassment. This was literally the second time someone made implications about Blythe's sexuality at this auction already. Blythe didn't like boys. At least the possibility never crossed his mind. Did he even like girls? Sex wasn't something he thought about in general… or ever, really. It was just uncomfortable for him. "And my name is Blythe, sir."

"And I hired you because you're trained in combat on horseback! And I'm new to it and want you to teach me about it" Blythe explained.

"Oh," It was now Sain's turn to turn bright red. Way to go Sain you look like an idiot. He coughed a bit to try to regain his composer

"Well I do know how to use a few weapons in combat,"The paladin explained. "My specialty is lances, but I was trained how to fight with swords and I have a little experience with axes. I could train you."

"Of course," He mumbled, "What am I going to do about the ball tonight. I don't have a date and I have to train this guy." He looked at Blythe again and sighed. This just wasn't his day.

“I see. Well, I’m actually very unfamiliar with those varieties of weapons, sir. Rather, I’m trained in the art of using healing staves.” Blythe answered back. He pondered the situation for a moment before saying more. “I apologize; allow me to explain my situation more fully.”

“I’m a trained staff user and make my living off of this trade, first and foremost. I also know how to ride horses and have a steed companion, named Cesario, whom I rely on greatly. Recently, I was offered an opportunity to be a mounted staff user for a mercenary group, which I accepted. But while I know both how to use staves and how to ride, I have little experience with riding in combat situations, and further, Cesario was not raised as a battle horse,” Blythe detailed. “I’m hoping you can help my trusty partner and myself be better prepared for how to go about being in a combat environment while mounted, more than how to use weapons, necessarily, if that’s at all possible.”

And if it wasn’t possible, this transaction would largely be an unfruitful waste, the Troubadour thought to himself. Blythe bought Sain as a “date” in order to become more effective at his new job as mounted healer for a mercenary group. Blythe wanted to be as prepared and reliable as possible for the team he was going to be a part of. The notion of failing at his role was one he found unacceptable – it could also make the healer-for-hire seem hypothetically unprofessional and undependable to potential clients, he thought (and feared).

The Troubadour then thought of his continual efforts to teach himself Anima magic and his continual failure with this (at least thus far) and reasoned it couldn’t hurt to know how to defend one’s self a bit better while on horseback. “I am open to learning about using weapons or at least defending myself while on horseback as well, however.”