hugtopia | video

[It's kind of nice to see a problem that seems this silly, honestly. Something he might actually be able to help with, when he's felt so utterly helpless for weeks. He's pretty sure he can guess what's happening here immediately.]

I must admit, I'm impressed. You didn't see all the decorating the locals did?

[They seriously decorated for and celebrated Valentine's Day all month, Keith. It takes genuine skill and talent to just forget about it under these circumstances.

And yes, taking a moment purely to sass you before helping is absolutely obligatory. He's trying to get back into his normal attitude here, give him a second to warm up first.]

[Oh, great. He really should have expected this from Will. Keith drops his head into one hand, rubbing at his face and groaning softly before looking back up.

Because yeah, he really should have figured it out on his own, and while he doesn't think he's in hot water with Lance necessarily, he does need to fix this. It's funny how all these things that have never mattered to Keith before have suddenly become important, all because of his boyfriend.]

I didn't realize it was for Valentine's Day! I thought it was just another Havenwell free love thing!

Hehehe..... They actually had never even heard of Valentine's Day before, you know that? That's something we imported. They just liked the idea so much once somebody told them about it, they decided to celebrate all month instead of just one day.

[There's some fond amusement in his smile now, as he starts warming to the topic.]

Let's start with the basics. What do you know about what Lance finds romantic? Books he's got, shows or movies he's watched, things you've done for him that he likes..... You know, stuff like that.

Generic suggestions can only help so much. You have to tailor it to individual tastes for the most impact.

Ugh... I know, I know. I'm an idiot.

[He sighs, rubbing at his face again.] You should've seen him, Will. He brought me roses and chocolates. It was so sweet, and I just...

[Another deep breath and he shakes his head.] I need to make it up to him.

[He pauses to think, a small frown creasing his forehead. What does Lance like, in this department? Maybe he should ask sometime. How do normal people do this?] Um... He likes romantic comedies. They make him cry, but apparently that's good? And uh... I don't know. He's kind of self-conscious, so being noticed and feeling appreciated matters a lot to him.

It sounds sweet. And like he's a real traditionalist on this front, if he cries over those.

[So where does that leave them? A hopeless romantic who cries at overcoming obstacles to earn your happily ever after, who gets roses and chocolate as a go-to gift, who loves to feel valued and understood. Traditional is good, then, but personal is best. This needs to take advantage of how long they've known each other and how close they are.]

How are you at cooking? Do you know his favorite foods?

I suppose he is.

[He rubs the back of his head, exhaling softly. He wishes he was better at this, for Lance's sake. He still feels like he has those years of rivalry and conflict to make up for, on top of forgetting important things.]

Uhh... Pizza? He talks about garlic knots in his sleep sometimes. And I'm not good.

Pizza and garlic knots, huh? Well, then..... I guess that might actually help your case a little, if it's traditional trappings with non-traditional food?

[Will leans a little closer to the camera.]

So..... Here's what I'm thinking. Your typical grand romantic gesture is all about making people feel special. It's supposed to be big and flashy and like you're pulling out all the stops for them. But it will ring hollow unless you put in the little touches that show you see him, you know him like nobody else does. You're showing you care because nobody else would think to cater to exactly what he loves in the same way.

I can come over and help you cook, if you want. But the fact that it's actually you doing it and trying your best is more important than making sure it tastes perfect. Get some candles and flowers, scatter a handful of petals on the table to make it fancy, maybe some wine or something nice..... Give him a beautiful, heartfelt, personalized romantic dinner.

[Keith listens closely as Will leans in. When it comes to this sort of thing, he trusts Will implicitly, and it helps that he knows Lance too. He nods, a slight frown of concentration on his face as he thinks.]

Okay. Okay, I think, I get it. [He takes a breath, rubbing at his face.] Okay. Flowers are good. Petals are great. Pizza and garlic knots and wine, in candlelight. Maybe I could...find out what his favorite flowers are. And put seashells on the table or something.

[He looks at Will for validation.]

Perfect. He seems like a beach-y sort of guy, that's a good idea.

If you can't get a bead on his favorite flowers, red roses are the safe fall back choice--but since they are safe, they're the generic choice you don't want to resort to unless you have to.

[Have an approving nod.]

[Keith nods too, his confidence growing somewhat.]

He grew up in Cuba. It's an island nation back on Earth, so beaches remind him of home.

[He pauses.] You don't think it'll make him homesick, do you?

[ This might be a video response, but it might as well be audio, because the feed just shows a ceiling. Kyoko is offscreen, laying on the floor, staring at that same ceiling in person. She would normally ignore this kind of post, but the name Lance stuck out and bugged her until she finally remembered who he was, and... ah, he's a pretty nice fellow. Maybe she sorta owes it to him after, their disastrous meeting, to make sure this boyfriend he apparently has doesn't let him down. ]

... Considering the circumstances, I guess fancy dinners and bouquets are kinda hard to make happen, huh....

There's always poetry. Serenades....

[At first he frowns at the screen, confused. Is it actually connected, or just glitching? Then he hears the voice and realizes she's just not utilizing the actual.. video aspect.]

Kind of, yeah.

[Her comment earns a snort.] Serenades?

Don't laugh. If you're gonna write a poem, you might as well perform it. It's the next logical step.

I'm not exactly...a poem guy.

[Yeah, no, he's still looking at her in disbelief.]

[ Even if she can't see his look, still staring unimpressed at the ceiling as she is, Kyoko gets the tone. She gives a small huff. ]

I thought the idea was that you're not exactly a romance guy either, but you're asking about it anyway. You only narrowed it down to "dramatic" and "doable" you know.

[There's a long pause as Keith mulls that over, and realizes reluctantly that she might be right.]

...Okay, I guess that's fair.

Still. Any poetry I could write would be awful.

It's not like I know what your talents are. [ That's a grumble. ] Just write a letter, then. Even if you can't make it sound pretty, you can still tell him lots of nice things.

[Okay, well... that's true. Still. Keith huffs a bit, crossing his arms over his chest.]

A letter's not too bad. I'm pretty bad at talking.

[ At last, an accord. ]

Then a letter is ideal, right? You can compliment him within an inch of his life, without actually saying anything.

[When it comes to romance or dating in general, Touma has about zero experience. This little inconvenient fact isn't enough to stop him from trying to give out advice though.]

How about a VR date? You can have the most dramatic, ridiculously fancy date in the virtual world without having to worry about your budget or realism.

[Once Touma says it, it's completely obvious. Of course. VR worked last time; he could do something neat with it again.]

That's...actually a great idea. I can't believe I didn't think of it.

I'm glad you like it!

[Touma beams at him.]

Now let's take that idea and mold it into something more concrete. Proper planning is essential to having a good lovey-dovey date. So, this Lance guy, what does he like?

[That makes him consider for a moment.]

Well, he likes all the traditional romance stuff. He's from Cuba, maybe I could..take him to the beach? Can we do that? Customize VR?

Honestly, I have no idea. I've been busy getting myself settled so messing around in VR hasn't been high up on my list.

[He shrugs.]

No point in speculating. Let's meet up at a VR cafe and figure this out. Got a particular place in mind?

[Mitsuri looks SO excited! Her cheeks are flushed and she seems to be bouncing as she points the camera at herself.]

Oh no! This is so sweet! You're soooo cute!

[OH RIGHT, she should probably actually give advice too. She pauses her bouncing to look thoughtful.]

I think surprises are always romantic if they come from the heart! And it depends on your partner too. But...

[She winks.]

You can never go wrong with flowers~

[Oh no. Keith flushes at the compliment, looking away awkwardly.]

I'm just trying to make up for something and he's all...you know. Into stuff like this.

[The advice is...somewhat helpful. He did tell Lance he was going to do something like this though, so he's not sure how much of a surprise it could be.]

Flowers are good. [Keith nods.] I was thinking about that. [He jots something down on his notebook.]

[Mitsuri nods sagely.]

I totally understand! Hmm... Oh! What's his favorite food? Or his favorite color! People like knowing that you know them well~ That's always suuuper romantic!

[...she keeps speaking like she has actual experience, but she doesn't. She just thinks about it a lot.]

Pizza, I think. And uh... blue I guess? I'm not actually sure.

[He rubs at the back of his head.] I'm really bad at this stuff.

[She waves a hand, smiling.]

It's okay to be bad at it. As long as you're trying really hard, the heart behind it will come through!

[She taps her chin thoughtfully.]

Hmmm, maybe he'd like a blue piece of clothing even...? Like a sash or scarf!

You think so..? [He looks more hopeful at that.] He's a huge romantic, but I'm not.

[He takes a deep breath and thinks about that, nodding slowly.] That's a thought, yeah. Maybe I could find something... He does like clothes.

Oooh~ If he likes clothes, then that's a perfect thing to get him! It shows you know him and you're thinking about what he likes.

[Mitsuri giggles, thinking about it and looking wistful.]

Ahhh~ Someone who's not usually romantic doing something romantic... that makes it even more romantic!

[Those all sound like pretty good things, and Mitsuri sounds like she knows what she's talking about. Keith's starting to feel like maybe this crazy date thing isn't so hopeless after all.]

Let's hope he sees it that way. I was thinking of making him a nice dinner too, if I can. ...That's the kind of thing people like, right?

[She is, at the very least, confident about what love is about!]

Oh yes! Food always tastes better when someone makes it for you. Especially if it's someone you love~

[She holds her cheeks, looking very much like she's blushing at JUST THE THOUGHT of that.]

[Keith nods, listening thoughtfully and rubbing the back of his head. When she says that word, however, his eyes widen and he turns pink.]

Wh-wha--?! N-no, it isn't-- It's not like that! [He's sputtering, trying to get words out.]

[Oooooo! Mitsuri has to try really hard not to giggle at Keith's reaction. So cute!]

Sorry, sorry~ Is it too early in your relationship for that word? It's okay. I understand~

[She's still holding back laughter though.]

A proposal.

[ He says it without a second thought-- until he remembers the flaws in that idea. ]

I mean, so long as you know this person for a long while? But, trysts are really popular. I think there were more kinds of ways people do it in the cities of my homeland.

Oh! My mom used to make dinner for my dad.

[Keith turns bright red and sputters. His eyes widen in shock as he flushes deeply. He shakes his head wildly, looking frankly rather terrified.]

I uh... wh-what?!

A tryst? It's a romantic meeting between lovers.

[ Tanjiro has yet realize that his first bit comes off as surprising. ]

I haven't really had much experience in romance but I hear people usually likes to spend the evenings walking with their lover under the moonlight.

A good spar, followed by a good meal.

I mean, if he were planning something for me, I would love that. Lance is more about the romance though.

Pitting your skills and your physical prowess against one another to aid you both in growing stronger, refining or perhaps even learning new skills... Then to tend to whatever wounds may have occurred, bathe, and eat a hearty meal in each other's company.

Is that not romance?

[There's an almost whimsical air to the reply, brought to you by a highly dramatic man draped sideways on a couch.]

Rather than advising any particular activity, I find the best rule of thumb is that romance is in paying attention to your partner's particular joys. To find the exact thing that pleases them, especially when they aren't expecting you to have paid such delicate attention.

... Also, for your reference in the future, it is I believe possible to hide posts from certain parties.

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text. /late oops

always welcomed!

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