Seventy-Second Launch

[infinitejustice]

[Action; Goldenrod City]

[Another day, another repetition of the routine that Athrun has let himself fall into. He's been focusing on his job and his training, while waiting for the Elite Four to declare that they are accepting challengers.

However, as Athrun walks, dressed in the clothes he got for Christmas, something red catches his eye in a nearby window display. He looks over at it.

Hearts.]

Valentine's Day...

[That's right, he had forgotten. In the pursuit of more funds and more strength, he'd lost track of the date.

But unlike some people, Athrun felt a wave of melancholy wash over him as he realized that Valentine's Day was only two weeks away. It wasn't because of his lack of a girlfriend; though he wanted one, he wasn't letting that get him down. No, Valentine's Day held an important significance to not only Athrun, but everyone from his world. It was the anniversary of the third-most deadly attack against civilians in the history of his world, and one that affected him personally.

Athrun continued to walk, but he was unable to escape the Valentine's Day decorations and merchandise that was now popping up in stores all over the two regions. He just tried to focus on what he wanted to get done today and move on.]

[Video]

Sorry, but out of mild curiosity...what sorts of plans do people have for Valentine's Day so far? Or, what would you like to do for the holiday?

Comments

video;

[heartbottled]

Well, my Pokémon and I are planning to make lots and lots of our own chocolates so we can eat them and share them to everyone! [ She grins happily, looking really excited about her idea! ] What about you, mister? Do you have any plans?

video;

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun can't help but smile at that.]

None yet. I've only just started thinking about Valentine's Day.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

I guess it's to give chocolates to people I know.

[It's not something he really thinks about, but it's hard not to notice the decorations and advertisements.]

What about you?

[Video]

[infinitejustice]

I don't know. I haven't really decided yet. To be honest, I didn't even realize it was coming up until today.

[video]

[combat_butler]

Valentine's? I doubt I'll do anything, really... Maybe spend it with Rika and Yayoi? White Day is more the thing I'll have to be mindful of, depending on what happens.

[video]

[infinitejustice]

[Better be careful with Yayoi there, Hayate.]

Right, I almost forgot. I'm not used to the Eastern way of observing Valentine's Day yet.

action; 1/2

[the_whitequeen]

[ Since Lacus hadn't returned to Violet as planned because of the weather, she was still in Goldenrod. So forgive her if she suddenly appears beside Athrun. ]

It doesn't seem real, does it? It is almost that time again ...

[ Day of Hearts without Kira. ]

action; 2/2

[the_whitequeen]

[ Finally --- notices his clothes. Now she seems a little worried since that uniform had a lot of memories. ]

Athrun ... how?

[ She meant, "how did that came to his possession?" ]

[ action ]

[uuing]

[ Sorry if your walk suddenly gets interrupted by a distraction, Athrun, unless you could use said distraction with all the Valentine's Day related things all over. There's a little girl tugging on your hand, and she smiles widely. ]

Uu-, Athrun! Hi hi!

[ action ]

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun looks down and smiles. However, there's definitely some wistfulness behind his smile.]

Hey. How are you today?

[ audio ]

[extraordinarily]

I'm definitely doing the same thing as last year; making homemade chocolate and selling it for a profit! S- Since, after all, I have nobody to give it to.

[ audio ]

[infinitejustice]

...Oh. Are you a relatively recent arrival, then?

[video]

[riset]

I'm definitely making chocolates this year!

[ ... run. ]

[video]

[infinitejustice]

[Oh. Sweet. Mercy.]

...With assistance?

[Athrun is trying to keep a straight face. And he's struggling.]

[video]

[failures]

I plan on spending the day with someone this year. It's gonna be a big deal.

[Larry's trying to be vague on purpose. He doesn't want to spoil it in case she's checking this post! But he does look pretty excited about it.]

[video]

[infinitejustice]

Well, sounds like you've been pretty busy making plans. I'm sure she'll enjoy herself if you're this excited for it.

video;

[skillspanner]

[A heavy sigh, and a distressed look.]

Does blocking off the kitchen and making sure some of your friends don't try to make chocolates count as Valentine's Day plans?

video;

[infinitejustice]

...If one of them is Rise? I think it counts.

[Meet someone else who has been exposed to Rise's cooking, Yosuke.]

[ video ]

[forhishappiness]

[ And this was the girl Larry was thinking about. ]

I still don't know.

[ video ]

[infinitejustice]

Yeah, me neither. It didn't even occur to me that it was coming up until today.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

I'm gonna buy a shitton of those heart-shaped cherry lollipops they always have and hoard them.

_{[... And that's about it.]}

[Video]

[infinitejustice]

...Uh. I...I see.

[His face says otherwise, though. He looks downright confused.]

[Video]

[kougameleon]

...Valentines?

[Video]

[infinitejustice]

You're not familiar with the holiday?

[ video ]

[colorsofthewind]

I beg your pardon, but what is Valentine's Day?

[ video ]

[infinitejustice]

Well, uh...traditions vary by region, but the sum of it is that it's a day to celebrate the people that you love.

video;

[havemercy]

Valentine's Day.

[ Kyrie repeats it for emphasis and to buy a bit of time, currently occupying herself with a purring Meowth babby in her lap. After a moment though, she'll give a radiant smile. ]

Something wonderful I'm sure. Although I doubt it'll be anything out of the ordinary. I rather show my love every day than just a single one.

video;

[infinitejustice]

So, then, every day is Valentine's Day to you? If you can keep that up, you're a far better person than I.

[Video]

[10yen_idol]

Valentine's Day plans? Um, I think I'm just going to make chocolates with everyone!

... and keep Hayate company!

[Video]

[infinitejustice]

Keep Hayate company?

[video]

[crimsondirge]

...Valentine's Day-- [GUESS WHAT SHE FORGOT ABOUT.]

I'd completely forgotten it was so soon...!

[video]

[infinitejustice]

[...Oh hey, Athrun knew this girl. She doesn't seem to recognize him, though, so he keeps silent on that.]

If it's any comfort, so did I.

[video]

[chemistryinmotion]

Valentine's—

[Yeah, he definitely forgot about it. Too busy angsting.]

Man, I was really looking forward to it a month ago...

[Let's not dwell on that.]

But, I dunno, I'll probably just end up making stupid Valentine's cards like the ones you make (or buy) for all your classmates in elementary. They're practically a staple of Valentine's, aside from chocolate and stuffed bears with hearts.

[video]

[infinitejustice]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I think I'll probably give out some gifts, like I did last year.