[closed] ✨✨✨

[no_kyouken]

Who ⬤ Polycule people & friends
What ⬤ A picnic
When ⬤ Nowish
Where ⬤ A park
Content Warnings ⬤ Swearing, alcohol, etc


code

grasshopper picnic hydrangea on the menu beauty and the beast Majima had a lot of people to coordinate, so the calendar invites were sent to phones a few weeks ago. The festival was a working event for him, not something he could really relax for. As a compromise to those who wanted to spend more time with him, he's arranged the picnic. No, he didn't make any of the food, don't be ridiculous. He paid a caterer. He and the birds did, however, find a few thrift stores to rummage up blankets, baskets, and pillows. The flowers arranged around the area are an array of different colored hydrangeas chosen by Emily from Aerith's shop. There is also a corgi puppy lying on a blanket and watching with curious, baleful eyes. He is a visitor from Izo's shelter. Taro needs help with his socialization, be gentle with him! 🧺🌺🐶 The three of them are there ahead of everyone, playing with the puppy and drinking tea and snacking on fruit. But they're waiting for you; the river glittering at a distance. The weather is good and the company is fine. Say hello to your illustrious hosts: 🐍🕊️🦅

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Comments

(frozen comment) ⭐ FAMILY GROUP TEXT

[no_kyouken]

📱 Family group text - Sometimes NSFW and sometimes fractious. There if you want it, not mandatory.

⭐ PARTY TALK

[no_kyouken]

💬 Party Chats - Threadjack-positive, quick spam for the group at large. Here if you want it, not mandatory.

[medicative]

[watching the boats on the river go by:]

Have you ever been on a sailing trip? A long one, not a ferry or the like.

[someone might have, here.]

[no_kyouken]

Nah. Too much of a useless city boy.

[ Hakagemachi was the least civilized place he's ever had to deal with. Tokyo through and through. No hunting, no camping, no sailing. ]

[medicative]

It's either the most exhilarating experience of one's life or dreadful depending on the source...I've always wondered about it.

[no_kyouken]

(CLOSED) EMILY & IZO

[ It was too much food to reasonably expect them to make it, but they've taken the time to prepare some other things. Blankets and baskets picked out of thrift shops and cleaned up a bit to provide some bespoke comfort to the picnic. They come early to lay those things out and to spend some time that is just the three of them. As requested, Majima pulled out a yukata to wear for them; a simple wave pattern in blues and purples so they could get a festive picture. They were patient enough that he had an image to present at the festival, but this is their time now.

He's the tallest of the three of them, so he dumps them both into his lap where everyone's faces can get in frame for this picture when he ducks down a little. Emily has her arm extended, trying to figure out the shadows and proportions of the frame. Majima leans forward past their shoulders, looking at the puppy asleep on the corner of the blanket. ]

Shouldn't he be in th'picture?

[ He nudges Izo. ]

INTRODUCTIONS (HANDWAVE)

We'll all die if we do too many multi-person threads, so anyone who would like to be introduced to Emily & Izo by Majima, please handwave that. Make it so and be free.

1:1

[ He's drinking sake to keep the snake appeased. Besides, what else are you even supposed to drink at a picnic in the park? It isn't at any set interval, but Majima does the basic duty of rotating between different guests to say hello. The whole point was to spend time with people. So he'll refill drink, steal snacks off your plate with a smile, or just sit down nearby to talk over a cigarette. A lot of these people are chain-smokes. Sorry.]

Hey.

WILDCARD

Whatever you want! Go for it, or ping me and I can write you up a custom prompt. PM | itsabee#1072

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō is a little preoccupied with looking decent for the photo to understand the question immediately. ]

Huh?

[ He follows Majima's motion and then it clicks. Well...The little guy is important to him and a cute puppy only makes a group photo better. He carefully picks up the sleepy pup, who whines a little at being woken up.

Taro decides the best place to be is tucked into Izō's yukata with his head poking out. Izō only has himself to blame for that... ]

Whatcha think, Em?

[medicative]

Perfect.

[she pets the little head, and readjusts so that his face can also be in the shot. it'll be a little full, but everyone will be there - that's the important part. letting go of it being exact in favor of it being something where it comes out alright, and she tucks herself a little closer to them both.]

Okay, I'm going to count down, and then you smile - if you've got your eyes closed, I'll have to retake this.

[Taro excepted. he can do as he pleases.]

[no_kyouken]

[ He squeezes them in close to him, puppy and all. A small but genuine smile fits to his mouth. There's probably some picture like this of him and the Saejima siblings, he hopes that Yasuko has it, and that it's better than nothing. He hopes that this one can stay with Izo and Emily for a good long while too.

He holds still for the fake shutter closing from the phone, then he swoops in to kiss Emily on the cheek. ]

Dante | Devil May Cry

[demonrebel]

PUPPY MADNESS - (Open)

['Man, Patty would’ve loved this.'

That’s the first thought that crosses Dante’s mind once he arrives at the picnic. While he loves a good party, picnics aren’t really his thing. He doesn’t even remember the last time he gone to a picnic. His mother used to do that back when he and Vergil were kids. It’s been decades now and Dante can’t help but feel he doesn’t belong here. Maybe it’s all the flowery pastels and pinks that put him slightly on edge but then again, he kind of likes it. Dante doesn’t know the first thing about decorating but he has to admit, Majima really outdid himself here. He already knows Majima can’t cook worth a damn, so he suspects the catering. There’s no way that a yakuza dude could also be a four-star chef and baker. Majima is a talented dude and all but he’s not that talented.

However, the main feature of today’s picnic isn’t really the food but more or less the cute little corgi puppy nipping at everyone’s heels. Dante never had a dog growing up but he always wanted one. He likes animals in general but like most folks, he has a soft spot for dogs.]

Hey there, buddy. [He whispers once the curious pup makes his way towards him.] Aw, look at you! I bet you’re a real lady killer with those eyes.

[Dante kneels down before the puppy so it can sniff his hands. Most animals tend to dislike the supernatural but this gorgeous pup doesn’t seem to mind him at all. It takes a moment for Taro to warm up to him but when he does, Dante finds himself on the receiving end of dreaded puppy breath and an impromptu tongue bath.]

Whoa, whoa! Hold on, sport!

[He does his best to keep the excitable pup at bay but the playful Taro wants to play.]

JUST A SWEET TOOTH - (Open)

[No matter what Dante does, he tends to stick out like a sore thumb.

The esteemed devil hunter missed the memo regarding the dress code here for today’s lovely picnic. While he’s not wearing his usual red leather duster and a ratty t-shirt, he definitely sticks out like a sore thumb in all that red and black. Dante didn’t know what to wear to this sort of thing and he’s not really a fan of kimonos. However, he tried to clean up a little bit with this bespoke suit that is a near-perfect replica of his past attire. It might be a little too goth for this pretty pastel little picnic among the flowers but Dante was never the type to follow a crowd.]

I hope this little picnic comes with some good sake.

[He mutters before trying one of the delectable desserts on display. Who would’ve guessed this overgrown badass devil hunter has a sweet tooth? Dante has a strong preference for anything sugary and fluffy. He’s the kind of guy who prefers ice cream over sorbet. So if there’s anything sugary and high in calories, he’s definitely devouring it.]

WILDCARD.

(have something else on your mind? feel free to hit me up at devillady or just DM me!)

[no_kyouken]

[ Who would have guessed that this overgrown badass devil hunter has a sweet tooth? This. Guy. He might be smiling smugly as he settles down next to Dante to bring out the sake. Chijoku's one true love is sake, and he had opinions about precisely which sake was appropriate for such an outing. Plum, he had insisted. Plum.

The ghostly white head of the snake stretches out from Majima's shoulder, ]

Of course it does.

[demonrebel]

I figured you would rear your ugly head the second I mention drinking.

[Dante can't help but chuckle once Chijoku makes an appearance. The snake tends to keep to himself most of the time unless sake is present. He figured that Majima and the gang would have alcohol on deck but he can't help but grin once he sees the sake. While Dante doesn't mind vodka and the likes, he's really getting into sake lately. He's not a big fan of the bitter stuff but rather the sweet aromatic nigori sake. While the plum sake falls somewhere between cloudy and slightly bitter, this particular brew has a nice refreshing hint of sweetness to it that Dante simply adores.]

Thanks though, Majima. This little outing is something else.

[Dante says while grabbing a couple of cups for the three of them. He takes the sake bottle and pours the first drink for Majima. Despite their ages and all, Majima does rank higher than him in the clan. It's only proper to pour his drink first before seeing to himself. Nevertheless, Dante likes spoiling Majima anyways.]

[no_kyouken]

[ Chijoku likes Dante, as Dante is the only person who laughs at his jokes. The snake remains wrapped around Majima's shoulders, draped as contentedly as a pet. Except in how his elegant body becomes a tangled mess of knots in-and-around Majima's center. They're definitely part of each other. ]

I am a veritable expert.

[ Uwabamis drinking sake is eternal. Majima just takes the cup with a faint smile, perfectly willing to be spoiled. He's supposed to be taking a day off, orders straight from Emily and Izo. Both tengu-possessed, they are his birds and he does what they ask him to when he can. ]

Festival ended up bein' a lotta work.

[ And they were disappointed when he wouldn't wear the yukata while he was working. ]

puppy.

[medicative]

I think he's found his new best friend.

[laughing a little, Emily comes closer, settling down so that Taro can have two people paying attention to him. careful to keep it out of his reach, she holds out a ball that's been brought specifically with the little one in mind - that he's coming out of his shell was the reason he came here, after all.]

If you want to make him even more attached, try this.

[demonrebel]

A new best friend, huh?

[Dante smiles as he regards the cheerful pup but eventually his gaze drifts towards the woman. He stares at her for a moment before glancing over at the ball. Uh oh. Dante is going to have a hard time prying Taro off him if he takes the ball. This excitable little corgi is a bundle of joy now after befriending his newest friend. However, Dante isn’t going to pass up the opportunity to play fetch with Taro.]

Alright then! I’m up for the challenge.

[He agrees after taking the ball. Taro stares at him expectantly with those big round eyes. The corgi wags his stubby little tail back and forth with such glee as Dante stands. It’s all too cute for Dante to bear but somehow he manages to ignore those adorable puppy eyes for now.]

Okay, boy! Show me what you’re made of—-

[He tosses the ball towards a nearby tree several feet away. Dante made sure to throw the ball away from the picnic lest he wants Taro to charge into the gathering head first. The puppy is cute and all but Dante suspects he’ll be a real menace if given the chance.]

Fetch, boy! Fetch!

[medicative]

[the pup bolts as could be predicted, barreling towards the ball as fast as his little legs can carry him, and then running around the tree with his prize before running to make his way back. Emily's charmed - she helps out at Izo's shelter enough to know that when they want to burn off their energy, it's always a good idea to help out. the question is, will Taro give the ball for more, or will he sneakily want to hang on?

bending down, she sees the answer. he's refusing to give it to her, bounding back as if somehow she can throw what he has. maybe Dante will have better luck?]

puppy

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō hasn't strayed far from Taro the entire time -- the pup is ultimately his responsibility, after all. He does nothing to help right now, instead laughing at Dante's "plight". ]

Got yer hands full, don't ya?

[ He pulls a small stuffed toy out of his yukata sleeve and squeaks it. Taro perks up, his attention fully on Izō now. ]

Now's yer chance t' run.

[demonrebel]

[Listen, if all Dante ever had to worry about in life is doggy breath---he would be a happy man. What Taro lacks in size he makes up in personality. It took a moment for this mischievous pup to warm up to Dante but now he did, he's the best thing since sliced bread.]

Run and watch you have all the fun with Taro? I'll pass.

[Dante laughs once the pup suddenly beelines it towards Izō at full speed. Taro enthusiastically barks at them while wagging his stubby little tail. It's the cutest thing ever, especially since Taro is so small.]

He's a great dog even if he could use a breath mint.

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō keeps Taro's attention by shaking the toy, then throws it to Dante instead of just tossing it for the pup. A little game of keep away is good to run out some of that puppy energy. Taro runs along after it, barking. ]

Surprised he warmed up t' ya so easily. 'S a good sign when a dog trusts someone.

[starshepard]

[ It's been quite some time since Azem has attended a picnic. Back home they used to find a lovely location somewhere on their travels and make note of it just so they could take friends out there later to enjoy a good meal and company. This place doesn't afford such locals quite as often. So they're more than pleased to be attending. As usual, they stand out with their ridiculously colorfully patterned clothing.

Especially now that Hythlodaeus is here. Whom they bring along so they can properly introduce him to quite a few of their new friends.

They're happy to mingle. Munching on or sipping something as they chat with anyone. And they're absolutely delighted to play with the puppy if it so allows. They might even conjure up a treat or two to sneak to the pup. ]

[conceptreview]

[And it's been quite some time since Hythlodaeus has attended a picnic, as well. He's very pleased that Azem has invited him; it reminds him of old times. And, of course, he's always happy to meet new people, especially people that Azem likes.

He dresses up in his Tanabata outfit for fun, and to get used to wearing more than just his robes. It still feels a bit strange, but it's hard for him to complain when he looks this good. Wink wonk.

Don't mind him lounging decadently against some pillows with a little cup of sake in his hand.]

You truly have excellent taste in friends, dear Azem. And they have excellent taste in liquor.

[starshepard]

[ Azem chuckles. They've been enjoying the sake as well. ]

Of course, I have excellent taste in friends, you're one of my friends after all.

[medicative]

[the harmony of Tanabata was ruined by the events in the end, so Emily checks and triple checks that things will be fine for this. actually wrangling people to take time for themselves was an event in itself - something unrelated to politics or needing to eavesdrop or whatever else the clans wanted. a picnic, then, was easy to work with.

and to her, it's mostly the chance to meet new people. when she's not doting on Taro, getting him used to people, she wants to talk to others, and take the opportunity to make new friends. at the same time, she is occasionally taking photos of this day. so if there are some candid shots in with the posed ones...well. that's just par for the course, right? though it's easy to catch her and demand to look.

mingling will be enough to keep her mind off the persistent itch in the back of her head that she needs to do something. look, she's as bad at taking time off as some of the other people are.]

[killtime]

[ It's not her typical kind of outing. Anyone who's spoken to Andy even once knows that socializing isn't one of her strong points — and sometimes that seems more intentional than not. But she's here. She's made the effort of an appearance, even if it looks like she's waiting for an opportune moment to slip away. In the meantime, she lingers in the shade a little ways off, puffing away at a cigarette and hiding behind her sunglasses.

It's only when she spots Emily snapping photos that she finally wanders over, draping one arm across the other woman's shoulders as she leans in to have a look. ]

Didn't know you liked taking pictures.

[medicative]

[she turns the camera so that Andy can see - there's photos of Dante playing with the dog, Izo passed out on a blanket, Azem laughing, and others of the day. she's happy Andy came at all, with everyone being so busy lately, and she pauses to look up at her.]

I'm no professional, but I think some reminders of today will serve us well. A little touch to look towards on the more difficult days. I'm already getting some of these printed for frames.