skate 02 | video; user: katsuki

[yokunaru]

[Abruptly, there's the sound of blades cutting through ice coming from the communicators as the figure skater on screen does a quick lap around what appears to be an ice rink. Then, there's a shift in his center of gravity before he's jumping, landing a triple axel with ease. The air of grace disappears as soon as the figure skater catches sight of the camera pointed at him.]

Viktor! [Some might recognize Yuuri's voice before he glides closer, a look of dismay on his face.] You said you weren't recording yet!

Ah, but Yuuri! You were skating so wonderfully, I couldn't resist! [Viktor doesn't sound apologetic, but as the image shifts, he comes on screen, smiling at the camera and holding up his free hand to wave.] Hello, friends of the Eluvio! Yuuri and I wanted to extend you a formal invitation to Eluvio's skating rink, the Ice Palace.

[Yuuri, apparently having resigned himself to delivering the message this way, just sighs with exasperation as he reaches Viktor at the side of the rink.] Um, we're going to be hosting a short exhibition show on Valentine's Day, too. Viktor thought it'd be a good idea, since a lot of people onboard haven't seen figure skating before. And there's going to be food...? [He trails off, looking at Viktor for confirmation.]

[Viktor nods to confirm, flashing another smile.] Horderves and shaved ice. No chocolates! You'll have to make or bring your own. [This last part said with a wink as he brings his finger up to rest against his lips.]

[Viktor's comment makes Yuuri pause.] Actually, about the chocolates, has anyone managed to find a store that sells chocolate molds? I've been looking all over the Shopping Centre for them. [Then, he remembers why they're making the video in the first place, and he blushes as he steers himself back on track.] A-anyway, please come join us for the exhibition! You're welcome to come earlier and see the rink for yourself before then, too.

[With that, he'll give a shallow, polite sort of bow before reaching over to turn the camera off.]


(ooc: As a note, I'll be posting an open valentines chocolate-making workshop log in a few days, and everyone is welcome to jump in, whether you tag this post or not!)

Comments

video;

[ouzel]

[ Blink. ]

The holiday comprises of chocolates?

video;

[yokunaru]

[It takes a second for Yuuri to realize why this is so strange to Cassian, and then he smiles.]

Oh--yeah, I forgot it wouldn't make sense to people who've grown up with it. Chocolate is a really common gift for that day. In Japan, there's a whole structure to the chocolate-giving, too.

video;

[ouzel]

[ Well his exposure to chocolate has been ...very limited. ]

So you just give chocolate to someone else and that is your declaration of interest?

[yokunaru]

Mmm it's a little more complicated than that.

[Yuuri tilts his head, studying Cassian with interest.] Is there someone you're thinking of giving chocolate to, Captain?

[ouzel]

You'll forgive me if I keep my answer vague.

[ Or just limited to that sentence in general. But he does smile a little. ]

I don't know how much appreciated my attempts will be but I am willing to find out.

[yokunaru]

[Even if he has no idea who it is, Yuuri brightens up visibly.]

That's great, Captain! I can explain how the chocolate-giving works in Japan if you want to hear about it.

[ouzel]

[ How do YOU not know but your husband? Boyfriend? Person of interest? Knows? Cassian is confused. ]

I would like that a lot, thank you.

[yokunaru]

[Because!! Because... maybe he'll actually catch on once he sees you two together.]

There's two different types of chocolate for Valentine's Day in Japan--"giri-choco" and "honmei-choco". The first one is given to friends or people you work with often. The second one is the one you want, for the person you have romantic feelings for.

[He stops to catch his breath and... then rubs at his cheek sheepishly.] That probably was really confusing, wasn't it?

[ouzel]

What is the difference between the two kinds of chocolate other than the names and their purpose? Is there another difference? Or is it all in the intent.

[ Cassian shrugs. ] Any new culture can be confusing.

[yokunaru]

[This time his smile turns wry.]

It's the amount of effort and money you spend on these chocolates. You can get both kinds in the stores back home before Valentine's Day, but homemade ones are considered the best for the romantic kind. It means you spent more time and effort in preparing them.

[ouzel]

I don't think they'd care about the money spent.

[ In fact, Jyn would appreciate if they weren't paid for at all, but that's because Jyn appreciates theft. ]

I wouldn't mind learning how to make them. Do you know how?

[yokunaru]

I'm going to figure it out. [He looks very determined as he says this.]

Do you want to join me? I'm already planning to make some for Viktor.

[ouzel]

Yes. That would be good.

[yokunaru]

[Strangely, Yuuri actually looks relieved. He won't have to do this alone!!]

Oh, Captain, do you have some time right now? I'm about to try searching the Shopping Centre for molds again. If we're going to be making the chocolates together, you can pick out something you think your special person will like, too.

[ouzel]

Ah...now is fine, really. [ He's not doing anything else except ignoring Kay's conversation with Jyn about his mental health on an unprotected line so really.

Should be good. ]

Which floor should I meet you on?

[yokunaru]

[His lips purse as he considers where else they might look.]

How about next to the elevators on the third floor? I've already looked on the first two floors and didn't find anything in the shops there.

[genice]

( Victor laughs, waving to Cassian over the video feed. )

Captain Andor! No, no, it's so much more! It's a day for romance and flowers and lovely intimate dinners with the person you love. Chocolates can be a gift, like anything else you know they'll enjoy. It's a wonderful time to celebrate how much you love someone! More romantically than anything else, but love is love. Celebrating any kind is worth it, no?

( He winks, though ahahaha he's been talking romantic love. )

Now, I say you give your mysterious Valentine a chance, yes? Treat them ( her ) to something special for the both of you.

[ouzel]

Romance, flowers, and intimate dinners. [ He's pretty sure he can manage that, though he's also sure if he handed Jyn a flower she'd be like and what am I supposed to do with this? so that. Might turn into gifting the room with a plant. ]

I think I can manage that.

[genice]

As long as it's special for you and — the one you intend it to be for. That's the important part. Communicating the emotion of what you feel, in a way they can understand.

( Smile. Smile. Sideglance to Yuuri. More determined smile. )

[ouzel]

[ Cassian gives a little laugh. ] That might be harder than imagined, actually.

[genice]

( He has to actually look away from his obvious sideglance at Yuuri, laughing a little, giving Cassian something of an Understanding Look. )

Yes, it can be. It's still worth making the effort.

[ouzel]

You'll have to give me background on this story, later. [ The story of Victor and Yuuri, he means. ] So this is the ice skating rink?

[genice]

( Another small laugh, this time paired with a fondness in his expression he does nothing to hide. )

Anytime. ( Turning his torso, he glances back over his shoulder at the rink; it's a satisfying sight, deep down to the marrow of his bones. ) It is, modeled after Yuuri's home rink.

( telling in and of itself. Victor's been talking about this rink since weeks before Yuuri arrived; back when he had no reason to believe he'd ever see him again. )

[ouzel]

[ That is very telling, though Cassian's first thought is the realization that he knows nothing about competitive sports or artistic displays; it wouldn't have occurred to him that there were a variety of models one could follow while designing an ice skate rink. ]

I look forward to this. It should be interesting.

[genice]

( he nods, lifting a hand to wave to Cassian. )

It will be! Until then, Captain.