Second Steelguard!

[struckbylightning]

[Snow Villiers isn't always a fast learner. But when he is? You had better watch out.

See, he's just learned a thing or two about Valentine's Day from a certain green kid and now? He intends to celebrate the holiday the only way he knows how: being a huge dork and doing something spectacularly romantic for Serah.

But he can't do this alone. So it's time to make a phone call or two.

PHONE - FILTERED TO HOPE ESTHEIM AND RIKKU]

This might be just a little short-notice---just a little---but I'm gonna need your help with somethin'. It's kind of a big deal, and I wouldn't ask just anyone. I'm not catchin' you at a bad time, am I?

[ACTION - ANYWHERE

As Snow gears up for his inevitable surprises for Serah later on in the day, he's gonna be around town picking up as many flowers as he can. He's not much of an expert on flowers, but he's pretty sure that Serah would love pink and purple, right?

What he doesn't realize, of course, is that the pink carnations and purple hyacinths might give Snow a different sort of Valentine's Day surprise altogether...]

Comments

Phone

[returntosender]

No, not really. What do you need?

[struckbylightning]

You know where Serah lives, right?

[returntosender]

Ah-I don't. She never got around to telling me her address...

But I could probably find her, if I looked at my route map. [Since he is the bittiest messenger boy.]

[struckbylightning]

Perfect. [Now, then... Where would be a good place for them to have a romantic evening together...?]

Do you think maybe you could find her for me in a couple hours and bring her to the park? But don't tell her I put you up to it. I wanna surprise her.

[returntosender]

[Was Snow really putting him up to errand boy. Really.

Hope smiled through the phone and sighed. ]

Sure, it won't be that hard...[If not a little awkward, because he barely knew the girl.]

Is there a spot I should bring her to?

[struckbylightning]

How about that big statue in the middle? By the time you guys get there, I'm gonna have somethin' set up. You'll see.

[returntosender]

So you're not gonna tell me what the surprise is? [He laughs, taking the note on the intended time and location.]

[struckbylightning]

Wouldn't be a surprise if I did, would it? [Snow laughs too.]

Thanks, Hope. I owe you one.

[returntosender]

I guess it wouldn't. [But curiosity has him wondering.]

It's okay. I'll see you later then.

[struckbylightning]

Take care, Hope.

[CLICK.]

[yvnyet_uv_mekrdhehk]

Of course you're not!

What do you need?

[struckbylightning]

Someone really important to me just woke up in Mayfield not too long ago. Her name's Serah. She's my fiancé.

And... well, today's Valentine's Day. Do they have that where you're from?

[yvnyet_uv_mekrdhehk]

You're engaged? Congrats!!

No, I don't think so. What's Valentine's Day about?

[struckbylightning]

Thanks.

They don't have it where I'm from, either, but they celebrate it here in Mayfield. It's supposed to be some kind of holiday that you celebrate with the people you really care about. So I wanna do somethin' real special for her. 'Cause... well, she is real special. She deserves it.

Think you can help me put somethin' together for her?

[yvnyet_uv_mekrdhehk]

Can I?

[Rikku really, really likes romance. The opportunity to help the romance of her new friend along? She'd be stupid to say no!]

Just tell me what you need me to do!

[struckbylightning]

Awesome. I wanted to try and surprise her with flowers. More flowers than I could possibly carry.

[And seeing as Snow is such a big dude, that's a lot of flowers.]

...Problem with that is I'd need someone to help me carry the ones that I can't.

[yvnyet_uv_mekrdhehk]

I can do that! Do you need anything else? Help setting things up?

[struckbylightning]

If you could, that'd be terrific. I was hopin' to bring them all to the park this afternoon and use 'em to spell out her name in the snow.

[Action]

[wolfishsurvivalist]

[It is very, very hard to miss someone as huge as Snow bustling around town, and Mika is feeling exhausted just from looking at him. Leaning on her cane for support, she shakes her head with a huff.]

Carnations and hyacinths? Seems kind of an odd combination. That bundle for someone special, big guy?

[struckbylightning]

Is that what they're called? I was just pickin' 'em out by color...

Sure is. These are all goin' to a very special girl. [He really can't keep himself from smiling right now.] It's gonna be our first Valentine's Day together.

[wolfishsurvivalist]

Yeah, but I'm not sure on the whitish one. The colors are really nice, though.

[She can't help but smile, her tail wagging.]

Ahhhhh, I see. First time you do it together or the first time you're celebrating that holiday? Traditionally, if you're in love, you give each other roses. Those mean true love, if I remember right.

[She points to some rose bushes, the vibrant red color is easy to spot.]

They can have some nasty thorns, and they're a little cliche, but they're a nice flower anyway. Still, she'll probably love whatever you get her no matter what it is.

[struckbylightning]

Both, I guess. We don't really have anything like this back where we come from.

True love, huh? [He peers over at the rosebushes a couple of yards away before scooping up all the flowers he's already picked into his arms.] 'Fraid I might already have my hands full.

[He chuckles, though, the amount of flowers he's collected not deterring him from awkwardly twisting a hand in Mika's direction.]

I'm Snow.

[wolfishsurvivalist]

I thought as much, you didn't look like you were from anywhere around here. [She grins, her fangs flashing as her tail wags.]

Yeah, something like that. [Mika huffs, looking amused.] What, a couple more flowers are too much for a big guy like you to handle?

Mika Whitepaws, at your service. [She clasps his hand, her grip surprisingly firm for someone so frail looking.]

Have fun with your date tonight.

Action

[forgotten_titan]

[Hey not!dad. Guess who's got this giant pink hue on her cheeks after she and BB just confessed their love for each other? She does stop to wave at him though.]

Hi Snow. Happy Valentine's Day!

[struckbylightning]

Hey, Tara. Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

[He takes note of the blush on her face and smirks, playing dumb.]

Aren't we all smiles today? Somethin' happen?

[forgotten_titan]

Uh, nothing! I mean...yeah, something did happen today.

[She pauses, and then bursts out loud:]

I got asked out by my crush!!

[struckbylightning]

Yeah? That's awesome!

[This is pretty adorable, not gonna lie.]

Did you say yes?

[forgotten_titan]

Y-yeah, I did.

[She giggles.]

I can't believe I got asked out by a superhero!!

Action - Park

[elevatoravatar]

[Elizabeth waves to the strange man picking flowers]

[struckbylightning]

[And Snow waves back. But it's weird... even though he's reasonably sure he's never seen this person before, it feels like he's known her all his life. Almost like she was a sister or something...]

You look like you're in a pretty good mood.

[elevatoravatar]

I have been pondering... Did you know, I forsook immortality and power, to save a man's soul? That and, I do not feel bad at all. Love is such a strange emotion.

[struckbylightning]

It's not that tough to figure out, is it? When you care enough about someone, you start to feel like you could do anything for them. That you would do anything.

[elevatoravatar]

I come from a place where such things are not done. It is simply something completely different to everything I was taught.

[struckbylightning]

Well, love's not really somethin' that can be taught. It comes from within.

[elevatoravatar]

These are things not even thought about where I come from. It is simple adherence to duty. Still... Is that why you gather flowers?

[struckbylightning]

Yeah. [An enthusiastic nod.] I can't wait to see the look on her face.

[elevatoravatar]

To be trapped together must be a truly wonderful thing.

[She smiles and nods]