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[failassassin]

[Turlough looks...well, slightly fidgety.]

I know this might be a stupid question. But what all do you give someone on Valentine's Day-either on your world or on Asgard? Dates are out of the question because of her...job, but I'd like to give her something anyway. I've had girlfriends before, but that was ages ago and we didn't really do Valentine's Day like you lot do it. [because whooo aliens!] And when I was on Earth, most of the time was spent in an English public school-not of my own choosing, mind you. [by the little scrunched up expression on his face, it's pretty obvious what Turlough thinks of English public school (it sucks.)]

So while I'm no stranger to the subject of love, I...sort of am to gifts. [it took him a lot of strength to admit that and now he's frowning a bit.] Any help would be appreciated.

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[failassassin]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[windbreak]

Uh, Valentine's Day? I mean, sure, usually it's before the weather starts to warm back up, but when the calendar's all weird like here...

[Because that's obviously the part that could have been confusing.]

[failassassin]

Exactly. Valentine's Day is usually around this time, so I'm going to give a girl I like some flowers and cake.

What's so confusing about that?

[windbreak]

I didn't say it was confusing! It just seems, uh... like, what was wrong with chocolate?

[failassassin]

I want to give her something more than just chocolate.

And besides, she already gave chocolate to me, so I want to give her something different.

[windbreak]

So you're one of those forward-thinking types, huh...?

[Far be it for him to dissuade someone like that. He scratches his head.]

I dunno, you don't have to mess with the classics that much, right? If it's homemade, it's already more than just chocolate. Even guys do that sometimes these days.

[failassassin]

Souji mentioned marshmallows...maybe that would work?

[windbreak]

... You asked Souji!?

[He's clearly taken aback - he needs a second to recover.] Ahaha, ha... Oh man, if you wanna do this like he does it, I don't know what to tell you.

[failassassin]

Let me guess: he doesn't know much about romance?

[windbreak]

Whoa, no no no, that's not it... [But he lowers his hands about as quickly as he raised them.] Jeez, how do I put this? Um...

[It's nearly possible to hear the cogs in his head squeaking away for a moment.]

...Well, if he was serious about it, you should listen to him! Really.

[Why yes, he is capable of sounding a bit more emphatic than this.]

[failassassin]

[Turlough just frowns.]

So he's too enthusiastic about romance.

[windbreak]

[He laughs nervously again.] I wouldn't say that, either... [Besides, is too enthusiastic even possible?] But if you already decided on this one girl, uh...

[He trails off.]

[failassassin]

I don't understand what you're trying to say. Why shouldn't I ask him for advice?

I have permission for this

[izanyagi]

[The funny thing is that the location of the book Souji had promised Turlough was that it was located inside the Investigation Team's new building...the very same one that Yosuke had been talking in for the past while.

Maybe Turlough had heard an opening door a while ago; but there was no one else on camera and it had gone silent again. The place was huge and when Souji had noticed Yosuke was busy speaking with someone, he had gone upstairs to get what he wanted without saying hi. Only when he did come down, all he heard was you asked Souji?.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he peeked inside. Still far off for him to show up on the camera, he listened the next part of the conversation in all it's cacophony and misunderstandings. Why was he...

It was only then that he began to walk closer, behind Yosuke. The black figure becomes much easier to see, greyish hair the telltale sign of who this was. In the end, he just stood really close to him, arms crossed, silently. Let's see how long he notices...or if Turlough would run along with it and just egg Yosuke on.]

[windbreak]

[He certainly doesn't notice yet.]

No, no, you should! Probably! I mean - he's good with advice, and he knows a lot about - well, maybe not a lot about it... uh...

[In an attempt to keep his floundering explanation afloat, he hurriedly waves his hand. It misses Souji by a hair.]

I'm just warning you, it could... backfire, you know?

[failassassin]

[Turlough DOES notice. His eyes widen a bit, as in confusion, but he's a horrible person, so then his expression returns to normal.]

So his advice has backfired in the past? This I'd like to hear.

[izanyagi]

[Yes Yosuke, he'd like to hear about this as well.]

[windbreak]

[Sometimes, Yosuke can be startlingly perceptive. This is not one of those times. He still doesn't look around yet, either; he's busy rubbing at the side of his neck.] Not... exactly...? It's more like, umm, his kind of image... his whole approach to it, it wouldn't work for everyone... I guess.

[failassassin]

[Turlough is practically chinhandsing at this point.]

I have to say, I don't know him that well to know about his approach. Care to elaborate?

[izanyagi]

[Souji on the other hand is half amused, half confused. He never really did think about it, but yeah, he did have a particular approach to it. Although what he thought he did and what Yosuke saw him doing might actually shine some light on how others saw him.

It's a risk he's willing to listen in on.]

[windbreak]

Elaborate? [He spreads his hand in a half-shrug; this time it does bounce lightly off the front of Souji's shirt.] Dude, if I knew how he always made it work - [He glances behind him.] Oh, sorry! Didn't know you were still in. But yeah, back home? He's got five or six... [And then he starts to sound hesitant.] different...

[Then he looks up again, and promptly falls out of his chair. Enjoy this view of a water-slick wooden floor!]

[failassassin]

[Turlough can't help but laugh at this, obviously enjoying this.]

I really should have told you, but I wanted to see how long it would take you to notice!

[izanyagi]

[Please enjoy Souji looking down at him, meanwhile, judging him for every single word he's been saying.]

Five or six?

[Seriously.]

[windbreak]

[Hey, geez - that mysterious private life of Souji's, it's not like he has an exact number... He doesn't say that, though. In general he'd be willing to die for for his partner, but honestly, he was kind of hoping for cooler circumstances than... these.

In a frantic tangle of limbs, he scrambles back upright before too much of his shirt can get soaked, and immediately throws himself into a bow so low he might as well not have bothered.] Oh god, dude, I'm sorry... I-I was lying! It was a lie! Please forgive me! I didn't mean it! I don't know how many...!

[Yes, the thing's still recording. Yes, it's slipped his mind. Could anyone blame him? Apart from for, you know, the obvious.]

[failassassin]

[Turlough's just watching this, pretty much just chinhandsing now.]

Still, five or six? Impressive.