[OPEN] everybody's working for the weekend

[burnmydread]

Who: Minato Arisato & YOU!
When: Throughout June
Where: Caissa & Lasker
What: Job quest post for the month of March
Rating: None? (Will update if needed)

[ Reference for the Job Post is here. Also, if you're interested and haven't already, you can pick your character's arcana for Social Linking! ]

001-A. Water Wars of the Worlds?

[ Who doesn't love water fights? And who doesn't love it when someone provides you with an absolutely ridiculous gun? No one. Everyone loves this. The more spouts the more power, right?

For all the festivities, there is one figure in the crowd who seems to be a little more subdued than most. Dressed in shorts and a simple shirt, Minato stands armed with his gun. Why isn't he doing anything? Everyone around him is going crazy, getting soaked...

No, he's waiting for the right victim.

And it happens to be you.

Without warning, he unleashes his Blanc Special Super Soaker at your character. When the assault is done, he simply says. ]

Gotcha.

001-B. No Drowned Cats Allowed

[ The unfortunate part of participating in the water battle means that there are definitely vendors and restaurants that don't want people running around dripping all over their nice floors. He didn't think about this beforehand.

Minato is standing in front of a cafe, face nearly pressed to the window as he looks in. There's food in there, he can see it. It's so close...He sighs. ]

...This is how it ends.

[ A little ominous, maybe? Calm down, drama queen. But you know what would help? A good samaritan to step in and feed him. Those are the best people.

Or laugh at his pain. That works too. ]

002-A. "Meow" Or Something Like That

[ This was bound to happen eventually. Right? It's good he didn't have much dignity to begin with, because when the soulless eyes stare back at him, Minato see his fate. Of all that the Heroes have been asked to do for the sake of Blanc, is this really where it ends? Is this the true test of strength?

Yes. Yes it is. It's a good thing he's way before Five Nights at Freddie's.

It isn't long before the suit is now staring outward at the public with Minato behind it. It's a little big, but it's head is supposed to be big. Minato just isn't sure if he'll be able to actually keep it on his head. The fact that it's hot doesn't help him much either. In fact, he looks more like a penguin taking it's first steps on the ice of the antarctic with the way he's waddling away from the dressing rooms. Oh boy.

At least he seems to be putting forth some sort of effort. Surprising, right? Minato will be seen waving near the entrance for a while, but it's not long before he starts to wander off on his own.

It's uncertain whether he's trying to get a free snack or encourage new customers to this particular food stand, but it seems to be working either way.

He can also be seen napping beside some railing. Or, at least that's what it seems like, it's hard to tell when it's a large mascot suit just kind of lying there. Hopefully he hasn't passed out from heat stroke, right? ]

002-B. Let's Play Off-Duty

[ That sure was a thing! A thing that's over and DONE with! Maybe it was just the fact that the mascot costume is ridiculously cute despite whatever Minato has been doing in it, but he's done well enough to earn that coupon. Whoohoo!

So, when you've got money coupons burning a hole in your pocket, it's best to spend it, right? Of course, a view of the park through the semi-transparent mesh of mascot eyes don't really give the best view of what's going on. Minato stands by the entrance with the coupon in his hands, looking a little lost. ]

...

[ Is he sad? Or--no...he's...almost overwhelmed, but not upset. ]

I don't even know where to start.

Comments

2(ny)a

[tarotcards]

[ Souji knew the moment that he saw that job posting for animal mascot characters that he had to get a cat. He just had to. It was his destiny. His destiny to be in a cat costume!! He's been waiting for this!!!!! ]

[ Okay, that's a complete exaggeration. He didn't desperately desire a kitty cat that badly but he'd be lying if he said that he wouldn't have preferred (purrfered?) to be one. It would give him an excuse to burst out the cat puns again and it'd be fun but honestly, as long as he got something cute, he thinks he could have worked with it. It definitely would have been really funny to get a bear costume, then he could probably pull out some of Teddie's bear puns, but no, the Gods have smiled down on Souji today. They have seen that he is a friend to every living being all over the world and that he has done his part in life by punching a goddess of death in the face. They have acknowledged him and have graced him with... ]

[ A cat costume. ]

[ God is truly great and real. ]

[ Sure, it's hot as hell to wear something like this in the summer and these kids really like to try and climb all over him but it's definitely not the worst thing ever. He looks cute as hell and the pay isn't that bad, especially if he's getting two free tickets. He just has to make sure that he takes proper breaks to sit down and stay hydrated. He was on his way to do just that when there's a dead cat on the floor. U... Uh????? ]

[ He walks on over, as gracefully as a cat in a kimono can do, and he just kind of... waves a hand in front of the other cat's head. He doesn't exactly want to touch them, in case they are awake, so hello??? ]

[burnmydread]

[ Souji, you have truly surpassed Minato in terms of absolute "Neko Kawaii". He has nothing more to teach you. You must now go forth in the great wide world in his stead, taking it upon himself to embody the important features of all felines. That is, sleeping way too much and eating, then sleeping it off.

Or maybe that's heat stroke talking?

Either way, the cuteness of Minato's own suit is entirely lost on him. He is doing his best to doze, though, while subsequently not overheating. It's a difficult balance. There is a difference in the light when that mascot hand is waved in front of his mascot head. Minato's eyes blink open as he looks up through the mesh eyeballs.

...Another cat. Oh boy.

He...waves. Kind of pathetically.

Nya, or something. ]

[tarotcards]

[ He accepts this crown of being the new Neko Kawaii and his first act is to sleep in a coma for almost three weeks while 600 civilians die. This is the cat life. ]

[ Ah, well, it's good to see that the other cat isn't actually dead, but to be lying down on the ground and giving a pathetic wave is still concerning. What's wrong, kitty? ]

Are you all right?

[ That... sure is a deep Johnny Yong Bosch voice coming from this cute kitty. Souji is too concerned to do his high pitch cat voice with puns. ]

[burnmydread]

[ Now he is a true cat. Congratulations, Souji.

Although, Minato had no idea that Souji was the one in the suit until he hears a voice that most definitely doesn't belong coming from that cute, girlish face. Minato blinks, suddenly a little more alert inside his own mascot costume.

Hey buddy. ]

Just tired.

[ Which will probably come as no surprised once Souji places his voice, too. ]

[tarotcards]

[ He's so proud. He'd like to thank the academy, his friends, his family, his 101 stray cats... ]

[ Ah, he recognizes that voice. He can place it pretty easily after they've spent enough time with each other. Minato has a pretty... distinctive voice, he thinks, and there's a smile once he realizes who's in the other cat suit. Yes, this is no surprise at all. ]

You should rest somewhere else. I can't imagine the floor being very comfortable.

2-A

[sealeted]

[Sleeping? Oh no, that is a dead cat. It could be nothing other than a dead cat. The deadest of cats, the absolutely departed, the kind of cat Schroedinger would never so much as glance twice at. Since he fell asleep, somebody outlined the body in white chalk, and then decorated the pavement below it in what might be magenta-chalk bloodspatter.

Near its hand, there's a slightly less haphazard smudge of pink, like the poor cat tried to write out a dying message and then somebody scuffed it up with her boot. Er. Their boot. The hypothetical boot of the person who may or may not have set up this sideshow.

That hypothetical boot might become utterly unhypothetical as it snaps down against the ground, drawing attention to Hakuno even if the noise is muffled by the plush suit she's wearing.]

Oh no! We're too late—the Mysterious Melter got our Kitty-friend!

[She raises her paws to her big white cheeks in palpable dismay. Ironically, her suit's mask is as expressionless as Hakuno herself is behind it, so she really has to put extra effort into her performance. There's a gaggle of little children around her, gasping in dismay.]

And we went all the way around the park... Oooh, it's all my fault! I shouldn't have taken shortcuts through so many fun places!

[There's a small chorus of little voices comforting her as she lets out theatrical sobs, bending over and covering her face.]

What will we do if our friend doesn't un-melt? How can we save him?!

[Honestly, she'd been planning on swinging this as a promotion for buying shaved ice at a nearby stall. Unfortunately, before she gets the chance to cast out that hook, a little girl in pigtails chirps up.

You should kiss'im! Like in the stories!]

...uh?

[Hakuno cocks her head to the side, taken aback. What do they teach these kids, here in Enprise...

Well, it wouldn't bother her, given how much padding there would be between her and whoever's asleep in that cat suit, but she feels like waking up to a giant bunny head way too close would be terrifying for that poor worker.]

That is... well, um...

I JUST ABOUT DIED READING THIS BLESS YOU

[burnmydread]

[ He'd been taking a decent nap, to be honest. Past tense. Because after a while, there was a lot of shuffling and commotion starting to gather around him. Minato can tune a whole lot out in the pursuit of some decent shut eye, but that only lasts so long.

Luckily, when you're inside a giant mascot suit, no one can tell when you're awaking up. He's feeling a little grumpy, but listens in. Too late? He--ah...yes. He's down for the count. Did he consider that seeing one of the friendly park animals laying around unmoving would be disturbing? Yeah, he just didn't care. Looks like it'd been enough to upset someone.

You should kiss 'em!

Wait. What?





Hahaha. That's awesome.

That sure is a black kitty paw giving a thumbs up. Plan approved. ]

then I'm doing my job :|b

[sealeted]

[Honestly, Hakuno had been bored enough to consider taking a nap herself, but after seeing that limp black form sprawled out... Well, inspiration had sprung. Plus, it seemed like a way to drum up more business without begrudging Cat Guy his nap. Hakuno isn't so petty or uptight as to do something like that just because she had scruples against passing out on the clock.

Ah, but that's beside the point. She catches sight of the little hand gesture, and no longer has to worry about disturbing her living prop.]

...that's a great idea, missy! Gosh, I should've thought of that first!

[She puts her paws on her hips and shakes her head, as if ashamed of herself. Then, she carefully gets onto her knees, mindful not to over balance and topple onto Cat Guy, who seems pretty gung-ho.]

Okay, one magic kiss, coming up.

[She works one paw underneath the back of his large head, slowly leans down, and...

Pomf.

The 'X' on the front of her mask gently bumps the mouth sewn onto his. She holds the pose for one... two... three seconds before pulling away and putting one paw to the side of her mask, as if bashful.]

Gosh, did that do it? Are you back among the unmelted, Kitty?

that is the best job

[burnmydread]

[ There are plenty of reasons Minato never joined drama club. Mostly the whole drama part. However, he's just motivated enough to play along when a scenario amuses him, and this is exactly one of those situations. He does the playing dead part very well and that has nothing to do with him being actually dead.

His giant mascot head kind of lulls backwards before she helps hold it with her giant mascot hands. The logistics of this are a little ridiculous, but she makes it work. (He really hasn't done anything to help, let's be honest here.) The shadow her mascot head blots out all the light coming in through his eyes and he can hear the pomf. There are whispers in the crowd, and doubtlessly a few pictures. Who wouldn't be moved by this crosspecies love scene?

Well, now it's time.

He waits. For dramatic effect.

And then a few seconds longer just to make people question it.

And maybe a few seconds too long just to be annoying. But, then, all of a sudden, he springs to life! His hands in the air in a victory pose as he sits up. And all that he says is! ]

Meow.

I love that they are both just linefacing under the costumes through all of this

[sealeted]

[Truly, this is the stuff of fairytales and sugar-spun dreams.

Hakuno doesn't mind doing most of the work, since she hadn't expected him to do anything but continue napping until one of her little gaggle of followers decided to float this cutesy suggestion. She's come this far, so it would just be silly to half-ass things at the grand finale.

Still, for a moment she has to wonder if he hasn't fallen back asleep. The next dashes that worry as he bolts up, the kids bursting into excited cheering. Hakuno clambers to her feet, clapping her padded paws together nigh soundlessly.]

We did it, everyone! Thank so much for helping me save Kitty—I'd never be able to do it all on my own!

[And now to bring it on home.]

Kisses are powerful, special things, you know? But, it's important to make sure you don't melt at all, too! If you get hot, make sure to ask the grown-ups you're with to get you something nice and cold to eat or drink, okay? There's a nice shaved ice stall right over there if you need it~

[She gets a chorus of agreement and nods... happily(?) at them. Heck yeah, she is the best saleswoman.]

001-B

[ateaist]

[WELL WELL LOOK WHO IT IS.

Her former self may have had the naivety to accept that sometimes accidents happen, but Nobunaga is absolutely certain he pushed her into those springs on purpose. Not based on anything in particular, mind you - she's just declared him guilty immediately without considering it. He Must Pay.

But there's no need to be so overt in her quest for revenge. In fact, she slaps a hand against his back all of a sudden, full of enthusiasm.]

Well, well, lad! Aren't you looking miserable?

[A water gun hangs in her other hand, pointing towards the ground.]

[burnmydread]

[ She's not inaccurate. No, she's completely correct in her assumption. He totally did it on purpose. He's also used to getting away with things that he probably shouldn't get away with, by proxy of simply being a Protagonist. Funny how everyone gives you a go ahead to help move the plot forward even if you're being a shit.

But he's not being a shit, at least not right now. Now he's just forlorn and pastry-less, which is an awful state to be in. He can usually be fairly perceptive, but he's so stuck on his damn food that he doesn't even notice her approach until he feels that slap.

Ack!

He jumps, not unlike a startled cat as he turns round, eyes wide. ]

...!

[ Oh. ]

...It's you.

[ Looking...a lot less shy than last time. Hrm... ]

They won't let you in with the water gun.

[ateaist]

Oh, this? Forget this silly little thing.

[She all but shoves it into his chest, expecting him to hold it for her. Although her plan will involve it, she can put it away for now; he won't get the food he wants if he doesn't do what she says, after all, and everyone knows bribery is an excellent tactic.

It's also fortunate that, for the moment, she's bone dry.]

So that's why you're stuck out here, eh? Ufufu...no matter, lad. I'll be glad to pick something up for you.

What'll it be? Hm? [She puts a hand to the back of his head, grabbing it to shove him up to the glass. (But not into it. See how considerate she is??)] Don't be shy! I'm glad to help.

[burnmydread]

...

[ Welp, guess he has a squirt gun now. There's a small "oof" as she thrusts it towards him, but he'll, uh, hold it. Since she's so insistent. Minato looks down at the toy before holding it properly like any warrior should. He's experienced with squirt guns.

Yet, is his day looking up? His expression becomes considerably more lively when she mentions she might get him something. ]

I--

[ And HELLO GLASS, he missed you. That whole thirty seconds they were apart. ]

Uh--...

[ Face squished against it and nose pressed at an awkward angle, Minato glances between what he can see of the shop and her. ]

...I can't really see...

[ He's too stylish and has hair covering half of his face, you know. ]

[ateaist]

...

[Right, right. She lets go without much of a fuss, allowing him to readjust himself and get a better look.]

Whoops. Silly me! There, there, take all the time you need.

001-A

[drawmecute]

*Lola managed to jump out of the way of his burst of fire. This was probably not how a legendary weapon for a hero from another world. But this was Lola so she was using what she had on her. And she returned a barrage of shots.*

*...with zero aim so literally Minato would have to go out his way diving into fire to get hit. She hit two kids who happened to be nowhere near Minato.*

...I am really bad at this game.

[burnmydread]

[ Ah, so she's nimble! He'll have to have better aim next time. And by that we mean he'll probably do the exact same thing because he's somehow the laziest water assassin ever. He's still having fun, though.

He winces, ready to get hit, then...

Nope. One of the kids starts giggling uncontrollably and the other just looks surprised. Minato spares a glance at either of them before turning his attention back on Lola. ]

Yeah, you kinda are.

[ He never minces words. ]

Maybe you need a bigger target.

[drawmecute]

*Lola pouts, she's really good at keeping out of the way of all the water baloons, shots, geysers... oh, OH! Oh there's an idea, she can do that!*

Or maybe I need a bigger gun.

*Lola spins her empty hand around in a quick tornado motion. Mana rising around her as she taps into some magic she finally managed to figure out. She had to make sure she had the spout ready right in time. She formed a tornado right before one of the geysers went off. her tornado sending a cascade of water spraying toward Minato. So much easier to hit a target with a shotgun than a pea shooter.*

*Of course, Minato could probably avoid it if he figures out to look behind him and isn't too lazy to dive out of the way.*

[burnmydread]

[ He's not too lazy--well, probably not. But more than that, he's just curious and probably underestimating her abilities. He's not sure what in the world she's doing until it's too late--

--and totally gets taken over by the tidal wave of water. It splashes over him as well as a few people standing nearby. They're laughing and jump and Minato is left standing there, soaked, wiping water from his face as he holds his gun limply.

That sure was a thing. ]

...That works too.

[ He's impressed, actually, and gives her a thumbs up. ]

You should use it on people who are dry.

[ And may not be planning on participating. That'd be funny. ]

[drawmecute]

*Lola hopped over the edge of the wave as it came near her. Clapping and incredibly pleased with herself. She wasn't sure that'd work.*

I still haven't figured out how to turn wind magic into actual monster fighting, but at least it can do good things here.

*She's glad to have impressed, it feels good to not screw up.*

Most people who are dry stay that way not getting close enough for someone to throw a geyser at them.

2-B

[topkong]

[ Oh. Wow, look at the cute cat mascot! How did Wukong not see it before, wandering the streets looking so fuzzy and adorable? Clearly, the monkey got distracted harassing having fun with his water gun and using his heroic abilities to douse even more people.

And it's holding a piece of paper! ]

Hm? Well, I mean, if that's garbage... don't litter.

[ Wu is happy to pluck that thing out of the costumed one's hands and walk it over to a trash can! ]

[burnmydread]

[ Yes, he's absolutely adorable and much more fuzzy than normal. (He'd like to say he's just as adorable but with a different aesthetic most of the time.) But the flyers he's holding are for a little cafe in the park that he's hoping to land some free food in later. So when this guy--fuzzy though he is--comes up and tries to dump them? ]

...!

[ This will not do! Not all!

Cue Minato running after Wu! And by that we mean an awkward mascot shuffle because he really doesn't have much momentum in this thing, waving his stubby cat arms. ]

Hey!

[topkong]

'Hey' is for horses!

[ No, Wukong is really serious about this! Minato's intentions have clearly been clouded by being in a costume, but Wukong knows that it's not okay to ruin the environment with papers about a cafe! What's so important about cafes anyway, gosh?

It's probably pretty easy to keep the stubby cat arms away from his strong grip on the papers, so he'll gladly accept the challenge of fending off some nerd in a cat suit. Keeping his hand over the can, which is presumably filled with a lot of gross things that would ruin the flyers... ]

Give me one good reason I shouldn't do this.

[ Wu has no reason to ruin a cat's day, but he has no idea who is in there in the first place.

Also, this is terribly amusing to him. ]

[burnmydread]

[ THIS IS THE WORST.

Who does this monkey think he is? Clearly he doesn't understand what's on the line, here. Which, for Minato, is most definitely a free meal. And what's more important than a free meal? Few things, few things.

Minato waves his fluffy cat arms around as he tries to catch up. ]

...I won't take you down if you give them back.

[ Is that a good enough reason? ]

[topkong]

[ Didn't you hear, Minato? He's the best!... well, on his way to being it, anyway.

Fluffy cat arms don't intimidate him. Neither does the threat! Who does this cat think he is? That gets Wukong's eyebrow to raise as he adjusts the collar of his uniform give the mascot'd Minato a snort. ]

Ooh. Kitty's got claws! Yours are probably stuffed though, right?

[ And he slowly lowers the papers into the can... SLOWLY... VERY SLOWLY... insert dramatic music here. ]