[Action/Voice]

[thenightmarebegins]

[26th-31st]

[Siiiiiigh, why him? Vincent's journal greets him with two messages when he opens it, and this is all too familiar a sight from what he's dealt with in the past:
Your smile scares children.
Don't sleep, shriners want to eat you.]

...I suppose I won't be sleeping for a while.

[Vincent is trying to repress a freakishly terrifying smile as he goes about his normal routines, off to shoot things in the barracks and other random things in town. He's playing it safe and not sleeping, even if he's going to be looking very un-rested after no sleep for a few days... and by the 31st he's very much on edge.]

[1st-5th]

[More messages pop up for the second half:
You will have a chance encounter with romance today so take a bath for god's sake.
You will be asked to dance by a stranger wearing a sandwich board.]

Hello, ladies of Luceti. Your one and only darling Valentine is back and ready to make your most romantic dreams come true.

[Vincent DID take that bath, and why is that? Because the AU'd romantic man is baaaack, and is readying himself for a hot date. He's even located a sandwich board to help make this supposed encounter of love come true. Along with that he has a bouquet of flowers for some lucky lady... WHOEVER SHE MIGHT BE. Replies for these days will come from your_valentine.]

Comments

[your_valentine]

Anything for you, dearest. [More of that dashing flirtatious smiling.] I wonder, would you care to dance?

[lostinmyway]

[Where most people would be creeped out by this holy shit epic personality change, Grune is even more overjoyed than before. Vincent must be having a truly wonderful day--she's so happy for him!]

Of course! I'd love to!

[How disappointed is he going to be when he realizes she's looking at all of this in a platonic light?]

[your_valentine]

What an honor and a pleasure this will be, my dear Grune.

[Yes, Vincent would be very disappointed, because at the moment he's certain that this is meant in a romantic way. To think, he didn't even need the sandwich board OR a stranger, technically.]

[He moves with swiftness into a starting position, waiting for Grune to join him.]

[lostinmyway]

[Which she does, after setting her flowers aside. Without thinking about it, she even manages to properly match his starting position.

As she takes his hand, she smiles.] I'm so glad we can dance together like this. I just know we're going to have a lot of fun!

[your_valentine]

So do I, honey. I want to make this an unforgettable moment for you.

[With that, Vincent begins to lead into the dance, moving along with pure confidence and grace.]

[lostinmyway]

[And Grune...actually dances quite well. Just don't ask her what she's doing, or there'll be trouble.]

Oh, that's so sweet of you! I hope I can make this unforgettable for you, too.

[your_valentine]

You already are, by being your usual darling self.

[Vincent continues the dance, moving effortlessly and with a great deal of passion to his steps. He clearly is enjoying this.]

[lostinmyway]

[And his enjoyment makes her all the happier.]

I'm so glad! Is there anything else I can do?

[your_valentine]

Perhaps after we dance, we could go for a romantic stroll on the beach?

[He has many, many of these sorts of ideas in his mind. Courting a pretty lady is an artform.]

[lostinmyway]

[Insert needle scratch here.

Mid-dance, Grune stops dead.]

Romantic?

[your_valentine]

[Vincent totally misses any uncertainty from her.]

Yes, perhaps we can also have a picnic and then watch the sunset? Then we can lay in one another's arms and stargaze to the gentle sound of crashing waves...

[lostinmyway]

[Oh dear. She doesn't want to make him feel bad, but she can't do any of that with him. It wouldn't be right.]

But, Vincent...I'm married. I can't spend time with you like that.

[She smiles to hopefully take away the sting.] But we can still do those things as friends.

[your_valentine]

Are you really, honey? I guess it should come as no surprise, an emerald-haired beauty such as yourself...

[Vincent looks so very, very disappointed. He has a lot of bad luck for picking the ladies who are taken.]

[lostinmyway]

[And now she feels bad.]

I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt like that.

[your_valentine]

[Don't worry, Grune, he doesn't normally... too bad he can't really correct that.]

But such a kind and wonderful lady like you must have so many admirers.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, do you think so?

[If she does, she hasn't noticed. Her husband would be a better one to ask about that.]

[your_valentine]

It's very true, my dear. You're captivating. Your hair reminds me of a perfect spring day.

[He just will keep coming up with these things, even if he technically can't pick her up now, siiiigh.]

[lostinmyway]

[Except this is kind of making her feel worse. Oops.]

Oh, Vincent, you're so kind. I'm sure you'll find someone special very soon.

[your_valentine]

I will do my best to find her.

[And probably find a lot of other girlfriends along the way. He sees potential in them all.]

[lostinmyway]

Maybe I could help you.

[Uh-oh.]

[your_valentine]

[Vincent sighs dreamily.]

I would love it if you could.

[lostinmyway]

I just know there are lots of nice people who would be very happy to be your special someone. And if we work together, I'm sure we'll find someone very soon.

[Oh boy.]

[your_valentine]

If they're half as delightful as you, my dear, I will be happy.

[lostinmyway]

Oh, I know lots of wonderful people, so that means you'll be able to be very happy.

[Thank goodness. All along, she's only wanted Vincent to be happy.]

[your_valentine]

They must be very charming, indeed. I dream of meeting them.