Dating Advice for an Absolute Beginner?

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru had spent a good part of the day freerunning. With the American Ninja Warrior qualifiers coming up soon back home, he needed all the training he could get. But really, he did parkour because he loved it. It helped him clear his mind.

Usually, it helped him clear his mind. But not today.

He arrived in the plaza, just as frazzled as he left it hours earlier. He slumped down (upside down) on one of the benches.

“I give up! Does anybody know how dating works?!?”

Because Minoru now had a koibito... err... girlfriend... and a first date he wanted to do something really special for. And the absolute beginner had absolutely no idea where to start.

Comments

[losthunter]

"Wow. Okay... did you talk to your dating partner about how that might be ... a lot for a first date?"

[itmeanstruth]

Truth be told, Minoru was as excited about it as he was nervous.

"He knows I don't have anything fancy enough to wear, so he's making me a suit for the occasion. He said there's going to be a limo and everything." he tried to explain. It was overwhelming, but he was still looking forward to it. "My biggest problem is that I really want to surprise him with something too, but how? And what?"

Because compared to THAT, what could he even come up with!

[losthunter]

"Do you have any skills, like artwork, or crafting?" Hunter paused. "Or if you would like, you could describe him to me. And I could create a portrait of him for you."

[itmeanstruth]

Unfortunately, Minoru’s skills were more in the physical arts. He did freerunning and parkour. And that wasn’t going to help him on this date - or any date with an Anthean.

“Really? That would be so cool.” He did sit up this time, showing off a bit ofvthose parkour skills to do it. “Do you know who Ziggy Stardust is?”

[losthunter]

"Unfortunately not. But I am a portrait artist. I can do a pretty good job, even with a solid description."

[itmeanstruth]

“Okay.” Minoru nodded, trying to describe Ziggy as best he could.

“Tall, impossibly thin with a very delicate bone structure. Red hair in a short, spiky mullet, I guess you could call it. About to here...” he held a hand just above his shoulder. “No eyebrows. But piercing blue eyes, just like one of those rare Blue Eyed Leucistic ball python morphs. All of it’s blue. Where we have white, he has blue. And the slit pupil. Let’s see... he’s always wearing makeup of some kind. Usually some glitter. Lots of crazy patterns and bright colors everywhere.”

That seemed like a good description.

[losthunter]

As Minoru starts describing Ziggy, Hunter starts creating the portrait into his sketch book. He will stop every now and then to make sure he has the bone structure correct, or the setting of the eyes. And adding color to the portrait is no issue, as he has various colored pencils.

Hunter is very skilled as a portrait artist. The end result will look a lot like Ziggy.

"What do you think?"

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru hopped over to where Hunter was sitting to observe the art in progress. He didn't get to watch something like that very often, but it was surprisingly relaxing. And it definitely took his mind off his worries.

There were a few comments of, "slightly higher cheekbones, yeah" or "his teeth are actually kinda crooked. But smiling. Definitely smiling." But for the most part, Hunter was right the first time.

In the end, Minoru was definitely impressed.

"WOW! That's amazing!"

[losthunter]

"Thanks." Hunter places his signature at the bottom of the portrait, and then carefully tears the sheet out of his sketchbook, so he can give it to Minoru.

"You can tell him that you commissioned the artpiece from myself. Hunter."

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru took it graciously with both hands. He admired the gift for another moment before thanking Hunter again. His head bowed out of old habit.

"It's been great to meet you, Hunter." he added with a smile. "This is amazing!"

He'd make sure to stop somewhere on the way home to get a small frame for it so it wouldn't get messed up.

[losthunter]

"I do hope you enjoy your date. And just remember... to be yourself. I am sure that is what your Ziggy wants the most."

[itmeanstruth]

Minoru nodded with a gentle smile. "Thanks."

Maybe that was the best advice of all.