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Love Day is a very unorthodox time of the year in the Inpherno. As a species Inphernals aren’t very emotionally open. So it was a slight shock when Flipside decided to hold a special Love Day event at the Phighting Rings. It was just a usual ring free for all, which were smaller games between branch phights and the big branch versus branch lighting championship.
The only difference was that there was little bit of a side party going on off camera. Many different phighters were sitting around waiting their turns or watching the current free for all match, while eating the provided party treats. Some may have found all the hearts, frills, and confetti a bit too kitschy but none would complain about free food! Love Day like all holidays in the inpherno is extremely diverse wherever you go.
Crossroads goes all out all over celebrating with parades, and decorations filling the whole city. In Thieves Den, depending on the clan and area they celebrate with big dinners, one of the biggest traditions there is the giving of special flowers with different meanings. Playground was not as huge with the celebration as Crossroad, but small things between couples and mates are still a very common practice; example being the giving of Lovedoves. There is no need to mention Blackrock as those downers never celebrate anything.
On Love day there is always just a different feeling in the air. If someone were more of an eloquent poet they might call it the rare warmth of inphernals caring for those they cherish. Skateboard is neither eloquent nor a poet. However he does really put in the effort when a bet is involved!
Coil apparently doubted his romance radar because he stated very firmly either.
“You couldn’t tell if someone’s in love even if they literally held up a giant neon sign saying ‘Kiss Me, Skaterboy!’”
Skateboard was offended and impulsively taunted back to the canine inphernal.
“Oh yeah? I bet I could point out ten different mushy inphernals in just the phights alone, you got nothin on my couples chemistry detection skills!”
His roommate only grinned knowing full well that the bull was gonna make a fool of himself.
“Bet.”
Now granted, trying to scope out ten lovey dovey inphernals in a place like the rings could be a bit daunting, as most of those who interact are usually bashing one another in the face. But he had brought a secret weapon!
“How To Tell If There is Goo-Goo Eyes Going On: For Dummies… Uh- Skate, what the heck?”
Boombox asked, letting his visor change to question marks with his confusion. Slingshot didn’t seem very shocked, if anything he just raised one brow in a very unimpressed cat frown. The skater however persevered past his buddies' skepticism. He had a bet to win and a trusty book by his side!
“Just you two wait m’gonna catch ten heart-stricken peeps in here, and Coi is gonna eat his words!”
Skateboard pulled his face covering bangs back slightly to read from the book he believed would be his godsend of detecting crushes like a love guru. He cleared his throat and read to his two companions, as BB laid himself on the cow inphernals shoulder and Slingshot sat back and watched the idiocy about to take place.
“ ‘The first and most obvious sign of inphernals in love is their proximity, are they touching a lot? Are they constantly pushing and pulling with only one another? It may be a sign of physical desire for each other!’, Ok that's easy!”
The boarder looked up and showered the room. The crowd was decently dense, but you can still make out certain groups. Skateboard settles his gaze on one spot and pointed with a proud grin of triumphed that his companions followed.
“Ah-ha, easy. Those two!”
Rocket and Sword were apparently the chosen pair. Sword was sitting down on one couch while Rocket leaned on his shoulder. The avian was chattering away with a teal horned healer seated across from them, and notably the explosive rocketeer was eyeing the red horned phighter plate of cookies. Skate looked to BB and Slingshot who only shook their heads.
Sling just leaned back against the wall letting his feline tail wiggle about.
“Sorry Skate, but those two have always been best buds since I have seen them. They’re just comfortable like that, that would be like me saying you and BB are a thing cause you both are so chill with each other.”
The cow inphernal grumbled but nodded. The baker had a fair point, so he flipped through the pages again.
“ ‘Body language is key! Are they leaning close, swaying and fidgeting? What about their face, do they have a flirty expression?’”
He pointed over at a certain one eyed gunner. Scythe was leaned over the table where Vinestaff sat with her brother Shurken, Katana, and Hyperlaser. Skateboard thought for a moment he surely cracked the code!
“Scythe obvs has a thing for Vine, she always flirts with her and she always sways her tail when she sees her. Compare that to Tana and Hyperlaser who are always so stiff and distant, which is totes quiet bro vibes.”
Slingshot looked at Boombox, and both seemed to silently converse. Skateboard smiled but it fell slowly as he looked between them. He huffed and flipped the pages.
“Fine, fine, AH HA- You two can't deny this one cause I can already point it out! ‘ Eye Contact, are their gazes deep and lingering? Perhaps they just can't look away?’ Those two random inphernals over there have been locking eyes this whole damn party, you can't tell me they ain’t burning for some smoochin time!”
Boombox snorted out a laugh as the thieves den phighter groaned. Skate frustrated, huffed out and looked at both for an answer. How could he be wrong this time?! Slingshot only lifted back Skates long bangs to reveal the two inphernals.
It was only Medkit and Subspace of all horrible duos, and they were just staring at one another in hate. Apparently both were trying to eat the whole platter of cookies, as Rocket and Sword stood the rest… mainly Rocket. Subspace had his pink scorpion tail raised at the medic threateningly and the deer only kept shoveling the sugar cookies with his nemesis at mach speed. At that moment Skateboard dropped his head and chucked the good for nothing book.
“I give up, dudes. I'm gonna die alone.”
His companions laughed but attempted to comfort the disheartened skater. Boombox held onto his arm and leaned on his shoulder. The baker sat back down on Skateboards opposite side and pressed a cookie to his mouth. All of this Coil observed as he ate one of the pink heart sprinkle donuts. He just shook his head watching his oblivious roommate near the two inphernals who so clearly adored him.
“Idiot.”