[Private... he thinks.] V-Day Tactical Munitions and Supply Listing

[katayoku_tenshi]

Operation: Nothing To Do With Vincent

Objectives:

Successfully orchestrate a sequence of romantic events for Cloud

Persuade Cloud that I am not teasing him and that nothing embarrassing is being planned

At the 'right moment' (important: what are the criteria for selecting the 'right moment?'), find the 'right words' (important: study more reference examples) and offer ring (important: how many rings? Should it fit inside gauntlet? Outside gauntlet? How does one determine the proper placement and sizing of a ring without one's beloved's hand available at the jeweler's?)

Crucial: Do not maim any of the service personnel if any mishaps disrupt the planned sequence of events (cf. 'Bridezilla' phenomenon documented extensively in Oprah Magazine et al.) Save any necessary retribution for later. Remember: Hearts = romantic. Blood splatters = not romantic.

Potential supplies and munitions

Chocolate shaped in a modified cardioid structure with approximately 60-degree convex terminus. Important: Anatomical accuracy is discouraged in chocolate heart-replicas.

Roses, acquired in some precise multiple of 12. Long stems generally preferred, though since this would also leave the thorns intact, the symbology seems questionable.

Ring(s?). Need advice. Badly.

• Have asked Yuuko. Awaiting advice. Gulp.
  ETA: Well, that was a mistake. Not the awaiting advice -- the asking Yuuko. The advice was useful. The ...Yuuko-ness... involved in gaining the advice, less so. Still. Tentative strategy: acquire approximate ring symbol for the proposal, sized from his gauntlets, and ask what he would prefer for a long-term symbol if he accepts?

"Proper moment" and "proper words": Also need advice. Just as badly.

• Should ask Riku. Riku has successfully become engaged. He can identify the required characteristics for the offering of an acceptable proposal.

Potential staging and/or tactical locations

Identifying characteristics of "romantic" locations:

Low lights

Candles

Flowers

Quiet orchestral music, preferably live

Food prepared by someone competent and skilled in the area, i.e. probably not myself

Lack of interruptions by, e.g., intoxicated revelers or howling children or acts of malicious deities

To be resolved: where can such a location be reserved on the same night where, one presumes, many other couples will also be attempting the same reservations for similar purposes?

Time to "think outside the box," or time to adhere carefully to tradition? Need advice. Again. How does anyone manage to accomplish such things privately when so much advice is needed?

ETA: Collecting restaurant advice. Current suggestions involve Caffe Della Pax, with backup plan potential involving mostly-prepared dishes assembled with an advisor's assistance and finished according to the advisor's directions. Fallback plans in case of unexpected events are a reassuringly sound strategy.