(log) It's Thanksgiving Time!

[forethinking]

Who: Ren and You
When: Thanksgiving Day
Where: ADI's cafeteria
Summary: A little thanksgiving party for everyone.
Warnings: Alcohol, but other than that, none!



(It's finally the day! Ren's spent the day in the canteen, from the early hours of the morning with the help of Kate, until just close enough to the arranged time.

Several tables in the cafeteria are taken by the food, but there's still plenty of room to sit and spend time with your fellow ADI employees. After the previous month everyone has had, it feels much needed. Available is the following menu:

Deep-fried Turkey + Stuffing;
Ranch-Seasoned Roast Turkey + Stuffing;
Mashed Potatoes + Gravy;
Green Bean Casserole;
Cranberry Sauce;
Pasta alla Norma;
Sicilian Rice Balls;
S'mores Cupcakes
Pumpkin Pie;
Apple Pie;
Sweet Baked Potato;
Pecan Pie;
Roasted Vegetables;
Stuffed Mushrooms;
Squash Soup;
Garlicky Green Beans with Crispy Onions;
A selection of alcohol;

Ren's tried his best to recreate what the Internet and other folks have told him, and without him tasting the original flavors, some of the dishes might have an unexpected twist of spice. Kate has also helped with putting things together, and at the previously arranged time, Ren opens the doors with a smile from ear-to-ear.

Once everyone's settled, he'll ask for a moment to, gasp, speak:)

I'd like to thank everyone for coming today. I know it's been tough, but I'm still thankful we can spend good moments like these together. I hope you enjoy the food.

(And just like so, he'll bow, and hand plates to those ready to eat. Time to dig in!)

Comments

jeff | ota

[cacophonish]

[ Thanksgiving was never really a big deal in the Calhoun household. They had their own version of a tradition, for the family and any assorted misfit friends. It never involved a turkey or any pretenses of pilgrims and football and Americana. For him, Thanksgiving's vegetable lasagna and a raw apple pie made with dates and coconuts and stuff. Everyone would pitch in with the cooking and cleanup, usually jamming to a soundtrack provided by his parents' record collection. Everything would be chill and low-key and intimate, and that's about it.

Without his family or friends from back home, he doesn't really give a shit about celebrating. This is just another Thursday. But Ren put a lot of effort into this, and Jeff's not going to turn down free food, so sure, he shows up, and is, uh, immediately overwhelmed by the spread. It's a lot of food. It kind of short circuits his brain for a second. ]

Holy shit, this is, like, a feast.

[ His appetite's always a little touch-and-go, but Jeff does try to sample as much as he can, minus the turkey. His plate's loaded with a little bit of all the various sides, small portions that he can't seem to remember to finish, but he's picking off of it as he hangs out and chats with people for a bit.

Oddly (for Jeff, anyway): he's not touching the alcohol. He's got plans for later, so he's gotta keep a clear head. All in all, he won't be spending very long here (because: plans!), but he's chatty and sociable while he is!

Here's some conversation starters: ]

Are we supposed to say what we're thankful for? I'm, uh... thankful I didn't actually die all those times I thought I did.

[ Or. ]

We should pour one out for all the people who're gonna get trampled tonight, man.

[ Black Friday. Grim.

Here's another option: ]

You ever have a raw apple pie? It's actually pretty good.

A feast.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm slides into a seat next to Jeff. All he has is a bowl of soup, about half full, but he does take a bite of it once he's seated and nods at Jeff's observation.

"He sure went all out. It takes quite a bit to put more food on the table for special occasions than my mother's staff."

Black Friday

[aelwyn_aberration]

...What?

[What the fuck is this cursed holiday, hello???]

You humans are bizarre.

cw alcohol

[forethinking]

(This is before Malcolm so kindly informed him that the soda he had been drinking wasn't soda at all. Ren's just blaming his very good mood on the spirits of Thanksgiving,
such a new experience! Drunk or not, it still makes Ren overjoyed to have everyone here, having a good time.

But look!! Jeff!! Ren happily comes his way, arms open as to ask for a hug.)

You made it!! I'm so happy!!

[musicdied]

For the workers, maybe.

[Look, Yelena has never been and will never be a true believer in...anything, really. But in the consumerist hellscape that is 21st Century America in apparently every dimension, she knows which side she's on.]

The people planning to trample each other over stupid things no one needs made their choices.

ren amamiya | persona 5

[forethinking]

𝐈. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫?

(Truth be told, Ren's absolute beat, but it's never going to stop him from enjoying a good time. Before he opens the cafeteria for the big meal, he sneaks to Bonnie's for a quick shower and a nice cup of coffee in an attempt to wake himself up. There's been just too much sleep as of late.

After the niceties, it's time to dig in. The taste is good, albeit probably different from the traditional expectations. Ren finds himself on a table, tapping his finger on the table before he smiles brightly enough to blind.)

I'm thankful that we got to meet.

𝐈𝐈. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
cw. underage drinking

(Ren hadn't intended for his first drink to be tonight. It's just a mix of stupidity, distraction, and tiredness that get him taking a cooler into his hands, fully believing it to be soda that he hadn't yet tried. It tasted off, somehow, but his neurons aren't really talking right now for him to make such a connection.

He downs it quickly. It doesn't take too long to hit, and before he notices it, he's gone. Find him squinting, feeling the room spin around him... And completely saying he's fine, just tired. It's fine. This is fine.)

𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞
cw. possibly vomiting, drunkness, smoking

(Maybe you're just leaving the party, or just stepping out for a quick basking in the breeze. What's unsettling is the teenage boy sitting on the nearest bench, all his concentration is gathered to keep him from toppling to the sides.

Someone take him home.)

III

[worthallthis]

[Winter has to take multiple trips outside over the course of the evening, to escape the press of people in a small(ish) space and the low buzzing of potential panic that causes. This probably isn't even the first time someone else has been out here. It is, however, the first time that someone looks about ready to pass out.

He hovers a few meters away, eying him sidelong, before finally asking,]

Are you okay.

iii (cw v brief mention of drugs)

[ratjesus]

[ Kugrash's on his way to join the party, though join isn't really the word for it. Check it out, maybe--yeah, that's more accurate. He's a little tired, a little too old to be doing this shit, and if he's fully honest with himself, he's not really sure he feels right hanging around people on major holidays. He's not sure he deserves it.

But hey, maybe he can treat himself to some turkey.

He's walking up when he spots him. he recognizes the kid from a few weeks earlier, the one who'd been asleep at Bonnies. Ren, he remembers correctly, who seems to just be--what? Zoning out? Is he high? Kugrash feels how bone tired he is, but he squares himself up nonetheless. ]

What's the matter with you? [ Rudely asked, despite the genuine concern in his voice. He comes across as angry and rude on his best of days, of course it's slipping when he's a little tired. ] You okay, Ren?

ii

[aelwyn_aberration]

Having fun?

[Aelwyn is here to watch in mild amusement as Ren gets drunk for the first time.]

II

[bossyboiler]

Of course, you're tired.

[ Kate replies completely missing the smell of alcohol on him because she's been imbibing as well. ]

You've done all this hard work and you've barely taken a few minutes for yourself. Have you even eaten anything?

I

[graveyounglady]

[Mercy can't quite help the blush that touches her cheeks at that pronouncement.]

I'm right thankful for that, too, Ren. [She grins back at him.] And I'm thankful you're so good at accepting gifts. [Because she has a fancy dark blue handkerchief for him that she's embroidered with his initials along with little skulls and flowers.] Happy Thanksgiving! This spread looks fit for a season-turning feast, and since you made it... what do you reckon we should name the winter?

Bucky/Winter | OTA

[worthallthis]

I. A Gathering of People

There are two reasons Winter is here. The first is that the last time there was a big group of people together in the ADI cafeteria for a celebration of any kind, it was actually a dream and they all had to kill each other in the dream. So he's here to make sure that doesn't happen again.

To that end, he does a lot of prowling around the edges of the cafeteria. A lot of watching people. A lot of covering the corners and guarding the exits. He isn't wearing his mask, because that would be rude, and he isn't carrying his rifle, but he does have a handgun concealed under his three layers of hoodie and several knives.

If he happens to do some of that watching and guarding close enough to listen in on conversations and potentially be roped into said conversations, well. It's only to be expected, he supposes.


II. An Eating Holiday

The second reason Winter is here is that he was told there was going to be a lot of food. He's... better... about making meal choices, after a couple months since the last big get-together out on the beach. In that he actually gets a little of almost everything, over the course of two hours.

And he sits in a couple places over the course of the afternoon, between his patrols of the area. And each time he takes a new seat, he moves something from his own plate to the person he sits next to. Eat, new seatmate. It's good.


III. Too Much

Being social is hard. Being surrounded by a ton of people, only some of whom he knows well, is hard. The way the noise of all the chatter and silverware clinking and people shifting about echoes around in the cafeteria is hard.

So Winter takes multiple breaks. Catch him just outside the building, leaning back against the wall and breathing like he just ran a little too hard.

II

[abrightboy]

Malcolm raises his eyebrows faintly as a stuffed mushroom is deposited on his plate next to his soup bowl. His soup is, notably, the only thing that was on his plate before that.

"I... can't," he admits, looking at the man who deposited it there. Wait. This is the guy he fought kelpies with. He perks up a bit. "Oh, hey! I, um. Have some food issues. But I appreciate the thought," he says, scooping it up to put it back on Winter's plate. "We never got around to formal introductions. My name is Malcolm Bright," he says, offering his hand.

I

[sakaya]

Shuten has yet to bother with mingling amongst the humans. Since her appearance within the ADI building is not masked, it makes her stand out among the hornless individuals, causing her to seem more unnerving. For her though, even if she isn't a welcome presence, there is some worth in basking in whatever atmosphere there is to be had with the holiday they're celebrating.

She's sitting on a stack of chairs that hadn't been moved so she could have a slightly high vantage point while she helps herself to some of the hard cider (well, three empty bottles already, and she's working on her fourth). Right now, the man prowling around the edges catches her interest; his body language tells the oni that he's guarded and cautious which seems a bit much for a warm gathering like this.

And so, a smooth and sultry voice calls out to him.

"Young man? What's got you worked up? Aren't you going to go and make friends and enjoy yourself?"

Meredith Idlewild - OC - OTA

[henchgal]

1. No Morning Colder than the First Frost
Meredith arrives with a box from a local donut shop--though anyone who peeks inside it, after she sneaks it onto the dessert table, might be surprised that absolutely every single donut inside is jelly-filled. No exceptions, raspberry or blueberry jelly for everyone. Feel free to ask her about it, but she's going to scurry away from the dessert table without comment otherwise.

2. There Will Be Feasting and Dancing
The month's been quiet, but even with the time to recover, Meredith's still clearly Feeling It a bit. Once she's acquired a plate of food, she looks at it, then at the path to empty seats, before grimacing and turning to whoever's nearby with free hands.

"I really hate to be a bother, but could I bug you to carry this for me?" After all, the plate's too full for one hand, but with the other on her cane, she's not going to make it.

Once settled down in a seat, she looks around, checking for new faces she's missed while imitating a hermit, as well as familiar ones she's been meaning to talk to.

3. I Hope I Never Get Sober (CW: alcohol abuse)
Throughout the night, Meredith is rarely seen without a glass of wine or a bottle of hard cider in her hand, and it's clear to those paying attention that she's not moderating her intake like she has at previous social gatherings. She is drinking to get drunk. Toward the latter half of the evening, she might sidle up beside someone and sling an arm over their shoulder because even with her cane, she's wobbling like jello, or like a boneless pug.

"D'you think anyone'd notice if I just...crashed here or something?" Words slurring, rather than her usual precise articulation.

X. Wildcard
darkersolstice or darkersolstice#9463 to plot if you want me.

3

[worthallthis]

The sudden and unexpected application of an arm around him is very nearly enough to have him scuttling out from under her. Nearly. At the last second he recognizes her cane and then her voice and he manages not to dump her on the floor out of sheer nerves.

"Meredith," he says, voice a little tight, holding very still. "You should not sleep here."

2

[musicdied]

Scanning the crowd for a few particular faces does not require the use of one's hands, but does leave Yelena nearby. She turns towards the other woman's voice, expression of mild puzzlement fading as she notes both cane and volume of food on the plate.

Yes, she can see how that might present a problem.

"All right," she says, sidestepping around another party-goer armed with beer and an eclectic array of food to pick up the plate. "Where are you sitting?"

2

[abrightboy]

Malcolm's finished his soup already when he spots her and slides into the seat beside her.

"Hey. Doing okay?" he asks.

Malcolm Bright | Prodigal Son | OTA

[abrightboy]

I. Food Holidays Aren't Really His Thing

Malcolm manages a bowl of soup. Nothing else looks doable. He'll politely refuse any offers of anything else. He nurses that bowl of soup for a couple of hours as it is. He nurses one beer for most of the evening too. He wants to see how people are doing, but his stomach isn't made for food holidays. He'll be moving around, checking in with people or sitting and people watching. Feel free to approach.

II. Things Get Messy

Later in the evening, as things start getting messy, Malcolm will help anyone who needs it to get home, if they'll accept his help. He probably should have been expecting the level of alcohol consumption that's going on, but he didn't. He's been distracted by his own head, his own guilt and... maybe a little crush he's been trying to ignore.

III. Wildcard.

II

[forethinking]

This is before Ren turns into an incomprehensible mess outside, sadly smoking and trying to maintain dignity as he struggles to keep himself sitting straight. This Ren, however, only has a bottle within him, and he's as happy as ever.

When he sees Malcolm, it's with a beaming smile that he approaches, arms wrapping around the man in a quick embrace.

"Malcolm!! I'm happy to see you!!"

He smells like alcohol, and his hands fall on Malcolm's shoulder.

"Come, you're sitting with me!"

Kurapika | Hunter x Hunter

[chainreactions]

𝓲. 𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓽𝓾𝓭𝓮?

(Kurapika isn't even sure what he's doing here. Sure, people watching, trying to understand the point of the holidays, trying to adapt to this world's culture, but really, what is he doing here? He's not exactly... Sociable. Too reserved to make the first move, and here, he's still finding his footing.

Everything is just so different.

An eyebrow quirks when the people in his table start talking about what they're thankful for, and with his gaze leaving the book (nerd) he's been reading quietly as he nurses his dinner, Kurapika freezes when it's his turn.)

... I suppose I'm thankful for this place. It might not be perfect, but at least there is a roof over our heads.

(That's really the first thing he managed to think. Does he trust ADI? Not in a million years. Does it beat being thrown in the street with no knowledge, no home, no documents...)

𝓲𝓲. 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓶

(For most of the dinner, Kurapika spends it reading. He's not great at small talk, and isn't sure who to talk to or what to talk about. One may notice him taking notes, writing down important things, checking words on his phone.

Feel free to approach him and tell him to get a life.)

ii

[worthallthis]

[Sitting near to someone reading feels like cheating. Very little small talk would probably be required.

But Winter does it, settling across from Kurapika, and moves a little slice of apple pie from his plate to Kurapika's. He's sharing!]

Jonathan Sims | OTA

[the_archivist]

[It has been quite a while Jon last celebrated any kind of holiday. God, probably hadn't done anything since he'd been with Georgie. He didn't have any family after all, and friends had always had much better people to spend holidays with than him. But this... well, he supposes it makes sense to socialise, even just to keep an eye on people.

Besides, he has something to be thankful for.

He arrives in the cafeteria with a couple of bags of snacks and bottles of wine to share.

He picks at the food, especially the sweets, and stays mainly to the edges of the gathering, although he tries not to spurn people if they try to talk to him. He keeps a glass of red wine at hand, and sips it slowly. He'd never been a heavy drinker.

Eventually he picks it up and makes his own quiet, private toast.]

To absent friends, and people who deserved better.

[forethinking]

(Ren did tell Martin he'd find them a place to sit. At this time, he hasn't gotten his hands on alcohol thus far, so it's purely Ren, unadulterated quiet energy, beamingly smiling at the toast given.

In Ren's mind, everyone in here deserves better than to be sucked into an apocalypse, but alas. The man does have a point. With his water, he'll gently click it with the man's glass.)

Well-said.

martin blackwood | ota

[lowficharm]

[Martin's never done a Thanksgiving before, but frankly it sounds like a great holiday that isn't based around-- well, terror. He wasn't originally going to mess with it too much, but after Ren very personally invited him, he couldn't say no. Besides, the whole thing has been quite nice so far, and it's nice to be out and about with Jon just having a good time. He's finding himself taking little bits of just about everything, though he tends to favor the pie, talking to people and generally getting to actually smile. As the party goes on his face will get redder, though most of him being drunk is to just get giggly, so it's not quite as obvious as others. That said, despite any level of drunkenness, he can always be found approaching someone who's off on their own with some food or chatting up someone getting another helping.]

Have you tried the pies yet? There's so many of them, it's-- it's really nice.

cw alcohol

[forethinking]

I hope they came out well... Pies are not really my specialty.

(At think point of the party, Martin isn't the only one who's drunk. Ren's pretty buzzed. He's been kindly informed that he, indeed, is drunk, but he's a happy one, at least. After the fiasco of Ren calling Akechi a pet name next to Martin, all there is to do is distract from that nightmare with small talk, right?)

Aelwyn | OTA

[aelwyn_aberration]

I. (A Toast)

[Aelwyn's been isolating herself for a while now. But she'll tag along to the party, and even though she provides a considerable amount of drinks, some even bordering on fancy cocktails, she doesn't drink tonight.

Her pride's already taken enough of a hit as it is, really. She's uncomfortable basically all night, but when they get to the toasts... She just smiles, somewhat bitter at her plate.]

I suppose I'm thankful that all of that's finally over. And that it was fake. [It's a bit more wordy than "I'm thankful that I'm no longer in an orb" but it gets the job done.]

II. (Aftermath.)

[Aelwyn watches people get really drunk and feels... weird. Should she do something? She recalls helping Penelope after she'd bitten off far more than she could chew, helping her home and putting her to bed. But that was Penelope.

She... decides to pour a cup of water, and offer it to someone drunk nearby.]

You want to drink plenty of water or you'll really feel it in the morning. [She got used to attending breakfast with her parents and sister in her pristine school uniform, all charming smiles and polite manners, all while dealing with a searing hangover. But it doesn't mean anyone else should have to.]

[chainreactions]

(Kurapika might be nursing something purple, resembling wine, but truth be told, it's nothing other than grape juice. He's about to flip a page of his history book when she approaches, and one finger holds up in confusion.

Oh. That's what she means.)

Thank you, but I haven't drunk anything. This is grape juice.

Kate - OTA

[bossyboiler]

1 - I YAM So Thankful

[ Kate is glad that so many were able to attend. She had been more than willing to help Ren get this together and hey, any excuse to use a kitchen torch to roast some marshmallows is alright with her. When it's her turn to toast and say what she is thankful for, she raises her glass with a small smile and says... ]

I'm thankful that the nightmares weren't real and that I'm here with you guys.

[ And that she isn't so completely alone after all. ]

2 - Clean Up on Aisle 8!

[ With Ren incapacitated, Kate has taken it upon herself to clean up. There are left overs. Kate will help box up food for anyone who wants to take some home. They won't go to waste. What's left after that, Kate doesn't know. Perhaps Bonnie's because it shouldn't go the waste.

After that, she'll take to the task of cleaning up after everyone. She won't ask anyone to help but she won't say no to any offers. ADI had been kind enough to let them use the cafeteria, the least Kate can do is leave it in the condition that they were given if (if not better). ]

2

[forethinking]

(Listen, Ren could have been shot in the stomach, but he would not leave all the work for her. It had been his idea to throw this party, and while it was an accident that he got drunk, it won't be the reason why he'll dodge responsibility.

It's turtle-paced, but little by little, he starts to empty out the plates on the trash, almost falling asleep in the process.)

Andrew Jaeger | Original Character | OTA

[bloodalwaystells]

It's been a while since Jaeger has really celebrated the holidays. That part of his life seems very far away these days, an entirely different world. An entirely different person.

He's making an effort here, though, with every gathering. Even the disastrous Halloween events, which he's...trying not to count, or to dwell on too much. It's a big part of the reason why he's been quieter than usual the past couple of weeks, doing his best to keep his focus on his work and what few distractions he has.

But he's here for this, and making his best effort. Even if it has the edge of obligation to it, a work event that he Really Should Attend, he's committed to it, and doing his best to accept the people around him as his new...companions, at the very least.

I. At the Table

"It's been a while since I've done this."

Whoever's seated near Jaeger at the table is met with impeccable manners and politeness, the sort of stiff formality of someone used to dinners in a professional capacity. And a quiet, almost sheepish apology and vague gesture, indicating...this. Everything.

With that said, he fills his plate carefully, methodically, and takes a beer with his food before settling in his spot to eat and watch the conversation. At least part of the time he seems lost in thought, but he's quick to offer a refill or assistance to anyone with their hands full.


II. After Dinner

After the food is done and people have drifted away from the table, Jaeger retreats to a corner with a fresh beer, watching the flow of conversation with quiet interest. With a full stomach and a slight buzz, he's as relaxed as he's going to get, and gradually his expression softens into something less stern and more approachable. Dare one even say, content? It's not perfect but it's been a good time, and he's slowly letting himself accept that.

III. The End of the Evening

Jaeger is one of the last to leave the party, as he lingers to make sure that everyone else, particularly those who've had a bit to drink, leave safely and get to where they're going in one piece.

Mostly, though, he doesn't quite seem to know what to do with himself as the crowd eventually scatters, and while he does a share of cleaning up, mostly? He's just there, a looming presence not entirely sure what to do with the rest of his evening. Prowling outside in the fresh air seems like a good compromise, because security is important, but mostly, it's just to gather his thoughts and make sure everything is peaceful.

Wildcard Feel free to hit me with something! Or PM or brimstonemuse for plannings

III

[bossyboiler]

Paper plates and plastic forks may be bad for the environment but they have made clean up a lot easier. And so it is, after the large majority of people have left, Kate comes tottering up to Jaeger. She is carrying more garbage bags than is possible for her to carry for long.

Kate has learned her lesson from the last time. She has refrained from drinking most of the alcohol. The hangover is simply not worth it. Besides, someone has to help clean up all this mess.

"Hey Jaeger, do you think you could help me with the oh so glamorous task of carrying these to the dumpster?"