(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

[forethinking]

"Why not? I think you're great."

Reads: Malcolm won't change his mind. He's great and that's it. He'd say it sober, too.

[abrightboy]

“I appreciate that,” Malcolm tells him. “I feel like basic kindness should be a low bar, but considering how many people fail to clear it…” He shrugs.

[forethinking]

"Oh. That's not why."

Ren looks like Malcolm just grew a second head.

"When we first met, you were very upfront about your struggles, even though we had barely spoken. It takes a lot of courage not only to admit them but also to allow someone else to see them... And even with those issues, you're still here. I think you're very brave and very true to yourself. I'd never be able to just talk like this."

And this is the most Malcolm will ever hear Ren speak in one go.

[abrightboy]

“You’ll go through things in your life that use up all the fucks you have to give,” Malcolm tells him. “I promise.” A beat. “And I’m sorry.”

[forethinking]

"Why are you apologizing? You've done nothing wrong."

[abrightboy]

He shrugs in concession.

“Someone should apologize to kids for the crap lottery that life is,” he explains.

[forethinking]

"If life was perfect, nobody would grow. It's okay."

[abrightboy]

“Well, I hope you get one of those ones that’s only not perfect,” Malcolm tells him. “With lots of grape soda.”

[forethinking]

"See? Good person."

And then he remembers.

"Have you eaten?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm smiles faintly.

“I’ve eaten.”

What passes for eating for him, anyway. A small bowl of soup. Winter even talked him into a tiny sliver of apple pie.

[forethinking]

"I hope it tasted okay."

He knows some things came out a little off.

"I've never tried most, so I don't know how it's supposed to taste."

[abrightboy]

“Well, I can’t speak to most of it, but the soup was great,” Malcolm assures him.

[forethinking]

"Oh, thank God."

He sighs in relief.

[abrightboy]

“Everyone I ran into seemed to really enjoy everything,” Malcolm tells him. “Were you worried?”

[forethinking]

"I can recreate any dish if I tasted it first, so I was insecure about the taste."

And on top of that...

"I'm Japanese. This is my first time."

[abrightboy]

"Well, you did a great job. The Pilgrims would be proud," he promises. "Two kinds of turkey, even. It was a big hit."

[forethinking]

"The deep-fried one was a suggestion."

Not something Ren would have thought on his own, certainly.

"I'm very glad to hear!"

And he even puts both thumbs-ups against his cheek.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm gives a rueful little laugh. "Yes, well, deep fried turkey has been an American staple for the last... ten or so years. Since they came out with those big back yard turkey fryers," he recalls.

"Did you like the food?"