(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

[bloodalwaystells]

He chuckles faintly, because she's got him there. If this were a professional matter, maybe he'd be better at it, but it's far more a personal thing and that's not his strength at all.

He probably should have started out by complimenting her new cane instead.

"Technically, it didn't happen. It was a dream, but...it's left a mark, and I don't know that it's fair to either of us to pretend it didn't affect us at all." He speaks slowly, thoughtfully, trying to pick out his words with care. Underneath that care is a strong thread of honesty, sincere emotion that he's trying to keep in check.

"The dreaming mind has a lot of power, especially when it's being magically manipulated. Dream magic is serious, and I'm not surprised that a lot of us are...still trying to work through it. Especially when it plays on subconscious fears and worries." He pauses again, catching himself in "Professor" mode, and flinches slightly.

"I want to know that you're okay, at least, as okay as possible under the circumstances. That's all, really. Nothing that happened was our fault, we were victims of something malicious." He dares sneak a glance at her, this time, his blue-gray gaze serious and solemn.

[henchgal]

"Of course I'm okay. I'm always okay."

It's the emptiest of platitudes, that line of defense she always draws, trying to seem strong and confident and competent in any situation that arises. But under his gaze, she's not actually able to make that sound convincing. The alcohol in her system doesn't help.

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger, on the other hand, knows very well that he hasn't been okay in a long time. Even before the entire death loop dream horror, and that has only made it more clear that he's a fragile, damaged man.

"I suppose under the circumstances, we have to be," he muses quietly, before taking a long sip of his beer. It's not nearly enough to get him tipsy, but it's something to do between words. "I've been thinking about going to the counseling center. To try and work through some of...everything. I don't know that I'd know where to start, but it would be something, at least."

Now, he's mostly just sounding things out for himself, but it feels like the right time and place to talk about it.

"I know it's not for everyone, but I feel like I have a lot that I need to get out, and it will be better for me in the long run."

[henchgal]

"One of the counselors there is a gentleman by the name of Caduceus Clay. He cares very deeply, and he listens well." Not that she's visited Caddy at work, but she knows firsthand how thoughtful and kind he is. "He makes good tea, too."

She looks down into her glass, letting out a sigh.

"I'm afraid to let go that much, myself. Like if I break down, I won't be able to put myself back together and carry on. And I need to carry on, for my roommates if not for myself."

[bloodalwaystells]

"I know Caduceus. Odd gentleman, but he's been very pleasant to me and he does make good tea."

It's a simple agreement, and he's quiet again while she continues to speak. Then for a few seconds after, while he thinks on that.

"I understand that. I worked that way for a long time. Not thinking about things too much, because if I did it all started to hit me. The entirety of it all." There's no need to go into detail there, suffice to say that it was a lot and leave it at that.

"I think it's something you have to be ready for, but on the other hand, this place seems good at getting into those cracks. Getting into your head in quiet ways." He shakes his head. "That's what worries me. And ADI as well, I think, given their rules about working too much. Among other things. Is it better to break a little now, and let some air in, or to be consumed by it later?"