[semi-open] such a cozy room, the windows are illuminated

[causational]

who: Eddie Thawne, Cisco Ramon; Rey, Yuri Plisetsky, other guests
what: Eddie and Cisco host a Harvest Festival (Thanksgiving) dinner
when: November 17th
where: Eddie and Cisco's apartment
warnings: none likely, check subject lines

It's been a long day of cleaning the apartment, prepping food and decor, and cooking. So much cooking. The apartment smells like turkey and potatoes and bacon and pie and dozens of other amazing smells. The table is set with enough plates and napkins and silverware for everyone invited and a couple of friends each, and there's a festive pumpkin-and-fall-leaf themed centerpiece that Eddie's particularly fond of. In the background, soft music is playing and the whole atmosphere is warm and cozy.

Eddie himself is dressed in a waistcoat and button-up shirt with a tie, his face a little flushed from spending time over the hot stove and the oven, but he's energetic, upbeat and ready to help Cisco greet guests at the door as they arrive.

Once dinner is set out, it consists of a beautifully roasted turkey, brussels sprouts cooked with bacon, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, cranberry jelly, candied yams, warm bread rolls, and whatever other turkey dinner trimming might come to mind. There's coffee and hot chocolate, juice, and wine available for whoever wants to drink it. Best of all, there's pumpkin and apple pie ready for dessert.

Giving thanks out loud is optional, but making new friends definitely isn't.

[OOC: Feel free to throw up a starter for your character or for a certain area or part of the night!]

Comments

[talentedscavenger]

[The amount of food that's been prepared is overwhelming for Rey. She would've had to save up for several weeks if she wanted to get anywhere near the amount of food that Eddie has managed to put together. Really, she thought it was too much. He didn't need to do this. If he just did one dish or two, that would've been fine, but there's more than three dishes that she can see and it all smells phenomenal.

Rey has no idea what to say. Really, it's left her speechless and she doesn't know if she should hug Eddie for it (would one hug be enough? Would two hugs be enough?) or run out and get him something to say thanks for what he's done. Granted, she also had no idea it was a holiday and part of a tradition where people stuffed themselves full of food.

Finn and Poe were her friends, and she wanted them to meet Cisco and Eddie. She wanted the two groups of people, both of which she cares very deeply for, to meet and be friends over all...

And she feels entirely inadequate for this. She really should've brought over something to thank Eddie and Cisco with. Oreos wouldn't have covered it, and now she wants to discreetly head out and find something--anything as a way to show thanks to Eddie. Heck, she still owes him for the sandwich he made her on her first job with Cisco.

Maybe she could leave for just a few moments...but then that would mean leaving Finn and Poe. She didn't want that either. So for now, stick to being close to the wall and observing everyone until she can figure something out.]

[ooc: also available would be writing up specific tags for others, otherwise OTA.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco catches sight of Rey at a moment when she is looking fairly overwhelmed by the accumulating dishes on the table. She seems kind of distressed, though it's hard to tell. Cisco's not always great at getting a read on Rey. In any case, it won't do any harm to check in, make sure everything's okay... ]

Hey, Rey. Mind if I join you?

[ He perches on the arm of the couch, near to where Rey is standing. She seems so uncomfortable he experiences a moment of guilt. Had it been wrong, inviting her to this? Is it crossing some kind of professional boundary that ought to remain in place? Carefully, he explains: ]

This is something people do once a year, where me and Eddie are from. Cook a really big meal, with all these traditional dishes, and eat it all together. People travel huge distances, just to be back with their families for the holiday. But- y'know... [ Cisco tucks his hair behind his ear, feeling a pang of sadness and guilt now for an entirely different reason - one that has nothing to do with Rey. ] ...Eddie and me haven't got family here, so it means a lot, that you would come. Feels a little less lonely, you know?

[talentedscavenger]

[Rey is trying to keep her composure while her mind is going over the different ways she could possibly leave temporarily without anyone noticing. So far, she's come up with zero successful plans and she's starting to doubt she'd come up with a good one.

Thankfully Cisco is there and proves to be a great distraction. Rey manages to muster up a small smile, trying to calm herself down and show Cisco she's fine.]

Sure, I mean, it's your home.. [Why would she mind? If anything she was the one in his space--okay, no, she's over thinking things.

And it sinks in to the importance of being here. It's a tradition from their world, one that's meant to be with loved ones. To have her and her friends here...it means a lot to her too. And she feels bad for still not doing enough...]

I haven't seen this much food all at once. I didn't even know...that someone could cook this much. [Even at Maz's castle, she had seen small dishes being passed around, or different things one could easily pick up with their hands. Nothing like this--and she was excluding the take out she, Finn, and Poe had when they were reunited together. The cooking for that was done by someone else...not a friend.]

But..it does feel less lonely, and at the same time...it's not something I'm used to. Just having you and Eddie meet Finn and Poe, that was enough. We could've just met up and talked, but to be part of this.. [She inclined her head in the direction of the food.] It's more than I would've imagined.

[franciscoramon]

Yeah, Eddie's really out-doing himself. I offered to help more but he insisted.

[ Cisco knows that's not really what she'd meant - she's not marveling at all the multitasking and skill it takes to make a full feast like this, but rather at the abundance. The excess of it. He feels strangely shy, though, talking to her about how hard it had been living her life of subsistence on Jakku. It's a difficult balance to strike, wanting to be sympathetic but not pitying, to acknowledge how hard it must have been without bringing up bad memories. ]

It's a holiday about, like... abundance, and sharing what you have with others.

[ He might not understand precisely what's going on in Rey's head, but he tries to assuage her worries nonetheless. ]

I know we could've all just talked, but Eddie was already planning on doing a dinner and I wanted you guys here for it. I told you - he loves showing off his cooking. And I love parties, so, it's a total win-win.

[ Cisco smiles at her softly, hoping to coax at least a small smile from her in return. ]

I get it that... stuff that's not what you're used to can be pretty scary at first. But we can't let that get in our way, right?

[talentedscavenger]

[There's a sense of unworthiness that's nagging at the corners of Rey's mind. She didn't think she deserved to be part of this event, or the food. In a way, her mind was calculating how much she would have to do to repay Eddie for putting this together. All the work she's done so far hasn't added up to this. A part of her old life that she can't let go of, that nothing is free and everything has a price.

It's done out of kindness, more kindness than she's ever experienced and it's hard to really process.]

I would've brought something over if you told me he was cooking this much. [At least to help with the burden of it. This entire array of food had to take several hours, not including the prep time for it.]

It's not something we have in our world, at least not that I can recall. [Especially on Jakku. Sure, there might be people willing to trade for food or for parts, but to give something as precious as food away...that didn't happen.]

Never been to a party either. [Yes, her life hadn't been the best, so actually socializing was hard. This wasn't scary, just anxiety inducing. A feeling she doesn't like too much, but she manages a small smile to give Cisco in return.]

It's not scary, but I feel I should've done something to help, aside from showing up. Maybe bring a bottle of liquor or more food...or something. I still haven't thanked Eddie for the sandwich so...I feel I haven't done much to be here.

[Did that make sense?]

[franciscoramon]

Wait, this is your first party?

[ Cisco suddenly feels like he should have done more decorations, made it all a bit fancier, invited more folks. Then again... ]

Bit of a chill one, but I guess that's for the best. Start small and work your way up.

[ The idea of Rey as a big partier is amusing, but who knows; people change, and adapt. There's a hell of a lot of parties here in the Quarantine, and Rey seems like someone who, given enough time, could really thrive.

When she keeps insisting she should have brought food or helped out, Cisco catches her eye, glad she is smiling a little ]

You don't need to do anything to be here. I promise. It's not something you gotta earn. I know, I know, it must seem like a weird custom for you, but... just being here, eating with us, spending time with us - that's already a big favor. And all you need to do on top of that, to make Eddie really really happy, is just tell him 'thanks'. He'll be over the moon.

[talentedscavenger]

Yes...?

[ Why did he make that sound like it was a bad thing? At least she was here. Not that she would have turned the offer, regardless of the fact that Cisco is her boss. He’s her friend first when they weren’t working together.

She shakes her head at him while her smile grows a little more. Her? Going to more parties? Maybe, she wouldn’t rule it out but what does one do at a a party? Just talk and eat? What was the difference between that and just hanging out? ]

Do people really do that? Party all the time?

[ Would people really do that? Wouldn’t it get boring after a while?

And yes, it’s hard to accept that she really doesn’t have to do anything or that she has to earn her keep. Really, it’s hard to get into her head. But, how is being here a big favor to them? Maybe she’ll ask about that later. For now, she’ll take Cisco’s advice and simply thank Eddie when he’s free. ]

It’s not so much as a custom, but it’s a rare thing to be shown kindness or offered food. I’ll thank Eddie when he’s done talking to everyone else... [ A beat. ] Have you spoken to Poe or Finn yet?

[franciscoramon]

They sure seem to here.

[ Cisco understands it, though. Everyone here is displaced from their homes, trying to make connections, to settle into new lives. And besides, there are so many interesting new people to meet, and holidays and customs from a thousand different worlds. The more heterogenous the group of inhabitants, the more occasions to celebrate. ]

Well. It's nowhere near to the same degree, but. For what it's worth. People here are kinder than in my world, too.

[ Maybe not in terms of generosity and food-sharing, no, but there are other ways that this world is softer and kinder than Central City had been. But they're too complex and some of them too fraught for Cisco to want to try to explain to Rey at the moment. He wants to focus on the here and now, on what is good, rather than dwelling on anything else. ]

Not yet. I wanted to let them get settled a bit, first. Though Poe did text me a little while back.

[talentedscavenger]

[There was a nod of her head, but then seemingly her focus shifts from how anxious she feels to hearing that Poe and Cisco actually texted each other.

Funny, Poe never mentioned that.]

I didn't know about that. How did it go?

[She's trying not to be nosy, but she wants to make sure her friends would get along. It's not something she does--having to make sure two groups of people (Resistance friends versus friends here) were getting along. Poe could've waited until she introduced them, but the pilot probably had a question or two to ask...just to see if everything was okay, or wanted to check out who her employer was.]

[volitaunt]

[ Finn is clearly not the only one out of his depth, here. It strikes Poe yet again how different his childhood was from these two, how much they've missed and how much they need things like this. Gifts with no strings attached. Love without conditions. He wishes his dad was here--there's no way Finn or Rey would be able to keep themselves isolated in the presence of Kes Dameron.

Poe will just have to do.

He joins her against the wall, plate of food in hand. He wafts it in front of her, smiling a little. ]

Food's not going to eat itself.

[talentedscavenger]

[There was still time for Rey to figure out how to get away for a few minutes before someone noticed she was gone. Then again, the party was very small, so someone (most likely Finn or Poe) would notice her absence right away.

And just like that, Poe manages to come over with a plate of food. It does look and smell delicious, but she wasn't about to go and eat right away. Not when shew as still trying to figure out a proper way to thank Eddie for this.]

I know, I know. You and Finn will probably devour everything. [She's teasing, something to keep her mind off things.]

Having fun? Did you meet Cisco yet or Eddie?

[volitaunt]

Uh, well, Cisco and I kind of talked already. [ Before... this.... Which Poe wouldn't admit if he weren't terminally honest. ]

[talentedscavenger]

Oh? [ Well that’s...good? She’s wondering why he spoke to Cisco earlier, but maybe they just bumped into each other. ]

He’s a nice guy. I hope you two got along.

[volitaunt]

[ YEAH THAT'S DEFINITELY IT. ]

He definitely seems like a good one. I'm glad you two found each other.

[ Poe pokes at the food on his plate, more concerned with making Rey comfortable than eating it. ] Is this weird for you?

[ He gestures with his fork, out at the room and the decorations and everything else.

Never let it be said that Poe lacks subtlety. Mostly because it doesn't need to be said. ]

[talentedscavenger]

Well, he found me. I was sitting outside, trying to get my head wrapped around everything. [And Cisco...he found her. He offered to sit with her, offered her a gummy bear, and they sort of...clicked. They talked, they became friends.

And she's glad he and Cisco were getting along.

The question makes her stiffen for a moment, but she's quick to reign in her emotions.]

It's...different. [That's a mild way of putting it. Whereas Poe, he looks completely at ease with this.] Feel like I should've brought something...to say thanks, you know?

[volitaunt]

[ Poe's opinion of Cisco kicks up another notch. He is officially Good People, and one of Rey's people, and the combination makes him by extension one of Poe's. He doesn't make the rules he simply must abide by them. ]

It's a little weird. [ He leans back against the wall, pushing some mashed potatoes into a pile and scooping a bit off the top. ] I used to be comfortable with this sort of thing, but you stay with the Resistance for long enough and it starts to feel like a waste of resources.

[ He eats the potatoes. ] I have to remind myself, sometimes, that things like this are the way people show they care about each other. They're to say thank you for being in someone's life.

[ Poe flattens his potato mountain and gives Rey a tiny nudge with his elbow. ] We'll figure out a gift for them in return.

[talentedscavenger]

[ If Poe told Rey all of that, it would help her calm down and smile a little more. She’s happy he’s getting along with Cisco. Not that she had any doubts. She was a good judge of character, but she didn’t want Poe to think there was something wrong with her friend.

It’s reassuring to know this is weird to someone else. To see so much food in or place, maybe even wonder if any of it would be left to waste. Food was a precious resource.] It's like that, yeah. I mean....it’s a lot of food and drinks. Feel like Eddie went way over the top when he didn’t have to.

[ Not for her anyway. It was a hard concept to wrap her head around. That for a girl that had been left behind, to have someone do so much for her or partially for her...it was something that didn’t happen. Even the smallest acts of kindness surprised her. ]

...never thought about it like that. [ Thank someone could be thankful for her to be in their life....it’s an odd feeling.

But best to think of something else. Yes, a way for them to say thank you in return. ] Not sure what they would want. Maybe a bottle of something...I don’t know.

[causational]

[It's not hard to miss how anxious Rey looks, close to the wall and watching the proceedings, looking around at everything, the food and decorations. Eddie watches her for a few minutes before approaching her, a little worried that she's not enjoying the evening or that he's made it too overwhelming, when the truth is just that he wanted to spoil her and her friends a little. After all, it sounds like they came from a rough situation.

So he heads over with his hands tucked in his pockets, trying to look as non-threatening as possible, smiling slightly as he comes over toward her, then leans on the wall beside her, head a bit tilted.]

Hey, Rey. How you doing over here?

[talentedscavenger]

[ Rey really needed to work on her poker face. She’s faced so many other situations that were life threatening, but being at a party was something else. Granted, it was her first party and she had no idea what she was doing, but she was trying to look calm. Keyword, trying. Cisco said that saying thanks would be fine, but...it still didn’t feel like it would be enough.

Maybe she could simply leave and nope! Eddie was there—and now she’s wondering if she’s under dressed. ]

Hey, yeah, I’m fine. [ There’s a small smile on her face, trying to look calm. ]

Thank you for the food, it all looks great—and the sandwich too. [ Don’t ramble, just get to the point. ] I wasn’t expect so much. I could’ve done something for you to help.

[causational]

[Eddie really couldn't care less what the people here are dressed like - this is his style, he doesn't really expect other people to dress the same way he does. They're not him, after all. When Rey says she's fine, lifts her chin and smiles at him a little hesitantly, he smiles back.]

No, no, it's okay. I appreciate the thanks, but you don't have to do anything for me. I just really like cooking for people.

[A little grin, and he reaches out, patting her upper arm a bit, head tilted.]

You look a little nervous. Is everything okay?

[Well. He's always been direct, and he suspects tact might be a little lost on Rey.]

[talentedscavenger]

I still could've done something. [Even if it meant bringing in flowers, or something to drink, or anything. He didn't need to cook so much food! But, she shouldn't press the issue, especially with the host and the person who said it was okay.

And she stood up a bit straighter, trying to not act nervous. Yup, it was failing, so very much.]

Never been to a party before...or seen this much food.

[A bit overwhelming considering her circumstances. She didn't earn the right to be here, at least that's what going through her mind.]

[causational]

[Eddie can practically feel the nerves radiating off of her, and he smiles at her, encouraging.]

Honestly, the best part of cooking food for someone is watching that person react to eating it. I didn't invite you over so I could get something back, I just wanted you to have a good time. I know Cisco feels the same way.

[Reaching out, he gently squeezes her shoulder before dropping his hand again.]

Sorry if it's a bit much. I guess I just went overboard. [He looks a little sheepish at that.] Are you familiar with all of it? I can make a few recommendations on where to start if you want...

[talentedscavenger]

[The smile helps a little. It shows Eddie really is okay with this. Rey pushes away the guilty feeling, but she still wants to do something for him. To do more than simply say, 'thank you' to him and to Cisco.]

I know, I know. You and Cisco did this because you wanted to. Cisco also said it was part of a holiday back home for the two of you.

[The squeeze to her shoulder is encouraging, bringing down her anxiety a little.]

No, no it's nothing to apologize for. It's remarkable really. I didn't think one person could make this much food. [And she knows he more than likely put a lot of time into this...even more of a reason to say thank you to him in giving him something.] I'm not familiar with it, but I'm sure it'll taste delicious. Better than what I've been trying to make. [Ramen, anything instant really. Something she bought with her money because she's earned it.

This? Can she say she's earned a fraction of his kindness? Kindness isn't earned, it's given freely. It has no conditions. Her mind whispered, causing Rey to clench her hands and then flex them. She was over thinking things. ]

I'll take any recommendations from you. I don't know where to start...and really, it looks too good to eat.

[causational]

[Eddie smiles broadly when she says that she knows Cisco and Eddie did this because they wanted to, that it's part of a holiday.]

Yeah it is. Thanksgiving, it's called. People get together with their families and talk about what they're grateful for, or at least that's the tradition. I didn't really intend for everyone to do that, but just so you know, you being here is something I'm thankful for.

[With a bright smile, he turns toward the food on the table, putting his hands on his hips thoughtfully.]

Well, believe me, where I come from people get really creative with food, sometimes the outcome is not so great. But this particular meal has been honed through generations until we figured out the best combination.

[Tilting his head, he looks over at her, as if sizing her up.]

You eat meat?

[talentedscavenger]

[Rey's heart thumps loudly at that. He's thankful that she's here? It's...touching in a way. To be given thanks for merely showing up to something as simple as a dinner. It's really endearing...especially to a girl who had no family of her own.]

...I'm thankful for being invited and knowing you and Cisco. [The words are muttered softly to him, letting Eddie know that she really does appreciate it.

When it comes down to food though...she gives him a puzzled look. What? Was it not a common thing for people from his world to not eat meat?]

Yes? Any human body would need a source of protein... [Where as he going with this?]