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riverviewlogs2017-11-17 08:22 pm
[semi-open] such a cozy room, the windows are illuminated
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!]
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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?]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.]
no subject
[ Cisco says that with a lopsided smile, but then realizes that Rey still looks nervous, and maybe her question is just more than the automatic and socially acceptable response. Cisco knows how stressful it can be, liking two people who don't get along, and not being able to control that at all. So he adds: ]
I think I made an okay first impression. I hope so anyway. I mean, he was willing to show up here, so it can't have been too bad!
[ And Cisco glances over to where Poe and Finn are talking, then back at Rey, giving a tiny shrug. ]
He wanted to make sure I was legit, since we work together. Totally reasonable, if you ask me.
no subject
No...you're right. You probably made a good first impression. I mean, you did with me. Surprised you didn't offer him a gummy bear too.
[Some of her nervous energy starts to bleed off and she manages a small smile. It'll be fine. Things are fine.]
"Legit"? He wanted to make sure you weren't a thief or a murderer?
[Well, that's a first for her. But, it also makes Rey wonder if Poe didn't trust her instincts...or if he really did care that much. ...Maybe it was more of the latter.]
I did sort of placed more emphasis on the friends than the fact that we worked together.
no subject
I think that was roughly what he wanted to make sure of, yeah.
[ While Rey might be confused by that, it makes perfect sense to Cisco. He's no longer a stranger to feeling protective of Rey - whether or not she actually needs it. And considering that the more Cisco learns about Rey's world, the more dangerous it sounds, it makes sense that they would want to keep an eye out for one another, and perceive anyone new as a potential threat. He didn't mind that, knew Poe wasn't making that judgment based on any kind of bullshit or biases, knew it wasn't about Cisco himself at all. ]
You did?
[ He looks positively delighted at that, shifting his weight from foot to foot. ]
I think of you more as a friend, too. I mean. Obviously.
[ And he gestures around, indicating that she's in his home, that he invited her to this special meal. As he's doing that, he sees Eddie waving him over to the kitchen, says quickly: ]
Whoops, looks like I'm needed. Meal's probably gonna start, like, real soon, so if you could get everybody sitting down...? Thanks!