[Open] Hygge Celebration on Floor Six

[alchemyfreak]

who: Everyone inclined to join
what: New arrival welcome party/Hygge dinner for the month
when: After the new arrivals show up
where: Communal Building - Floor Six
warnings: Please put warnings in subject lines below



Floor Six had managed, in a way, to become their own Found Family. Sure other residents came and went, and many they barely got to know at all, but the core of who was living there now all meant something to Ed. Which meant for this holiday - as cozy as the cabins were - he intended to do something at home as well. The lack of a fireplace might make the setting a bit less matching with the theme of the month, but there was no way the floor itself wasn't warm from all of the cooking. He'd spent the day preparing for this, intent on dragging everyone into it - in some cases, whether they liked it or not.

All residents of Floor Six would have been left an invite with details about the event.

While the food is cooking Ed has set out the usual array of snacks. There wasn't much to this "party" outside of the food, if people wanted to hang out and watch TV or play games everything was available but he hadn't bothered to set it all up like what had been done for Al's birthday. This was more about mingling and socialization than games, getting to know others, celebrating the holiday and welcoming the newcomers to the floor - although should anyone look, they were still present to be used.

The table was set for everyone to eat, the counters littered with whatever food wouldn't fit on the table around the place settings. The usual staples were naturally present, chips, dips, pretzels, popcorn and other bowls of snacks. Mostly, there was food though, substantial food. This wasn't an intel meeting, this was actually meant to be a get together, a celebration of sorts. Anyone is welcome to help themselves to the pots of stew available - not knowing what everyone liked meant he had made smaller portions of a few recipes instead of one large helping, so a variety of options (meats and a strictly vegetable version) are laid out. As are a few other meals - roasts and various meats, salad, and other side dishes, appropriate for this time of year. (Basically feel free to imagine a variety of options to be enjoyed.) Buckets filled with ice housed drinks of all flavors on either end of the kitchen island, although nothing alcoholic was offered should someone provide their own that was entirely up to them.

Warm beverages, hot cocoa, tea, coffee were also available and once everyone's eaten there would be desserts laid out as well. Ice cream, cookies, a small cake thanks to a certain conversation Ed had with another resident in the previous month, and a small collection of pies matching the season.

When Ed sent out the invitations he invited them to bring their own favorite dish if they'd like - assuring that there was no obligation as plenty of food would already be provided for everyone. Of course, the invitation is always extended to bring along friends, the reason this was happening in the communal building was to provide the space for any number of people to show up, while also including the residents of Floor Six that they may not actually know as well.

Board games, video games, playing cards, etc. are all available in the communal entertainment area for others to do while not eating!


[Everyone is welcome to top level below! If you have any questions don't hesitate to hit me up by pm or on plurk: TransmutedSelf]

Comments

Edward Elric | OTA

[alchemyfreak]

Early/Prep/Before Party

Throughout the day Ed can be found going back and forth from the General Store apartment to Floor Six, making arrangements for this meal later. Gathering supplies, prepping, preparing and cooking food. If anyone questioned whether Ed knew how to prepare a meal himself, the sheer volume of this set up would probably put any confusion on that matter to rest. Although he's caught up in preparations he's not likely to stop very long for a chat, Ed won't turn down any offers to set up or help get things underway before dinner is ready. He'd also invite anyone he catches on the street to join them if they might not have received an invitation otherwise.

Snacks/Meal Time

Once people start arriving Ed will make a point of greeting them all, whether he'd recognize them or not, just for the sake of being friendly and available. If he's not familiar, he might ask who they came with as a form of ice breaker, but even those without invitation are welcome to stay.

During the meal itself Ed doesn't bother to take a seat, mostly to assure that everyone else finds one. He does pick at some of the food, trying little bits of everything but as he's been eating all day during the course of preparing the whole get-together, he doesn't bother making a full plate. That's not going to stop him from socializing at meal time, but he's definitely more focused on setting up the food, restocking anything that runs out and generally hosting the party so that he's available to anyone that needs something.

After Dinner

Once dinner was finished Ed spent the downtime relaxing with a cup of something warm - not tea, not since August - or packing up leftovers for someone to take home. Anyone was welcome to whatever food they wanted, no matter how they wound up on the floor or if they knew the host. Bother him while he's relaxing, offer to help pack leftovers or ask for a plate to take home!

Cleanup

Ed, of course, also took the responsibility of cleaning everything up once guests started to vacate. Anyone that stuck around - or lived on the floor - was welcome to help, or pull him aside for any reason. For the most part he'd just be picking up trash, and cleaning dishes. A clap of his hands would take care of most messes with a quick transmutation - and flash of blue light, for those unfamiliar - so he wouldn't bother to ask anyone to help out with this part.

Feel free to catch him during clean up or once everything's settled and quieted down.

(For anyone canon familiar: Ed's 18 and his automail would be covered at all times.)

1

[wildlinks]

Yu usually worked under the guidelines when it came to cooking. If there was a lot of food to be made, he likes to make a list of which things come first (the ones that take a lot of time) and what comes last. But seeing he wasn't cooking alone this time, it looked like there won't be a need for a list.

Except for the ingredients list. The number of times Ed just up and left to General store to get something he forgot on the previous trip made Yu feel bad for the guy. So he threw himself in on the preparations.

By the time he comes back from his third (fourth?) trip to the store, all potatoes have been peeled and meat left in the fridge to marinate. Yu wipes his hands when he hears the ding of the elevator. "Need some help, Ed?"

[alchemyfreak]

The thing about Ed was that he walked everywhere, which meant carrying everything by hand - at least until Jason gave him a ride - so several trips were necessary to make it work. Of course he didn't expect to return to find that Yu had already started some of the prep for him, but he was grateful for the assistance, and he certainly wouldn't turn down the offer.

He gives Yu a quick grin, setting down the box he'd carried in with an easy shrug. "Sure, I thought I'd start by bringing the stuff over that should be prepared first. I can always go back for the rest later." Ed had a plan, and this certainly wasn't his first time throwing together something like this, "Any help will save me some time."

during prep

[storradr]

Ragnar was sorting out his new living space. The communal set up reminded him of when he was a boy, his entire family living in a one-room house. It was difficult to miss the constant stream of supplies and food. It wasn't until he'd started cooking and the smell of the food wafted over that Ragnar went to poke around in the kitchen.

"What are you making?" He asked, leaning against one of the cabinets and looking over the spread.

[alchemyfreak]

Ed was glad to see one of the new room mates show an interest in the meal. One thing he'd picked up over the years was a distaste for leaving anyone out, and the reason he'd done this here instead of one of those cozy little cabins was specifically so that no one felt left out.

At the question Ed glanced up to regard Ragnar curiously. "Stew, mostly." The rest of the food wasn't nearly close to done, but there were bowls out on the island with snacks already for anyone lingering around before dinner started and he motioned to them as he spoke. "A lot of the food isn't ready yet, but help yourself to some of the popcorn or something."

[storradr]

No wonder it smelled so good in the kitchen.

"Stew?" Ragnar smiled fondly, "Something I'm familiar with. What kind of stew?"

He peered with curiosity over Ed's shoulder to where the pot was and then tilted his head to look around him to get a better look at which of the many metal boxes he was using to cook on. His assumption -and he wasn't actually that far off- was that the fire was contained inside the metal box and was heating the top, where the pot was. What he couldn't quite figure out was where they were piping the smoke from the fire to...

Early

[hititwithacrowbar]

Jason tried to hide it, but he had a bit of a limp from the way the rope had pulled him up. He was to proud to let just anyone see it but now and then he would be found leaning on the Mustang more than helping Ed load stuff in. He was without his normal caffeine or alcohol. Instead drinking the neon colored drinks he usually drank after a hang over.

"Isn't this a bit of overkill, Ed?" He asked, pulling the back open for him. At least he was driving slower and more sane for this trip, impressed that Ed was willing to even let him help.

[alchemyfreak]

Jay could lean all he wanted, Ed was just grateful for the ride. He knew a limp when he saw one, but he wasn't going to mention it if Jason didn't.

At the question he just grinned, loading the car up. "What's overkill? We have a walk-in freezer and live with 9 people, everything will get eaten eventually. Besides, most of this stuff is even better when you re-heat it." Not even remotely concerned, and also not going to point out that not all of it was for today either, let Jay think whatever he wanted.

[hititwithacrowbar]

Jason appreciated it to, he was so stubborn about his own injuries. He hated looking weak. He playfully rolled his eyes at Ed's answer. "You know damn well what I mean." He though at first Ed was asking for a definition.

"Point, remind me before this starts that I need to dig through one of your cook books for something vegetarian." Jason loved his meat, but he left his invites tacked to the door of the Kent house. Even if he was still irked about what happened he wanted to of better by Damian this time. He did figure it was all for today.

/slams back into this late as hell

[alchemyfreak]

"Uh-huh." Just that, dismissive, he knows Jay's rolling his eyes but he's practically doing the same. Don't take things so literally, Jason. Because the guy from 1915 has never misunderstood modern slang before.

"For the party? I have a vegetarian stew already, but if you need to go through the books we might actually have to go inside for that." It's winter, he's not worried about the food thawing in the meantime.

[hititwithacrowbar]

He takes things literally when he wants to.

"Yeah, but maybe more than that. Eh, fuck it. I know a few of Alfred's recipies. Let's get going." He explains without really explaining in true Todd fashion.

Ragnar Lothbrok | ota (the new roomie)

[storradr]

Ragnar was at a slight disadvantage when it came to invitations and the like, he was completely illiterate. The piece of paper had been set aside without a second thought. Luckily, he happened to be around when food was starting to be prepped and finding out about the party after that was simple and, of course, he had no plans.

He was naturally curious about all of the snack type foods that he'd never seen before as well as transfixed and obviously puzzled by the television. This was also the first time he'd ever had sugar, coffee, tea and chocolate.

For what felt like the hundredth time during the night, he once again asked, "What's that?"

[hititwithacrowbar]

Jason had been reading over one of his books, walking as he did so, stopping to grab some of the chips and dip. Looking up from his pages when he heard the very nordic voice. One of his dark brows arched before he remembered, much like with his Victorian friends, these things are far from common place. Closing the book aside he looked to the man, suddenly wishing he hadn't shaved off his beard that had started growing in while he was sick.

"It's dip. You take one of the chips or pretzel's and put it into it then eat it." He motioned to each before doing do himself. One being a cheese dip, so he stuck a pretzel in and then ate that. "It's pretty good. You want a beer man?" It might have been stereotyping but, Jason figured the guy looked old world and he tended to have the booze to himself here.

[storradr]

"And these are... dried...?" Dried something. What, he wasn't sure, but he liked them. They were salty and delicious. He watched Jason and then mimicked him, raising both eyebrows and giving him a nod of approval at the taste of the dip.

"The beer is in the white cold box, right?" Or so he'd been told. But, since the offer was on the table, "I would like one."

[hititwithacrowbar]

"Kinda, it's a baking process that wont make a lot of sense if I explained it." He spoke, but deciding that being hella old world was a good enough excuse not to understand that one. So his tone wasn't condescending.

He moved back and pulled the fridge open, taking out two beers one darker and twisted the lid off of each before handing the darker one to Ragnar, figuring the darker would be better for him. "Yeah, it's called a refrigerator, but we just say fridge, cause were kind of lazy in my time." He replied playfully as he offered the bottle over.

"My name's Jason."

[storradr]

"Yes. 'Fridge'," He couldn't remember who had told him what it had been called, but he'd forgotten. The word was a strange one, "It's not lazy. It's smart. Food keeps better in the cold. Meat can keep all winter without having to be dried into jerky. If we could trap the cold of ice and winter in a box, we would as well."

He took the offered beer gladly, immediately taking a drink.

"Ragnar," He offered, "You also live here. I think I've seen you before."

another new roomie here

[wildlinks]

Yu stopped in his tracks at the sudden question and looked down at the uncooked pie in his hands. Had he... never seen a pie before? Well, key lime pie is not something people often make, apple pie is more standard.

"Ah, it is a key lime pie. It is not cooked yet though," he explains with a small smile and places the tray on the counter. The stove is still heating up so he needs to wait for a bit. It will need only fifteen minutes but stove needs to be properly warm first.

"You never had it before?"

[storradr]

It certainly didn't look like any pie he'd ever seen save for the shape. He also didn't recognize the name of it.

"It is a pie?" His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the creamy looking filling, "I have not. What's in it?"

He glanced towards the oven, not exactly sure what it did either. As far as the kitchen went, he'd learned the only critical thing - a lot of food and the drinks were kept in the large white cold-box.

[wildlinks]

Yu nods. "Well. They call it a pie. It is a type of dessert." He can see where the confusion comes from though. Usually, pies have the more flaky dough. This just has a ton of cream and it looks like a cake.

Still tasty though.

"Limes," Yu chuckles and takes one of them from the counter to show him. "They are sour by themselves, but in desserts, they taste really good."

[storradr]

"I know what a pie is," Ragnar sounded somewhere between amused and annoyed, emphasizing his words with an eye roll. He points to the actual pie Yu is holding, "That does not look like a pie."

He holds out his hand for the lime, turning it with obvious curiosity before bringing it up to his nose to sniff it. Since it was still whole, it didn't actually smell like much.

"Hm. I have never had one. And I have never had a lime pie," He looks from the fruit in his hand to the custard looking substance in the pie, assuming the inside of the fruit was somehow squishy and white.

"Are these common where you are from?" He motions with the lime.

Jason Todd - OTA

[hititwithacrowbar]

After being sick over a week then his epic reunion with the youngest Robin, Jason had been a lot better about being home than he had been the months before. Most of the prep time he was helping out or drinking Gatorade and tea.

When the party started for once he didn't bail out, or camp on the video games. He sat off by himself though, as he often did when to many people were in his space. Silently reading another large novel as he sat in one of the chairs ignoring the party.

At least he attended this time, but after Damian going through his stuff on video he wasn't going far from the floor until people left.

[sonofab]

Damian was really just going to toss his and Jon's invitation out, but unfortunately, his "roommate" found out ('Stupid super hearing') and here he was. He didn't exactly make the best first impression, so finding the invite at all was a surprise, but it didn't take him long to figure out who was to blame.

He narrowed his eyes when he spots the Hood, but he didn't approach angry, just suspicious. "What is the meaning of this?" He held up his invite. "If inviting me here was your idea of a trap, it was poorly executed."

[hititwithacrowbar]

At first Jason just turned a page like he planned to ignore his brother being there. Even though he invited the kid in the first place. But, that was just counter productive and he had nothing to gain from it besides maybe an annoying victory. He choose to chose his battles more wisely these days. So he closed the book and looked up at Damian.

"If it was a trap, you would know it. I certainly wouldn't have witnesses either. Jeeze kid, lighten up. It's a party, I was told to invite someone. If you want an insiders network these people are the ones you start with. Researchers and adventurers. They also happen to be able to cook. So, go pretend to be your age and go have fun."

[sonofab]

"Why not? I didn't mind witnesses when my trap sprung." Damian deadpans, giving the room another bored look. He never liked parties, but what was more shocking is that Todd actually admitted to giving him an invite. No games? No tricks? Nah, what are you up to?

"You were told to invite someone, so you invited me?" This didn't add up. "...Were you drunk when you made that decision?" Now that might make more sense. He rolled his eyes at the 'act your age' comment.

"Cook? ...They know any vegetarian dishes?" He asked, still not looking at Todd.

[hititwithacrowbar]

"Believe it or not, I actually like to separate my business life from my personal life. The hood is one thing, but attacking you in my civvies is stupid on all accounts." so yeah, he was trying to keep his life separated. He saw no point in it, he was still kind of cranky from coming back from the flu, and the limp he's dealing with from the way the grapple had yanked him and hanging so long.

"First off, bite me. I'm not that bad, you don't even know me, kid. So stop acting like you do. Second, no, I wasn't drunk. I made the choice myself and I did it." Okay, he might have been tipsy but like hell he was admitting how often he drives drunk around the city. He pushed himself up forcing himself not to react to the pain that shot through his leg.

"Come here." He muttered in response to the question, moving towards the kitchen. It took all of his will not to react to the pain. Forcing himself to walk normal. He hated when pains like this got to him, he could walk off a bullet but not a sprained ankle as easily, what was his life? In the kitchen the counters were covered with dishes as he moved to one section and motioned forward, a tiny place card before it. Everything on that counter was vegetarian. He'd never admit he made a chunk of it. Last thing he wanted was for Damian to know he could and liked to cook. He knew the kid would never let him live it down.