FEBRUARY 2021 EVENT: PART ONE

[robbies]

 

CHAPTER TWO, PART 1: A LIGHT LUNCH

Good times, great olives, Uliveto's.

INVITES AND INSISTENCES | BISQUE AND BREADSTICKS | FONTINA AND FOCACCIA | MUNDANITY AND MISHAPS

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INVITES AND INSISTENCES

After a fairly low-key January, you start hearing the buzz on February 1st: The Happy Homes Association is inviting you to a luncheon on Friday! Stylishly dressed women in coats and hats are inviting everyone they know in the neighborhood, coming up and knocking on your door to invite you personally to come along. “Noon on Friday at Uliveto’s,” one of them tells you with a bright smile. “There’ll be food and drinks, and the whole community can get together and mingle a bit!”

Whether you’re home to answer the door or not, you’ll receive a small card advertising the event — it’s a fundraiser, after all, and they need your help! Pay just $3 and your food and as much as you’d like to drink are covered.

But some of the HHA members are a little more insistent, roving the neighborhood in search of anyone who’s just moved to Santa Rosita in the past few months. Their almost too-wide smiles and slightly-vacant eyes are a dead giveaway that these neighbors aren’t all at home, and they aren’t willing to take anything less than a “Yes” when they ask you if you’re coming. You’ve got to wash your hair? They know a hairdresser over at the salon on Main Street who can fit you in today. Groceries? Why, their daughter can take care of that for you in a jiffy! No excuse will fly with these Robbies; they’ve always got an answer and a way for you to make an appearance.

It won’t end once you’ve agreed, either (even if you just agree to get them off your back!). With the promise of another guest at the luncheon, the Robbies are quick to suggest that you should help them! There are so many people in the town, after all, and with more people volunteering to spread the word, they can make this the most successful fundraiser ever! (Or, well, at least the most successful since last year’s Little League candy sales!) Look, there’s another of your new neighbors over there — why don’t you go and invite them now? Your new friends from the HHA will be right here to support you and help you out!

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BISQUE AND BREADSTICKS

On Friday, February 5th, Uliveto’s is easy to find — just follow the train of cars headed to North Santa Rosita, where the restaurant sits just off of Main Street with a parking lot that’s packed full. Hopefully you’re willing to walk, because it looks like the luncheon is in full swing! But as you get closer, you see that the ladies of the HHA have things down to a science as they welcome neighbors, invite them to join one of the many tables set up in the half of the restaurant they’ve taken over, and integrate newcomers into conversation.

“Oh, hello!” one of the ladies gushes as she spots you. “I’m so glad you could make it! It’s a little cold today, but you should try the tomato bisque — it always warms me right up! Come with me and Betty can get you all set up with your meal voucher; have you ever been to Uliveto’s before? It’s just divine; the salad and breadsticks are all you can eat and the pasta — golly, my mother never even tried to outdo it. We’d just come here instead!”

Before you know it, you’ve paid your entrance and have been shown to one of the large party tables (or maybe they’re multiple tables pushed together? What restaurant normally has tables that seat 20 people?), a waitress offering you the drinks menu and asking if you’d like to start with a glass of (nonalcoholic, of course!) wine. Once she’s gone, you’ll finally get a chance to look around the interior of the restaurant. The walls are a warm yellowed beige, and fluted columns break up the space with clinging ivy and grapes hanging from planters near the top. A mural is painted on the far wall of a terrace looking out over rolling hills and vineyards, and the soft music of an accordion reaches your ears…

“You all right, hon?”

One of the ladies at your table is looking at you expectantly. Don’t forget, you’re here to mingle and socialize! Time to break out that small talk!

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FONTINA AND FOCACCIA

As the luncheon continues, you may be able to notice some of the HHA volunteers scurrying back and forth, taking turns manning the doors and the small table where Betty’s taking donations and issuing meal vouchers. Watch long enough and you’ll be able to see that all of them are ultimately reporting to three ladies who confer at a smaller table set back from all the mingling, talking amongst themselves and from time to time making notes in a small ledger. At about half past noon, one of the women stands, calling out, “May I have your attention, please?” She has to repeat it a couple times to be heard, but after a minute or two everybody settles down. The woman nods toward all of the guests, then turns back to the table, allowing one of the women to stand and make herself known. Tall, graceful, and neat, she takes a look around the room as she speaks — does her gaze linger a moment on you? Good afternoon, everyone. For those of you who may not know me yet, my name is Rosemary Craven, and I’m the head of our local Happy Homes Association. A small wave of applause breaks out from some of the ladies; Rosemary seems to indulge them for just a moment before she lifts a gloved hand to quell it. Please. I can only manage what I’m given, and the fine women of the association give me plenty to work with. Their efforts to organize this luncheon for all of us today showcase the dedication we should all strive for. Ladies, please stand and be recognized. Today’s fundraiser is to benefit our town as Founder’s Day approaches in April. We’ve got big plans for the funds we raise — who knows? Perhaps we’ll be able to afford some yummy treats for the children. Who doesn’t love an ice cream cake? Your generosity today makes all of this possible. You’ll forgive me for not giving you hard numbers, but I’d hate to be so gauche in such a lovely restaurant. Let me assure you, though, that the Happy Homes Association is here to help you in whatever way we can, whether that’s by helping you redecorate your homes, bringing over home-cooked meals, or teaching you some new skills — and speaking of new skills, I’d like to invite all of our new neighbors to talk with me personally if you think you might be interested in helping us out from time to time. Sewing might not be your forte, but everybody’s got something they’re good at, and we can always use the extra hands. I’ll let you all get back to your meals. If you have any questions for me, please seek me out. I’ll be sitting just over here with Maude.

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MUNDANITY AND MISHAPS

After the luncheon, things in Santa Rosita continue on as normal. The weekend comes and goes, the work week begins, and the cold February wind blows… But when you wake up on February 10th, some of you are missing.

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OOC INFO

Welcome to the first part of February’s event! You can use this entry to top-level for the event, but feel free to utilize the log and network communities as well. Sign-ups to have your character abducted are located here; please fill out the form provided along with any other pertinent details.

You may play with the townsfolk NPCs as necessary in your threads; non-Robbied neighbors will be cordial and happy to make small talk and will try to maintain the pleasant atmosphere. Robbies will, as always, be mindlessly optimistic and complimentary about everything—you may find that most of the Robbies have congregated at their own table and are bubbling with excitement over just about anything.

There will be a top-level posted for Rosemary below. If you would like to have your character interact with her, comment with your starter there. The mods will respond to tags for Rosemary until February 15th.

Any questions can go in our FAQ thread below. Try to check and see if your question has already been answered on the plotting thread first here.

Remember — part 2 of this event is coming February 15th!

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Comments

[bibliophilicbells]

Unaffiliated. It's just us.

[He gestures between them, indicating... whatever they are. Kidnapees?]

[bowfaire]

(What was that? She was rambling away one moment and the next, she cut herself off. He doesn't say anything about it and only meets her smile with his own.)

That makes the two of us.

(He never loses that airy and lighthearted tone to his speech but he does lower his voice just a tad, speaking gently, almost thoughtfully.

He has people back home who are relying on him. There are things he needs to do, plans he needs to set into motion, and sooner than later, responsibilities that he needs to rise up to. )

I am. In my last year, actually. (Apparently.) I usually get to school early. I'm kind of an early riser.

(Rise and fall with the sun. That's him.)

[bowfaire]

I'll be sure to let them know.

(Maybe. He doesn't mind her taking his arm. After all, he had been the one who initiated it. He'll escort her away from some of the townsfolk so they can talk a little more freely,)

My home, huh? (He can't help but smile to himself, clearly amused and not at all bothered. Some things never change no matter where you are, huh? Though, he supposes this is... more honest curiosity than having ulterior motives.) Only if you tell me about where you're from, too. It's only fair.

Why don't we sit down and chat?

(If she'll let him, he'll take her over towards one of the tables where there aren't many people sitting. He's a gentleman! So he'll pull her chair out for her.)

I'm from Fódlan. ... I'm guessing that doesn't ring many bells.

(Considering she doesn't seem to recognize him aaaaand he's kind of a big deal.)

[bowfaire]

(The association women look their way and Claude gives them a smile. Hello, ladies, it's so nice to see you. Is everything okay? Everything is fine here!!!

And he turns his attention righ tback at Amanda,)

Something like that. (Elbows on the table, leaning slightly. He's pretty relaxed about this whole situation,) I guess you could say... my grandfather's a pretty important person. He gets invited to all sorts of things but since he's been getting up there in years, I've been going with him.

(And yet, he doesn't really elaborate!)

It's a whole lot of stuffy guys in stuffy places if you know what I mean...

(The older generation doing the things the older generation are accustomed to doing.)

[bowfaire]

Lucky timing on my part.

(Snow is rough. It's cold and hard to move in and when it gets too cold, he can't feel his fingers and oh boy does that make using a bow and arrow difficult.

Japan, though? Definitely isn't ring a bell and neither is Hawaii.)

I can't say I'm familiar with either of those places. Is there anyone else here from there?

[bowfaire]

(The only mass Claude goes to is for Seiros.

He shakes Takame's hand. His grip is firm, confident,)

Nice to meet you, Takame.

(He tries the name out. It's different on his tongue but he's certain he'll get used to it,)

I hope I can count on you. (He speaks lightly, casually. He's a friendly person!!) It's rough being the new guy in town! I'm still figuring out where everything is and who's who...

[bowfaire]

(That makes the two of them. Kind of. You know, give or take a few differences here and there.

It's an interesting reaction that Claude chooses not to read too much into. It's natural to tense when someone suddenly grabs you and as far as he's concerned, it isn't too strange of a reaction to try to reach for something- anything- if someone is trying to pull you away before you're ready to leave. He makes a note to not push his luck too much here. Trying to drag someone away when they're resistant would be too much effort right now when all he wants to do is keep himself distracted. Wrathion seems to relax though and Claude smiles lightly and naturally in response to his new friend's efforts,)

Right. It's good to switch things up once in a while. If everything is the same, it gets boring.

(Claude's a chatty person and his speech is casual. It's like he's talking to someone he's already friends with! Instead of someone he's speaking to for the first time,)

I wouldn't be surprised. I mean, we got off just to prepare for it so it'd probably be the same for the big thing. (A beat,) Unless the celebration is on a day we already have off.

(And he grimaces! He makes a face! Wouldn't that be the worst? Holidays on the weekends seem almost wasteful.)

[bowfaire]

(Thank you, Sayori, it's always nice to meet a fellow extrovert. He leans in just slightly and gives her a matching smile. They're two friends who are clearly in on whatever is happening,)

And the food here definitely beats what we'd usually get.

(Like, this is way better than square pizza and fries? Not that he's hating on the square pizza and fries. )

Have you tried the wine yet? If you haven't, don't.

[inpersonation]

Really? They do that in these, um, events? [ huh.

noelle genuinely knows jackshit about how these functions go. not a surprise with the life she’s lived so far so— if the guy says that’s what they’ll do, she’s going to have to roll with it because what’s the point of lying about crap like that?

she frowns, tilting her head to the side. ] Hmmm... I guess them feeling shy isn’t a good excuse, huh? Why hold a luncheon in the first place? Or share it with us? There must be something else happening like you said.

[ looking away and frowning, as if ashamed by a thought that comes to mind, noelle looks back at him with wide eyes and asks, ] Do you think...

Do you think they have any involvement? With us being here? [ a stupid as shit question, noelle knows, but it’s the type blossom would ask: a painfully naive question, like she couldn’t imagine a group of friendly mostly-ladies and men being involved in their current hostage situation. noelle knows by now that you have to be suspicious of anyone, especially those belonging to a large group that has a lot of members and resources seemingly on their side.

and, judging by the constant movement of volunteers and members around them, and the endless breadsticks being placed on the table, the hha have both. ]

[inpersonation]

[ noelle tilts her head to the side, as if trying to recall her last location. ]

Hmmm... I was in San Francisco. It's a pretty new city where I am but honestly? The last thing I remember before coming here was being in a hospital, recovering from some injuries. [ she smiles and looks away, wincing at the recollection. ] It's why waking up here, perfectly fine, threw me off so much. I mean... Mr. Constantin is nice and all but... This is all so weird for me.

[ a fucking understatement but blossom is nice. ] I hope you were in a better position than I was, Angelo. Before coming here, I mean.

[bowfaire]

Why ask when there's already food here? It'd be a shame to let it go to waste. (Some people come from worlds where food is a precious, Angelo!) It's just a snack for later.

(This will go well with a good meat and onion stew.)

Right, the way some people talked about this... I thought it would be like some of the formals back home. (Longwinded speeches and a lot of pretending to be good friends with people who'd rather you just disappeared. Here, the speech had been rather short and too the point and... well, the association had gone through such lengths to make sure they all came and enjoyed themselves, he didn't really get the impression they wanted him to conveniently go missing or anything? Hm.) I'll pick a banquet over class any day. We should have them more often.

... Maybe next Monday, even.

(Yes.)

[inpersonation]

[ she perks up when he mentions he's in his last year. lucky her- ]

Me too! [ she points at herself and noelle forces herself to blush in apparent excitement. ] I guess we're in different classes at the moment. I've been run ragged by math and science.

Say... Do you think we can compare schedules before school begins? See when we can meet one another and others before class? [ with how noelle is planning to get a job to earn herself income, she won't be able to easily sneak away from adults - both the weirdos here and her 'dad' - or be away for too long if she can slip away. ]

[peninhand]

[ Such a gentleman indeed! Too bad it won't make her forget about their first meeting. ]

Sure, long as it's you first ahaha~

[ She had whatsoever no desire to speak of her own home. Did a computer count as home? Technically she was supposed to be from Japan, but she clearly didn't look Japanese. Why, the game had plenty of references that didn't make sense. Her creator was probably American. That probably gave her two homes, huh?

So she sat down and vowed to prolong his turn for as long as necessary. ]

Fódlan... Nah, never heard of! What's it like?

[righthandstand]

Apart from normal Japanese food? Italian. [Chomp.] It's not Tonio's cooking but it's close enough to feel Italian. It's got that green stuff in the sauce, anyway. Basil, I think. Or do they use oregano?

[oldmanfive]

Ah. I'll think about it then.

[ He's still so paranoid over everything that is happening that he remains leery. ]

[prodigalhairess]

[Thankfully, the locals see them chattering and take it as a cue to not butt in with the questions they've been posing to everyone. Whether or not it was Rapunzel's intent to keep them off the back of the man so clearly intent on sulking in the corner is unclear, but. Well. Either way, it seems to be helping.]

You should be allowed to say if there's something you're not enjoying. [With a smile, she takes a seat opposite Levi in his booth.] If you don't wanna say it to them, you can tell me what you might be suspicious about.

[prodigalhairess]

[She doesn't like being rude, even to people who deserve it, okay!!!]

Yeah, this place is... pretty weird. It's not all bad, but underneath the happy town facade...

[She shudders, taking another sip of the sub-par wine.]

Were you here during Christmas?

[bowfaire]

(Ah, he lights up too. It feels like things are falling neatly into place,)

Hah! Maybe we were meant to meet today. (It's not luck, it's fate.) Honestly... I feel like I've been trying to catch up with the lessons since I got here. There are things I can get easily enough but other things....

(All of them, to be honest. He's just a Ye Olde Fantasy in the modern world. No matter how dated things might be for others here, Santa Rosita is way ahead of Fodlan. In every class, there were things he could grasp and things that seemed completely foreign to him.)

Math is one of the easier ones for me.

(Some things are constant no matter where you are. The applications might be different but the methods are easy enough to translate from what he already knows. For everything else? The sciences and history? He'll have to really brush up.)

Yeah, we can get together. Maybe even copy each other's homework while we're at it.

(Where do they fall on the "Hey, can I copy your homework?" scale. )

[oldmanfive]

Generally. [ He says with a nod as he still remembers the marketing that his father had done with him and his siblings. He continues to keep his water glass near his mouth, taking small sips here and there to keep his mouth partly hidden as he shrugs in reaction to her questions. Certainly her last question is stupid, but it is not as if he could comment on it at present. ]

I wouldn't be shocked if they were. [ He states simply, taking another sip of water. It makes perfect sense for the HHA to have something to do with their imprisonment and the lives they are being forced to play along with. They wouldn't push so hard for them to keep up appearances, if they weren't involved in some manner. It's just a matter of figuring out if the HHA are willing participants or if there is someone else pulling their strings from the shadows.]

In any case, it best to be cautious around them.

[oldmanfive]

[ Five simply nods his understanding as he discards the paper towels he is holding into the trash can. ]

Oh I don't know about that, given how insistent the ladies of the HHA were that I attend. I doubt they would accept any excuses on future luncheons, if they are determined to get a certain number of people to come.

[ He says with a shrug as he does his best to compose himself despite the lack of privacy. After a moment he gives Angelo a thoughtful expression.]

Ah I think we are neighbors. You live on Carpenter Boulevard right?

[bowfaire]

(He'll make you forget, Monika... just watch.

It's fine. It's not like Claude knows what Japan is. He didn't even know what the United States was until he came here. Monika could easily make something up and he'd just have to accept it until he had reason not to.)

It's all right.

(Fodlan, that is. He shrugs, taking a seat for himself and beginning to move some things around on the table in front of him. The breadstick basket, someone's abandoned wine glass, whatever fake plant they had for decoration(?) and... he glances at the table. A coaster. Yes.)

It's what we call the continent. There are three nations, Adrestia, Faerghus, and Leicester. (Situating his props all around the fake flower arrangement.) I'm from Leicester.

(The bread basket. Because of course he chose the bread basket for himself.)

Don't worry about the other places. (They clearly arent relevant right now considering he's talking about himself.) But Leicester is fine. Good weather, great cities, plenty of business and opportunity... Of course, it has its problems but it's probably the better place to be in Fodlan. That might just be my bias speaking, though.

(Hah.)

[bowfaire]

Isn't that how most things are? Everyone and everything is about putting your best face up front.

(While keeping the rest all covered up.)

No, I just moved here, actually.

[freeflight]

Are you asking me to start bitching about this? [ That's absurd enough that it gets his attention.

And, really, if it cuts down on the bullshit he has to deal with, it's an improvement. ]

[vampirella]

"No, I'm pretty sure I don't. If you go for round two on the poor things, I'm not sure they'll have any higher functioning left to scaremonger your partygoers next time." There's clearly something Wrong with a lot of the lunching ladies, the empty eyes and emptier smiles. She can't imagine they chose to be the way they are. Something happened to them, and probably something ugly.

Rosemary seems to have more gumption than the rest of her cronies. Like the puppetmaster pulling the strings. Which means she probably should watch her step here, but she's too pissed off at this point to tread as carefully as she should. "So is it you that's scrambling minds like fried eggs or are you just managing the mindless for someone bigger and scarier? You're a woman in 1961, so I feel comfortable assuming you don't actually get to be in control of anything."

[webdesigned]

Alcohol is a weird vibe around here. Never at any of the big parties.

( which Peter doesn't super get. he's seen a few episodes of Mad Men, so, the whole dry environment seems really confusing. people in Santa Rosita smoke like their lungs depend on it, but drinking is somehow a bit taboo.

Italian Roast sounds as good as anything else on the menu, or perhaps Peter is just not picky enough. ) I'd love to say "I'm sure it'd all be good" but sometimes the people around here put styrofoam and razorblades in food so, uh, just poke around your plate a little bit before you start eating it. ( just some friendly advice. Peter pitches his tone a little lower to mention it, though nobody at the table with them seems even mildly inclined toward their conversation.

his brows knit together at the bread question. ) It's not really endless, you know? Probably they just made a lot just to make sure they don't run out. ( is he misunderstanding the question? you bet. sorry buddy. )