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

Bruce Wayne | OTA

[the_caped_crusader]

Bisque and Breadsticks

[ bruce returns the smile to his table guest and replies politely before the bisque arrives at his table. for anybody watching, he remains enthused until he's left alone at his table, time enough to slip away and unceremoniously dump the soup-- bowl and all-- into the trash. his smile vanishes, revealing the much more cunning (and exasperated) underbelly to the well dressed man in the black suit. later, when he returns to his table, the smile returns and he touches lightly at his stomach. ]

So good I could barely put it down.

Fontina and Focaccia

[ when rosemary speaks, bruce is quiet and studious, examining her mannerisms and speech patterns until she finishes and the applause starts. he, of course, rises and claps as well, though it's perhaps more short lived than the others. while the remainder of them are still occupied with their forced praise, he quietly jots something down in a small notepad and slips it back into his jacket pocket just as quickly. like the mayor and harding, he suspects she's not quite like the others. that trend seemed to match with others in a position of power throughout the town, which made him wonder, briefly, about the recently deceased school principal. was he one of them? did he unknowingly raise the ire of the others? enough to get him killed? or was he just another one of the town's mindless slaves. ]

Wildcard

[ if these short little prompts don't give you much, throw anything at me or message me at BATGUY or batderp#3666 on disco! i'll write you a closed prompt, or we can plan whatever you want. ]

Fontina and Focaccia

[13thcommander]

[Erwin has noticed Bruce around town before, although they've never spoken. The man shows up at all the town's events, and puts on a good show of blending in and playing along, and the first few times he saw him, Erwin fell for the ruse. But now that Bruce is on his radar, Erwin has noticed there's something different about the guy; he recognizes the tells of someone who is playing the game to reach some other goal.]

[Game recognizes game, so to speak.]

[While the rest of the town folk mingle, Erwin slips through the crowd over to Bruce, and clears his throat to get his attention.]

Hello. I keep seeing you at these events and haven't introduced myself yet. Erwin Smith.

[And he offers Bruce his hand.]

[the_caped_crusader]

It's not like they've given us much choice. Their overly polite insistence seems more like a threat than it does a friendly invitation.

[ he takes a moment to measure up erwin before he offers his own hand, offering a firm grip. ]

Bruce Wayne.

[13thcommander]

A scarcely veiled threat, at that.

[Excellent, they're on the same page. Erwin's grip isn't as firm as Bruce's, but he's getting better at shaking with his left hand.]

A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wayne. I've noticed you've been paying attention at all their events, much as I have. Unfortunately, I've yet to notice any pattern to things. Have you had more luck?

[the_caped_crusader]

Only speculation. Loose threads that don't lead anywhere yet. They've certain done their job in covering their tracks, whoever they are really is.

[ while he believes the mayor, harding, and craven all know more than they will readily admit, he's not ready to say that any of them are the ones who put them here. maybe they're involved, or maybe they're just trapped like them. if time repeats, but consequences remain, how many times have they been through this? it would be enough to drive anyone mad. ]

Though I will tell you that I think Craven is likely the most dangerous of them all. Call it intuition.

[13thcommander]

I agree. They've clearly had the time and inclination to plan things out and keep the rest of us in the dark.

[Erwin looks across the room at Mrs Craven, who is still dealing with her admirers. She's the only of the town leaders he's had any interaction with, and he considers that conversation before replying.]

She's organized. And the most adept at playing her part, whatever that part might be. She has moments where she's almost human.

( prompt: bisque and breadsticks! )

[inpersonation]

It's really good, isn't it? I can't wait to have thirds when I'm done!

[ maybe try to steal bring some leftovers home so she can keep it in her room for future meals. if she can find space in her pockets that are currently filled to the brim with breadsticks and other little treats that were offered throughout the luncheon.

she sets her utensils down to face the man proper, beaming up at him. ] Are you from here, mister? My father and I just arrived in town so we don't know any of the faces here!

[the_caped_crusader]

Not from here, no. And you should be careful about the food here.

[ his demeanor seems to change, once he recognizes her as not one of them. bruce leans forward and rests his arms on the table. ]

I'm Bruce. You said you're here with your father? Your real father, I mean. Not the one they've assigned you.

1/2

[inpersonation]

[ for a second, an expression comes and goes on her face- ]

2/2

[inpersonation]

[ but it quickly comes and goes and she grimaces sheepishly, looking away in self-admonishment. ]

I’m sorry but... My— [ she hesitates, mouth twisting in what seems to be sadness. ] —My real father has been dead for a long time. I'm here with a man who's been assigned to me as my parent and he's been nothing but kind to me.

[ she finally faces him again with a smile, tilting her head to the side in apology and making herself visibly shrink back from him. ] I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I really am.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ ADOPTS IMMEDIATELY. a look of empathy and surprise crosses bruce's face for a moment and he nods. he feels like an idiot, suddenly. ]

No, I shouldn't have been so forward. I'm sorry... about your father. I know what that's like.

[inpersonation]

It's fine, mister. [ she continues to smile at him but she adds a bit more cheer as if she's trying to comfort him. ] I think we're all on a bit of edge. I know I am.

[ she looks around for a bit. like she's making sure no one is listening to them. then she cups a hand over her mouth and whispers, ] Last thing I remember before coming here was being in a hospital. So... yeah. I can get being suspicious. It's probably the best course to take right now.

bisque and breadsticks (cw implied emeto)

[undiagnosed]

[oh, hey, it's his weird clone that's too tall and too muscular. they're really scraping the bottom of the frickin' barrel with this one. also, why did the KGB want to make a bunch of barry clones and not archer clones? maybe this dude is KGB. maybe archer is too busy with a pounding headache and about ten different lines of thought colliding in his skull all at once.]

Yeah? Mine was so good I kept it down for all of three seconds. [he doesn't elaborate, but the implications are there.] Did you get anywhere last time?

[the_caped_crusader]

[ he doesn't even bother looking up to acknowledge him, just the voice is enough for bruce to recognize who it is. ]

What are you talking about?

[undiagnosed]

[archer's resting his chin on his fist, half-paying attention to bruce, half-watching rosemary up on stage.]

At the gala. You were bumbling around like you had a purpose.

[the_caped_crusader]

[ that catches bruce's attention, his brow furrowing in thought. what he can recall of the later half of that night is fuzzy, a moment in time that he can't remember. is that what archer is talking about? ]

At the gala? Did you see me leave the dining room during the evening?

[undiagnosed]

[he glances over, in a way that suggests he gets that whole... don't remember an afternoon or entire day properly thing.]

Uh huh, [archer grunts non-comittally.] you bitched me out for some glass someone else knocked over.

bisque.

[mandelbrots]

[Well. That certainly wasn't a strange or suspicious action at all. Amanda eyes the trash bin for a moment, half-expecting it to dissolve from acid, or burst into flames. When neither of those things happen, she instead watches Bruce settle back into his seat, twisted around conspicuously in her own.]

What, you think it's poisoned, or something?

[It's louder than a stage whisper, but clearly in the realm of attempted stealth. She quickly drops her own spoon, the handle clinking on the bowl's rim; a bit of soup splashes out towards the pristine tablecloth.]

[the_caped_crusader]

[ he smiles politely when salad is served following the soup, immediately following once the waitress is out of earshot. ]

When I first got here, they gave us Jell-O molds with razor blades in them as housewarming gifts. This is a little more subtle, but I wouldn't exactly put it past them.

[mandelbrots]

Shit dude.

[Amanda wants to snub the meal entirely after that bit of intel, but the loud grumbling of her stomach has other thoughts. Eyes still wide with alarm, she plucks a carrot shred off of her own salad, and stares it down like it might have rat poison hidden inside.]

I ate the one my neighbor brought. [She finally pops the carrot shred in her mouth and bites down.] He wasn't one of these creeps, though. Tall guy, lots of denim.

[the_caped_crusader]

Haven't met him yet, but I think you would have noticed the razor blades by now.

[ he's been so busy with working on his own, he hasn't bothered getting to know the new arrivals. lots of denim? he wasn't sure who that was. something he'd have to change later on. breaking from his train of thought, bruce reaches into his jacket pocket and tosses her a bag of granola. ]

Here, catch.

bisque and breadsticks

[weifinder]

( wei wuxian has no idea what the trashcans are for. he has in fact had to learn this at his house, between the one under the sink and the larger bin out to the side of the house. this whole mystical system of waste transportation feels novel in a sense, but also like it's a massive cultural cue and context he's missing out on, like many others here.

he's had a similar idea, concerned about poisons and other things he isn't equipped to find out before the fact, absolutely normal as he is now. when he picks up his bowl, it's with a wink to the woman speaking to his left and a promise that he'll be back, after topping off—there's mention of cheese, and he has no real idea what she's talking about, but he smiles like he does, and she waves him off, turning back to her conversation with the partner sitting to her left. what exactly is parmesan? irrelevant, he supposes.

he's contemplating offloading into a potted plant or figuring out if he can casually achieve the restroom and come back looking freshfaced and optimistic, which seems to be the preferred facade around town, when he catches a sound of something falling and a man next to another bin. more trash? he nonchalantly walks over, peering in and fumbling his own bowl, letting it join the rest of what's inside with a downplayed gasp: )

No! Not the... biscuit!

( he'd forgotten already what the soup was called. it hadn't smelled like anything he cared to try even if he'd been so inclined, for all the red had held promise (spicy? perhaps? he can dream). asked more conversationally if the man hasn't already hopped right back into the luncheon, as wei wuxian glances up again: )

This is a garbage, isn't it?

[the_caped_crusader]

Careful. If they think it was a mistake, they'll likely just offer you more.

[ he eyes wuxian suspiciously, but also with some small degree of humor. ]

And yes, that's a garbage can. You're not from around here, are you?

[weifinder]

Ah, but you won't, will you?

( pls don't offer him more soup. he doesn't want to really eat anything here; trusting this place is difficult even in the seemingly decent moments. )

I'm still waiting for someone to explain what California is, outside of some region name.

( he says with an easy enough smile, but more wry than the stilted edges of the stepford smilers they tend to live around these days. )

[the_caped_crusader]

No, but then it's not me you have to worry about.

[ he passes a sly side glance to the "helpful" ladies who freely shovel food on to other guest's plates without even asking, only smiling broadly. ]

So, you come from before 1850, then. That's impressive. Quite the shock for you, I'm sure.