robbies: (Default)
TRANQUILIZERS ([personal profile] robbies) wrote in [community profile] logsville2021-02-05 06:09 pm

FEBRUARY 2021 EVENT: PART ONE

 

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

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!

↑ back to top ↑


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!

↑ back to top ↑


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.

↑ back to top ↑


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.

↑ back to top ↑


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!

▶ NAVIGATION ◀
COMMS logs | network | ooc | memes
OOC INFO premise | rules | faq | taken | applications | hiatus/drop/canon updates | activity check | reserves | mod contact
SETTING INFO calendar | setting | housing | npcs | death and tranquilizing | the story so far | event suggestions/engagements
apodictic: [ commissioned: manual dnt ] (pic#14017069)

[personal profile] apodictic 2021-02-09 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
Ah. This one he knows. "It's a dessert made of coffee and a kind of cheese. It's sweet with some versions having liqueur in it, though I wouldn't count that for this one if they don't even want to serve us true wine."

It was highly popular amongst the politicians that he and the Captain were forced to entertain on a regular basis. Angelo doesn't care much for sweets, though he's content to leave that to his 'mother'. "You can try it with tea or coffee."
fanoperator: (sly)

[personal profile] fanoperator 2021-02-11 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, how interesting. I will." Huaisang gives him a grateful smile, putting in the order for several different desserts and some tea. Once the waiter has gone again, he leans in to murmur to Angelo. "I spoke to Mrs. Rosemary Craven. She's very earnest and personable, not at all like the very cheery--overly cheery--residents who seem somehow brain damaged or bespelled. It almost makes me wonder if she, too, is a victim of this place, and yet I find it hard to believe that anyone could have a position of power in this place without making... some sort of deal."
apodictic: (pic#14014124)

[personal profile] apodictic 2021-02-11 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
He shrugs lightly. "Who knows. The situations that make people stay with the circumstances they have can be complicated." Angelo drinks his wine, wishing it were actually wine.

"Whether she's under a spell or not, you can't deny that this town offers a place that's good enough to settle. And if settling takes the form of being in charge of such a committee to smooth things over with new neighbours and guests, I suppose that's good enough for some. How difficult is it to be the head of the Happy Homes Association? She certainly seems to have the drive for it and she's organized enough. As far as I can tell the association isn't anything like a political party. I'm sure one needs only to ask for the position and be dedicated to it."

In any case there's not enough to make an assessment about her. And it is difficult to make assessments on someone who is deft in niceties, with all inquiries deflecting off her like water on a duck's back.
fanoperator: (background schemer)

[personal profile] fanoperator 2021-02-13 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can deny it being good enough to settle," Huaisang argues softly. "Don't you remember the things I told you about the..." There are too many listening ears. "The nightmares I had. This place isn't an ordinary town."

And therefore he's not taking anything at face value--or even at beneath face value. Rosemary seems to have some sort of sadness beneath her sweet and giving demeanor, and Huaisang wants to befriend her, but he certainly doesn't trust her.
apodictic: (pic#14017076)

[personal profile] apodictic 2021-02-13 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do remember. I mean to say that despite everything else, some might find it worth staying for, deal or no deal." Whether or not they have the will to resist it makes no difference to Angelo; the end result is what matters. There are plenty of people here who are happy enough with their lives. "The town certainly know how to play up both sides."

The ordinary and the nightmarish. In Angelo's case he just dislikes everything about the town. Not being in space, not being with his Captain, being stuck in the suburbs pretending to be something he's not - he's sure everyone is suffering it in some way but Angelo has never been on Earth in any way, shape or form, and being weighed down by gravity is the worst. It calls to mind Char Aznable when he thought about destroying the world. Or, well. Resetting it.

That this is how Earth will be introduced to him is fitting. It bolsters all the decades of Neo Zeon propaganda in his head. Not the supernatural aspects of it of course, but more of the nightmarish nature of the place that keeps them hostage here. None of which, of course, is for polite company to hear. Angelo eats his meal carefully. "More wine for you?"
fanoperator: (:|)

[personal profile] fanoperator 2021-02-16 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Huaisang makes a soft grunt noise of disagreement at Angelo's argument. This place is a nightmare. The advantages are far outweighed by the horrors. His 'son' will learn that soon enough. "I don't think staying is a choice."

As far as he knows, they'd all leave if they could. Locals included, though for many of them the thing that traps them is the inability to acknowledge the horror of their existence.

It's the lead-in to more existential philosophy than Huaisang wants to explore. Ignorance is surely a trap, and almost anyone in any life would want to escape it if they learned that there was an option for something more.

"Please." Huaisang drains the last of his mediocre grape juice and sets it down with a sigh. "I'll participate in my own pretending and imagine that it's something actually palatable."
apodictic: (pic#14175718)

[personal profile] apodictic 2021-02-17 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"I trust you'll have something better later." Other than this fake wine, anyway, which they will partake in, because what else is there to drink here. Angelo pours him a generous amount. He wishes this was made more interesting with actual wine, but that's not the kind of company they have here.

As for staying, Angelo shrugs. "Anything can be your choice if the circumstance allows for it, and you let it."

What difference does it make? Whether in a place full of supernatural horror, or a place filled with the realities of war - sometimes people choose to stay in a place they will die and be tormented in because there is nowhere else to be at home in. Though Angelo can only speak in such terms because he doesn't live on his own time; he lives on his Captain's time, and even far away from him everything he does is done with the consideration of how his Captain would react to it.

"Have you any plans after? I might meet up with some of my classmates and see what they're up to."
Edited 2021-02-17 23:04 (UTC)
fanoperator: (contemplating)

[personal profile] fanoperator 2021-02-19 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Huaisang always has something better. His house is very well-stocked with alcohol, even though he still has a lot of disdain for the quality of liquor available in this uncivilized backwater. Futuristic technology though it might have, the tea and alcohol can simply not compare to his usual standards.

He understands what Angelo means regarding choices and resignation, but he makes no comment on the topic. He doesn't want to remember his own realities of war.

"No plans in particular. Back home to work on my painting. Have fun with your classmates." He says it as though he's forgotten, for the moment, that Angelo is not his son, not a normal youth, not inclined to 'fun', and this place is not encouraging of 'fun' unless it conforms to very standard values. For a moment, it's pleasant to be an ordinary inattentive mother.
apodictic: (pic#14175740)

[personal profile] apodictic 2021-02-20 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
Huaisang's paintings are lovely and he does like looking at them, so it makes him pleased that he's working on another one. He doesn't have such talent, and it's nice to see someone having the passion for art. There are things he likes doing, and there are things he indulges because the Captain allows for such things; that's more or less how Angelo defines himself.

"I'll look at it later, if you don't mind. You always paint well."

As for his friends, Angelo doesn't comment on it any further. He does not have close friends, he has acquaintances he observes and he moves on from one person to another trying to suss out information from people about this world. The Mission, and what he has to look forward to in going back, is what's important.