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

[peninhand]

[ Hmm. She'll have to look for who his "parents" are after that. Shouldn't be difficult, just a little bit of snooping around. ]

Aww, that's a shame. I was looking forward to talking about you with them, ahaha!

[ It'll happen anyway. For now, she wraps her arm around Claude's. He's the one who was trying to pull her away to avoid talking about his guilt, she can play that game too. ]

Well, how about a change of topic? I think you've suffered enough for this evening. [He'll suffer more later.] Why don't you tell me more about your homeworld? I love hearing about everyone's homeworld, everyone here comes from so many different places! It's like reading a fantasy book.

[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.)

[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?

[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.)

[peninhand]

[ Monika listened attentively. One continent. Three nations. One objectively better than the others. That sounded like a recipe for disaster. Also sounded like the perfect setting for a fantasy tv show. But Claude sounded... Human. So she didn't really put much weight into the possibility it's not a real place. ]

Leicester! It has a nice ring to it.

[ Certainly better than her own home. ]

Are all the ladies there as pretty as me and all the boys as undisciplined as you?

[ If he's not going to compliment her, she may as well do the job for him. It's alright, she's used to it. Besides it's not like he's a potential love interest. She would play the modesty card a lot more if he was. ]

[bowfaire]

(Wow talk about forward. He lets out a laugh! It's bright and cheerful like he's enjoying a good joke but he's also... buying some time before he answers. He might be a charmer but it is possible to fluster him.

He props his elbow on the table and rests his chin against his palm, making a point to obscure his mouth. Is he smiling? Probably but at least she won't be able to tell what kind it is. Is it crooked with embarrassment? Teasing? The world will never know.)

Hmm... (He hums, looking her over. She might be cute but she's sharp. She had been able to turn his own trick against him before, after all.) I think you'd fit in just fine.

(Neither a yes or no.)

And there aren't many others like me. Don't worry.

[peninhand]

[ "Would fit in just fine" isn't "I doubt there's anyone who could equal you."

Date rating: 2/10. Whoever assigned him as a kid in this place was right. Note to self: contact his parents about how to properly address someone on a date next time. Even if it's just a practice date. So says Monika. ]

No others like you? Aww, that's a shame. You may be undisciplined, but you aren't boring. [A pause.] I guess that makes you special!

[ See, that's how you mildly compliment someone. ]

[bowfaire]

(Clealry it's all Monika's fault for not getting his affection points up enough to raise his rating?)

You know, I'm not entirely sure if you meant that as a compliment or not but I'll take it.

(Being called undisciplined definitely isn't a nice thing? Unless you're Claude "Actual Heathen of the Monastery" von Riegan. She meant it as a mild compliment but he's going to absolutely run with it.)

I've been feeling pretty ordinary these days.

(And it's nice? It's nice! Sure, it's weird not having his Crest and he'd like to figure out what's up with that. It would certainly be useful here but the anonymity that comes with this place has been... an experience.)

[peninhand]

[ She chuckled. That was the intention. But then came his comment about feeling ordinary. Hmm. If he said that, it was fair to say he wasn't ordinary back home. Probably rich or of noble lineage. ]

It's nice, isn't it...

[ That tangent earned Claude a break from her incessant nagging and questioning. She could relate to the feeling oh-so well. Not that she was special back home for any good reason. She wasn't rich, she wasn't of noble lineage, she wasn't a genius or anything like that. No, she just was a sentient video game character forever stuck in a fake reality. ]

Not that I don't like not being "normal," but-- [Well, she can't go revealing too much, can she?] It can be so... Lonely.

[bowfaire]

(Wow, don't call him out like that, Monika. Though, being a noble has less to do with the feeling than one might think. His background might be privileged but it isn't exactly luxurious.

Finished with his explanations for now and sensing a bit of a break, he helps himself to one of the breadsticks from the basket. It's kind of dry, a little bland, and they'd probably be better warm but hey, he's not complaining.)

Being special or being normal... How it feels depends on your perspective.

(And he shrugs. Likewise, he can't go revealing too much. Being "ordinary" has certainly been less lonely than being "different" but he's never liked the idea of being "the same as everyone else" either.

On the topic of loneliness though... )

Have you made any friends here?

[peninhand]

[ Perspective... There was probably some truth to it. Some people clearly enjoy being "special." Maybe when being special didn't come packaged with pain and suffering, it could be a pleasant and enjoyable experience. ]

Hmm, well I've met some people. [A pause.] But I feel it's a tad early to call them friends, ahaha!

[ She should meet people at least a few times and talk to them for a while before she can call them friends, right? Speaking of which... ]

Well how about it, want to be my first friend here?

[bowfaire]

It depends.

(Isn't that his answer to everything? Everything depends on the situation, the circumstances, the perspective...)

Friends don't tell each other's parents what their friends have been up to.

[peninhand]

[ What a little scamp! ]

Hmpf...!

[ He really was a kid through and through. But perhaps he did have a point. ]

Friends don't endanger each others with weird cakes either. [You're never living that one down, Claude.] I guess if we can agree on that, maybe your parents don't have to know everything...

[bowfaire]

Oh, I'd never do that now that we're friends.

(They're friends now! Everything that happened before now doesn't count.)

And if you won't tell mine then I won't tell yours.

(Nevermind the fact... she doesn't have parents here?)

[peninhand]

Hmm... Alrighty then!

[ Everything that happened before still counts. Claude is still a little scamp who is clearly too immature to be an adult. But. He still sounds fun. She raises her glass then. ]

To our new friendship then, free of cakes and nosy parents!

[bowfaire]

(He'll raise a glass to that!)

I'm sure we'll be the best of friends.

(And he... will not drink. It's bad? Monika, the wine is really bad.)