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!

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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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I am not above eating your share as well.

[ he will stick his tongue out if he were a child but. he will not. that behaviour is unbecoming. if his captain were here he would feel judged for it, severely. so he'll just project it to him. ]

As for being in charge, I put myself in charge. It's a coup, and a much-needed one, considering what I'm dealing with. [ a pause, and then he adds, with perfect conviction: ] Senior citizens need to have a balanced diet. I ask that you reconsider this tyrannical behaviour.

Edited 2021-02-11 06:09 (UTC)

[This —

Is rather amusing, actually. But Aziraphale keeps himself from smirking, from chuckling, sensing the seriousness coming off of his company in waves. Instead, he sits up a little straighter, and says, with a frown:] I am six thousand years old and will do as I please.

[ angelo frowns. ]

That seems like a lie.

[ then again, he's in this place, and that in itself isn't a lie. hm! he amends that to, ] In any case, that just means you ought to know better.

And yet.

[He gestures vaguely with what's left of the breadstick and takes another bite.

Aziraphale? Know better?

Come on.]

— though I will say your concern is admirable.

It has less to do with concern and more of what the correct thing to do is.

[ no soup!

and he will take his stock of breadsticks before he completely leaves none for him. ]

You do realize we have been kidnapped, and are currently being observed like laboratory rats — complete with note-taking, if you haven't noticed! — and yet you suggest I am in the wrong for eating more than my share of our kidnappers' food? Why, we're lucky this isn't poisoned.

[He's only kinda sorta joking.]

[ BIG SIGH ]

So you'd rather be a pampered laboratory rat, is that what you're saying?

[.........i mean]

— I suppose it is. Making the best of it, and whatnot.

[ there's a cynical version of himself who has a response to that that's not fit for public reception he won't say out loud given the circumstances, only replacing it with, ]

If you get a stomachache, know that you deserve it.

Wouldn't be the first time.

[He flashes a grin, like he's proud of himself.]

Nothing wrong with indulging every now and again, dear boy. You threatened to eat my share — well, I say, go on then. It's yours.

[ dear what, angelo thinks, then remembers that some people are just more affectionate than others, which they didn't teach in terrorism school. ]

I understand that perfectly. You seem to indulge where you can, whenever you can. That is certainly not 'every now and then' behaviour, you know.

[ he'll eat it!! thanks!! and it's good soup, actually. ]

[Was Aziraphale just publicly read for filth?

Damn.

His eyebrows jump. He... doesn't actually have a snappy response for that. Instead, he leans on an earlier question, still (and even more so, now) curious:] I haven't seen you before. What's your name?

[ well, he caught him while he's in the middle of eating bread. he'll have to wait a bit before he answers, ]

... Angelo Sauper.

[ and really, part of the delay is because he has to introduce himself without his rank, which is new to him; it had been automatic back in space, but not here. earth is such a boring and terrible place. ]

[Angelo!

Aziraphale has to smirk into his drink about that.]

Well, Angelo. You make a fine soup czar. I'm Aziraphale. You may hear some people call me Avery — I'll answer to either.

I will call you Aziraphale.

[ a soup czar, he says! oh for a glutton to have a soup czar, one ought to be proud. ]

I live with a 'mother'. I suppose you have your own partner as well? [ senior citizen and all. ]

Well —

[He gestures with his glass, somehow managing to convey an "it's complicated."]

Yes, but he was already my — friend. From home. I suppose I was lucky in that way. He's... [Aziraphale glances around, searching for Crowley's red hair.] Somewhere.

Ah. So you normally have a chaperone.

[ more like a handler, seems like it; angelo nods in approval. ]

[Aziraphale stammers, absolutely offended.]

He's — !

[skjghfd!]

He is my husband!

Well, I'm happy for you.

[ look it's nice to have someone looking out and supporting you what's wrong with that ]

[Right. Okay. You know what? Starting over.

Aziraphale excuses himself for a moment.

...so he can remove a basket of breadsticks from another table. It's his now, unquestionably; he sets it in his lap, protective of it like it's some kind of treasure.]

And you, Angelo — how are you finding it here so far? Is your "mother" treating you well?

I'm being treated well.

[ he glances at that breadstick he's keeping safe like he's some kind of treasure hoarder but for bread. a bakery. ]

Currently I'm indulging my curiosity by checking out our neighbours and friends.

[ by friends he means the ladies of the HHA. ]

Edited 2021-02-14 01:27 (UTC)

And?

[He leans forward, despite the bread in his lap, and props his chin on his hand.]

Found anything interesting?

[ he shrugs. ]

Nothing as of yet.

It seems normal for a town, though I've been warned many times about ... the excitement it can provide.

[ or the nightmarish experiences, but he's not about to say that out loud in front of such esteemed hosts. ]

If you're smart, you'll heed those warnings. Do be careful.

[He's wise to talk around it, and Aziraphale will do the same — he feels he's already been a bit too outspoken, probably, given their company.]

I have someone to return to.

[ is all he answers to that, but he can't say anything about being careful or reckless because angelo is just of the opinion that what he views as good isn't what other people will view as the same.

but it at least implies that he'll heed the warnings. ]

(no subject)

bibliophilicbells - 2021-02-21 18:14 (UTC) - Expand

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