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

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Have a question about the event or any of the prompts we've listed? Throw us a line here. Make sure you check the FAQ on the plotting post to see if your question has already been answered.

Leave a top-level here if you would like to speak with Rosemary, and the mods will tag back to you. Rosemary will be tagging back until February 15th.

Edited 2021-02-05 23:20 (UTC)

Invites and Insistences
Huaisang’s brightly cheerful when he greets the HHA representative. He’s learned that it’s a survival skill here, and it’s something that he’s always been good at. Eager as he is to agree to the lunch, the Robbie quickly tries to get him to help encourage others among the new neighbors, and Huaisang already knows she isn’t going to take no for an answer.

Heading over to the neighbor that she indicates, Huaisang smiles brightly and waves as he approaches. “Oh, are you coming to the fundraiser luncheon? Ethel was just telling me all about it, and I really can’t wait.”

Bisque and Biscuits
Eager to agree to the wine, Huaisang grimaces once he tastes it. It’s essentially just very dry grape juice, and he really doesn’t know why he let himself get his hopes up even for a moment. Bewildered by all the strange terms on the menu, Huaisang leans over to whisper behind his menu, eyebrows tugged together in concern. “What is ra-volly?”

Once he's gotten settled and chatted around a bit, Huaisang makes a beeline for Rosemary Craven, greeting her with a bright smile. "Oh, it's just so delightful to meet you! You do such a lovely job with the Happy Homes Association, I so love being a part of such a friendly neighborhood. My name is Huaisang Nie." He knows better to give her his name in the proper order, since he knows that all his home customs are either incomprehensible or 'exotic' to the locals here. "But I do hope you'll call me Huaisang. I'm a painter, myself, and I do hope to take advantage of some of those sewing lessons, I'm such a disaster so far. Thank you ever so much for arranging today's luncheon."

[ when daylight sees an opportunity present himself, daylight quietly slips away from the group he's been politely chatting with to approach rosemary and maude.

summoning all the etiquette lessons he had in his youth, daylight presents his most dazzling smile to the pair as he dips his head in greeting. always one to go all the way, daylight also ends up giving an obvious half-bow as a bit of flair and sign of good-will to them both. ]

It's an honour to finally meet you, Rosemary. A pleasure to meet you as well, Maude. [ he presents a little gift that he quickly put together when he learned of the luncheon- a small (and it is small) bouquet of flowers. it's mostly made of paper to showoff his art skills but there real ones dotted here and there. ]

I'm Daylight. One of the new faces in town. Moved in here with my partner, Agatha, and we've been trying to settle in ever since.

Oh hey! Ravioli! That's food he knows! Uncle Roderic's weird pasta phase is finally coming into play.

Daylight also leans over to give his reply, "It's basically pasta that's been stuffed with more sauce and filling inside it. It's pretty tasty most of the time." Depending on who was cooking it and, alas, Uncle Roderic was not one of those cooks.

Now Daylight pauses, trying to find an analogy that they might have common grounds on. Maybe... "Think of it as, like, pasta buns? Pasta rolls? Maybe?"

Somehow he made it suddenly sound a lot less appetising Daylight how.

A. BISQUE AND BREADSTICKS
(Claude doesn't really consider himself a "kid." Sure, he's young and maybe not quite an adult but in Fodlan, he's a young man and old enough to be trusted with Certain Responsibilities.™ Children don't really lead nations or armies, you know? But here, none of that really matters. He's just a regular ol' teen and he spends the early moments of the luncheon cheerfully talking about sports teams and school with the townies and robbies.

He sure is glad that today was just a half day. The day ended just in time. Another period and he would have had to go to math class! He laughs, he jokes, he smiles, and chatters away. To anyone watching, it doesn't look like he has any problem navigating through the luncheon. He can even break away naturally, easily excusing himself like he does right now…)

1. We're here to socialize

Hey!

(If you're young enough to be considered a "child" in Santa Rosita, he looks away from the townie he's speaking with to smile in your direction. He throws an arm over your shoulder or hooks his arm with yours.)

Sure is great getting out of class, right?

(If you're a youth but already graduated he'll approach you the same way but instead say,)

Shouldn't you be working or something?

2. What's a legal drinking age

(Of course he'll start the meal with a glass of wine. Why is this even a question? Hah! As soon as he takes a sip, he makes a face and sets the glass down in front of him.)

Definitely not a fan. (He's definitely going to have to order a water or something instead,) I've had some bad wines but this one definitely takes it…

(Leaning over to see the drink menu! There aren't aren't enough for everyone so this means he's probably leaning next to you to read over your shoulder or across the table to read the menu upside down,)

What are you getting?

B. FONTINA AND FOCACCIA

(Even if he doesn't react to it, he's always been sensitive to being watched. He taps at his glass with one finger when Rosemary looks over at their general direction and… hm.

He listens patiently and when her speech is over, he applauds politely with some of the others and immediately starts talking to you,)

Some speech.

(That's your cue to tell him what you thought about it all.)

C. MUNDANITY AND MISHAPS

(… And the luncheon seems over almost as soon as it started. Or maybe it felt like eternity for you. As people start spilling out, Claude lingers outside the restaurant a bit. It's the afternoon and the February air is cool but not quite cold. That doesn't stop Claude from pulling the sleeves of his sweater over his hands and rubbing them together. He'll never be used to cold weather.

Maybe you're also hanging out! Waiting for your "family" or a friend to escape the HHA. Or maybe you're just watching the people come and go. Whatever the reason (and whatever Claude's reason), he'll keep chatting it up.)

It wasn't too bad.

(The luncheon. If you were paying attention to him at all, you probably noticed he looked like he was in his element. He's the real friendly and social type!)

I mean, I've been to better events but this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...

(Was that really it?)

D. WILDCARD

(Come at me! You can reach me at eski, eski#9874, or PM for plotting.)

[ noelle hesitates when she suddenly feels someone hook her arm with theirs. last time that happened-

she quickly recovers, remembering she's not back at home (thank fuck for that), and smiles back at the guy. she does her best to act bright and chipper as she can manage while holding a plate that holds an alarmingly tall pile of breadsticks. ] Y-Yeah! I wasn't prepared for the math quiz yet so I'm glad we have a half-day for this.

I don't think we've met yet. [ she would wave at this point but. plate that holds an alarmingly tall pile of breadsticks. ] I'm Blossom and it's really nice to meet you!

"Oh, hi there!"

Ah, a normal person! Well, as "normal" as any of them were. Now to discreetly try and see if he's a complex human being or a bunch of tropes stitched together by a programmer. Not a Robbie, that was a good start.

"I am, yes! I'm excited to see what's gonna happen. Hrm, who's Ethel though?"

[ Was Monika a kid or an adult? The world may never know. She was dressed like one of the "adults" (and she enjoyed playing the part way too much), but she looked like she was somewhere around his age... Yet again, video game characters always looked either much older or much younger than their actual age. In a Japanese RPG, she could very well be thirty with this appearance!

That said, she ignored his question and instead— ]

You...

[ She squinted. Why was he looking so familiar. She was pretty sure they had never met, but... Had they, perhaps? He looked like the typical "charmer" trope, s—

Wait, she'd already had this thought. She'd already had this thought about him. That couldn't be a coincidence. ]

Didn't... Didn't you try to pass on some clown cake to me a couple days ago?

Yeah, same here. (Look, he's a perfectly educated young nobleman and he probably would have been fine enough but something something the applications here are a little different from what he's used to and when he has so much to get acclimated to, math formulas aren't at the top of his list.) Maybe we can get a study group together or something.

(And he gives her a gentle tug, a cue to get away from some of the association members and other locals. He's also careful to not topple over those breadsticks? Why does she have so many.)

Hah, that's probably because I'm pretty new in town. (Is she new too and not familiar with who's here? Or is she from the first wave and just not familiar with the new arrivals? Either way,) The name's Claude. It's nice to meet you, Blossom.

[ Rosemary... She was the first actual figure of authority Monika had met who showed some measure of individuality. Not just a random policeman or whatnot. Was she from another world too, or just an empty shell?

Head of the local Happy Homes Association. President of the Literature Club. It felt like there was common ground there. If anyone was to have an answer to her one and only question, it had to be her.

That probably just was wishful thinking. ]

Ah, Miss Rosemary? Can I please ask you a question?

(Definitely a charmer but not exactly the charmer trope.

His smile cracks just a bit at that. Is that... guilt? No, because he's pretty dang shameless but he's still guilty as charged. He wasn't going to say anything about that! He was just going to act like he never tried to pass off a bunch of jello and a weird cake to anyone? He's to give her a light tug to get away from some of the association members so they can catch a bit of a breather,)

Hey.... it's all in the past. (Let's move on? Don't hold it against him? HEH HEH.....) I'm turning over a new leaf. Starting off fresh. It might as well be spring now.

1) Will Mr. Harding be in attendance? If so, what can characters expect to see him doing?

and

2) Are restaurant rules/social expectations vis-a-vis smoking indoors (irl) 60s-typical, or is it like drinking here/is the HHA anti-smoking? If the latter, what will they do if a character lights a cigarette at the table? And do the tables at Uliveto's have ashtrays at the center? And yet another question - in Santa Rosita, have people started to warm to the idea that smoking might not be great for you?

Bisque & Breadsticks
[ Every part of this is the most utterly mundane torture imaginable.

Levi makes for a small, sullen figure slouching in his seat at one of the tables pushed together with entirely too many others. He hasn’t a damn clue how to navigate this small talk with the obnoxious people at his table, but they’re sure trying to engage him. Going along with all of this bullshit until they found an advantage is the plan, admittedly, but it was expecting a lot to think he’d know how to talk to his neighbors.

Every once in a while, he shoots a dirty look at one person in particular, though it’s entirely possible a bystander might get caught in the crossfire and think they’re getting the brunt of his bad mood.

But really, what do you say to someone who might be the enemy or brainwashed or some other bullshit trying to talk about the weather? Or, worse yet, sports? Short, increasingly unpleasant responses aren’t doing the trick, and he’s trapped here. At a certain point, he really wouldn't even complain if anyone else engaged him in socially awkward solidarity. ]

Wildcard
[ OOC: Hit me up at

dynamicrange and we can put together something specific—before, during, after the luncheon are all good. I just wanted to get an initial top level out there. ]

"It's a pleasure, Mrs. Nie," Rosemary says with a smile. "Though you must forgive me; you may not be the type to stand on ceremony, but I'm afraid I am. I was so sorry to hear about your husband -- I'd been hoping for a chance to meet Mr. Shurley. He seemed like he would have been such an asset to our little community."

She shakes her head. "But please, let's not talk about such sad things. Tell me more about your painting. What sort of paints do you prefer? I know some of our ladies like to take outdoors on nice days with their watercolors."

[ don't notice how she casually tugs her skirts to try and hide the telltale bulge of her pockets being full of breadsticks and other little snacks. nothing to see there, no siree- ]

I'm new to the town myself! Found myself, um, uprooted here with my 'father', Connie.

[ thank goodness they've put some distance between themselves and the locals. though there was some suspicion when he began to tug her away, noelle went with her gut and she's glad for it. she doesn't need to fake her smile too much now.

noelle lets the big smile fade from her face, relieved to have some reprieve from forcing so much cheer. she does take note to still seem pleasant and it's not that hard. not when she knows she can talk to someone and know the conversation won't take a turn to albufucky. ]

I would love to form a study group with you and others who might be new like us. [ surely they're not the only ones here, she's trying to subtly ask. she went through the wrist .comm earlier and noticed the directory full of names on it. ] It never hurts to have a lot of heads together.

[If anyone in this town were to give a damn about a legal drinking age, it's certainly not the young woman sitting across from Claude. The kid's clearly not twenty-one, but neither was she when she started guzzling watered-down beer from plastic cups at punk shows.]

I would literally sell my kidney for bottom-shelf whiskey right now.

[As if on cue, one of the pink-cheeked waitresses pauses, smiles at Amanda, chimes, "Would you like a lemonade, instead?" In response, Amanda just looks back over at Claude and mouths, ] Are you kidding me?

"Oh, thank you for your sympathy, Mrs. Craven." Huaisang adapts immediately, ducking his head sorrowfully at the mention of his missing husband. "It has been so difficult with just my son and myself, but I remain hopeful for my husband's return."

Cheering up at the offered distraction to speak about his painting instead, Huaisang nods. "Watercolors are most like the paints that I'm used to back home. I used to make my own with plants foraged from the nearby forest. I've been trying out some oil paints as well. I'd love to meet more painting friends and perhaps join a group for it!

"But I do have a question, if I may, Mrs. Craven? I just haven't known who to ask. Why do so few people drink liquor in the community? Back home, it is considered a sign of sophistication to share small portions of quality liquor with friends and guests. It seems so strange to me that such a lovely town should not participate in sophisticated manners."

It really wasn't bad.

[She's definitely here watching people come and go. Not expecting anything interesting, but it's a better way to spend her time than...however else she could be spending her time. Kiara thinks she's quite patient, but there's really only so much 1960s life she can put up with at a time.]

Much less awkward than the last round of speeches. And the food was much better too.

[There's a reassuring smile after that. It could've been worse, Claude! Could've been lots of and lots of questionable jello creations.]

Oh, but I don't believe we've met before. Are you one of the newer arrivals?

[She's not really sure if that's the preferred word. Move-ins, maybe? Kidnappees would be more accurate, but probably frowned on by some people. So arrivals will have to do for the time being.]

[Given how different Takame looked from the crowd and his substantial height (aside from say, Daylight), he assumed the look this Rosemary gave was directed at him. Nothing strange from what he's seen from the 'untempered' townsfolk, but something about the influential people in this realm made him beyond uneasy.

Though reluctant to keep pretenses, he couldn't risk the young man talking to him as being one of the 'tempered'. Through even tone he spoke, contrasting the occasional flick of his tail similar to an annoyed cat.]

Mm. They're fond of such rousing words in this-- ["realm"] ah, town.

INVITES AND INSISTENCES

[It was almost as though some power had heard her thoughts on the HHA. No sooner had she started investigating than this- a trap, maybe? Or some good force helping her along. Whatever it was, Agatha took a deep breath and jumped into the deep end.

After agreeing to go, she joined in inviting others to the event.

Agatha goes door to door, to neighbors old and new, and knocks to extend the invitation in person. Determined to make a good showing, she'll knock longer than is considered polite, and even go so far as to start looking in to windows to see if you are home if no one answers. This may be her only chance, after all.]

OTHER

Agatha will be at the luncheon and mingling around, feel free to tap her shoulder or hit me up on

thepenguinred to plan something specific!

Infiltration was more the hobby of her English detective friend, but Agatha was always up for a challenge. Particularly when so little other avenues to discover information seemed available. And so attempting to blend in with hair and make-up done as she'd learned from a distantly smiling woman at the department store and wearing an outfit helpfully picked out by the lady who had so aggressively invited her to the event, Agatha approached Rosemary and her cohorts at their table.

Though she make look the (too pale under her makeup) American 1960s housewife, nothing could change the fact her accent was straight from Holland. Ah, well.

"Congratulations on your success, Mrs. Craven. It takes true leadership to inspire such enthusiasm in your associates."

1. Unfortunately, Chief Harding is not in attendance, though one might spy his preferred brand of cigarettes in the parking lot outside of Uliveto's. You may also very briefly see his car circling the block every once in a while.

2. Social attitudes toward smoking can be considered appropriate to the 1960s; it is far more common to see men smoke than ladies, and smokers more than non-smokers. The HHA, as mostly women, won't be imbibing as much as their husbands might. But people have yet to warm up to the idea that tobacco isn't the greatest for you, so smokers delight!

(wHY does she have so many breadsticks. Friend are you okay? Blink twice if you aren't being fed at home.

Away from the locals, they can relax some. It looks like Claude's idea of relaxing isn't too different from his earlier act though. If anything, he's exactly the same. He's confident and friendly and the only sign that anything might have up at all is the way his shoulders seem to relax just slightly.)

Maybe we can meet up at the library some time? Who knows what we might learn from those shelves... (If you know what he means. Granted, he's still going through the collections.) We can always move to one of our homes if it gets too late.

It's just me and my father, too. Felix. He started working at the school.

(A co-coach? Or something? What a jock.)

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 26

FEBRUARY 2021 EVENT: PART ONE

CHAPTER TWO, PART 1: A LIGHT LUNCH

Good times, great olives, Uliveto's.

INVITES AND INSISTENCES

↑ back to top ↑

BISQUE AND BREADSTICKS

↑ back to top ↑

FONTINA AND FOCACCIA

↑ back to top ↑

MUNDANITY AND MISHAPS

↑ back to top ↑

OOC INFO

FAQ

ROSEMARY CRAVEN, HHA HEAD

Nie Huaisang | OTA!

no subject

no subject

( prompt: bisque and biscuits! )

Claude | OTA

( prompt: bisque and breadsticks, 1!)

Invites and Insistences

1.

no subject

no subject

no subject

2 things! cw cancer mention + smoking discussion

no subject

no subject

no subject

A2

no subject

C

B

Agatha Van Helsing | OTA

no subject

no subject

no subject