[OPEN, Mingle] Yamsgiving

[lasthumanvoice]

Who: Cecil and EVERYONE
What: Another Harvest Celebration
When: Beginning of Pumpkinfest
Where: Center of town
Warning(s): Discussion of the Gala and its attendant CWs may come up

1. Yes, we're happy as fish [Food Prep, Oak and Iron kitchen]
Cecil's made a point of seeking out the best known chefs in town to help him put everything together for this meal. While sweet potato dishes are the star, at least one available with every course, he's hoping to hit a broad variety so everyone can find something they like. He, of course, is peeling and chopping his eternal sweet potato to make sure there's enough to go around.

(Of course you don't need to worry about him with a knife! He's fine! Don't you know he was once a boy scout?)

If someone needs an extra hand for their dishes, though, he's happy to lend one. There's an attitude of camaraderie and cheer in the room, with Cecil even breaking out singing at one or two points in the evening.


2. And gorgeous as geese [The Meal; Festival Green]
Everyone's invited to the feast. That is, in fact, the whole point. Cecil's always been pointedly neutral in the town's tensions, working as the most unbiased media monkey he can. He's the Voice of Pumpkin Hollow, and that means not taking sides between Dahlia and Neil and the Temple and whoever else. But after the gala, he's made a choice to act, to try to foster goodwill and warm feelings. This isn't the stone stew he offered during January's famine, this is a Redwall-style feast.

So, between glasses of mead from Kasprak Farm and dandelion wine, everyone is invited to fill their plate with candied yams and zucchini bread, roast chicken and venison donated by one of the Enforcers. There's a homemade cranberry sauce with citrus wedges and dandelion-leaf salad with an apple cider vinaigrette and toasted acorns for garnish. There's pasta with a homemade pesto sauce and cheese. Desserts, too, are plentiful, some even flavored with...chocolate. But many are not, and feature sweet potatoes. Muffins, pies, etc.

Find a table with a friend or a stranger, and indulge. This is a warm-fuzzy type thing--feel free to use it as a mingle.


3. And wonderfully clean in the morning [Cleanup; Also Festival Green]
Cecil is, quite honestly, expecting to be the only person to stay and clean up. He's been up since about five in the morning and he's dragging a bit at this point. Oh, he did take the time to eat, so he's not starving, but like. He could use help putting the Green back to rights.


4. We've got everything, we're growing everything [Cecil Wildcards]
[You know how to find me to plot.]

Comments

John Rambo | 1 for Cecil & OTA elsewhere

[theydrewfirstblood]

Yes, we’re happy as fish (Cecil)

John is around the Oak & Iron more often thanks to dating one of the cooks—and his deliveries for the menu promotion—so he hears about Cecil’s plans. He hasn’t seen him much since the famine last year, but remembers him fondly…

…and brings some game for the meal. He also hangs around long enough during prep to worry about Cecil and that knife.

Cue John gently laying a hand on his wrist to restrain him when one enthusiastic cut of the sweet potato gets too close to the tip of his thumb for John’s liking.

“Hey, uh…you want some help?” He asks with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

The Meal

John’s side of choice for the meal is a big basket of fry bread and a couple bottles of dandelion wine. He reaches out to Laios and Siebren to see if they want to come—and on impulse even calls Dr. Coldwood to encourage him to come.

Whether or not John can manage to actually eat anything is a crap shoot—but he’s here to socialize for sure.

Wildcard

[Choose Your Own John!]

[lasthumanvoice]

"Oh, I'm fine. I've worked with this sweet potato for about nine months now."

...yes, this one specific sweet potato.

"But if you really want to help, I won't say no. I saw you brought some meat, too. Did you have plans for how you want that handled?"

The meal

[spaghettification]

And so Siebren shows up. He's still not feeling entirely himself, but he's making a point of not hiding away entirely. He lingers near John at least part of the time, as much a floating shadow as certain ghost Pokemon.

"Should I have cooked something? I...am not very good at cooking."

[howtheyshine]

Hi John, have a boyshaped Yellow wearing the jacket you gave him the first time he saw frost. It’s the primary reason he’s approaching John now, both hands around a plate full of food.

“Hey.” It’s a demand for attention rather than a hello. “I’m keeping this coat.”

In case he wasn’t sure.

Eddie Kaspbrak

[batteryacid]

Food Prep [for anyone helping with setup]
Eddie spent the evening before preparing another quiche -- it was a hit at one of the potlucks, but it's also similar to a baked custard and requires some focus to cook properly. He brings it along in addition to egg delivery to the Oak and Iron.

"Does anyone need an extra pair of hands to assist?" Eddie asks, wiggling both sets of fingers as he makes the offer, "Mine are up for grabs."

Everybody say grace... / "GRACE!!" [the meal itself - OTA]
Eddie picks out a centrally located table to sit at, but he's not always there -- he's making an effort to be more social, so he's walking amongst the tables to say hello to people in between courses.

"How have you been lately?" is a common question from Eddie, and he's all smiles as he asks it.

Cleanup [Cecil-specific]
Eddie seems to have a habit of defying expectations, because he's right here to help. Moving tables and chairs back into place? Sweeping up? Here to follow your commands, Voice of Pumpkin Hollow, sir.

[lasthumanvoice]

Cecil seems to realize he's not cleaning alone after a few minutes of work, almost confused by it.

"You don't have to stay."

GRACE!

[spaghettification]

"Ah, not so well, but I am recovering." Siebren manages a sheepish little smile. If it weren't for him being distinctly in his sixties, it would frankly be a boyish sort of a smile.

GRACE!

[pineapplesalmon]

"Hey, Eddie!" César beams to him, then leans over to whisper conspiratorially. "Magne and I have started talking about getting married."

He always saves a bit of gossip for these events.

Sephiroth | OTA

[imjustaman]

The Meal

Sephiroth wasn't even at the gala, but he's more than fed-up with all the animosity he's encountered since then as people talk about what happened there. Being a cynical sort, he's not sure everyone will be willing to gather for a peaceful meal. But he hopes for the best and shows up to support Cecil's efforts. He settles in to eat and listen to the conversations, not really planning to join in. He's often seen as an aloof sort, but he will smile in a fairly congenial way if someone looks to him or wants to sit by him. If someone wants to start talking with him, he'll oblige. Zack the Umbreon, sitting by his chair, wags his tail and greets everyone.

Clean-Up

Sephiroth lingers at the end to help with the clean-up. He moves quietly, gathering plates and silverware and glasses. He isn't the type to start conversations, but he definitely finds a moment to thank Cecil for all of his hard work putting this together. And again, he's willing to talk to you if you seek him out.

Clean-up

[lasthumanvoice]

"Oh, wait, you're like new, aren't you?" Cecil isn't going to let Sephiroth escape without at least a little conversation. "What's your name, what's your favorite color, when's your birthday?"

Watson | OTA

[lightconductor]

The sweet potato is certainly welcome; Watson remembers all too well what it was like last winter. Sweet potato is almost an old friend -- though the fact that the meal isn't entirely dominated by it is a relief, too.

"Would you pass the wine?" he asks over the table. It is not his first glass.

[spaghettification]

"The grape, or John's dandelion wine?" He means the other John, John Rambo. Siebren's been sort of lingering around, rather than diving into the party. But he's here, right? That counts, right?

helena adams | ota.

[decrypter]

It's the scent that draws her in as she's passing the Green. Things smell good, and the soft tapping of her cane on the grass guides her way. It makes her remember another feast laid out for the sake of everyone, a community event. And even though she had declined the gala - too on edge about it, and disinclined if not enough people she knew were going, too nervous about herself in strange crowds - this is easier. There's more room. She won't get in anyone's way.

So she'll be getting herself some food to try - very careful, but she might ask for assistance with a dish, or with getting something to drink - she'll take suggestions if someone has them. Or she's coming to a table, to a free seat to settle down and enjoy it. Or really, just listening to everyone and everything, soaking in the atmosphere. The attitude around her is welcoming - strangers and friends alike are free to join her as they might.

[hmu for custom starters.]

[lasthumanvoice]

When Cecil realizes Helena’s like blind-blind and not just Velma-level ‘I need my glasses blind’, the temptation to get up to some playful mischief rises. He notes what she seems to enjoy most on her plate of food and attempts to sneak another serving onto her plate without her noticing.

Cecil is about as sneaky as an air horn. But the attempt is certainly made!

[mistertwister]

There’s the rustle and thud of someone sitting next to her before a familiar voice speaks up.

“You get everythin’ you wanted, Hel?”

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

Now there's an unfamiliar face. Leon's been doing his best to get a sense of the new arrivals to town since he got back, and the cluster of parties makes for a good excuse to do the rounds a bit more thoroughly than just hanging around the Oak and Iron on weekends. There's no guarantee, of course, that this isn't just someone he manged to miss during his previous stay - Marrow Isle's small, but not that small - but he figures there's no harm in introducing himself anyway.

"Hey," he says, approaching with his own plate loaded up with mostly protein and leafy greens. "You mind if I sit with you?"

2 & 3, OTA

[pineapplesalmon]

César and Magne have been practicing their fusion dishes, and thus bring a couple of the simpler ones to the meal. There's already enough food, but they wanted to contribute. The last time they went to something like this, they were cooking around each other rather than together. Makes one wonder when they're going to finally announce they're getting married.

2A. The Meal, Age
"I'll never grow tired of get togethers like this. I've been going since..." César comments, then pauses and gives off a little 'oof'. "... before my brother was born, actually. And he's sixteen."

2B. The Meal, Holidays
"I've been meaning to ask... do you know what they do around here for Halloween and Christmas?" César asks over a cup of mead. "I'm guessing they don't do the Trick-or-Treat thing like they do in America."

3. Cleaning
César doesn't even ask, he just starts gathering plates when he sees there's not enough people to get this done anytime soon. Not too high to risk them falling. But there's something about the quiet after a party that he can't help but cherish a little.

Sometimes, you just need moments of the mundane.

2A

[spaghettification]

Siebren absolutely has plowed through a few of those corn fritters already.

"You're never too old for this sort of thing, I assure you."

George Elsworth | OTA

[stonecoldtop]

George is trying to be more involved in the local community, and a shared meal is always nice, so here he is. He finds a spot at a table that's not too out of the way, but not central either, and takes in the atmosphere. There's a light smile on his face, and he'll gladly welcome conversation from anyone, whether he's met them before or not.

[lasthumanvoice]

Cecil, playing host, notices George nigh-immediately, meandering over with a manic pixie dream smile.

“Did you want someone to fix you a plate? I promise it’s not all and only sweet potato.”

Yellow || OTA

[howtheyshine]

THE FEAST
Well, Yellow has no idea what this is about, but there’s food and no one tells him to leave, so here he is. No, he doesn’t really need to eat, but he likes food. It’s fascinating, the mix of textures and flavors and sweetness and little stinging bits of heat-without-heat. It’s like— It’s like tasting a little world someone made, something meant to be temporary and to disappear.

The come-bother-him option is, of course, him at a table surrounded by more food than one boy his size can reasonably consume, even as a teenager. Everything is arranged with autistic careful precision, and no bit of food is blending into any other bit. The saucy foods even have little bread barriers keeping them from leaking into anything that shares the plate.

The him-bother-you options vary. Maybe he catches sight of something on your plate that he hasn’t tried yet and comes over to point at it and say “What’s that?” Maybe he’s trying to snipe the last of something you were reaching for from the buffet table. Maybe he overheard a bit of terminology in a conversation and has been trailing you ever since to ask what a word means. (Look, he still thinks a babysitter is someone who sits on a baby to keep them from going anywhere when their parent is away.)

Basically, if you want someone slightly weird and off-putting to glare at you like you’re the one causing a problem, he’s your guy.

Him Bother You

[impostor_syndrome]

Purple grabs the piece of katsudon Yellow's pointing at off their disproportionately meat-laden plate and shoves it in the front aperture of their diving helmet. Around their crunching and chewing noises, they say, "'s pork, I think? Covered in fried breadcrumbs."

There is more of it, but this piece is theirs and nobody is going to take it from them. Or else.

Rey | Star Wars AU

[makesrocksfloat]

2. The assortment of food is equally awe inspiriting and intimidating. She's so used to portions (and the occasional charred fish on Ahch-To) that she doesn't know what most things even are, let alone where to start. Also being new, she doesn't want to ask questions because she doesn't want everyone to know how ignorant she is about, well.

Everything.

Even the meats are vaguely registered as meat. She's never had it before, at least not as far as she remembers, but figures it's as good a place as any to start. It all smells mouth-watering and again, she doesn't want people to think she's stupid. ("You need a teacher! I can show you the ways of the Force!") At least knives were easy enough to figure out.

She saws out pieces of what looks like it might be a bird and a large chunk of the other meat and is tempted to simply cut and spear bits of it and eat that way, most of her life she'd eaten with her hands, but spots something with tines and decides to give that a try. It turns out to be great for keeping the meat in place. while she saws off what should be understandably sized pieces.

The unidentifiable meat practically melts in her mouth and is flavorful and savory. Her curiosity overcomes her self-consciousness, so she turns to the person on her right and says, "What is this? I've never had it before."

3. Rey's stomach is full beyond anything she thought possible and she wants to take a nap, but she also doesn't want to be rude and go without thanking anyone or helping them set things to rights.

She also wonders if she can have bits of what's leftover, but she'll ask about that later. Preferably after the initial 'hello, how are you. everything was tasty' conversation. They might be more likely to let her have some.

Besides, this is a potentially good way to practice. Rey concentrates and lets one plate stack on top of another which goes on yet another then further. When she thinks she's gotten enough, to her limit, she levitates them all in one big stack.

She's paying so much attention to 'carrying' the plates to notice when someone notices her.

3

[spaghettification]

There's a man who's starting to leave, when he notices the floating thing going on. Siebren is floating, himself, bare feet (yes, even in the October weather) about six inches off the ground. Of course, he's not using the Force; he's fucking directly with gravity.

"I don't think I've seen you around before."

artemy burakh | boy dinner | ota

[medekh]

Artemy is hardly accustomed to such large banquets, in fact, he doesn't think he's ever seen so much food in one place at once. He's honestly hesitant to eat much at all, considering the people around him. But a quick scan of the room, everyone has plates of heaping food, and they all seem to be enjoying themselves- a wave of relief washed over him, to see so many well fed and happy townsfolk in one place.

While Artemy didn't particularly like fancy to dos the whole point of making an appearance with was information gathering. Learning more about this town, memorizing the names of both the important influential people who live here and the everyday resident. Refusing to eat a perfectly good meal would make him look suspicious.

He vaguely wonders if this information gathering quest is just how Dankovsky felt wandering into Burakh's own hometown two weeks ago as he carves himself off a bit of meat and grabs a roll, still wanting to make sure there's enough food for everyone else despite rationality, and bites in. It's been almost two weeks since he's bothered with silverware, but luckily, he still remembers how to be civilized.

[lasthumanvoice]

This is, in the scheme of things, absolutely not a fancy to-do. It's a tent in the Festival Green and whatever people felt like whipping up. But it is a relatively large gathering, noisy and full of joyful chaos. There's a few Pokemon (yes, Pokemon) gamboling around the legs of the tables, and people having warm conversations across the room.

Cecil, the majordomo of this madness, notices a new face, but doesn't bound over until after Artemy has a plate. Still, once he's sat down, there's an almost comically bright grin turned toward him.

"Happy Yamsgiving. Hi, you're new!"

Leon S. Kennedy | OTA

[nothingbadeverhappensto]

2. Gorgeous as Geese [OTA]

Leon's still feeling the effects of having been away for a couple months, a handful of new faces arriving and a handful of old ones disappearing. He feels... weird about it, still, but there's no better way to try to get caught up on things than a big social gathering, he guesses! Not usually his scene, but he figures it'd be good to show up all the same and try to get a sense of who's new and who's... uh, gone.

Also, it just smells too good for him to pass up.

With that social mission in mind, Leon spends a great deal of the gathering wandering around from table to table, a plate laden with mostly protein and vegetables in one hand. If anyone's sitting alone and doesn't appear to be broadcasting on the 'FUCK OFF' frequencies, he'll stop and gesture to the seat next to them.

"Room for one more?" he asks, brightly.

3. Wonderfully Clean [Cecil and the Cleanup Crew]

And of course what would not-Thanksgiving be without the arduous task of putting everything back together afterwards? Ma Kennedy didn't raise her son a goddamn barbarian, so by Leon's figuring since he didn't help with prep work, it's his solemn duty to help clean. Once things start to wind down, he'll pull Cecil aside, asking; "Alright, so what's the plan? You need help getting all these tables and chairs put away or with getting the leftovers packed up?"

Anyone else who hangs around will find him carrying tables and chairs back to their appropriate places of origin, picking up stray bits of litter, or, occasionally, leaning against a tree and taking a break.

4. Got Everything [Wildcard]

[ Need something custom? Bother me over at quodvide on Discord or PM this journal to plot! ]

[lasthumanvoice]

Cecil is still surprised people are helping with cleanup. He was going to do it all alone, really! He must be, like, loved or something.

"Um! Eddie's got the leftovers, I think. Tablecloths get folded to go back to the Meridells. Tables and chairs, I guess? Yeah."

Jedi Padawan Misa | OTA

[sensitiveapple]

2. Misa's stomach, and the smell of food, had driven her here. She doesn't know these people, doesn't have her saber, and really, wants to throw an epic fit. But Master Terrik would have many words for her if she dared. Honestly, the promise of food has her thinking several things, especially when she notices salt on the table.

Out of long habit, she doesn't reach for it. Salt being a drug to Arconans makes her cautious of using it. Most Padawans would agree that having it on the table would be an insult to the few Arconans that are around. But, there are no Arconans here, and while she thinks she spies those of nonhuman descent around.... it's not the same. She is so used to other races that sometimes, being surrounded by humans feels wrong.

So, when she bumps into one, she almost drops her plate, catching it with the Force, and saving her robe from any potential splatter. "My pardon." She says, softly. She's shy around people she doesn't know... usually, anyway.

3. Clean up is something Misa is well used to. With her outer robe over a branch like blue moss, she's helping clean up, with some cheating. Her Masters are not here, she can float a plate or five over to the wash. So what if she scrapes them using the same technique?

"Watch yourself." She says, plucking a plate out of the air. "My pardon, I got a little carried away."

2

[medekh]

Artemy moves with reflexes belonging to that of a surgeon to catch her plate, but alas, even his better than normal but still human reflexes aren't a match for superhuman abilities. He seems a bit bewildered at seeing a floating plate in front of him, but collects himself quickly, adjusting his coat as he does so.

"My apologies, I did not mean to bump into you." He says quietly right back to her. Artemy gestures to the plate, still floating in midair. "I assume you are responsible for your gravity defying meal?"

R’ Lev/Lyubov Morgenshtern | OC | OTA + 1 for Cecil

[graphomaniac]

1. well, the bomb’s in the china, the fat’s in the fire
Yes, we're happy as fish | open to all

Lev/Lyubov comes along to see if they can help cook, but given how easily they get tired, most of what they end up doing is handing implements to others and chopping things that don't need to be chopped too fine.

But of course, they're able to give suggestions on what to do with all the sweet potato, and more than willing to be the one to keep an eye on the clock, so nothing gets overcooked.

When there's nothing in particular for them to do, they'll go around the kitchen and see if anyone needs help, or even company. They linger to chat with friends, and introduce themself to people they know only by sight — and mention to those that they're more than willing to offer what advice they can, on matters of faith and the spirit, to whoever wishes to ask.

"It might not always be relevant to all, nu? But like, I'm always happy to meddle. It's the only job I've ever done, besides writing, and like, writing only rarely requires other people."

2. there’s no turkey left on the table
And gorgeous as geese | open to all

Lev/Lyubov, having exhausted themself just a little during all the prep, fills their plate and perches on a bench to eat and people-watch. But even if they're too tired to walk around much, they're not too tired to talk. Seeing anyone looking like they might be amicable to a chat, they'll wave them over.

"Oy! Got time to shmuz? I've like, personally, got the whole night free!"

3. the commuters’ return on the six o’clock flyer
And wonderfully clean in the morning | part specific to Cecil, otherwise open to all

Lev/Lyubov stays to help clean up, pretty much on instinct. They've always stayed to help clean up after kiddish, unless they were really so tired that they could barely stand. Why would this be different?

---

But first, before the cleaning starts in earnest, Lev finds Cecil and asks to speak to him.

"Cecil, nu, like ... I have something of a delicate question for thee? Nothing bad, just ..." he gestures, awkwardly. "I wish not for thee to take it the wrong way ... and it'll take maybe fifteen minutes. Twenty, if we're real bad at it."

4. brings no bale of hay for the stable
Wildcard | open to all

Something else? PM this journal or contact me on Discord to discuss!

2

[howtheyshine]

Yellow looks behind himself to make sure the stranger isn't talking to someone else before he starts to drift over, cautious and anxious but a little less... suspicious. For now.

At least until he realizes that the strange tickle he's been feeling in his psyche seems to be this person.

He stops a few feet away, holding his plate with both hands.

"...What the fuck is shmuz?"