interfaith dinner mingle!!

[stefanged]

Who: Interfaith Center regulars & the not-so-regulars (party crashers are welcome too!!)
Broadcast: Nope
Action: Interfaith Center on the Iskaulit
When: Forward-dated to November 4th

[The Interfaith Center sounds far more bustling and busy than usual - and anyone peering inside would quickly figure out that a communal dinner is underway! Take off your shoes and walk in: the lounge has extra tablecloths on the floor as well as buffet tables with non-alcoholic beverages and all sorts of food, including Jordanian cuisine (or the outer space equivalent of Jordanian food).

The board games are out of their hiding nooks; the furniture's arranged for the maximum seating possible; and even the teddy bears donated by Kitty & Winn are out for cuddling, should anyone want them.

The kitchen's bustling with helpers - Stefan's running around at vamp-speed to make sure everything's a) done on time and b) cooked to perfection - but he sure wouldn't mind an extra hand. And if you're still not up for some food? Well, the prayer rooms are open as usual. There's always a quiet moment to be found, even if the laughter's louder and the scent of freshly-baked mansaf's wafting through the long corridors.

Anyone and everyone who's ever been inside the Interfaith Center has been invited (via text message - and Stefan even used the fancy emoji). If you're not particularly faithful or devout? Well, drop by anyways. There's more than enough food to spare.]

Comments

Stefan Salvatore-Alesci | ota

[stefanged]

[Truthfully, Stefan's been fretting about this for weeks. Sure, he's run these before at Princeton. He also wasn't the one in charge. If it weren't for Misty's encouragement, he might've shied from the whole thing. But once those invitations were out, he threw his entire heart into the space. The kitchen's brimming with food, from mansaf [a mixed meat & rice dish with Jordanian spices] to even falafel and hummus and maybe some homemade bread, per Eugene's recipe. He's not the best cook (far from it), but after being here this long, he's picked up enough to feed a crowd.

If he's not checking on the food, he's out in the lounge, refilling non-alcoholic drinks or checking the atmosphere of the crowd - and right before the meal? Right before everyone sits together?

He'll take center stage and lead everyone in a short prayer to bless the food. He doesn't look at anyone during the prayer - he still can't, when eyes are on him - and yet? He finally feels like he's home.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor slips over to him at some point to say hi ]

It was kind of you to do this, Stefan. Thank you for the invitation.

[stefanged]

Ah, no problem, Uncle - Uncle Maglor. [Stefan frowns at himself. Apparently, a few months of knowing not!uncle won't undo twenty-five years of instinct.] I'm just glad you could make it.

[bythewaves]

I do not mind, if it is easier for you to call me that. [ Maglor smiles a little at him in understanding ]

I am glad to come - I admit I tend to... sequester myself, if left to my own devices.

[monolike]

[Guess who's jumping him after finishing his first plate of food? This kid right here.]

Hey! How come I can't seem to catch you before you disappear back into the kitchen? Come sit with me! [grabs arm ok i guess that decision is made for you]

[stefanged]

[tbh, Sorey could ask him to walk into walls and he'd probably agree.]

Um, sure. [He gives an apologetic smile as he flops down beside akhi.] Sorry, I wanted to make sure that everything tasted okay, and that everyone knows what they're doing, and- [pause] and I'm worrying again.

[monolike]

Yup.

[He's still snacking while he's talking, too. For being so forgetful of mealtimes, this kid can really eat.]

Is this the first time you've thrown a party? I guess it's kind of hard to do, huh?

[save_the_souls]

[At some point (okay, most of the evening), Allen can be found near the food. When he sees Stefan near here, of course he'll come talk to him- while holding a plate that's pretty piled on.]

This is really nice, Stefan! Thank you for doing this!

[stefanged]

[Never change, Allen. Stefan's fighting back a laugh as he glances over at that pile of food.]

I should be thanking you. If you hadn't talked to me about having some kind of worship space, this would've never been possible.

[save_the_souls]

[He smiles at that]

Come on. I may have given you the idea, but you made it a reality. And you done some incredible things with it too, more than I would've.

[castrationfist]

[At some point after the food has been blessed, Caster is going to approach, curiously. Notably, she was bustling around from the start, but as soon as that praying started, she was nowhere to be seen.]

This is quite an interesting group you've brought together.

[stefanged]

Thanks? [Stefan's never, ever sure what to say to Caster, but that could be a compliment. Maybe?] I wouldn't say I brought them in...

But they either practiced a faith back home, or they were raised in it, and they just kept going.

[castrationfist]

And you gave them a place for that. Westerners have their churches, and we of the east have our shrines. Location is as much a part of religion as the prayers you chant, and this location was made by you, wasn't it? Don't sell yourself short.

[She sounds genuine, if flattering, with all of this. So, naturally, she's probably plotting something.]

Lounge

[mistyday]

[Misty kneels next to Stefan, dutifully clasping her hands together and closing her eyes while he says the blessing. She murmurs a soft "Amen" when he finishes before opening her eyes. While everyone's digging in, she reaches over to Stefan and takes his hand.]

That was a beautiful prayer.

[stefanged]

Thank you.

[He squeezes her hand, not even hesitating to lean closer and rest his forehead close to hers.]

You didn't mind the Arabic? I tried to keep most of it in English, but there were pieces that would've just.. felt lost in translation.

[mistyday]

'Course I don't mind. It's the meaning that matters most. Don't matter what language we speak, God will understand.

[survivalistcookbook]

[Communal dinner, you say? That's invitation enough to Eugene to poke his nose in early, knocking on the doorway to the kitchen to announce himself.]

Any cooking left to do, or am I stuck with dishes?

[stefanged]

[Stefan's relief is as clear as day! As much as he likes cooking, he's nowhere near Eugene's level and he knows it.]

Actually... [Stefan beams, motioning for Eugene to come over!] I've been trying to follow your bread recipe? So maybe you could tell me where to go from here.

[survivalistcookbook]

Absolutely.

[Eugene joins him readily, already starting to grin. Of everyone he's given the starter to, he's always pleased when people use it to make actual bread.]

How far along are you? Already past the kneading and letting it rise, hopefully.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash had come to the dinner. Curious to see what it would be like. What he noticed right away is that Stefan looked a bit overwork and wasn't having a lot of time to enjoy himself. If it's because he didn't have enough help or because he had to make sure everything was just right Vash isn't completely sure just yet.

So that's why he'll find Stefan in the kitchen after he's mingled for a bit.]

Hey, do you need a hand back here? I'm not an amazing chef, but I work at the Space Bar in their kitchen if you need some help.

[stefanged]

[At this point in the evening, Stefan's about done: he's piling dishes onto platters, but he wouldn't turn down help. He gives Vash a nod, motioning for him to come over.]

I'm good for now, but I wouldn't mind some company. [pause] Or actually, how good are you with salads?

[goldenglasses]

Not too bad actually. [Vash heads towards the sink to take off his gloves and wash his hands. It should be noted that his right hand has a large, thick scar on the back and it looks like his right thumb has been sewn back on once before.] I mean, it's juts chopping and mixing. It's hard to mess up a salad at least.

[Once his hands are cleaned he'll start looking for the things he'd need to get the salad prepared.]

[mucked]

[ peggy carter makes an appearance -- although one is often left with the impression that she's bound to leave before long. her visits are like surgical strikes, and today she targets the kitchen.

she strides in and helps herself to a forkful of mansaf, humming her enjoyment as she walks past the table -- the spices are a rare delight in the fleet, and rarer still in her life back home. but she's had the occasion, now and then, to venture beyond western europe and america. these flavours remind her of old jobs, of early days, and of adrenaline.

peggy stops within feet of stefan. ] Well, look at all you've brought together. You must be feeling proud.

sorry for the late!

[stefanged]

I wouldn't say proud, but it's nice to see everyone in one place.

[Including Peggy - it's been a while. Stefan's expression softens as he approaches, though he's long since absorbed the scent of almonds and honey - even his gelled hair smells like it today!]

Thanks for dropping by. I hope everything tastes okay.

it's all good!

[mucked]

[ she sucks the last bit of flavour off her fork -- smiling, if only smallishly. ]

More than okay, in point of fact. It's bloody delicious.

[ peggy can be enthusiastic about food. she tries to exert a little self control instead of reaching for more. ]