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

Leliana | OTA

[nugqueen]

[Leliana, with a cameo from Schmooples who rested on her shoulders, can be found in various places throughout the festivities. First she starts in the kitchen watching Stefan run about before helping him with preparations herself. Then the lounge is where she is made herself most available with Schmooples resting in her lap while she samples the food and enjoys good company.

Should anyone wish to have a conversation with her or say hello they are more than welcome to do so.]

kitchen!

[stefanged]

[He's starting to think he lives here, from all the running and chopping and stirring he's been doing, but he will never, ever turn down help. When he sees Leliana, his expression brightens.]

Hey! Thanks again so much for helping out. [He hands over some vegetables, gesturing towards a nearby cutting board and set of knives.] Could you chop these?

I think after we stir-fry 'em, we should be good to go.

[nugqueen]

Of course.

[Leliana sets to work, carefully cutting the vegetables into manageable sized pieces.]

I don't think I've tried that - stir fry. What sort of dish it?

[If it was as good as most of Stefan's cooking, she wouldn't be surprised to find herself enjoying it.]

[stefanged]

Really? It's pretty simple - you take vegetables, you take olive oil and a few spices, and you stir them as you cook them over high heat.

[He reaches for a clean wok and some olive oil, before stirring in some chopped up garlic and onions. He's not in any particular rush, so it's all over low heat for now.]

My mom taught me when I was little, and I just uh, kept it going.

[nugqueen]

[She was a bit envious, that he learned such skills from his mother. Her own had died when she'd been young. Though really, what could she even remember of her? The only thing she remembered was how she smelled - Andraste's Grace. Those had become her favorite flower.]

A worthy tradition. I am sure she would be thrilled to hear it.

[Passing some of her chopped vegetables, she sets about doing more prep work. If he needed more chopping, she would do it, but then there were other things she could possibly prepare - tea, snacks, and the like.]

[stefanged]

If you're done already, come on over - I'll show you how it's done.

[He takes the vegetables - it'll be enough for one batch! - before gesturing for her to follow him over to the stove as he tosses them into the wok. The oil sizzles, and a few stray drops land on him, but he's a vampire. He doesn't flinch.

He gives her a wooden spoon, motioning for her to stir it.] See how the vegetables are staring to turn darker? That's what we're looking for.

[nugqueen]

[She stirs carefully, nodding as she concentrates on the vegetables and waits for their color to darken.]

I won't be surprised if there are no left overs left of this.

[Giving one last stir, she passes him the spoon before stepping back to let him inspect.]

[stefanged]

Looks good!

[He reaches for a platter, motioning for her to go ahead and pile it high.]

You never know. Between me and Caster, I think we've got enough for half the Fleet.

[nugqueen]

Only as good as the chef who made it, I think.

[She means you did this, Stefan. Not her. At any rate she makes quick work moving the meal from the wok to the platter.]

Lounge

[reflectedblight]

[She'd heard about this place and even spotted it during some of her explorations. She'd always intended to come back at some point, but today there happened to be a party and in that party was Leliana. Creators, was everything complicated about that...but she couldn't help but go to her favorite human, even when Leliana didn't remember her.

She still loved her.

Lark stripped her boots and came to where Leliana was sitting so she could sit beside her. It didn't take her long to dig into the food herself, but she glances over to the nug.]

Is that Schmooples?

[Honestly, Lark didn't care much for nugs, but that one was okay, she supposed. Especially considering the way Leli's eyes lit up when Lark had presented him to her.]

[nugqueen]

[Leliana looked up when Lark approached, only for her to sit beside her. Somehow her presence always left a twinge of regret, along with feelings of longing and curiosity. It would be hard to deny that even she got lonely now and again, like anyone else stuck in some strange place unwillingly. It was only good that she had her work to busy herself with. Now she had other thoughts to occupy her and Lark was at the center of those thoughts.

She felt conflicted in not being able to return such feelings when she could hardly even call her a friend or an ally. She didn't know her - not as well as she knew Riona. Was it even fair to even have conversations with her when she couldn't return the same feelings? And yet it would be more unfair to outright ignore her existence.]

In a manner of speaking, yes. Schmooples III. Unfortunately, Schmooples did age and well... his successor is at home, I assume.

[Leaning back against the pillows, Leliana looks sideways to Lark, hair mussed up somewhat in the back by her reclined state. It couldn't be denied that Lark was beautiful, in her own fashion. She could see how, in another life, she might have been taken with her. Adjusting Schmooples to lay across her chest, she looks back down at the nug instead of at Lark. It was a means to distract her thoughts, focusing on petting the snuffling creature who stared up at her in return.]

I treasured him in that time. From when he was first given to me, until his passing. I adopted Schmooples II and another nug for breeding. That became a bit of a hobby of mine more recently.

[Looking to her again, Leliana gestures with a free hand to the lounge at large.]

What brings you here? Prayer? Though the food is well made, I admit.

[She'd given many dishes a try during her rounds, after helping Stefan to make a few of them of course.]

[reflectedblight]

[She smiled softly at the image of Leliana laying back with the silly animal and it only brightened further when she mentioned her nug breeding.]

I can't say I'm surprised you turned to nug breeding, you always were far more taken with those things than most.

[But the question just receives a half-hearted shrug.]

I was curious. I suppose, in a way, it could be said you're what brought me here. We talked about religion quite a bit back home. The idea was familiar.

[She glanced to Leliana, that smile still in place.]

You being here now is certainly what kept me from leaving after I satisfied my curiosity. I assume you spend some time here.

[nugqueen]

I adore them still, even if my work for the Divine has kept me busier than I would have liked. Ah- after the Blight, Mother Dorothea was made the next Divine when her predecessor passed away. She asked for my help.

[She was careful to dodge what sort of 'help' she gave. Riona already worried about it, having an idea of what skills she had to offer. She wouldn't bring up any specifics to Lark either.]

I come here to find the same peace I did in Lothering, to allow myself to make sense of all of this - why we were brought here, what Atroma has planned. Mostly, it's just nice to have a quiet moment now and again, no?

[reflectedblight]

Of course.

[She didn't want to say 'we were supposed to travel the world together' it sounded whiny and petulant, not befitting a proud Dalish Warden. But...of course something had come up. Something had likely come up with her too, Alistair might have needed her help, or something else with the Wardens and Leliana would have felt honor-bound to answer a call from her religion. Lark couldn't blame her.]

I understand. It's a nice sentiment.

Perhaps I can carve something to honor Ghilan'nain. She's the Mother of all Halla and goddess of navigation.

[Her hand came up to brush the vallaslin on her forehead.]

Is this the only place you feel you can find peace? It seems like a large fleet.

[nugqueen]

I am sure Stefan would not mind. I find it interesting how open this places about different faiths. He has held discussions before as well, though I have yet to sit down for them. Perhaps someone might have questions about Elven lore?

[As for her question, Leliana gives her a thoughtful glance, contemplating how to explain herself. At first it had been a means to learn, but then coming here had become routine. It reminded her of home, of her small altar in the rookery at Skyhold.]

I come here so that I do not trouble Riona, the other Warden in the fleet - the one that I have known, instead of you. We reside aboard the same ship in the fleet, but there are things I don't want to trouble with. I come here, when the din becomes too much, so that I might keep my thoughts from hurting others.

[Thoughts of Justinia, thoughts of how bitterly angry she was at Anders' presence before he had been stripped of Justice, thoughts of how she felt herself slipping... she didn't want to burden her friend with any of it.]

I wouldn't want to trouble you with it either, so please... think nothing of it. It's just- a lot has happened since the Blight.

[reflectedblight]

I can tell.

[Riona seemed nice enough, for a noble human, that thread of jealousy still hadn't unwound itself and it clenched briefly at the mention, but then faded again. She focused on Leliana instead.]

You're more closed off. More sad. More angry. You're in pain.

[She just couldn't figure out why. Lark shifted forward a bit, those green eyes locked intently on Leliana.]

It troubles me more to not know what pains you, to not even have the chance to help. Nothing you could tell me would trouble me more than that.

I know I'm basically a stranger, but what you do know of me should tell you enough to know I want to help you. I've always wanted to support you, that hasn't changed.

[But she couldn't drag it out of Leliana, all she could do was hold out the invitation and hope it was taken eventually.]

I understand if you don't want to talk now, just know this isn't the only safe haven you have available. Anywhere I am is safe for you as well.

[nugqueen]

Your version of me - did you meet Marjolaine?

[She wants to confirm it because surely if they're as close as Lark says, she'll realize sooner or later that she's slipped off the wagon in a fashion. She's done things in her work for Justinia that were necessary, even if she didn't always feel good about it.]

Did we talk of her?

['Because there are times when I look in the mirror and all I see is her' she wants to say. There are times when even just a simple gesture of her hand could set her heart stopping in her chest because out of the corner of her eye she would catch her reflection for a fraction of a second and feel as if she was staring back at that woman who had hurt her.]

[wolfehawke]

[Anders has been in the prayer rooms for entirely too long as far as Adalwolfe is concerned and while he won't begrudge his love that inexplicable connection he still has to religion, it doesn't require him to stand outside and wait for the entire time. His goal is just to walk through the lounge on the way to the kitchen but he spots Leliana on his way through and decides that even as uncomfortable as he is in these surroundings, he could see if she wants anything.]

I'm heading for a bite. Would you like anything while I'm there anyway?

[nugqueen]

Have you tried the stir fry? I helped make it with Stefan, though I haven't tried it yet. It smelled divine, though.

[Excuse her while she extracts herself and Schmooples from her nice spot among the sea of pillows to follow you to the kitchens, Hawke.]

[wolfehawke]

Oh, I was just going to bring yo-- okay.

[Guess they're both going now. That's cool.]

Is that what it's called, stir fry? Seems a bit on the nose.

[She's right though, it does smell divine when they get into the kitchen.]

[nugqueen]

What - afraid to walk around with me?

[She grins playfully, knowing full well she had caused plenty of reasons for him to feel uneasy. Some of which she had only apologized to Anders for. Her prejudices had gotten the better of her, her grief had twisted her faith. Still, she wasn't out of the woods yet. She still felt lost most days, others were when she would give in to the loneliness that would creep upon her like a shadow.]

I know where things are you know. I come here often and you do not.

[But teasing could wait. Food would be nice right about now.]

[wolfehawke]

No, of course not! And I know that, I just thought to bring it to you because you and your nug looked so comfortable.

[And its the polite thing to do. Jeeze Leliana.

Also who has a pet nug? That is so weird.]

No matter, I suppose. Let's try some of this stir fry.

[He's just going to grab both of them plates now to try and save face.]

[nugqueen]

[Excuse you Schmooples is a legendary hero of the Fifth Blight. You should treat him like a king.]

As you wish. Besides, neither of us minds.

[And it's funny to make him nervous.


Leliana follows him, watching him sort out his plate with almost too much interest. Was it making him uncomfortable? Andraste she hoped so because she liked the humor it brought in her.]

[wolfehawke]

[He gets them both plates, both of the same amount of food with a practiced hand. Force of habit from having to feed both of his siblings and Carver being one to complain that everyone else got more than him.]

Here you go.

[He offers her the plate, looking a little pensive. It's not just her presence that makes him nervous. Or rather, it is, but not for the reason she thinks.]

Sister, may I ask you a question concerning faith?

[nugqueen]

You may ask. That is, after all, what this place is for.

[She takes the plate from him, grabbing up a fork as she gestures for him to follow her to a secluded space where they can speak freely.]