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

[nerdeology]

No, not lonely. I had company enough, and someone to learn and play with. But children usually want more than what they have, even if what they have is enough.

[mistyday]

I don't think that just applies to children, you know.

[nerdeology]

I suppose not. It's only easier to keep quiet about it as you grow- as an adult, if there's something you want, you have to seek it out yourself rather than just asking for it.

[mistyday]

Sometimes I miss that though, when you were a kid and totally believed your parents could do anything.

[nerdeology]

I didn't have parents, but there was always someone to act in their stead, so I assume the sentiment is similar enough. I can't disagree, but I do like the freedom of directing my own path in life now.

[mistyday]

Don't reckon I ever had much freedom to choose.

[She smiles sadly then sits down across from him.]

Can you teach me how to play?

[nerdeology]

[That's vague, and not a happy sentiment. He wonders briefly if he should ask, but she changes the subject quickly after, so he files the comment away for the moment.]

Well... I can try. I've only just learned to play it myself. It's not too complicated though, merely a bit tricky.

[He starts re-shuffling the cards and arranging it into piles in front of her.]

[mistyday]

[It's not very happy, her life, but here she's happier than she's ever been before so she tries not to dwell on it.]

That's okay! We can learn together.

[nerdeology]

I'm fine with that.

[Misery loves company? Well, either way, company also equals distraction, so he'll take it.

Once the cards are piled in order, he points to each, going through one by one.]

Two decks, ten piles of five cards each to start. The rest act as a back-up for when you get stuck. One a card is placed, you can only move it to another stack ending with the card above the one you're moving- ten to Jack, 7 to 8, and so on. To win, you end up with all cards stacked in order by suit. If you run out of moves and extra cards, you lose. Make sense?

[mistyday]

[Misty bites her lip and nods.]

I think so.

[nerdeology]

That's the basic gist of it, anyway, or at least as much as I understand. It's not too complicated- you more or less flip the cards over and place them in order until you run out of moves.

[He flips over the first card on each pile, moving an 8 card to rest on a 9 before withdrawing to give her a turn.]

It gets harder the further in you go if you're too reckless, though.

[mistyday]

[She laughs.]

Oh man, I probably won't be any good at this then.

[But she's giving it a shot. There's a Jack she can put on a Queen at the least.]

[nerdeology]

That's fine, I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet, either.

[He moves another card; it's pretty easy this early on so it's quick.]

So, I recognize you, but I don't know you. Do you come to the center often?

[mistyday]

Mmm-hmm. Every day that I can. I like to help Stefan.

[nerdeology]

I thought so. I see the volunteers come through here sometimes, so your face is familiar.

[Did that come out creepy? He didn't mean for it to be creepy.]

[mistyday]

[If it is, she doesn't notice.]

You should've said hi!

[nerdeology]

Most people can't see or hear me. I don't like to risk scaring people; it feels rude, especially in a place of peace like this.

[mistyday]

...what do you mean, they can't see you?

[nerdeology]

Just like it sounds. To them, I may as well not exist. Invisible, inaudible...

[mistyday]

How come I can see you then?

[nerdeology]

Not sure. There's a few reasons why you might be able to- those with traits or ties to animals, or those who have certain powers... or just those who are particularly spiritual.

Some people have natural resonance that grows the longer they're around seraphim. It varies.

[mistyday]

Well I got most of those, so take your pick.

[She considers him for a moment. Does explain why he's kind of fuzzy.]

What exactly is a seraphim? Are you a spirit or something?

[nerdeology]

Most people understand it easiest when we describe ourselves as spirits, yeah. Every seraph is connected to an element that defines their abilities and connection to nature.

[mistyday]

What's your element then?

[nerdeology]

Water. There are two wind seraphim in the fleet, as well.