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.]

Eithan Paine | ota

[deviances]

[ Eithan's mostly here to hang out with people. And because there's food. Of course. Food and company - the best ways to get Eithan's attention.

He's not very religious, actually, even back home. Hell, and it's not like anyone here (that he knows of) has even heard of his goddesses. But after having a deep and interesting conversation over the network a while back, and because he's becoming pretty good friends with Stefan (not to mention they've been playing ridiculous phone tag since they entered this system, oops) he figured he might as well show up to this thing. So, sure, he might feel a tiny bit like an interloper... but that's why he's helping out wherever Stefan says he might need a hand with something! Because that totally gives him more of an excuse to be there. ... Or something like that. Sure.

When he isn't helping Stefan, he's spending his time in the lounge, talking to anyone about any given topic - spiritual/faith-y, or not. He's genuinely curious about all the different religions, and he might ask questions if it seems like someone wouldn't mind them. Hell, he'll talk about his own faith, if it comes up at all.

He's silent and respectful during the prayer, and though the food is like nothing he's really seen before, it doesn't stop him from digging in. In his opinion? It always pays to be adventurous with food~ ]

Kirito | ota

[huaaaaagh]

[Kirito isn't big on religion, really - he can take it or leave it and he's got no reason to judge, but he's never been especially spiritual - but the dinner is a thing of passion for Stefan, and he'd be a crap friend if he didn't contribute. He's dutifully on standby for whatever random jobs someone like him is useful for: set-up, decor, cleaning. He'll probably spend at least half his time in the kitchen doing dishes or stirring things at the stove when Stefan's busy.

When he isn't in the kitchen, he's mostly mingling, saying hi to people here and there and attempting to be halfway social. He's a bit of an adventurer with food, especially snacks, so he'll happily munch on just about everything that's available.]

[stefanged]

[Phone tag is absolutely the worst, but Stefan's so glad that he has Eithan with him in the kitchen. The bulk of the cooking's done (thankfully!!) and Stefan's even sipping from a jar of mouse blood as they're waiting for the baklava to bake.]

Thanks again for coming out here. [Stefan lets himself sigh of relief.] I forgot how much work these things take.

[deviances]

Seriously... I think I've got a newfound respect for my dad - dunno how he manages to pull shit like this off all the time.

[ He grins, though, clearly pleased with how it's going so far. ]

Besides, it's cool of you to do somethin' like this. Beats just sittin' around, wonderin' what's gonna happen next. You know?

Mikleo | ota

[nerdeology]

[Ordinarily it would be difficult to drag Mikleo away from a natural planet and back into space - especially after being stuck in his room for so long - but the interfaith center is really important to Sorey and Stefan, and he's contributed enough to the place's upkeep to feel an obligation. So here he is.

He can still be kind of low on energy long-term, and there's a lot of food in the area which still bothers him a great deal, so he doesn't wander too close, opting instead to hang out by the seraphim shrine, sitting on a cushion and leaning against it to people-watch. He takes up some of the reading materials available, flipping through curiously, occasionally taking notes. He's not looking for religion but that doesn't mean he can't learn from their teachings. Is he seriously just sitting in a corner reading during a social event?

Yeah, he's kind of crap at parties. He might pop into Sorey here and there if he feels like bothering his vessel, so if you see a weird light poofing in and out of someone, don't concern yourself with that. Unless he interrupts the conversation. He might do that a bit.

He's also curious about some of the board games, since they didn't have much of those back in Elysia, so he's poking at a few of the more puzzle-esque ones, flipping through instruction booklets and moving the pieces about when no one else is using them. For those who can't see seraphim, it might be surprising to see chess pieces mysteriously sliding across the board on their own... care to play a game against an invisible man?]

( as usual, resonance permissions! )

[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.

Maglor | ota

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor is always somehow still surprised when people invite him to things to just hang out, and so always very grateful. He brings his harp, because he's never without it, but he's here as guest, not performer (although he will hardly turn down anyone asking for a song).

He mingles a little but mostly stays shyly on the sidelines, people watching. The abundance of foods is very interesting to him, especially since he doesn't recognise a lot, so he can also be found sampling the various dishes in delight.

He's also just interested in general - Mannish religion has changed much from his day, and he wonders what things have carried through ]

[stefanged]

Right? My grandparents did this once a week, and now I'm not sure how they ever managed.

[He returns that grin, ducking his head. This feels like such high praise coming from Eithan.]

I've always wanted to. Back home, my old boss did these... communal dinners? They were all about building a community, and since we're all stuck together, we might as well get to know each other.

[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.

[deviances]

Maybe there's some secret we don't know yet. Or it gets easier with practice. [ Beat. ] Or your grandparents and my whole family are just crazy. Who knows?

[ Nod! ] Yeah, might as well. And hey, nothin' brings people together like food and a good time - even people from whole different worlds! Some things are universal I guess.

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.]

[stefanged]

No, no - you're not him, or you're not him yet, and I've gotta respect that.

[He shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.]

I'm the same way, usually. Misty's half the reason I'm trying this hard.

dumb question but would Leliana know that the dragon was him?? gonna assume no for now

[nugqueen]

[Leliana finds herself intrigued by the board games, though they are mostly familiar to her. When she spots someone playing chess, she immediately takes the seat opposite them, albeit... an invisible person???]

Care to play a game?

[stefanged]

Could be all three. You never know.

[He sips on that mouse blood as if it holds all the secrets of the multiverse - or maybe he's just hungry. He's been here practically all day.]

I'd hope so. I don't think I wanna meet someone who doesn't like the idea of dinner and board games.

[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]

[deviances]

[ Totally valid - dinner organizing really takes a lot out of a guy... ]

Seriously. Not that I know any of these games, pretty sure, but that just means I get to learn. And then win later.

[ Yep, there's that grin again~ ]

[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.

[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!

not dumb at all! not sure either tbh, it wasn't really broadcast but sorey was honest if it came up

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo tilts his head, observing how the woman looks in his direction, but... not quite at him. So she can't see him, then. She looks vaguely familiar, but he can't place her just yet. Maybe he's seen her around on the network?

Either way, he reaches out and slides a pawn into a novice starting position.]

I'd like that.

[He has no idea if she can hear him either, but it's worth a shot. Regardless, he's up for a round. He's inexperienced, but he catches on fast, so hopefully he can make it fun.]

[stefanged]

Okay, I know you're not from Earth, but you seriously don't know Jenga?

[There's a dangerous gleam in Stefan's eye.]

We're gonna fix that tonight. Win OR lose, I don't even care, because you've been seriously deprived.

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.

[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.

Allen Walker | OTA

[save_the_souls]

[ Allen wasn't the most active member of the Interfaith center. With his own status in the church being ... complicated, he always felt a bit strange about getting too involved in religious matters. Exorcists weren't exactly priests, after all. But that didn't mean he wasn't a regular visitor of the place, and Stefan was still a good friend- so of course he was happy to attend a dinner. Even with the food being reason #3 for coming! How about that!

So the Exorcist can usually be found with a plate of food, happily enjoying himself to the delicious food. When it comes to the socializing aspect, however, he seems to be sticking to the walls and far corner spots. He'll be friendly enough to talk to whoever approaches him, and he even seems to be listening to any group discussions going on- just you know, it's a little awkward to know how to talk religion when you're in his shoes, okay. ]