'tis the season

[beathach]

Who: Hank, Raven, Charles, and Erik
Broadcast: none
Action: Corona
When: Forward-dated to after Christmas

[docking at the hotel had been something of a godsend. Originally he was going to attempt to cook himself, but with all of the restaurants at the hotel available, he opted to choose one of them instead. Likely for the best, because he wasn't the greatest cook.

He'd done his research, however, and the dinner - while nothing overly fancy - still had some traditional Christmas and Hanukkah foods - or at least, as close as they could get to them, all things considered. He tried, okay.

But it was a holiday dinner for the four of them, and that was the most important part. It was a first for their family, after all]

Comments

[axiomed]

[ Charles actually dresses nicely for the occasion - nothing major but he picks out a black tuxedo at least. He politely asks the waiter to move the chair away before settling himself at the table. ]

[ To Hank, gently teasing. ] I see you skipped out on cooking.

[beathach]

[Hank is dressed nicely as well - but he kept it to a simple shirt and tie, rather than anything fancier. He likes to keep things simple.

He laughs at what Charles says and faintly shakes his head]

I figured I'd spare you my attempt.

[axiomed]

That's a shame. But perhaps next time.

[beathach]

Next time? Do you miss my cooking that much?

[exothermia]

[Erik shows up in his grey suit from the masquerade months ago, paired with a darker shirt and tie. The most substantial bit of effort he put in was to get a haircut a couple of days ago; he's less scruffy than he's been in months.

He smiles a bit at the potato latkes (or close enough) Hank has managed to spirit out of somewhere as he takes his seat.]

So, what made this restaurant the pick of the bunch?

[axiomed]

That's not quite the word I would use.

[axiomed]

I imagine we'll find out.

[ He smiles at the waiter who fills his glass with wine. ]

[exothermia]

Yes, mostly likely. There are a lot of them - I lost count.

[axiomed]

You tried to count?

[exothermia]

Idly, while I was walking around in the first week.

[It had been a bit obscene, seeing how many different eateries and bars were around.]

This is more like a miniature city than a hotel.

[axiomed]

I believe that's the idea. Especially if it has to keep moving.

Like a cruise ship. My mother used to love those. They had everything.

[exothermia]

I suppose it's also because the planet below doesn't seem to have a lot of towns.

[He picks up the serving utensils, scooping some of the latkes onto his plate.]

It is a bit. Just cruising around this nebula.

[axiomed]

I imagine there are plenty of planets like that.

[beathach]

There's a couple of reasons. Why, was there another you had in mind?

[mostly, this one didn't give him strange looks when he requested a few off the menu things. And he'd eaten here before, so he at least knew the food was decent]

[exothermia]

Yes, I have no doubt.

[They had seen a few in their own time.]

Much like less populous countries on Earth.

[exothermia]

No, there isn't. I was just interested, considering there's so many of them.

[axiomed]

I suppose I can't complain. I did talk about having a holiday.

[exothermia]

[He smiles a bit.]

You did. It's even unplanned.

[axiomed]

Perhaps a little too unplanned.

The wine is decent though.

[exothermia]

At least there's that.

[He tilts his own glass with a finger, before looking out the windows that display the nebula beyond.]

It was a nice idea. Doing this.

[axiomed]

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's all Hank's idea. Honestly, I completely forgot about the holiday season.

[exothermia]

I know it was. I can't say I was intending on doing anything.

[Hanukkah was already over, and he had observed that in privacy. This time of year had become a bit more familiar to him while living in Poland, but it still was never going to be a tradition he took much part in.]

It's easy to forget, being completely unconnected to Earth as we are.

[axiomed]

[ It's easy to forget for markedly different reasons, but Charles doesn't mention them. ]

That has its benefits too.

[exothermia]

[Nor will Erik. He's already spent a few days in a low mood; it comes and goes. These days, it goes a little faster, at least.]

And what would you say is one of them? If you had to name one.

[axiomed]

[ He pauses. ]

The opportunities, I guess. I love the school but it's not - bad being away for a while.