And Let Us Gather 'Round [ Video + Action ]

[universal_charm]

Who: Kirk and The Fine People of the Fleet
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Iskaulit, Specifically at the Melting Pot - Note: After the Broadcast
When: After they start heading away from the system

Video
<sub>[ Kirk appears on the screen, and probably like many people he looks tired and a bit beaten up. Scratches not yet healed on his face, one even covered with a bandage on his cheek, that sort of drawn look around his eyes after all the sleepless nights and the battles and general horridness. A little to pale, perhaps.

Even so, he gives as warm a smile as he can as he begins to speak. ]</sub>

For those of you who might not know, I come from a world called Earth - or at least, one of the versions represented here. On my world, in the country I hail from, we celebrate something known as Thanksgiving roughly around this time of year if I've done my calculations correct. Some people call it Friendsgiving, but it's all the same really.

Essentially, it's a time to a give thanks for the good things in your life, your friends, and your family. In the spirit of that, I've arranged for a gathering at the Melting Pot - a thank you to Jarvis for that. Everyone who wishes to come is welcome.

I just thought we all could use a day, a place, to be together and to just enjoy each other. So I hope to see you there.

Action: The Melting Pot
<sub>[ The restaurant is set up to allow as much mingling as possible when people arrive - places to sit, of course, but there's gentle music playing for those who might want to dance and just to give some atmosphere (but not loud enough to stop conversation at all). Food and drink is laid out - things to nibble on rather than the usual feasts associated with a Thanksgiving. Not particularly ideal, but it's what could be managed. Unless, of course, anyone decided to bring something else to add to the spread.

Not a fancy party, to be sure, but it's warm and inviting, which is what Kirk had hoped for. A place for them all to come together and enjoy each other and just be glad they were all there and if not quite completely whole, then, well, able to be there. ]

[ooc: Open mingle! Feel free to create your own starters and do as you like - tis a warm Friendsgiving party for the Fleet! ]</sub>

Comments

[this_loser]

[Friendsgiving sounds like the best kind of celebration. And after everything that went down on the last planet, it was something that was sorely needed.

He's got his camera slung around his neck, of course, but for now he's not aiming it at anything. His hands are occupied with a bottle that is still mostly full. He spends more time chatting than drinking and forgets he even has it half the time.]

I like it. But it feels like there should be more giving. Giving to friends. Oh! or giving friends? Friend exchange?

[dreamvour]

[she's familiar enough with the concept of Thanksgiving, but the particulars - especially a "Friendsgiving" are a little lost on her] How much more giving do you think it needs? And how would a friend exchange work?

[this_loser]

I dunno. Giving is a good thing all around, right? Well, as long as everyone agrees... I'm just thinking out loud.

[He laughs it off. It was a dumb thought, but sometimes when he opens his mouth, words just fly out.]

[dreamvour]

Mm, giving is a good thing. [she's familiar with the "words just spill out when talking" types] It's not a bad idea.

[this_loser]

[His laugh is more surprised than anything.] What, really? You're implying it's a good idea... I'm not really sure how it would work though.

[dreamvour]

[she gives him a curious look, head tilted] It is. It's just a matter of figuring that out, isn't it?

[spacebro]

I was thinking the same thing the first time this holiday came up. [Smiling over at him.]

Oh, you have a camera. [He has recognized a thing and he is proud of it since that's not what they look like on Daxam.] Are you a photographer? I know one of those from earth.

[this_loser]

Oh, is this an annual thing? [That's kind of fun.

Oh, but his favorite hobby has been spotted. He lifts his camera up, proud of his baby.] I am! Or, I want to be. I always want to go pro, but, y'know... life.

[spacebro]

It is, but only on Thursdays. I'm not sure how that works. [It's not that complicated, but he hasn't looked into it.]

[He nods his head sympathetically.] Especially when life is space kidnapping you, right?

[this_loser]

Um... [He's not sure if that's a joke, or a real thing...

So...

He nods much more enthusiastically.] Yeah. That's part of it. Life kinda got in the way before too. Though I have started selling some of my pics here! So I guess I'm more of a pro here than I was back home.

[spacebro]

That's great. Maybe you'll keep it up when you go back. What do you usually take pictures of?

[tempredmental]

Like gifts?

[Keith looked confused.]

Or... um... [Yeah... that was all he could think of.]

[this_loser]

Yeah. Like gifts.

[Never mind him. His thoughts were running away.]

Hey, Keith. How's it going?

[tempredmental]

[Keith shrugged.]

That could be cool.

[He gave Prompto a small smile.]

I'm alright. A little banged up, but alright.

You?

[this_loser]

[Prompto's answering smile is much bigger, to make up for Keith's small one.]

Couple of bruises. I'm okay.

Just glad it's over.

[tempredmental]

Yeah... same.

[Not that Keith was convinced this was all of it, but he was okay with this stage being over for now. They could use the break.]

Maybe we'll be lucky, and they'll skip the third dream.

[He hoped... One of them had to be a fluke, right?]

[axi]

Like trading them? I'm attached to the ones I've got. [A little teasing as a hello, Kaname walks over with a drink in her own hand that's seen more attention than his.]

Isn't giving to friends the next holiday coming up?

[this_loser]

It's only temporary. A week tops! And then you have more friends. [He raises his still-full bottle, grinning.]

The next? [He perks up] What's that?

[axi]

Seems like a round about way of doing it. Could you organize something like that? [She's certainly amused if nothing else.] Deciding who goes with who is a lot of responsibility. For example, what'd happen to me?

[Kaname takes a drink, chuckling.] Christmas, I think. People give presents to those they care about.

[this_loser]

Ah-haha. [Oh boy. Responsibility is a big word.] I'd have to hire Ignis to do the organizing. You, um... I'd maybe ... I don't know. I didn't think that far ahead!

[Next time his brain gets a thought, he should try to keep it inside.]

Yeah? Now that sounds like a fun holiday.

[axi]

Mm, he does seem suited to that. His resume sounds impressive for sure. [The redhead feigns a disappointed sigh, despite her smile.] Well, if it ever occurs to you, I'll be awaiting news of my fate.

[But where's the fun in that?]

It really can be. I wonder sometimes what goes through people's minds as they pick out presents for others.

[universal_charm]

All the giving is done at the next major holiday in my world - Christmas.

_{[ He grinned at Prompto, glad the other was here and seeming to enjoy himself. The bottle was the more amusing though. Most everyone here so far seemed to be relishing the drinks, taking them as welcome comfort - Kirk himself included. Even Chekov had indulged. That Prompto had not was a sweet oddity. ]}

But I think I have someone you might enjoy as a friend, if you really want to exchange one of yours.

[this_loser]

You actually have a holiday for that? [It was like a birthday, right? Only for everyone!

Prompto waved his bottle in hello. A little spilled out. He'd grabbed the beer because it seemed like the thing to do and he'd never developed much of a taste for the harder stuff, and he was better at hiding his sorrows than drowning them.]

I don't know how that would work exactly. [He laughed. Luna or Noctis might be good-humored enough to play along. Ignis might take convincing.] But I'd be happy meet one of your friends, and introduce you to one of mine.

[universal_charm]

Hah yeah. It's has origins in religion, but I enjoy it for the spirit of it - giving and giving thanks and enjoying your friends and family. Traditionally, you give gifts. There are other holidays around this time of year, but I've personally always participated in Christmas.

_{[ He had a variety of drinks for everyone, so enjoy your fill of what you like - though Tyrion had leaned heavily towards the good stuff. ]}

Hah, well, I can definitely arrange that. Would you prefer a slightly grumpy friend or someone more affable?

[this_loser]

That sounds really nice.

[He wistfully wonders if they could fashion a holiday like that around one of their astrals - which one would even be deserving? Shiva?]

Slightly grumpy, huh? I guess I'm up for the challenge.