paradisalogs | It's That Time Again

Entry tags:

It's That Time Again

Who: Fred, Harmony and YOU
What: Thanksgiving at Hyperion Tower
When: Thanksgiving Day
Where: The Tower
Rating: PG (Set up as 'action' log but if prose is preferred just note in header and I will tag accordingly)

[It isn't nearly as last minute as the year before, when a thought in the middle of the might pulled Fred from her sleep for an impulsive celebration for the holiday. Then, luckily, Harmony had been completely supportive of the plan. And even ensured that at some point she shed her pajamas and put on 'real' clothes. Even more 'real' than her usual ones, apparently.

But it seemed a shame not to have everyone over again this year, even if that word? Everyone? Has been drastically changed. There's still plenty of things to be thankful for. And now? Even more time to cook. Despite Elektra and Wesley's promises to help, Fred still disappeared pretty early Tuesday morning. There were things to be done, after all. And so much to cook.

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[It's only an hour or so before they're supposed to eat now, and the kitchen is filled with activity. Are you brave enough to enter?]

[ Why yes, she is! Because there have been some odd rumors going around about people acting sick, so if nothing else this will be an excuse for Lana to keep an eye on most of those she cares about. Right now she's just lurking in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She may not be dressed for kitchen work, but that's what aprons are for! ]

Need any help?

Edited 2012-11-22 06:38 (UTC)

[Wes has also heard the rumours and is feeling a bit under the weather himself, but there is no way he's missing Fred's big day. He knows how important it is to her to celebrate Thanksgiving. And so he is coming up behind Lana, intent on also entering the kitchen.

He knows that something has happened to Lana. That she wants to speak to him, but they haven't yet had the chance to catch up since he'd been turned back into human form.]

Evening ladies. I also offer my services. Limited though they are when it comes to the culinary arts.

[ Turning when she hears Wesley's voice, Lana smiles, a real one, as she quickly reaches out to hug him in a firm grip. ]

Wesley! You look great. I'm glad to see you're not joining us as a cat today.

[Taking a casserole out of the oven, Fred turns at the sight of Lana and Wesley hugging. A wide grin paints itself over her features. She likes it, seeing the two of them together. And there's still those lingering concerns she hasn't stamped out. But for now?]

You both look great.

[And it's true. Lana looks absolutely stunning in her dress, the sort of stunning that might've once given Fred a whole host of insecurities. And Wesley's gotten her attention as well, if for different reasons. Fred herself hasn't changed yet, wanting to wait until the majority of the cooking was done]

We should probably start setting the table soon, if you're interested.

[Catching Wesley's gaze Fred moves towards the fridge and starts to pour a small saucer of cream]

You look as stunning as ever, Lana.

[Wes murmurs, returning the embrace. It's still something he's getting used to: public displays of affection. But Fred's been very good at easing him into it. He catches Fred's eye over Lana's shoulder and gives her a conspiratorial wink.]

Believe me, I'm glad to be back in human form. It has certain advantages. Like being able to hug people back, for one thing.

[He smiles at her warmly and then almost smirks when he sees Fred pouring the cream. Releasing Lana, he moves over to the counter.]

How have you been? I expect there's a lot we need to catch up on.

[He deliberately leans down to sniff at the contents of the saucer. Then dips one fingertip in and licks it off.]

Although, at least my memory seems mostly intact from my time as a four-legged domestic pet.

[ Turning to watch him walk over, Lana's nose crinkles in quiet amusement as she watches their interaction, hands linked behind her back. She wonders if Shadow will bark at Wesley the next time he visits, and tries not to get a ridiculous grin at the mental image.

She's surprised she's in such a good mood. After all, Thanksgiving memories past bring her such pause when she dwells too long, but she's making a point not to do that right now. ]

Small blessings, hm?

So, where are the dishes you want set out?

[Biting down on her own smile at the exchange Fred's already sliding two more waiting dishes into the oven. It feels good, having them all here. She realizes then, how much she's come to consider them her family. The over door gets pressed softly closed, a tilt of her head acknowledging a cabinet]

Let's use the ones in there. And I left the case with the silverware out on the table. You and Wesley could start there.

[Real silverware, actually. In the kind of box that felt like it had a story, found one afternoon in town. It made her think of home. It's also a not so subtle subtle nudge of her two companions towards privacy. Fred knows that Wesley's missed Lana]

Hang on a minute...

[Wesley leans down and starts lapping at the cream with his tongue, but since that's rather inefficient, he eventually picks up the entire thing and tips it back to drink it that way. As soon as he's finished, he wipes his mouth with back of his hand.]

Right, so, setting the table, then? I think I can manage that without too many mishaps.

[ She snorts back a laugh, already having grabbed more than her fair share of plates and silverware, moving on into the dining room. ]

We have to eat that food, you two. Try to keep it clean.

[Fred gives Wesley a pointed look before removing the saucer and loading up his arms only to then give him a pointed nudge towards the dining room]

[Simon debated internally whether or not to go to the Thanksgiving dinner after all; despite the generous offer, he still didn't want to feel like he was imposing on anyone.

However, he decided in the end to just go ahead and go, figuring there would be no harm in it. So there he was, around half an hour or so before dinner was to begin; hearing voices in the kitchen, he decided to poke his head in first, then realized a moment too late that he had no idea what Fred actually looked like.

Still, he gamely entered the kitchen, clearing his throat.]

Excuse me- are you Fred?

[There's only one face that Fred doesn't actually know that's shown any inclination of coming that day, so she immediately untangles the mystery to determine this to be Simon. And yes, she thinks about Kaylee then, it all makes a certain amount of sense]

You must be Simon. [Fred smiles widely while moving to offer a hand] It looks like you found the tower alright.

[Simon returns the smile and accepts the handshake.]

Yes... I have been making it a point to explore the castle as much as possible when I am not working. I wanted to say thank you again for inviting me.

[Exploring. Fred remembers how that was, checking out every nook and cranny after she first arrived]

Really, you don't have to thank me. Everybody should have a place to go on Thanksgiving.

Still, it was very generous of you to offer a stranger. [As he speaks, he is looking around the kitchen, taking in the delicious smells.] Is there anything I can help you with?

Well, I tend to think it's an improvement if sooner or later we all stop being a little less strange. To each other, I mean. Individually, well that's just a matter of personal preference.

Fred smiles]

And I'm just going to order you to enjoy yourself.

[Simon looks thoughtful.]

I will make sure to do that. And you're right... after my sister disappeared I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself, so I tended to just... avoid everyone. But I realized I was tired of being lonely, and I know that is not what she would want me to do, either.

[ Buffy was pretty sure anytime she entered into the kitchen, it was always in the phase Fred was making her pies. Her head raised up and she inhaled the mixture of scents. ]

Feels like just last week I was in here helping you make pies. [ She walks over and stands next to Fred, a smile on her face. ] We've really gotta stop meeting like this.

[Fred lifts her head at the sound of Buffy's voice, immediately smiling. It's been too long]

Not that I object to the food side of things, but I think you're onto something there. It's been too long.

Yeah... [ Buffy says with a small nod, that smile still on her face. ]

So! What's on the pie menu for today?

[Wesley slips back into the room, carrying a drink for Fred.]

I always marvel at how she times everything to perfection. That's some excellent multi-tasking there, a skill I have yet to master in the kitchen.

[He offers a wry smile in greeting.]

Hello, Buffy, good to see you.

Considering I've yet to master anything in the kitchen? This is definitely up there on the "wow" list.

[ Her lips curve into more of a smirk than anything when she stares at Wes. ]

You must feel pretty lucky.

[Fred catches that look, but doesn't do much with it besides laugh]

He's not lucky, he's good. [A deliberate pause] Except in the kitchen.

[Fred's not there, but she has acknowledged other people might be. The reception desk has been turned into a make shift bar with bite sized snacks and appropriate levels of alcohol. Just until it's time to eat]

[The lobby is where Lilah is currently. She's been feeling a little under the weather, but like hell she'd admit it. So instead she's currently nursing a glass of wine -- from a bottle she herself had brought over. Just to show that she could be a good guest of course.

She's not bothering with the kitchen. It's not like she's a cook.]

[Don't mind Elektra taking a seat with you, Lilah. The kitchen is awfully crowded right about now.

Just her a minute to think of good small talk.]

[She doesn't mind at all.

But don't expect her to start small talk today. She's better than that.]

[At some point before dinner is served and after helping set the table, Wes wanders into the lobby for a snack and a drink. He's been feeling a bit under the weather earlier in the day, but seems to have perked up now that the festivities are in full swing. He gives both of the ladies a smile and a nod before moving to pour himself a glass of wine. Then he notices the label. It's a wine he and Lilah have shared before. He glances over his shoulder at her.]

I see you've brought an offering.

[She smirks a little as she hears Wes' voice, turning around to face him.]

It's customary, isn't it?

[And no one wants her cooking.]

Perhaps, but since when did you ever do what was customary? And besides, this vintage is, well, it has sentimental value. Or at least I thought so, at the time.

[His gaze is a touch warmer than is perhaps appropriate, given the circumstances. In fact, there's a distinctly 'private joke time' gleam in his eye. He deliberately pours himself a full glass and then takes a savouring sip.]

Does it? I hadn't noticed. [Or if she had realized her mistake there, she certainly isn't about to go admitting that. She's better than such weak moments.]

[It's highly possible that you've seen Harmony coming and going a few times through this part of the tower. She's trying to make it seem casual, that she's going out to get something, that she forgot to turn off something at her office - all the usual excuses that someone makes when they need to go really fast to a building in the center of town to be with both sets of your friends on the holiday.

She's just come back - or maybe you're catching her on her way out. Pick one and she'll fumble through this awkward moment!]

[Coming around a corner Fred nearly collides chest to chest with her friend]

The kitchen's not on fire is it?

[There's so much food. The very large table in the very large dining room they hardly ever use is completely filled with it.

Did I mention all the food?]

[ Yes, all the food!

Except she can't eat anymore. Or, well, she could probably eat a lot more. But she knows if she does it will look strange, so Lana's stopped after her third slice of pie.

And making animal shapes with her napkin. Idle hands! Someone's distracted. ]

[Fred studies Lana for a minute, eyes falling on the napkin]

All done?

[Wes has been feeling strange all through dinner. Not in a bad way, necessarily, just that he's been having impulses which - had he been thinking more clearly - would have been troubling. He's warmer than normal, some would even say a bit flushed. Which would explain why he'd undone another shirt button. Perhaps he's just mildly tipsy - not that he recalls drinking more than he normally would.

Right now, he's leaning back against his chair and musing to himself that the table is full of rather impossibly attractive women. Each and every one of them are stunning in their own right. Even Simon is an extremely handsome fellow. He's in very good company tonight.]

We ought to have a toast. Each of us going around the table and saying what we're thankful for.

[ She starts to try to come up with some stupid excuse for Fred, but she's glad when Wesley interrupts, and she turns her attention on him. He's been acting a little strange all evening, but this is something she relates to.

It actually makes her throat catch and eyes well up, if only because that's exactly what Clark would have said. She looks down, the cloth napkin in her lap having shredded in half without her realizing it.

Quickly stuffing it under her leg for now, she nods and reaches over to pick up her wine glass to hold up. Lana's voice is steady and pleasant as ever, more than accustomed to swallowing her feelings (blinking back tears) and putting on a show when needed.

And it is a show, because she feels grateful for nothing but her powers anymore. ]

I agree. I, for one, am thankful for this delicious meal, and for those that made it possible. I'm glad to have met all of you, [ A glance at Lilah barely registers as she carries on. ] and for the chance to have known you like a family.

[For those that stick around afterwards there's plenty to do. There's the lobby, still. A stack of dishes in the kitchen but Fred plans on tackling those. A lounge and even a room with weapons. Of course those require certain levels of energy.

Feel free to stay a little longer]

[Elektra fully intends to sneak into the kitchen and try to tackle that stack of dishes... but a room with weapons can be distracting. She's going through it now, trying to figure out what to use and if it would even be alright to use it.

No one be shocked she still has the energy for this.]

[Fred finds her friend in an all-too-familiar room, one they often use for her lessons]

Feeling any better?

I'm fine. [She's paying more mind to the weapons than anything else.] I don't really do sick.

[Fred steps closer]

You were doing a pretty good imitation of it earlier.

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It's That Time Again

The Kitchen

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/tags in fashionably late

there is no late!

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The Lobby

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Dinner

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And After

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