in_extremis: (Default)
Tony Stark ([personal profile] in_extremis) wrote in [community profile] revivalproject2021-12-23 07:05 pm

Trimming

WHO: Everyone! It's a mingle, get into it, bring your own winter traditions
WHERE: The diner
WHAT: A little winter celebration
WHEN: The solstice/end of the year
WARNINGS: Mark it if you get weird. I assume we're all a little busy, so if you want to use this to handwave some cordial introductions or a quick lore dump from Tony, just let me know.


There wasn't any official invitation or forewarning. In fact, Tony hadn't exactly planned to spend his day like this. Arriving at the diner, though, it would be difficult to ignore the acrid smell of burning, or the waft of coffee trying vainly to cover it. The scorched scent could have come from the brazier crackling outside of the diner door, spreading a ring of warmth that left a patch of the walkway cleared of snow, though the effect of that fire was more cozy, inviting anyone in the square near the fountain closer, with a sweet, woody smoke and an extra sharp, green scent from the lurid red and weirdly purple, piney boughs hung around the doorway. The burnt smell was stronger inside, anyway, clearly from a mishap in the kitchen, with another stack of those prickly branches on the diner counter not doing a convincing job of covering a black mark scorched into the surface. The rest of the room might have been distracting enough, though; red, white and pink glitter was dusted throughout the space, spreading from where it had been intended to be contained in clusters of flowers on tables, and colourful glass was hung from the ceiling in icicles or gathered into balls that all winked in the flicker of warm light. Where there weren't lumpy, grey-ish candles, hurriedly disguised with more glitter or brass bowls, there were small, woody shells like chestnuts dotted around the room, filled to teetering brim with a viscous sap that gave off a yellowish glow and left the whole diner shimmering.

Nestled in doorframes and above the counter where a spread of food that might be alluring to the particularly brave, were more lovingly crafted decorations: clusters of small, gold leaves in bouquets tied with red ribbons that chimed softly like bells if someone stood underneath them. The food on display did not give a great hint of what the disaster might have been. Rather, it was difficult to discern which dish would be the main culprit. There was a large bowl of a creamy, yellow liquid, with suspicious lumps and blackened flecks floating in it, with a stack of mismatched cups next to it for serving. The coffee pot next to it was probably safer. The foods that weren't cooked, per se, but sliced and piled onto plates were likely innocent, too, though it was entirely possible that some of those fruits should have been cooked to be edible. A tray of what kind of looked like pancakes looked trustworthy enough, assuming the worst of them didn't make it to the serving stage. In general, the decorations were clearly handled more competently.

The days had been dark and cold, and the diner was warm, bright, and ready to leave everyone full of dubiously edible cheer. If you stayed long enough, maybe Tony would even offer you one of those strange bundles he was fastidiously working on at a table, where an occasional crack sent a puff of smoke swirling up among the gently tinkling glass ornaments.
itsamysterio: (ew)

OTA (including Tony)

[personal profile] itsamysterio 2021-12-24 05:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Beck's nose wrinkled as he stepped inside and that burning smell became stronger, though it was clear someone had put a lot of effort into whatever this was, and he looked around in surprise, remembering to put on a smile for anyone who might be watching. This was the sort of gesture that was worthy of a smile, right?

He found himself staring at the large bowl for quite a long time, but all his schooling couldn't help him figure out what foodstuff it was supposed to be, and he wasn't nearly brave enough to taste it yet. He gave it another curious stir.

"...Why the lumps?"
deal_me_in: (This is my serious face)

OTA

[personal profile] deal_me_in 2021-12-24 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
If he noticed any signs of mishaps in the preparation then Cayde made no note of it. He rather likes the sparkly yet homey feel to everything. He wasn't quite sure what the spread was meant to be but he'd give A's for effort while he offloaded a stack of frozen pizza in the kitchen. He was sure getting the mileage out of that pizza party and no one seemed to ever complain about leftover pizza.

Sundance drifted after him as the Exo roamed the diner space to take in the decor. She rose up to scan one of the chiming bouquets that hung above.
beholding_archivist: (Wishing you away)

OTA

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-27 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
It's difficult to miss the fire set up in from of the diner with the building being practically right across the center plaza from where the library is located. The further decorations come to notice upon getting closer and the smell... Well. Jon generously decides not to mention the smell.

For now.

Clearly enough someone tried to set up a warm and inviting and potentially even festive atmosphere in and around the place. Most of the food set up seems a little experimental, but Jon decides to trust the coffee and inspect the setup a little closer. The glass decorations hanging from the ceiling especially catch the Archivist's attention and he takes a moment to take in the dots and flickers of light they cast around the room.

He is about to move on when a set of paws land on his shoulder with a curious prrrt and Jon looks over to the young mothcat that has joined him only to find the animal mesmerized by the shimmering and flickering shiny bits and dots. "Please, don't-" Jon manages, but the animal is already moving again, eyes wide and wings fluttering as it leaps onto the nearest table to try and chase after too many taunting dots of light.
beholding_archivist: (Stop leaning on me)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-27 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Possibly a chemical reaction from being boiled too hot." Jon offers from the side while sipping a perfectly safe coffee himself. "Or a recipe I'm unfamiliar with."

He will leave it to Beck to pick which option he prefers.
tsundullahan: (hmm)

[personal profile] tsundullahan 2021-12-27 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
A flying cat. That's certainly different. Celty had just poked her head in after being drawn by the smell, wondering if the diner had caught fire. What she'd caught of the decorations within had temporarily distracted her from the worrying scent, but not as much as the winged cat that glides from the spectacled man's shoulder to pursue the refracting light.

Still standing by the doorway, she continues to watch and can't help but be amused by the sight, a silent chuckle shaking her shoulders as she presses a knuckle to the chin of her helmet.
deal_me_in: (I got this!)

[personal profile] deal_me_in 2021-12-27 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
The Ghost swiveled about even as she took care to drift back just out of the immediate range of glitter, her blue 'eye' fixing upon Tony. "What..?"

Cayde was grinning as he glanced over, unsurprised to find the man pestering his Sundance. "Uh-oh, doesn't look like he'll let you get out of this one," he snickered. He quirked a brow at Tony then. "What, a kiss?"
deal_me_in: (That's good right?)

[personal profile] deal_me_in 2021-12-27 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
There were probably a lot of lost traditions that had since fallen through the cracks. Kissing under strange plants, definitely one of them.

Cayde laughed as he sauntered over closer, scooping Sundance in oh so helpfully while he mindfully kept out from beneath the jingling glitter bomb himself. He smirked at Tony. "Oh I'll bet." His eyes brightened at the package that was held up then, holding his hands out as his fingers curled in and out again eagerly. "Ooh! Does it explode, is this going to be a trend?"
beholding_archivist: Do not take. Thanks. (Well if you say so...)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-27 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Jon's attention is glued to the mothcat, equally fascinated and entertained as he is dreading the potential destruction and yet not quite finding himself willing to intervene even as Tony greets him and draws Jon's attention to him. "You put this together." He concludes, leaning back to offer a smile while the mothcat extends its hunt from the table to the seats surrounding it as well as the wall. "I won't apologize for her, but- This is beautiful, Tony." And while the animal is now darting across the floor and after the next dot of light, Jon chuckles at the announcement of this mysterious something. "You mean aside from this incredible playground for cats?" Obviously they need to bring part of this over to the library later.
beholding_archivist: (u sure.)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-27 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
There are too many dots of light for one cat to chase at once, and yet the mothcat will do its best and scramble around hastily while Jon watches, grimacing at first, but eventually feeling unable to be too frustrated at the sight and settling with a fond sigh.

He catches sight of the unfamiliar person and offers a small shrug. "I, ah- She followed me, I suppose?" Taking in the appearance of the other person, Jon vaguely gestured towards her helmet. "But you seem to be fine with cats..." A guess.
tsundullahan: (spoilers: celty is an alien)

[personal profile] tsundullahan 2021-12-27 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
The woman pauses before realizing what he's referring to, giving a shy sort of shrug and a nod. She supposes she doesn't dislike cats, anyway. Her helmet remains on as she steps further into the room, the glow cast from the decor reflecting off the dark visor of her helmet.

Was it...Christmas here, then? The decorations have the same sort of feel as the ones she's seen pop up in window displays back home. She has no idea what sort of alien holidays would be celebrated here but it makes more sense if those who planned for these things are from Earth.
beholding_archivist: Do not take. Thanks. (Well if you say so...)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-27 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
While the mothcat remains distracted, Jon offers a little smile to the stranger who doesn't audibly reply to him. Which may be odd, but not something he is inclined to hold a grudge about. As for the helmet... Well. She also wouldn't be the first to insist on wearing a helmet pretty much the entire time.

Still. No reason not to be polite, so he offers a hand out. "I'm Jon. I usually stay over in the library and- The mothcats kind of have made it their home as well."
itsamysterio: (ew)

[personal profile] itsamysterio 2021-12-27 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"..." Neither option really make Beck feel more confident about the drink (?), but someone's clearly put a lot of work into it, and he's supposed to be keeping up appearances.

He ladled out a cup and sniffed it, still no closer to figuring out what it might be. It smelt like sulfur.

"Well...happy holidays," he offered with a doubtful expression, raising his glass in a sort of half toast before taking a sip.

He immediately spat it out, coughing and making a face.

"...it's eggs. It's burnt eggs."
itsamysterio: (Default)

[personal profile] itsamysterio 2021-12-27 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
He looked to Tony with an arched brow, not able to think of too many drinks that had this kind of texture to them.

"...Did you try it?" he asked cautiously. Maybe it was like so many of the Agrii foods and tasted nothing like it looked. Which in this case would be a blessing.
tsundullahan: (meru meru)

[personal profile] tsundullahan 2021-12-27 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
A mothcat? That explains the wings, then. What a strange planet, although perhaps there's some comfort to be found in the fact that even in space, felines still act as felines.

The helmeted woman reaches out to shake Jon's hand, pausing as it sinks in. Is this the librarian that Stark man had mentioned? she wonders. Once hands are released, she slips out her tablet, navigating to a window she can type in before she holds up the screen.

[My name is Celty. I think Stark-san mentioned you, but not by name. So are these mothcats yours? They're very cute.]
deal_me_in: (So everything is gone)

[personal profile] deal_me_in 2021-12-27 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, unlike most people, I appreciate explosive presents," Cayde said, waving off Tony's hurt. "Ooh, I like casual-fun-between-friends explosives. Did not know that was an option!"

It was his turn to grimace at the threat. "That hurts! I would never!" He slung an arm around Tony's shoulder, shaking his new toy around with his other hand like an eager kid trying to identify Christmas presents by sound. "I guess it wouldn't be much fun if I did it with you because you very obviously know what happens though," he observed.
beholding_archivist: Do not take. Thanks. (Smug little Archivist)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-28 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I-" Jon starts, looking over to the mothcat himself with a small frown before shaking his head. "I doubt it. But the library is right across the plaza and they tend to roam the city around it. This rather seems like she has been drawn here by the light to begin with." He tilts his head back towards Tony with a curious lift of a brow. "So which trait would you have carried over? And please don't say the white suit."
beholding_archivist: (Nope.avi)

[personal profile] beholding_archivist 2021-12-28 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
Jon watches curiously, taking a sip of his coffee as the other man braves the unidentified... Well. It's possibly meant to be food. He gives a sympathetic grimace at Beck's reaction, then offer his coffee to wash down the taste. "The coffee is safe at least."

But at least one of them tried.

Page 1 of 18