[MINGLE] OPEN TO ALL | Movies, Music, and Mario Kart (Movie Night!)

[groupiedrifter]

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE! Post yourselves some top levels!
LOCATION: The Mess Hall
DATE: a few days after the mission
CONTENT: We all could use some TLC, right?
WARNINGS: Nothing serious! People can warn on their threads as they go.

Welcome to our usual little movie night! It's been a crazy last... week and a half? Something like that. Once everyone has settled in and things aren't quite so exhausting to face, Newton proceeds to collect new goodies for yet another sleep-over in the mess hall. For anyone new, they'll find the place is suddenly full of pillows, of sheets and things spread out to do around the tables. Tonight's a triple feature, the final movie of the night being one that definitely isn't good to watch if you value sleep, orbers.



But first, food!

And tonight's theme, carefully selected with love, is Mediterranean foods. Baklava is the obvious one, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Armenian Losh Kebabs! Egyptian Lentils with Rice! Lebanese Hummus! So, so much olive oil! And the reason behind all of this very themed, far more uniformed food might have something to do with the sign that Newton hung behind the food station:



Ah, yes. It seems Andy has been given all rights to the choices on the table. Or at the very least, Newt tried his damned best to cater to her preferences for apparently saving his life at some point. It's the least he can do, right?

(Also, before you ask: yes, there is booze, and there always will be.)

Onto the cinema!



The first movie is an easy one — Back to the Future! A fun little affair, nothing too serious, and always a classic. But would you be surprised to find the next movie staring one of our very own? Rita Farr shines in Spartacus 452, some silly little late 70's, early 80's space movie she had partaken it, it seems... Either way, she looks gorgeous, huh? Total babe alert. And the last movie? That's saved for the very end of the night, with a warning that it's not for the faint-hearted. A scary movie, straight out of Japan: The Grudge. Who doesn't love a ghost story? Just don't go blaming anyone if you have a hard time sleeping tonight! Or if you hear things that you worry might be some ghoulish apparition; the Ximilia isn't haunted, c'mon.

Boo! Ha, it's just a little cleaning roomba. Gotcha.

But before the scary movie, more things of note:



The tea table, joined by a shorter, traditionally set-up tea table, is chockful of different types of teas. It had seemed to be a pretty decent hit the first time, so why not bring it back? Only this time, Sabriel has volunteered her magical tea pot that she'd purchased many missions ago; with this particular pot, you may brew the most perfect batch of whatever tea your heart desires. Relax, enjoy yourself...! Especially before —



Ah, yes. Mario Kart. The best way to ruin friendships. There's an old, very used Wii sitting beside a television. Mario Kart is already there, ready to go, press button to start and all of that jazz. Try not to cry at any sight of Toad on the select screen; we're all a bit tender about Hivawei still, aren't we? If Mario Kart isn't your style, the Wii does apparently have a complimentary disc for Wii Sports. Please, don't break the television with the remote. Pretty, pretty please...

But that's not all! A very old, scratched up, but functional Sega Genesis sits beside the Wii. Maybe there are a few games in the pile you might be interested in? Or you could be totally predictable and uncool and just go straight for Sonic. We know everyone does.

... This is gonna be pretty weird for you before-television-types, won't it?



Finally, a little light-hearted group activity. Newton is quick to approach a decorated corner of the mess hall where a small 'stage' has been built, set up with a guitar and a microphone from the Ximusic Room. It's open to all for their karaoke or music-playing needs, but not before Newton fulfills his next very important task:

"This one's a belated birthday present to a special member of our team!"

He proceeds to play a ditty, one that launches right into:

Watch on YouTube

Just for you, Yelena. Happy Birthday, ma'am.

(And yes, the birthday calendar is as available as ever. Add more birthdays to it!)

There is a table down from the karaoke where a polaroid camera sits — and a paper that says 'PHOTO STATION'. It's clear what the purpose is if you look at the wall, which is already collecting some polaroids on it: it's a place for people to take snapshots together with the old camera so that they, too, can have a little keepsake. After all, so many of them have come and gone... it'd be good to have something to remember each other by, in case someone left. Why not take a photo together? Enjoy the moment.

Congrats on making it another month, everyone.

Comments

[singlelogbridge]

[Closed starters but feel free to hit me with a wildcard!]

Ziggy

[singlelogbridge]

[Though he's popped his head into Newt's famed movies nights on occasion, he's never stayed for very long before. Now though, he wanders in by accident and then stops to take everything in. He's tempted to leave, not at all in the mood for such a large social gathering, but a surge of guilt has him reconsider. He's been staying with Itachi since—since they got back, and while he knows the man would tell him if he was overstaying his welcome, he could probably use the break.

His other option would be to return to his own room (his room, singular) and just the thought of it is enough to have him pushing forward into the party while plastering on the best attempt at a cheerful smile that he can manage.

It used to be much easier for him to put on a façade of cheer. With a deep sigh, he weaves his way through the room, carefully dodging away from the loudest conversations and laughter until a shock of red catches his attention from the corner of his eyes. His lips immediately curve up into a soft smile as he makes his way over to Ziggy, and his heart feels just a little lighter at the sight of her. He nudges her playfully in the shoulder as he approaches.]

What kind of mischief are you plotting over here, hmm? Don't think I've forgotten your plot to get rid of all the adults! [Despite the teasing and the smile, Ziggy likely knows him well enough to see the exhaustion and lingering sorrow in his eyes. (And since Ziggy knew Gwen too, it probably isn't hard to figure out the cause.)]

[shadysided]

[Ziggy had looked a little distracted herself, but that's probably to be expected, considering the lost crewmates and — well, the mission was a success, but also a great big tragedy... depending on who you asked, anyway. People probably have lots of reasons to say it wasn't necessarily a sad thing, that death is just a step in a new, different direction... but Ziggy can't help but feel sad about it.

Luckily, she also seems to be a little perked up by the sight of Wei Wuxian. The feeling is mutual, and this company's something she immediately gravitates towards.]

Who, me? I'd never. You must have me confused with a bad student.

[With a little smile, she nods toward the activities.]

It's a good thing you came out tonight, because they've got a tea table. It's your chance to finally convince me it's worth drinking over chocolate milk or soda pop.

Newton Geiszler | Pacific Rim

[groupiedrifter]

I. MOVIE-WATCHING.

[Newton usually tries to hang back a little during movie night, especially because he's on his feet for a while trying to get it all ironed out (which is great, by the way, it's great to have things to focus on when you're a ball of mixed feelings). But without fail, he ends up way too involved and in everyone's business by the middle of the night. Go figure. Once he confirms that Andy has properly laid witness to his offerings, he can be found just about anywhere — zipping around, chatting up people who look like they need some talkative bastard to keep them company, the usual.

He is definitely popping in to watch the movies, especially Rita's; he's seen the other two, predictably, but god knows he can't help but revisit them. Depending on the movie, you'll find him in one of three modes: dreamily rambling about Rita looking absolutely gorgeous (obviously!), talking about the finer details of Back to the Future, or covering his eyes during key scenes in The Grudge despite the fact that he should already know when the scares happen. Back to the Future lends to the following conversation:]

Back to the future is a classic! It made a ton of kids want to be scientists, too, totally; everyone wanted to be Doc. How could you not want to invent time traveling cars? That's just badass.

[But no worries; if The Grudge starts making you anxious, Newt will helpfully let you use him like a shield for your eyes.

Laughing nervously and sounding kind of anxious himself, he says helpfully:]

C'man, don't be so worried; it's all just a movie. None of it's real—

[Moments before disaster. The ghostly visage appears on the screen and Newt proceeds to jump where he sits, sending popcorn everywhere.]

II. TEA AND TELEVISION, MARIO KART EDITION.

[When he's not watching a flick, he can be found adjusting the tea options almost compulsively, as if the sight of them in particular has triggered some sort of urgent need to be tidy. The reasoning for it can be heard in his little grumble as he huffs, "Hermann's stupid drift, gets me all wound up over the weirdest stuff..." Apparently Hermann has brushed off on him a lot from whatever link they'd shared before, because Mr. Pepsi and Skittles here has poured himself some tea and is taking a very unnaturally calm moment to himself. Sitting, smelling the tea, looking almost completely eased and without a fraction of the fanatic energy he usually displays. Not even a tap of his foot or sway to his shoulders. Baffling!

... All of this calm goes right out the window when Mario Kart happens.]

Not to brag, but I was a total pro at this; I call dibs on Luigi, by the way. That's my dude.

Just don't get butt-blistered if I get first place!

[He seems way too confident. Beat his ass.]

III. BYE BYE MISS AMERICAN PIE / LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH.

[As the night inches closer to the end, Newt takes to the small performance area where anyone is welcome to pop in; truth be told, we all know it's because he really wants to play guitar and sing for people, because that sparks joy. He ultimately plays the accoustic guitar he's spirited away from the Ximusic room to play some ditties for Yelena in celebration for her belated birthday. While he doesn't particularly find his voice all that great compared to his overinflated ego about his guitar playing, he does manage well enough, especially with songs written by folk rock singers. He's happy to take requests if anyone needs 'em. Ximilia's Science Bard, right over here! Certified!

But ah, didn't think you were gonna get out of a photo, right?

Newt practically prances himself over to you with the polaroid in hand, grinning the grin of a man who has had a coupla beers and nothing to lose.]

Hey! Take a photo with me! That wall's still way too empty!

[It's not too empty at all, when you consider that the wall is very large and could never be filled by a crew of sixty.

But, y'know. Humor him.]

IV. WILDCARD

[Feel free to do your own thing! Or we can plot out a different thread and play it here. Or hit me up on simpledog!]

II

[drawsblood]

[ Joric has the remote in his hand and much like a caveman or a toddler is pressing all the buttons. His kart switches tires, character, etc. multiple times without him even noticing. ]

What do all of these do?

[ He might not be much of a challenge to race against... ]

ii (tea time!)

[landing_lights]

[ As someone who has been living on an alien planet for the better part of a year, Ade is more than a little appreciative of the carefully curated tea table set up for the party. The wess'har had been gracious hosts, but their well-meaning attempts to provide tea for their part-human wards had always resulted in infusions bitter enough to make Ade gag. In contrast, the cup of black tea Ade is savoring now may as well have been brewed by the angels. He sits back in his chair, momentarily content with life—

—though, the same cannot be said for the fellow worriedly and repeatedly rearranging the selection of teas at the table. Ade watches him for a few moments with a growing sense of sympathy. He's played host before and knows all too well the need to make everything perfect. He figures the man could use an encouraging word. ]

Easy, mate, the tea's great. [ He lifts his own cup appreciatively. ] Pretty sure not even your friend Hermann could find a fault with it.

II and a bit of III at the end maybe!

[ruinously]

Take Luigi all you want, people are sleeping on Peach.

[ Look, the last time Dean has probably sat down to play Mario Kart was probably sometime in the 90s, but she's his fave, okay. ]

I'm gonna kick your ass, man-

iv. steals the baklava and runs

[oiorpata]

[ andy wouldn't say she forgets movie nights exist, especially post a mission, but she could say she forgot about this particular one. with her complicated feelings about her choices and the orbers' choices, the compulsion of her immortality to help, combined with the newness of joe's departure, andy is struggling with the age-old desire to disappear for a while. she's not ready to leave this place so much as she just wants to be alone for like a year. a year is a blink! it'd be fine. ]

[ she has her habits and she can't avoid the kitchen, but she tries to maintain an even more chaotic schedule and avoids her room as much as possible. does she look at her inbox??? doubtful. even in the sunlight room, she tries to find new corners to nap, moves around when she hears someone else nearby. ]

[ but she does sometimes need something from the aforementioned room, and she stops at the end of the hallway, watching newt at her door and debating whether or not to try again later. ]

Finn | Star Wars Edition

[hatejakku]

[ The last mission was... just about one of their most successful ones, and that's saying something. Finn's been quiet ever since coming back, not replying to Jake's nor Itachi's messages on the network, though they did manage to lift his spirits quite a lot.

But however quiet he's been lately, he wasn't going to miss Newton's movie night for the world. ]

A:// The Grudge

[ The movie choices are, as always, interesting. He's entirely taken in by Back to the Future, perking up when the big TO BE CONTINUED appears on the screen. Spartacus 452 is... strange. There's a woman in it that looks like someone on the station, and it weirds him out enough that he does other things while it's playing.

But the last movie. Finn is wrapped in a blanket as The Grudge plays, eyes pretty much wider than they've ever been. Considering he's well aware ghosts are real, this isn't- It's- Hmm. But he doesn't scream when something particularly scary happens or jumps or anything like that. He just... watches. Stares.

Be wary, any of you who plan to interrupt him. That's exactly what one of the little roombas does, happily whirring away and picking up popcorn, when it comes within a foot of Finn. For anyone not paying attention, there's a scream about a millisecond before the roomba streaks through the air, spinning on its axis at a speed it was probably never meant to achieve. The pillows stacked against the wall cushion the landing about as well as sand would against a meteorite.

Then Finn's on his feet and running over. ] SORRRY!! I'm sorry! Are you okay? I'm sorry!

[ Looks like he still thinks all the robots are sentient. And he's tapping into the Force again. The roomba's probably happy about that. ]

B:// Ride or Die

[ Anyway, after The Incident™, Finn decides to give up on the movie and get some food instead, calm his nerves with some of the tea maybe.

And that's when he spies the video games.

For awhile, he just watches others play while he nurses a cup of tea, listening to them banter and yell and shove and fall off chairs. Just watching them is entertaining. Then someone asks if he wants a go at Mario Kart and well-

Finn's never been the competitive type, despite historically doing well compared to his peers. He's also never been the electronic type, the whole concept of a video game still very new. And for awhile, he sucks at it, driving straight off the track, going backwards sometimes, always a question ready about which button does what.

But he's always been a quick learner. Not very long into it, he's holding his own, managing to squeeze in fourth place, then second place, then- ]

YES!!

[ Finn jumps to his feet when he wins, arms in the air with the universal sign of victory. An opportunity the Wii mote takes to slip right out of his hand and sail across the room...

For a beat, Finn just stares after it, because that's twice in one night-- ]

C:// Polaroid

[ Lastly, after The Second Incident™, Finn's a little exhausted with himself. He eventually gives some excuses to those he was playing with and just wanders around.

He finds himself at the birthday calendar. Aleksander was right, his name does look strange on it, but he doesn't question why it looks like it's been marked out and replaced a few times. He wouldn't have blamed them if it was gone.

But he smiles that it's still there, smiles at "Space Finn" and "Little Finn" beneath their names, smiles at all the names that made it in, and grimaces at the names that didn't.

Then he moves over to the camera, only giving it a glance before looking over the wall. A lot of faces are missing, some of these faces are entirely new. And Finn just stands there and stares at them, through them, very lost in the past for a long moment. Not just about the Ximilia but about his home, too. All of the faces that are missing.

And just like that, he's likely back to quiet again for the rest of the night. ]

D:// Wildcard!

[ ooc: Just assume Finn's around! If we talked about threads earlier that you wanna do, we can also do those here! PM me if you have questions and ideas and junk. ♥ ]

B

[drawsblood]

[ Joric has never had tea before and the one he's selected definitely isn't to his taste. However, the man never wastes food or drink so even though he's been drinking it slowly, he's working through it. That ends up being a blessing because when a Wiimote comes flying at his face while he's bringing the cup to his lips, it's lukewarm tea that splatters all over his face and goes up his nose instead of piping hot tea.

The man shoots a look towards the direction it came from and stands from his chair. It's almost comical how the 6'5" man unfolds himself to stand imposingly, staring at the only person currently in front of the screen. He wipes a hand over his beard to flick away the tea, then bends and retrieves the remote.

Whether Finn comes to him or stays still long enough for Joric to reach him, the man offers the object back as a red mark appears on his cheekbone from the hit. His expression really doesn't give away whether or not he's pissed, and after a long exhale that flares his nostrils, he speaks in an even tone: ]

You're supposed to tie it to your wrist. I threw it too.

[ Then he knocks back the rest of his tea in a gulp and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. ]

A

[landing_lights]

[ Ade's not a huge fan of horror films. He spends enough of his life jumping at shadows without the help of movie magic, thanks. Instead, he's on the other side of the room, waiting his turn for another round of Mario Kart, when something flies through the air and hits the wall with a bang.

Ade gets that horrible lurching feeling like someone else is suddenly piloting his body and an instant later, realizes he's hit the ground. One arm is held over his head as if to shield himself from something thrown at him and people are staring—at least, those who aren't staring at the man who comes running over apologizing profusely.

Ade is normally a very patient and forgiving person—to a fault, some would say. But now, face red and heart pounding, both qualities are suddenly beyond him. He staggers to his feet, turning to face the man who, from what Ade can gather of the scene, had just thrown a roomba into a wall for no discernible reason. ]

What the fuck is wrong with you? [ Ade snaps, voice far too loud and angry. If people weren't staring before, they are now. ] You could've taken someone's sodding head off!

lmfao A

[ruinously]

[ For the most part, Dean has stayed the hell away from the Grudge because again - he's seen enough of that shit for real that he doesn't need to watch a movie about it.

But hey, it's Finn over there and with the mission and shit going on, he hasn't had a chance to really reconnect with his Secret Keeper ™. Dean's picking his way over when a friggin' roomba nearly conks him on the head, ducking just in time, hands over his head as Finn runs over to check on the robot. ]

Dude!

C

[cruelyethuman]

[He watches the movies, the first one reminds him of Peter for a split-second and there's a startling revelation in that - to unwillingly remember someone lost, when he has spent so much of his life willfully never thinking about those who died.

Everything dies.

Everyone leaves.

The second one makes him look for Rita in the darkness of the sweet-smelling room, to see if she'll preen at the attention or duck her head from the frankly terrible dialog. It's almost funny, with how strange it is. How stilted and wooden the people seem.

By the third one, and the flying robot, he's already heading away. From the cozy huddles of people and their cocoons of safety. From the ghosts on the screen that could never hold a candle to what true horror was, but he does linger long enough to make sure Finn seems to be safe. Unhurt.

Newton had mentioned the possibility of re-watching old network posts, to go back and see it all, see them all as they were, and Aleksander had done it twice. In a fit of nostalgia or possibly near-insanity, and it had made him swallow. Hard. But he stands by the photos on the wall now, gaze flitting from one snapshot memory to the next. To the smiling or unsmiling faces of those he will forget. Who shouldn't matter.

Because he came here for a reason, and none of the faces on the wall was it. He spots Alina's fingers, her face hidden behind an impressive amount of meat-sticks. There is Newton in a lot of them, face bright and open. And new faces, eyes crossed or frowning. Looking bewildered.

His shoulder brushes Finn's and he looks down at the camera.]

It wouldn't be the worst idea.

Zhao | Yakuza/RGG | OTA

[essenceofdeadlybeasts]

I. video games

Wow, that sure does bring back memories.

[Zhao said as he stared at the Sega Genesis. Not only of his own childhood but of Kasuga discussing the various video games he loved to play in his youth. Video games had shaped a lot of that man's life, and Zhao had been amused any time his friend had brought them up. It had been cute.

Invite him to play, or ask him about said memories. He may even tell a story.]

II. karaoke

[It wasn't a party night without karaoke in Zhao's world. Naturally, he gravitated towards that area as a familiar one. It was a very common pastime in Japan of course and Zhao's friends were no exception to the rule when it came to participating whenever they had free time. Usually after a couple of drinks at the bar they'd start in on the karaoke machine, taking turns singing and cheering each other on. It was a great way to relieve stress after a day full of street fights and investigations.

Zhao had his favorite from home that he sung at least once whenever he went in for karaoke nights. But he would also try his hand at any challenged song as well, take your pick! He even knew a few English and Chinese songs he could sing.]

III. scary movie

[By the end of the night, Zhao was ready for the scary movie. He remembered watching this when it came out and he was curious to see how much of it he would remember, or that would still surprise him.

Anyway in need of a hand to hold, his is available, no questions asked. Jump one too many times though and he may start to laugh. What? That isn't cool to do while watching a scary movie? Oops, his bad.]

IV. wildcard

[anything else at all!]

Video Games & Beer

[walkingtrigger]

Damn, you're old. [ He's being an asshole. It's his way of saying hello as he wanders over to a familiar looking face.

He's carrying a beer, but there is more where it came from and Tim's not so much of an asshole that he wouldn't go back for a second. Well, alright actually he is but only to people who make his life difficult; like fugitives and Raylan Givens. Zhao isn't either of these things -at least Tim doesn't think he's a fugitive- so the Deputy is more inclined to be friendly.

Using the beer in his hand, he motioned towards the Wii and Maria Kart. ] I'm more familiar with that one, if you're interested?

dean winchester | supernatural | open!

[ruinously]

[ The tea table doesn't hold Dean's attention any longer than it takes to dump some whiskey into a mug alongside whatever was in the pot and he's staying the fuck away from the Grudge when it comes on (he's seen plenty of that shit in real life, thanks, give him B rated shitty horror instead) but Mario Kart definitely has his interest.

He's sitting in front of it, holding a controller and selecting a character - Peach, duh - happy to play with the computer until someone else sits down with him.

The camera has him wary, because does he need more memories about people who leave? Who might leave?

In the end he picks it up anyway and shrugs, holds it out to take a 'selfie' with the person next to him. ]

Say cheese.

Mario Kart

[legalcy]

...At least this race is simulated and not real. [This is such a violent sport, but it's better than playing hot potato with a grenade.] Is it difficult to play?

[His attention may have been caught by a fellow mustached racer decked in green.]

Shuntaro Chishiya | Alice in Borderland | ota

[dispassioned]

[Chishiya can’t say for sure when he last watched a movie. Time in Borderland always seemed a little strange. But it certainly felt like a long time. Months, at least. So when this chance arises, he takes it.

He doesn’t give the movies his full attention at first, though. He spends some time sampling the food and trying some of the tea. And, of course, watching the other orbers who come and go.

But when The Grudge starts, that gets his attention. A popular horror movie from his home country, he’s certain he’s seen it before but it’s been a long time. He doesn’t remember the details. So he settles in to watch it, focusing more on it than the first two movies.

He watches the entire thing without flinching.]

[shadysided]

[Ziggy, meanwhile, sits nearby with some discomfort in the lines of her shoulders; it's clear she'd joined in with the intention of relaxing with the others around her — friends who had wanted to relax and watch something spooky, or whatever — but the furrow of her brow and way she's plucking at a wayward string on her shorts make it seem like maybe she's really not someone who is enjoying the show.

Muttering under her breath, she sighs:]

... This is stupid. I'm so over horror movies.

alina starkov ( grishaverse ) / ota

[peasant]

I.
[ her appearances on movie nights are few and far between, these days. tonight is one of those rare-as-a-shooting-star nights, her own personal blanket and pillow tucked under one arm, midway through newt's itinerary. awkwardly, she shuffles past those already comfortable in their seats, only barely managing not to trip over feet in the dark.

the little nest she makes for herself sits off to one side. secluded, but not quite, like an uncertain outsider desperately wanting to be involved. which isn't far from the truth, if she's being honest with herself; it's comforting, to not have to stew in her thoughts. to simply be surrounded by signs of life, the reminder she isn't alone, among a crew that shifts its roster so often.

she's not subtle about spiking her tea with a flask of vodka she'd whisked along the way, nor her reactions to the grudge as it plays out on-screen, crinkling her nose at the more grotesque portions (strange contortions from ghosts included). but even through it, she manages a baffled: ]

Is this really what they think people are afraid of?

[ it's strange to even consider anyone would want to horrify themselve, but — there's a wry sort of confusion to her voice. when you've suffered through war and ravka's blight of problems, this? this seems comedically tame, by comparison.

morbidly, she snorts out a good-humored laugh. feel free to be freaked out by a weirdo that finds the grudge funny. ]

II.
[ even cryptids are more photogenic than one (1) alina starkov. bigfoot is more easily captured than she is; whenever someone so much as raises the polaroid camera in her direction, she shields her face with the nearest object. sometimes it's a pillow; other times it's the shoulder of another person. at one point, she (not so proudly) uses the four kebabs in her hand to hide behind.

if someone aims it pointedly toward her, they'll find she grimaces and immediately places a palm up. ]

I'm not much of a portrait type of person.

[ just the thought of altars being built in her image in ravka is enough to make her pale, thank you. the concept of having her photograph taken or a portrait commissioned is simply Too Much for a woman used to blending into the backdrop. ]

III.
[ wildcard edition! feel free to assume alina is anywhere or hit me up if you want a personal customized starter. ♥ ]

I

[dispassioned]

[Chishiya is sitting a few feet away, leaning casually against the wall with the hood of his hoodie up. He recognizes the voice that asks the question, hard to forget it after their little interlude in the rain.

He considers not responding, considering how their last conversation ended, but he can’t quite stop himself.]

It’s what they know scares some people.

[Not him, though. He appears perfectly at ease, sipping some tea while calmly watching people get terrorized on screen.]

I

[singlelogbridge]

[Like Alina, Wei Wuxian isn't much for movie night. It's not that he has anything against it, it's just that during the period of time when he'd been avoiding Newt, he and Gwen had made their own tradition of snuggling up to watch things on her phone together. But Gwen is gone now and he can't bear the thought of being alone. (He could go to Itachi's room of course, but he's trying to give the man a break from his constant presence these last few days.)

So he's not too far from Alina when she utters the comment, and it's instinctive the way he snorts in agreement, his lips curving up into an almost smirk.]

It's silly, isn't it? Everyone losing their minds over one single hungry ghost! [It takes him a moment to even realize it's Alina he's responding to, and he tenses for just a second when he realizes but then relaxes quickly. He doesn't dislike Alina, it's just their last encounter hadn't exactly been his best.]

because i was gonna tag this, so LATE TAG-IN IT IS-

[groupiedrifter]

[Newt makes a whiny, unhappy noise as he waves the polaroid camera around.]

C'moooon, Alina! Just one quick pic. You can't look any goofier-looking than me!

For the sake of preserving memories of our undying, beautiful, totally awesome friendship.

ciri | the witcher

[heyciri]

Ciri was attracted because of the food, though the number of shifting people here leaves her on the outskirts, where she prefers to observe them to participating. The concept of movies is new and fascinating, but also... crowded in a way she doesn't feel comfortable with, and so she ignores it, instead finding herself looking over the written calendar of birthdays, and then, ultimately, the polaroid camera.

This, this stops her still. The wall with the polaroids, that she reaches out and doesn't quite touch. Anyone familiar with photography wouldn't find polaroids half as mesmerising as she does, but she doesn't know it beyond what version the ear piece pseudo provides, and there's an ache, seeing these faces that look like people here. Some she recognises, others she doesn't. That doesn't matter. She picks up the polaroid camera, studying it hand, then looking for anyone she knows, in passing or not.

"Can we take a portrait?" Photo station, whatever the word is, but she's intent with a sort of positive energy bordering on having her smiling. No, there she is, actually smiling, pleased at this brilliant, tangible idea. "At least one?"

[oiorpata]

Newt successfully convinced her to stick around - it's that fucking sign, though the food really cinched it - but she doesn't really intend to stay all night. She mostly hovers along the edges as she snacks and eats, enjoying the food and feeling a little better for it, but maybe that's also thanks to Newt. The urge to run away has been muted, somewhat.

Ciri catches her, asking for a photo, and Andy pauses. Her instinct to shy away from photos in the last decade or so hits her first, but the girl smiles brightly enough that Andy thinks it might very well break her heart to say no. Not wanting photos has more to do with secrecy, and on board the Ximilia, Andy has largely given up on pieces of that.

But Andy is full of baklava, and that does always put her in a good mood too.

"Do you know how to use it?"