[OPEN MINGLE] aaaaaaas yooooou wiiiiiiish...!

[groupiedrifter]

CHARACTERS: Everyone! It's a mingle!
LOCATION: The Mess Hall (and Kitchen, on occasion)
DATE: not long after the 2nd mission
CONTENT: REALLY JUST... MOVIES AND COMFY BLANKETS. Yep, that's it.
WARNINGS: your character will see kate winslet's booby at some point. it's a good booby.

You may notice, in the day just before the scheduled movie-watching night, that a lot of pillows go missing. A lot of blankets, too. Where the hell —

Ahhhh. Right. Newton.


Welcome to the "Very Relaxed Easy Breezy Pajama Positive Post-Mission Sleepover" — yes, that is what was drawn in big letters on the sign outside of the mess hall, and he's not changing it, thank you very much. Everyone's generally advised to just come in whatever they're comfortable in and to bring whatever soft, comfy items they may possess. Soooomeone has, in fact, swiped a considerable amount of emergency blankets and pillows (and some from the laundry area, sorry), and the floor of the Mess Hall is now dramatically soft with a deluge of pillows that have turned the linoleum ground into the lumpy clouds you'd find straight out of a child's drawing. Some spots under and around the tables have even been raised into little forts, so you can live out your best hermit lives and pretend you're in a cave.

(And hey, make your own if you want; nobody's gonna stop you.)

There are still tables, sure, it's kind of like that game, 'the ground is lava'? Only now it's 'the ground is pillows'. You get it. Before the movie plans to start, there are a few important tasks to be done: firstly, they need food. Popcorn was easy — popcorn is kind of a perfect emergency food, actually. Kernels + fire = success! But really, they need people who are savvy in the kitchen to make some snacks for the movie. That's why for the first hour, before they're set to start, they're gonna drag anyone even remotely capable of cooking (who isn't injured still, of course) into the kitchen to help with this cause.

Godspeed, please make them something good, chefs.

While that's going on, Newton proceeds to display the fine art of shadow puppets on the currently unused projector — how lucky are they, that the mess hall has a bunch of big, beautiful white walls? Eventually he gets out some paper and scissors and gets really ridiculous —


And maybe he'll wax poetic about how he and his uncle used to spend all night making these when Newton was sick with the flu... Which is to say, you all should make shadow puppets with him. What? Did you say that it's a childish partaking? Well that's just rude, and it won't be tolerated, especially considering the first movie that plays once everything's set up is The Princess Bride. A story full of adventure! Of Rodents Of Unusual Size! Of Andre the Giant! What's there not to love, especially for those who have never seen a movie before?

Popcorn and other treats made by any kind Sleepers will be given to the hungry, and anyone who's still in a pretty bad state will get lots of pillows shoved under their legs.

The second movie is Titanic, and a certain someone has stealthily placed concerning tissue boxes around the area, some of which read 'IN CASE OF CRYING - EMERGENCY USE'. It's a longer one, and warning is given for length, but where else do you have to be? Ah, yes, the thrilling love story of Jack and Rose — can't wait to scandalize all the modest folks with that nude drawing scene! But more importantly, this ship is gonna hit an iceberg, and Kate Winslet is gonna walk through literal ice-cold water for her man Leo. You love to see it.

Just have those tissues handy if you're a sensitive person, especially during that scene where Jack's looking down at Rose and the flares are going off behind him? Anyone else get weepy at that? No? Okay, I'll just sit over here.

Once both movies have ended, everyone's welcome to stay there, of course. Why bother leaving, when you've got everything you need to sleep right here? A certain someone has used empty tins and has punched dozens of holes in them, leaving them around the mess hall tables with lights inside, so that they're not all totally left in the dark; it leaves blurry little stars scattered across the walls, imperfect but lit all the same.

See, sometimes Newt can make a quiet event happen.

... Sometimes.

On very rare occasion.

Good night, Orbers!

(OOC: Feel free to use this log however you'd like! Knowing me, I'll probably hit everyone with Newt at some point, because I'm a glutton for inbox punishment, but this is a log for everyone to mingle together and do whatever floats their boat; if you'd rather just handwave your character came to this, feel free! It's just a little thing for destressing for the characters. I'll never let go, Jack!

As always, any mention of or interaction with Newt is cool, I'll appear like a ghoul in your top level.)

Comments

[majorbiotic]

[He is familiar with the story but getting to know the people on the ship-- having faces and personalities to identify with-- makes the tragedy that much more horrible. Of course there was a very different reason the Normandy went down, but Kaidan thinks about it all the same. Remembering running through the wrecked ship, passing by the dead in his rush, helping the crew to escape.

He pinches the bridge of his nose and huffs, just waiting until it's over]

[winscenario]

[ Well, it's sort of the whole point of the movie. If there were no characters for them to relate to and sympathize with, then this would be more of a documentary than a romantic drama.

Still, he glances at Kaidan, head tilting back to rest against some pillows. ]

You're alright?

[majorbiotic]

Yeah. Just remembering the old Normandy. We lost it two years ago. I was staff lieutenant, so I knew everyone who died. We were attacked, but still... It brings back memories.

[He's quiet for a moment] If I had any choice, I would have been like Rose, I think. I only evacuated out of duty to the rest of the crew.

[winscenario]

[ Jim's gaze softens, lingering on Kaidan's profile. His opposite hand reaches across to rest on Kaidan's forearm, giving it a gentle and hopefully comforting squeeze. ]

I'm sorry.

[ His voice is quiet, and all too understanding. Even if it's a different kind of ship, for someone who's seen a ship come down... Jim can relate to that feeling all too well. ]

[majorbiotic]

[He stares for a moment. Lots of emotions going on. Gratitude, fondness, a bit of shyness and uncertainty. He eventually drops his gaze]

Thanks.

[winscenario]

[ He can't think of much else to do to offer some comfort, so he just lest his hand rest there, the touch light. Eventually he shifts a little so he can rest his head on Kaidan's shoulder, turning back to the screen to watch the rest of the movie. ]

[majorbiotic]

[He's having a hard time paying attention to the movie, as his mind is going off on a completely different track. He likes Jim: the guy is smart, kind, funny, Kaidan trusts him, there's an ease when they talk that he likes. He's caught feelings, and after talking about wanting to find someone special. Sigh.

Eventually he does manage to focus on the movie again. It's a good love story. Bittersweet, but somehow satisfying in the end]

[winscenario]

[ Meanwhile, Jim is blissfully unaware of what's going through Kaidan's mind. Not that he doesn't like Kaidan, but aside from some casual flirting a couple of times, he hasn't quite realized that there might be more interest there than meets the eye.

Now he's mainly focused on just offering some comfort, while still paying attention to the movie. When it ends, he wipes a small tear from the corner of his eye, but he's still smiling. ]

That was nice. A little sad, but... I don't know why I never watched it before.

[majorbiotic]

[Oh, Jim cried. That's endearing, and it makes Kaidan smile]

I liked it. Maybe I'll suggest we watch Fleet and Flotilla next time. It's a love story from my world featuring a quarian and a turian. I'd like to see what people think of it.

[winscenario]

[ He didn't cry, it's just a single tear. Not that he has any problems with crying, it's just a little awkward. ]

Well, even if you can't set something like this up, I'd like to see it. Maybe we can watch it together sometime, if you manage to get your hands on it.

[majorbiotic]

[He pauses, turning his head to look at Jim]

Just you and me? [Because watching a romantic vid with just two people is a very different thing than with a crowd, and Kaidan just has to make sure he understands the intention]

[winscenario]

[ Something about the way Kaidan asks that gives Jim a bit of pause. He's not clueless, obviously, so he's pretty sure he gets the intent of the question, but still finds himself answering almost shyly. ]

Yes. I mean— sure, why not, right?

[majorbiotic]

Okay. I'd like that.

[Why not, indeed? He likes Jim, and there are no fraternization rules to worry about. Kaidan does not mind at all seeing where this could go]

[winscenario]

[ Well, there are probably a couple things he should tell Kaidan, but no point in getting ahead of himself. It's just a movie for now, he'll see where it goes from there and if it'll warrant a more serious talk. ]

Just let me know when. Maybe before we're sent out for another mission.

[majorbiotic]

[As he is motivated now, he will definitely try to find the vid. Maybe his omni-tool can help speed up the process. If his fellow Earthen can find vids from their time periods, surely he can find some from his]

If you're lucky, I may even be able to find the musical version.

[winscenario]

A musical version. Really? [ Jim laughs, a little less worried about keeping quiet since the movie's wrapped up already. ] It must be a really popular story, huh. Do you like the musical version better?

[majorbiotic]

To be honest, I haven't seen it. My friend Tali told me about it. But yeah, I guess it's pretty popular. Seemingly impossible romances overcoming obstacles to be together has universal appeal.

[winscenario]

[ Jim smiles a little, nodding in agreement. ] Yes, I'd say that's a very popular theme in love stories, and I can see why. I like it, going against all odds.

[ Not just when it comes to romance, honestly. ]

[majorbiotic]

[He nods; he likes that theme, too. And obviously it's enjoyed by a lot of people in his world. Kaidan is very interested in seeing what Jim makes of it, and will try to hunt down a copy before the next mission]