Magic and Support Reserves Meeting, Dorm Lobby, Wednesday Afternoon

[glacial_queen]

The blizzard may have stopped, but there was still a lot of snow on the ground and considering today's activity, Magic Reserves was being held inside today. The usual tables were set up however, and they positively groaned under the weight of all the handwavey food. More than just snacks and drinks, there appeared to be several whole meals there, including a few all-vegetarian options.

"Hey everyone," Karla said, looking more subdued than usual. "Thanks so much for coming today. We have kind of an unusual activity planned today, but it involved eating and talking, so hopefully no one will mind much. In any situation, whether it's invading creatures or something terrible happening to the island, one of your most valuable resources for getting through it whole is your allies--your friends. Knowing who has your back and who you can trust frees you up to focus on other things--potentially life-saving things. So today, we're going to share food and talk to and about one another. Get to know folks we might not already, and reaffirm the bonds we share with others. Because this way, when we're facing trouble, we can remember that we don't do so alone."

Dolf, hands in his pockets, nodded. "There is not really much else to say," he said. "Sometimes we just need to know people will pick us up if things are bad, and that there will be food and drink when we need it, too. That we're warm and with each other, we can be safe." His words weren't as smooth as Karla's, obviously, but at least the lad continued to be earnest. Boy scout.

Tara appreciated the Boy Scout thing, today more than ever. "We're safe here," she echoed softly, sounding sad but composed. "Today is for enjoying that, and enjoying being family for each other. Even if the families we came from weren't up to the job. And if anyone wants to talk to any of us, we're here."

[Co-written with the wonderful swordsandsoccer and life_inshadow. Hang on for OCD up!]

Comments

Arrive and Mingle

[glacial_queen]

Appreciate the vast array of foodstuffs. Feel free to start making a plate. Or two. Or even three.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba was quite grateful for the all vegetarian options. However, she did feel the weight of the emptiness at the meeting. The leader that wasn't there. If there was a way she could possibly congratulate the leaders for carrying on, she would have. But even Elphaba knew there was no way to address that 500 pound elephant respectfully.

Instead, she'd follow their example. It was a good day to learn about others. And especially to learn to talk about problems she didn't think anyone could help with.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[batwaffles.livejournal.com]

You'd think with that much food, it would be a festive occasion . . . but Stephanie didn't even have to get a good look at the leaders' faces to know exactly why it wasn't, and was hard put to hide a sympathetic wince.

The principle of the activity today was one she could get behind wholeheartedly, even if she couldn't help a little mental told you so directed at her Bruce back in Gotham.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[showmetheproof.livejournal.com]

Dana felt terrible for everyone who'd been part of whatever happened with Raven; and wished there was more she could do besides show up for a meeting and talk.

She seriously hoped that those who needed it were going to talk to teachers or counselors.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Squall stood and watched, and wondered why the leaders hadn't mentioned Raven yet.

The topic of conversation confused him, too. Weren't all of the people in the Reserves allies? He didn't trust any of them, not really, but he expected to see most of them fighting alongside him when something bad happened. Wasn't that the point?

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[littlelionlad.livejournal.com]

Anduin didn't have to know everyone here to be able to sense the somber mood overshadowing the gathering. He frowned softly as he picked out some food, and looked around, trying to figure out what had happened.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[talks-backwards.livejournal.com]

Oh, Zee noted the absence of certain someone, and made a mental note.

But for the moment, the food would keep her busy.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[angelo_wings]

Rinoa liked today's message. Her friends had gotten her through a number of crises, in the past. She was going to linger for food and look around at everyone, remembering to be grateful for them.

Activity

[glacial_queen]

Once you've made up a plate, sit down and then say something nice about the person to your left.

[If you're interested in the activity, ping here and then tag someone else and say something nice about them. If you don't know someone, introduce yourself and start up a conversation instead.]

Re: Activity

[didntchewgrass.livejournal.com]

Elphaba sat down at the table and looked oddly serene, not her normally, on-edge self.

She picked at her plate of vegetables carefully, and awaited for someone to sit nearby.

Re: Activity

[life_inshadow]

Tara still wasn't eating much, but she got a sandwich and some fruit so she'd at least have something to play with. Then she looked quietly about, curious who would sit beside her.

Re: Activity

[glacial_queen]

Not even grief could kill Karla's appetite for long, so she had two plates when she settled in. Everything smelled so good that, for the first time since the weekend, she actually wanted to eat today, instead of doing so mechanically.

Re: Activity

[brat_inslayage]

If it hadn't already been pretty obvious that Kennedy wasn't back on an entirely even keel yet, the normal-person-sized portion of food on the plate in front of her was a clear sign; she was eating at her normal pace, though.

Re: Activity

[batwaffles.livejournal.com]

Stephanie grabbed a couple of sandwiches and some veggies and took a seat at the table. Hey, she didn't know any of these people yet, really, but why should that stop her?

. . . okay, she was a little hopeful someone would come up with something nice to say about her, somehow.

Re: Activity

[whateverknight.livejournal.com]

Squall put together a well-balanced, sensible meal for himself and sat down. He really should get to know these people, that was true. He just wasn't sure how to go about doing that.

Re: Activity

[showmetheproof.livejournal.com]

Scully had a small plate, and looking around at people, feeling pretty uncomfortable about this, and badly reminded of certain FBI required employee activities. Although at least this one had a better reason than 'we all need to be aware of how not to get sued.'

Re: Activity

[angelo_wings]

Rinoa had a plate, herself, and glanced around the room. She hoped her friends were doing okay.

Re: Activity

[talks-backwards.livejournal.com]

Zee was going to sit and eat in silence, trying to come with something good to say.

It couldn't be that hard, right?

Re: Activity

[anarchist-queen.livejournal.com]

Leda sat crosslegged with a plate full of pita and hummus rolls. Mmm. She looked around at everyone around and thought of nice things to say about all of them, just in case there was a change up and they were asked to say something about someone not sitting to their left.

Eat and Converse

[glacial_queen]

For non-activity related conversations you'd like to have.

Re: Eat and Converse

[swordsandsoccer.livejournal.com]

Right now, Dolf's conversing mostly came down to 'eating food at the table', but he was more than happy to talk to anyone nearby.

He was even trying not to brood.

Re: Eat and Converse

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

Cassidy was here and she was a lot more subdued than usual. She had her shields locked tightly around her, but it was still hard -- especially when she was faced with the absence of her friend.

She made herself a plate of food -- mainly because Shira would glare at her if she didn't -- and then found a place to sit.

She wanted to talk to Karla, but she didn't know what to say.

Talk to the Leaders

[glacial_queen]

There are only three of them now.

Re: Talk to the Leaders

[swordsandsoccer.livejournal.com]

Dolf was there, and... probably looking the least traumatised of the lot, though even he was thoughtful. A little introverted, really.

This whole thing had dug up a lot of memories.

OCD

[glacial_queen]

I just made up the activity. Ping here for questions?