Attack on Holidays

[hometown]

WHO: the Attack on Titan cast and their +1s
WHAT: holiday shenanigans
WHEN: around the Solstice
WHERE: an inn in Stormreach
WARNINGS: tba; please check subject lines



Sometime after a less than stellar conference call, Reiner sends an invitation to everyone from his world. "You're Invited to a Holiday Party," the store-bought invitation reads in swirling seasonally decorated letters. How very fancy!

The invitation specifies three things. Number one: it is a celebration of the holidays. Number two: it is a celebration of a year of a successful non-aggression pact. Number three: everyone is invited to bring a "plus one."

Surely, nothing will go wrong with this plan. Surely!

The party itself takes place at an inn in Stormreach, part of which has been reserved by Reiner. The inn is made of stone and wood, its aesthetic closely resembling buildings in Paradis. There are several spacious rooms available: places for eating, places for mingling, cozy corners for more private conversations, and access to the inn's bar.

• In one of those cozy spaces, one might find a lit candle known as a Candle of True Feelings. In its presence, people understand their feelings better and feel inspired to talk about them. How very curious!
  
  
• Of note: magic supersedes technology in Stormreach. One is far more likely to run across potions and crystals than gaming systems… But that hasn't stopped Reiner from setting up a gaming system in a corner, anyway.
  
  
• If one steps outside for a breath of (cold) fresh air, they'll find themselves close to the clock tower. Local legend claims that those who kiss on top of it are destined to never breakup. However, that legend has not been tested … yet.
  
  
• During the party, a table is filled with various gifts for the "+1s," created by those from Paradis and Marley. The gifts include knitted clothing (scarves, mittens, socks), chocolates, sweet baked goods, and fidget toys made of wood or stone. Feel free to partake, +1s!

Naturally, there is a wide assortment of food—some of which is best described as "ungodly spicy"—with a particular focus on potato-based foods. Also, peaches and pineapples, for Reasons™.

Have fun, and try not to break anything!


( ooc: this is a mingle! top-level, tag around, etc. put any warnings in subject lines, and if a thread heads toward smut, please take it to an inbox or something. ♥ )

Comments

[urtitan]

[As the organiser of the less-than-successful conference call, Frieda felt apprehensive before the party. Some of her fellow Eldians got rather irate with her, and while she can certainly handle dissent, she isn't sure if her idea of conflict management lines up with that of the Ackermans certain countrymen. In the end, it's Reiner's effort of reaching out to her and convincing her that she'll be welcome that makes her decide to attend.

With Jade as her +1, she's nervous enough! She loves him dearly, but he is a bit of a wildcard and might in fact worsen her already bad reputation among the others by gushing about her derangement condition or smugly telling them that he "told her so" about the dangers of striking deals with fae... but then again, he's very good at navigating social situations. Maybe she doesn't need to fuss so much. They bring additional food for the buffet: A seafood salad and homemade seasonal cookies. Additionally, Frieda adds some one-way healing charms and small healing potion bottles to the present table.

She opts to wear the clothing the first arrived in - a simple white dress and matching thin robe, the royal family's women's traditional attire for gatherings, ceremonies, etc. Surely, this will appear more modest than, say, the one designer dress she owns! (Sorry, Eren, if it brings back bad past/future overlap memories... and speaking of Eren, anyone who sees them standing next to each other at any point may be struck by how uncannily similar they look, minor colour scheme differences aside!)

She mostly meanders around, lingering here and there and perhaps watching some others play games, but since she's the one who sneakily brought the Candle of True Feelings in hopes of potentially resolving some misunderstandings and/or tensions among the partygoers, she can be found in the room with the candle at various points throughout the night (perhaps even having forgotten that it's in there... oops)!]

[abnormalizes]

Frieda! Happy holidays!

[Well, at least there's one person who's happy to see her! Even if she's not a countrywoman. She holds out a wrapped box containing a fitting T-shirt. Frieda could stand to dress casually sometimes..!]

[urtitan]

Happy holidays to you too, Evangeline! Oh, you shouldn't have!

[She sits down with her to unwrap the present, then holds the shirt out and beams.]

A t-shirt!! It's gorgeous!

[The slightly lowers her voice, furtively looking around as the folds it back up.]

Perhaps, I just shouldn't wear it around the others from my world...

[abnormalizes]

Oh - I'm sorry. Is there... bad blood there?

[She has absolutely no idea.]

[urtitan]

[That's right - poor Evangeline still has no idea about just how bad the blood is (even literally, given how the ability to turn into a titan derives directly from an Eldian bloodline, and how her royal bloodline binds her to her ancestor's vow). This would be a bad time to tell her, too, so Frieda downplays the situation (luckily, her smile is still genuine since the present really does make her happy).]

It could be worse! Walking around labeled 'Queen' when I've had an easier life than most of the others would just feel a little tactless.

[abnormalizes]

Oh! Yeah, okay, I can see how that would rub people the wrong way. I don't know how I'd feel if someone from my home had a shirt that said 'rich' on it or whatever.

[Actually, she has a pretty good idea how she'd feel, and it would be bitter.]

[urtitan]

I can imagine!

[Internally, she's sweating bullets, just a little bit. Even when she finally divulged her world's history and present-day situation to Rinku, she only indirectly alluded to her role in the Walls by mentioning measures to prevent further conflict implemented by her (it really was her ancestor, but details!). She doubts that either Evangeline or Rinku has any idea that she's royalty and the de facto oppressor of the others here from Paradis Island... unless one of the other Eldians tells them.]

Say, whom of the others from my world do you know?

[abnormalizes]

Let's see, Reiner, Eren, Levi, Jean, Marco... I met Erwin like once, and talked to Sasha on the network? But Reiner and Eren are definitely the two I'm closest to.

[She absolutely does not know that many details about the political situation.]

[urtitan]

[That's so many of them!! Eren and Reiner would, at least in theory, have so many things to say about her (in)actions back home, too, but... they haven't. None of them have. Do they feel that even she deserves a new start in this new world? For a moment, she struggles for words, but then she remembers a big commonality between them and her.]

Reiner and Eren's titans are really impressive, aren't they?

[At least here, those monsters can be put to good use... even if the knowledge of just how many titans Eren holds makes her scream internally on some level.]

[abnormalizes]

Yeah! They are! -I actually first met Reiner in Titan form. I hit on him and he had to turn me down gently.

[It's lucky that Reiner has autumn's telepathy, or that conversation would have been even more awkward than it already was.]

[urtitan]

[Only Evangeline would hit on a titan without knowing the person inside! Frieda has to laugh, imaginging Reiner emerging from the nape all flustered and confused.]

It's a pity, isn't it, that everbody is taken already?

[Well, she doesn't know about Falco, but he's a kid... but wait! There's Bertholdt! She barely knows anything about him as of yet! Her gaze wanders over to him across the room, but he looks so uncomfortable, seemingly trying to blend into the wall, that she decides against giving Evangeline any ideas.]

On the other hand, I'm really happy for Eren and Reiner.

[Their relationship is nothing short of an impossible miracle to her... and honestly, when she thinks about what they'd do to each other's countries, should they be sent back home, it hurts her head.]

[abnormalizes]

I am too! They're super cute together. Hey, did you know that when we all went to the magical library, Reiner got turned into a fairy-tale prince and thought Eren was his princess?

[She will absolutely share this gossip no matter who else is in the room to overhear, even Eren and Reiner themselves. No, especially Eren and Reiner themselves.]

[urtitan]

Really?!

[Uh oh. Now they're in conspirative gossip mode (very rare and hard to unlock with Frieda)!]

I hope Eren thought he was the right princess, otherwise there'd be no happily ever after! I thought I was a prince too, but I didn't find the right princess...

[She did find Eiden!]

wandering

[roundandaround]

Frieda-chan!

[Rinku's dress is a lot more ostentatious, but she doesn't seem to mind Frieda's. She waves and runs up to her.]

I'm glad you came! Isn't this fun? It kinda feels like one of those big extended family parties you see on TV. Though I guess you guys would be the family, huh?

[They certainly have the drama for one...]

[urtitan]

Rinku!

[Frieda is happy to see her here - and in such a beautiful outfit!]

You always look like a princess!

[Between them, she may be the one with royal blood, but Rinku is far more deserving of such fancy trappings! As for the 'family' piece, Frieda does her best not to wince.]

Well, we are all Eldians..!

[roundandaround]

[Rinku sparkles and makes happy sounds. She completely misses Frieda's awkward tone.]

Yeah, having people around who have something in common with you always makes it feel more fun, right? But I think anyone can be a good friend, anyway. Is all the food the kinds you had in your country?

[urtitan]

No, not all of it.

[She steps closer to the buffet to survey the meal selection.]

This and this-- [potato-based dishes] -- we have on Paradis Island, but these spicy meals have to be from elsewhere. I wonder who brought them.

[Chances are that Reiner provided the brunt of the food, but do they have such variety in Marley, or did he develop a taste for spice here in Ellipsa?]

[roundandaround]

Maybe Reiner-san wanted to try stuff from all over Ellipsa! There's all different kinds of food, after all.

[urtitan]

Maybe! I have to say, Ellipsa's food is one of its best features - but that's hardly fair when there are so many amazing things!

[She points out some round, light yellow dumpling-looking items, clearly a carbohydrate side dish.]

You might like these! Back home, we call them knödel. They're made of flour and don't have a filling like some dumplings here do, but they're really sating and delicious with sauce!

[roundandaround]

Wow!

[Rinku sparkles and ladles some onto a plate.]

It looks so happy! [how is food happy] I tried that stew over there, it kinda reminds me of the romazava we ate on Tiotio Island, even if the meat's different and the spices aren't exactly the same either. But it's really spicy all the same!

[urtitan]

[Frieda may not understand how food can look happy, but she does know that Rinku likes round food!]

They might go well together! Let me try the stew, too.

[She fills a bowl for herself. Sitting and eating with Rinku makes her feel more comfortable. Many people at this party may have mixed feelings about her at best, but Rinku likes spending time with her no matter what.]

What's been your favourite part of Yuletide season so far?

[roundandaround]

Hm... Last year we had those little cabins around town that people could rest in while they were out celebrating! That was fun. Oh, and the skating this year! But the mistletoe is fun! I brought out the kissing booth again and raised some money for the hospital! And giving everyone presents has been a lot of fun too! And I'm working really hard to learn to make fried chicken so we can have some, but I made a big mess of the kitchen when I first tried and then I just took Mary-chan and everyone out for pizza. But what about you?

[urtitan]

[Leave it to Rinku to love virtually ever aspect of the season!]

I went ice skating with Evangeline, and we made one of her friends from home out of snow! That was really nice. But sending and receiving presents has been wonderful, too! And just being out and about, smelling the food and hot drinks from the street stalls... I can't choose! I'm just sorry that I missed your kissing booth!

[Also--]

Is fried chicken a traditional Yuletide meal where you're from?

[roundandaround]

Yeah, that's what we have where I lived last! They always have long lines and you have to pre-book. It sounds like you're having a ton of fun! Which Abnormality was it, do you know? Was it cute?

[urtitan]

Beauty and the Beast. She's very kind, Evangeline said.

[That Abnormality's story really stuck with Frieda. She, at least, only turns into a hideous monster on occasion! Being stuck like that has to be very painful, and that's without going into the horrid energy extraction method.]