Potluck Mingle: Welcome Party

[musketea]

When March 2nd Where Blossomcrown Central Park
What Potluck Mingle/Welcome Party

About.

What had started with Mami stress-baking far too much cake and offering to give some away, had lead to a number of other offers to bring food, and soon she had ended up in charge of a substantial potluck mingle. Well, she supposed it would make for a nice welcome party for everyone else who had been dragged into this strange new world with her!

And so, a number of small tables and picnic blankets had been set out with cakes, cookies, hot dogs, burgers and other sweet and savoury treats that her and others had been brought along. Mami had even taken the time to decorate the table with little flowers that she'd gathered as well, just to add to the atmosphere that the cherry blossom trees already provided.

Hopefully it would be a relaxing, pleasant afternoon.

Notes.

OOC: Feel free to make your own TLs, mingle, interact with each other and all of that stuff! I'll add a comment at the top for people to add what they're bringing along for reference (but contributions are of course not mandatory).

CODE BY MARWOOD

Comments

[kingside]

[The Kamisato Clan. He doesn't know if he should introduce you to Suzaku immediately or very carefully never introduce you to Suzaku at all, but more importantly, there's mochi that needs eating.]

They do at that.

[Quiet agreement. The memories are bittersweet ones, but when he finally lifts the treat to his mouth for his first bite, he's left only with the fonder, safer variety: playing with Nunnally and Euphy as a child, exploring with Suzaku, and various escapades with the student council, some of which could probably have done without that rosy glow, actually.

His eyes may or may not have fallen shut. He also, quite possibly, might have forgotten to offer anything in the way of insight or an opinion about the rest of what Ms. Kamisato just said, but also hold, please, he is busy.]

[mistsplitter]

[ Lelouch can keep reminiscing all he likes! She notices him close his eyes, so she opts to leave him be for a moment.

While she may not have made matcha for everyone, she does have some senchan in a thermos. She stays quiet as she pours a cup for him, being kept well means it's stilly steaming hot even after all this time.

When Lelouch does finally open his eyes, he'll be met with Ayaka offering him a cup of tea. ]

To cleanse your palate.

[kingside]

[Again entirely against his will, he's still smiling when his eyes open again, and his eyebrows lift to see the tea in front of him.]

Again, thank you.

[He accepts the cup, but he's maybe looking elsewhere while he sips at its contents. Now would likely be a good time to tell her what he thought about the mochi, but uh.]

I'm Lelouch, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[Yes, let's. Maybe delay that for a second. For no particular reason.]

[mistsplitter]

Lelouch... [ What a fancy sounding name! It is definitely not a name one would find in Inazuma. Which means... she would like to learn more about where he is from! ] I am delighted to make your acquaintance.

My name is Kamisato Ayaka.

Did you bring anything?

[ She'd like to try!! ]

[kingside]

[She's a little too polite, perhaps. Sheltered or just another unfortunate casualty of excessive etiquette lessons? Both? For her sake, he has to hope it's the latter, but anyway.]

I did, yes. The quiches, salads, and sandwiches over there as well as the charcuterie board.

[He gestures somewhat sweepingly toward them because there's maybe sort of a lot, and of course he knows the meaning the of word "restraint," what are you talking about.]

Please enjoy them as well.

[mistsplitter]

[ When Lelouch gestures to his spread, her attention is immediately on it. The sandwiches are familiar, so are the items on the board, but she's never heard of a "charcuterie board" until now. She can figure out which is which, but... the quiches pique her curiosity. ]

Is this a kind of pie? [ She asks as soon as she's in front of the quiches, so curious!! And she wants to try, but there seem to be three kinds... ] I've never heard of a "quiche" before.

i had to google this so now you need to know too

[kingside]

[... She's kind of not wrong, but.]

A tart, technically. A pie would have a crust over the top of it as well.

[Which does, in fact, mean that pumpkin pie is technically not a pie but a tart. Cheesecake? Also a tart. You're welcome.]

I'm not certain if your world has a France, but they're considered French in origin on mine. The filling is primarily a savory custard—eggs and cream—with, in this case, spinach, bacon, or a combination of both.

[He points to each in turn, helpfully! He's helpful, really, and absolutely not info-dumping.]

I thought it best to provide a variety just in case anyone had any dietary restrictions or general preferences. It's up to you which you would like to try first.

amazing

[mistsplitter]

Oh, I see. Thank you for telling me.

[ She frets not when Lelouch corrects her, because the more he talks about it? The more she learns! And that makes her very happy. ]

I have not heard of France, [ But she assumes it's a nation? Or a place in general. Okay, she's learning even more!!! ] but perhaps there may be a nation similar to it, where I am from.

[ She isn't in her Fontaine outfit right now, which would honestly give Lelouch a clue as to what she might be referring to, though. ALAS... ]

I shall try... [ She can't decide! But she's not very picky with food so long as there aren't any animal fats or organs in it. And so, randomly choosing the spinach one, she puts it on a plate. ] this one.

[ Now then, before she goes on and tries his food, she would like a verdict to her mochi, please. ]

What did you think of the mochi, by the way?

[kingside]

[COMPLETELY blanked on Fontaine but anyway] [... Ah. Right. So much for hoping she wouldn't notice, but at least Ms. Kamisato (Ayaka? no, too forward if she's from a more traditional background) isn't bringing any attention to the rest of it. He can manage this much.]

It was very good and beautifully presented.

[He says this somewhat blandly and while not looking at Ms. Ayaka at all, which surely won't give the wrong impression or anything.]

And it wasn't too sticky, fortunately. Overall, I'd say it was quite pleasant.

[... He'd have fewer reservations about saying how incredible it was if it hadn't made him Have An Emotion, sorry Ayaka.]

[mistsplitter]

[ She wasn't hoping that he would start drooling just talking about it, but it... doesn't really sound like he liked it. Ayaka does not press him further, but takes it as a suggestion. There is something that can be improved, and she must try her best to figure it out and make him try again some other time. ]

Oh, I'm... glad you think so.

[ Just a little bit of hesitation there, unsure if she should say something like that or not. In any case, she does, because it doesn't seem like Lelouch is trying to be rude on purpose. ]

Thank you for explaining to me what a quiche is. I hope to be able to try all sorts of food that I've never tried before. This is one of those things.

[ Moving on, she gestures to the quiche she has on her plate. So, thank you! She really is very happy to be able to try something new. And now, she looks away so she can take a big bite without anyone seeing. ]

.. *MS. KAMISATO god i need more sleep + i haven't had quiche in years bear with me

[kingside]

[To that, he offers a slight shrug, gaze still elsewhere.]

It's no trouble, of course.

[Yes. Right. Also, while she's doing that, he's going to take this opportunity to totally casually add the other mochi varieties to his plate because they're bound to be at least halfway decent and not because he was thoroughly impressed by the sakura version.

(The quiche, meanwhile, is also not in any way magical, but it's made with care by an experienced chef with an eye for detail that borders on obsessive """borders on""" and who adores exactly this sort of creamy, fluffy, melts-in-your-mouth dish. It's entirely possible that Ayaka will be ruined for other quiches after this. Maybe.)]

LOL ALL GOOD

[mistsplitter]

[ It truly is such a creamy and fluffy tart! Ayaka's eyes widen after taking her first bite. The crust is crumbly and so buttery, and the custard is just so soft and melts in her mouth.

This is. Amazing! ]

Thank you for sharing this with everyone. [ Ayaka cannot speak for the rest of the people here, but she's so happy to have tried it!! Lelouch has blessed her. ] I really like it!

[kingside]

[He catches at least some of that reaction out of the corner of his eye, and his expression softens into a faint smile. The praise is unnecessary, but he doesn't mind it.]

Naturally.

[Which part is he responding to? A mystery.]

[mistsplitter]

Please forgive me, but I can't help but be curious...

[ Ah, she really is interested! And she would like to share this with her family and her beau some time. So hopefully her new acquaintance will humour her with her request— ]

They're very good. I was wondering if you would be willing to share your recipe?

[kingside]

[He—perhaps should have seen that comming? But, well.]

I can send it to you, yes. May I have your contact information?

[It's either that or he recites it, and although his memory is that good, he's not sure if Ms. Kamisato's is.]

[mistsplitter]

Oh, of course!

[ She would have brought out her notepad and wrote the recipe down, but Lelouch sending her the recipe would seem easier. ]

My username is "white heron", with a space in between the two words.

[kingside]

[Interesting choice. He's not about to comment out loud about that, however, so he simply nods and takes out his phone to enter her as a contact. His flower, by the way, is a pale pink chrysanthemum, which surely indicates nothing interesting whatsoever.]

Mine is "shinkirou." I'll have that sent to you as soon as the opportunity arises.

[He might even do it during the pot luck, actually, but he'd rather not promise anything when there's a very real chance that something might draw his attention.]

[mistsplitter]

[ That is interesting! Given the short amount of time that Ayaka's been here, she never knew everyone got different flowers. But hers is red, of a camellia, that she's instantly able to tell that Lelouch's is different.

Bringing her phone out and holding it up so that the charm is dangling, she cannot help but comment— ]

I didn't know that there were different flowers. [ Camellias again, for this young lady. It is the symbol of her clan, after all.

Blinking rapidly upon realising that she might not be making sense to him, she puts her phone away with a soft and amiable laugh. ]

Thank you, by the way. I'll wait for your message.

[kingside]

[He shrugs lightly at that, barely glancing at his own because he's decided that the best way to deal with anyone reading into it is to pretend total ignorance.]

A friend of mine here has a sunflower. It's interesting, isn't it? And you're very welcome in advance. I'd ask for your recipes as well, but I don't know if I have the right touch for mochi.

[mistsplitter]

Oh, it must be so beautiful... [ She sounds wistful just thinking about it. All flowers are lovely, and it's pretty clear she likes them all. ] Where I am from, giving or receiving these flowers convey specific meanings. Even moreso in flower arrangements.

[ But this is a different world they are in. Hanakotoba must not exist here, or it would be vastly different.

Still, she's glad she was given a tsubaki!! ]

Well, I could still give the recipe to you if you would like to try someday.

[kingside]

[Or they could keep talking about it, that's. That also works.]

There's something similar where I'm from, but I'm afraid I don't have it memorized. It would be interesting to compare one day if we can find some books on it.

[And, moving on.]

I would appreciate that, at any rate. Thank you.

[mistsplitter]

Indeed. I will need to visit a local bookshop soon, as I would also like to learn more about the literature in this land.

[ Sorry she's a nerd... She really likes poetry! ]

I shall send it to you when I have a moment to sit down and, ah- [ What's that word? ] type it, then.

[kingside]

[Right because Lelouch totally isn't the type to broodingly read Machiavelli or The Divine Comedy or anything.]

Again, I appreciate it. I'd also be interested in hearing your recommendations on the literature front. I'm more likely to pore through the nonfiction first, but under the circumstances, it's better not to leave a single stone unturned.

[mistsplitter]

I enjoy poetry, amongst other forms of literature, but... [ The small part of her likes romantic things— fairy tales, stories about heroes, that sort of thing. But it is best to keep that part secret. ] I shall let you know, if there is anything that may be interesting to you.

There is so much to learn in this world.

[kingside]

Indeed there is.

[Too much, in fact. Far too much, but he'll leave it there for now, especially since she doesn't quite seem to have caught his meaning.]

Specifically, I have to wonder if myth and legend wouldn't be worth investigating in a world where the seasons themselves hold so much power. Perhaps a tale spread through word of mouth and immortalized in print might be rooted in truth.

[In other words, he is actively encouraging you to read fairy tales, Ms. Kamisato. Rejoice.]