To touch the rose unfearful is to meet the thorn

[handing]

Who: Anyone who wants to come!
When: February 14th, Evening/Night
Where: The Gardens
What: A Valentine's Day Party
Warnings: None in general, but please mark your threads if need be.



[Pulling together a shipwide celebration at the last minute isn't exactly the easiest task. Luckily, a number of people Pepper can't thank enough have stepped up, from those assigned to work with her on maintaining and improving morale, to others whom she's never before met. The effort is enough, even with the ship's limited resources, to offer something other than just dining in the mess hall on February 14th.

Anyone who wanders into the gardens will find the area decorated with bright lights, leading towards a central clearing. A banner is there, welcoming everyone to the Moira's valentine's celebration--notably written in what the computer savvy might recognize as "papyrus" font, thanks to the skeleton of the same name aboard the ship. There are also an abundance of flowers courtesy of Steven, grown in careful arrangements around the area to add a romantic touch. Tables and chairs have been set up here, along with a display of small plates provided through the efforts of the ship's head chef, Loki. The offerings are small, not quite the dinner she'd hoped for, but there's a variety of tastes available, both savory and sweet. This display is decorated with clearly handcrafted heart garlands provided by Frisk, who has taken care to include purple hearts as well.

Potentially of greater interest is the makeshift bar nearby, with people like Miles and Drew there to provide alcohol to those of an appropriate age.

At the center of everything is a space cleared for anyone who might want to engage in dancing. There are a few people who have offered to perform live, including Jay and Steven. She's asked for a mix of songs, from slow and sweet to more festive, since an important part of this is to encourage not just couples, but everyone to enjoy themselves. When people aren't singing, music comes through a sound system borrowed from Tony Stark's armor. Pepper's done her best, however, to wrestle away control of the playlist from him (although she did have to compromise and let one or two AC/DC songs slip into the mix.)

The party will last essentially as long as people would like it to; Pepper's got no set timeline herself, although for the sake of her younger staff it definitely won't be an all-nighter. Still, she's going to count on Papyrus and Frisk, as well as Med'an, Lara, and anyone else willing to show up early or stick around late. And throughout it all will be Pepper herself, bustling around to ensure everything goes well--although she does want to spend some time relaxing herself, when she catches the chance.]


{{OOC: Open mingle log for February 14th. Feel free to have your character show up to set-up, for the party itself, and/or to clean up after!}}

Comments

Bruce Banner » open

[hyperkinesia]

CLOSED TO TRISH.

He's not really sure why he ends up staying at the mess hall for hours after his shift. Well, actually he does, of course: he's reading up on some books and studying data he's gathered as of late, but the point is, he could do that in his room, or at the Science Department, the library - a number of places that likely would be more comfortable and quiet than here.

Maybe that's exactly why he likes it. The soft background noise of people chatting as they come and go, even if today is particularly quiet. He hasn't figured out why yet.

Not that he bothers thinking about it much. Right now he's a little too engrossed in his reading, back hunched and his face practically buried into the pages of a book, the cup of tea on the table forgotten. He doesn't even realize that the evening shift has come to an end just now.


OPEN.

A party definitely wasn't on Bruce's plans when he woke up this morning. Actually, he didn't even realize what day it was, not until he stepped onto the gardens already after dinner, along with Trish. Of course he figures it out soon enough - or has it pointed out to him, more like -, and almost considers turning around and leaving again. This really isn't the kind of party for him.

Still, he sticks around a little while. He spends some of his time with Trish at first, but eventually he can be found wandering around the place on his own, keeping mostly to the edges of the party, trying a few snacks and a cup of two of some juice while wondering when exactly would it be a good time to leave.

[notpatsy]

Trish is less mystified by the fact that she keeps stealing little glances outside to see if Bruce is still around. It's quite simple after all, she likes him. He is also pretty attractive so it really doesn't hurt to have that view when attending to kitchen duty.

She is a little amused to find that he is still there when she is done for the evening and prepares to leave, and so she quietly makes her way over to him, trying not to disturb him until the very last moment.

Once she has crept up behind him she gently puts her hands on his shoulders and leans down so her face is closer to his ear.

"You have terrible posture."

[hyperkinesia]

Bruce likes to think he has a good ear for people approaching him, most times. It's rare that he feels so relaxed that someone can come close without him hearing or feel their presence somehow, though right now it's most likely because he's so engrossed in his reading, he's not even aware that the people are wrapping up with their shifts and leaving the mess hall.

So, when hands rest lightly on his shoulders, followed by a voice right next to his ear, he startles, nearly jumping where he sits, his whole body tensing and his back straightening up as he lets out a strangled noise in surprise.

He turns around, not even sure how he's going to react to the unexpected approach, though he sighs in audible and clear relief when he sees who it is. He smiles, a hand resting over his own chest, practically on instinct.

"Jesus, Trish. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

[handing]

Somewhere between Bruce leaving Trish's side and managing to find an escape from the party he never meant to attend, he's going to have an encounter with the host for the evening. Granted, Pepper is trying to make sure she says hello to everyone who walks through the door, but Bruce is also her friend.

Her friend who happened to walk in with a rather attractive woman to a Valentine's Day celebration. True, Pepper had said it was meant to be singles friendly, an event geared as much around comrades as romance--but that doesn't mean people aren't going to take advantage of the date night opportunity.

So she's barely holding back a grin when she catches up to him. "Hey Bruce. How are you this evening?"

[hyperkinesia]

Bruce has been enjoying the party, actually, even if it's more than obvious that it really isn't his kind of thing. He doesn't mingle much, sparing only a casual greeting to faces he happens to recognize, and when Pepper approaches him, he's just gotten a glass of plain juice from the bar.

"Hey." He glances at her, her expression getting a raised eyebrow from him, curious. "I'm alright, thanks. This is all-- amazing, by the way. I'm impressed you've managed to pull it off."

Between Emiri, what happened to Tony, and dealing with her own situation with Extremis, it's a wonder she's even found the time. But Bruce is quickly learning just how much Pepper can manage at the same time - not that it should surprise him that much.

Ocelot / Open!

[yer_pretty_good]

He arrives later in the evening, since had mess duty this night, but once his job is done, he cleans himself up and heads to the party. Hopefully it'll still be going on. Mostly he just hopes to partake of the bar, but perhaps he'll find some people to talk to. The cowboy isn't even opposed to dancing, if the song is right. He's pretty light on his feet.

Once he walks in, he looks at all the decor, and for something that was thrown together last minute, he thinks the committee did a good job of it. At least it's got the theme going. Valentine's Day is not a holiday he traditionally celebrates. A man in his line of work isn't prone to 'relationships' that go beyond the hours of 10pm - 5am, generally, and a lot of times he doesn't keep company with the same person twice. That's just the life of a military dog and spy, and he's grown accustomed to it. Being on this ship for, what could be long term, may be a real change of pace for him.

After looking around a bit, Ocelot heads for the bar to order a drink. He'll spend most of his time there and appears plenty open to conversation should anyone happen by.

[wedealwithit]

Danny hadn't helped with the decorations or food because he didn't think he was going to come at all. Now that he was here, he felt somewhat guilty, but not too much since everyone was so friendly about it all. He doesn't talk to many people, keeps to himself for a bit with a drink in hand. Normally Danny would dance, talk to anyone at a party like this, but he was in outer space and it felt off somehow. Like everyone was okay with being here and he hadn't adjusted yet.

When he sees Ocelot, though, he can't help but smile. The cowboy from the bar.

"Hello. Remember me?"

Danny stops by the man's right shoulder, a cautious yet friendly smile curving his mouth.

[yer_pretty_good]

Ocelot looks over and smiles right back. "Course I do." Danny was a nice young man to talk to. And interesting, thanks to the things he said about Snake. David was pretty shocked that Ocelot knew his real name. He feels like he owes Danny a drink for that delight, but the drinks are already free.

"Why don't you join me? I'm just milling about here. It's a quiet little party, but it's kinda nice, though this isn't usually a holiday that interests me."

Zam | Open

[backsassin]

[It’s not a bad party. Maybe not as rowdy as the ones on Coruscant, but impressive given how last minute it had been. Zam still thinks the whole “love” theme is a little tasteless after recent events, but she supposes a few paper hearts won’t hurt anyone.

She sticks to the bar for the first hour or so, more reserved than usual, but after a while, the warm buzz of alcohol coaxes out her more social side and she begins to make rounds striking up conversation with people she knows and maybe a couple she doesn’t. She might even be convinced to dance, should the right partner ask.]

[takeitslow]

[Peter catches her as she walks away from the bar, appearing a few steps behind and then slowly walking to match her stride. He's waited until he's heard her chatting with others to match the her to the voice on the MID, but he keeps a little distance so as not to startle her too bad.]

So, hey. What did you end up doing to Ben? I never got knocked out and I haven't heard anything bad, so you must have left him in one piece.

[backsassin]

[She recognizes the stranger by his question before she recognizes his voice.]

We talked. Still not sure what to think of him, but apparently the captains have already decided to make him a permanent member of the crew, so it’s not like there’s much I can do about it. [Even if she were angry enough to kill him (which she’s not, currently), he’d only come back like the rest of them, or so she assumes. She crosses her arms.] He said he didn’t know the kids were there against their will. Not that'd it hard to lie about something like that.

Elizabeth || OTA

[tearmeanewone]

Elizabeth hasn't been to a Valentine's Day party, and she's actually looking forward to it. As far as she's concerned, it's a day for love of any sort, and she has good friends on the Moira. Plus she loves the gardens and dancing, so there's no question about shuttering the library and going.

She's very good at mingling and encouraging people to dance with her, and of course the moment someone she knows shows up, she makes a beeline to say hello.

[heliakal]

Clark isn't usually much for parties, but after everything on Emiri, it's nice to do something simple to unwind. It's been almost half a year now, he tells himself. He should try to enjoy this kind of thing without brooding over Lois. He's got no idea how long he'll be gone - she's not going to know either. This is the opposite of not thinking about it.

His crew uniform doesn't stand out among the party goers, so he figures no one will look twice if he slips off somewhere to read. There are plenty of quieter spots in the gardens to disappear to, and not an overabundance of couples to claim them, but just as he's passing the dance floor he sees a flash of red. He doesn't even think about it really - he crosses over to meet her.

"Hey," Clark says, smiling. "You look great."

Considering their last meeting, it's good to see her in such high spirits. The outfit really suits her, too, but Elizabeth would probably be stunning in anything. "Is it too late to make up for that coffee date?"

Lara | Open

[rraidergirl]

She shows up to help set up, dutifully moving around tables and chairs and in one rather harrowing instant, stacking a chair on top of a chair on top of a table to fix the lights that had been tangled in the thin branches of one of the trees, too far out to safely climb and with no ladder in sight.

She's not especially the partying type, or even in the partying mood, but being around the lights and sounds and up beat music is... nice. As out of step as she feels with everything happening around her, it's pleasant. She'll find a seat out of the way, nurse a drink and people watch, looking calmer than she has of late.

[takeitslow]

Clearly, when people are looking calm and relaxed it is time for Peter to intervene.

"You know, I ran in here earlier and saw that stunt with the chair. Ballsy." Peter's sitting across from her after a slight gust of wind, chin in his hands and a grin on his face. "So who are you? What's your name? Why aren't you dancing? Don't girls usually like dancing?"

Niko Bellic

[vengeance_driven]

☄ Drinking | Open
[Well, what is a party without an asshole ruining it? If this would constitute ruining it. Maybe it makes it better.]

[Niko goes to the bar to grab a bottle of vodka and some shot glasses from whoever is there, goes to find a table, and sits down there.] Alright. I am going to need a person to drink this with. [Because it's been a damn long time since he just got good and drunk and you know what? That's how he wants to celebrate. The good romantic stuff can come later. Right now? Piss poor decisions and good feelings inspired by his favorite drink.]

Kazuhira Miller

[warandpeace]

☄ Watching people dance | Open
[The kid singing is cute, and the lady is attractive and has a nice voice. It's just a small little party, but people on a crew having parties? Miller has a soft spot for that. Likes to see the camaraderie. Besides. For a guy that "hates kids", he much prefers seeing them getting to act like kids. The set up shows Pepper gave them that chance, so more respect from Miller for that.]

[He watches the people dance, having another faint reconsideration. Having a left foot would be nice. More than this prosthetic from the calf down. He could get that here.]

[Sort of wishes that he could join them. Even as he is now. He feels a little out of sorts not being able to do that. He figures he's too old to cut loose too much. The music is catchy, and he taps his fingers on his crutch as he watches everyone else.]

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

[After being done with her song number on the stage, J wanders around for the party, looking around if she could find anyone interesting, preferably someone who she noticed watching her show, a fan maybe? And who could also work as a potential dance partner.

It doesn't take long until she notices the older man with sunglasses sitting not too far away from her, watching the dance floor all by himself. She remembers him watching her singing and there's something rather melancholy about him that manages to ping J's interest enough to approach him.]

Hello, handsome. [She greets him with a sweet voice and takes a small case out of her purse]

You wouldn't happen to have any fire on you?

Peter | Open

[takeitslow]

[He's already had one of everything the chef's had to offer, pacing around the outer corners of the place as he ate. He's eyeing the drinks, wondering just what the age limit is on drinking in space and how much of a fuss it will make if he just steals some while the makeshift bartenders' backs are turned.

He flops down in a chair, so quick he and it nearly tumble over. He doesn't look too concerned and instead grins at whomever is nearby.]

So is this totally like a more awkward high school dance or what? Like, if there had been an open bar at the last Sadie Hawkins, there would have been a fist fight. Definitely someone would have went home crying.

[handing]

"A more awkward high school dance?" That's a very interesting opinion.

[Wow Peter, way to be blunt. But Pepper's not unused to criticism, and she can honestly see how he might perceive the set up that way. Still, Pepper grins as she quotes him. Somehow she doubts he realizes he's just said that to the organizer of the evening.]

So then how would you have improve it? Make it less awkward and less high school?

[breakin_ur_lore]

[The boy he's plopped down next to looks a little surprised, but amicable enough. Peter is a bit weird looking....but it's not like Med'an can judge on that or anything.

Although he looks slightly concerned about the idea of a fist fight and crying.]

Who's...Sadie Hawkins?

pepper potts (ota)

[handing]

open

It's taken a lot of effort to pull the evening together, but in the end Pepper's honestly impressed with the Moira crew for making it happen. Does it match what she had in mind when she first had the notion? Not really. But considering the only resource there in abundance had been the willingness of people to contribute their time and energy for no payment or batter, it's something she can be proud of.

Still, set-up isn't where it ends (although she's around for that, making sure everything is placed where it should be, through supervision and physical effort both). During the party she makes the rounds, greeting guests, keeping an eye on the food and the bar to ensure that neither goes sparse or in the case of the drinks, unmanned. Musical acts need to be introduced, and Tony's stereo system turned on between each set. There's plenty to do, small fires to put out so Pepper an be sure it stays a festive gathering rather than a disaster.

closed to tony

Yet she's not just there to work. She knows Tony, knows how he forgets what day it is as he immerses himself in the duties of being Iron Man and Stark Industries' R&D department. It's always been Pepper's job to be the one to keep him on task, and that's all the more important now that they're a couple. Neither of them has an undemanding career, after all. So she makes a point of keeping dates, marking important days, and having them celebrate those occasions together.

Which is why, although he's still recovering, there's a seat with Tony's name on it too. The first chance she gets, she steals over to join him--after a side trip to the bar, anyway. She comes armed with a martini for herself and a scotch for him, which is set on the table before she leans over to steal a quick kiss.

"Hey." She smiles brightly, settling down in the chair next to him. "Enjoying yourself so far?"

[narcissistictendencies]

"Well, look at that. Miracles do happen; the liquor fairy is real." He teased as he wrapped his hand around the glass and leaned up to kiss her right back. God, he loved her, and it had nothing to do with the scotch she brought him. He cupped her face to keep her there just a little longer, his thumb brushing under her eye.

"So far. But it looks like my night just got a million times brighter." His hand slid down to rest on her shoulder briefly.

Tony's fingertip traced the edge of the glass, looking at it almost warily. To him, it hadn't been very long since he'd been lectured by his alternate self about alcohol. He'd been drunk off his ass, but he had a very good reason! Moderation.

"You set all this up, didn't you? Stupid question, of course you did. There's an occasion, right? Uh..." It wasn't their anniversary, because why have everyone involved in that? So a holiday, then? What month is it supposed to be? He'll get this... "February? Valentine's Day! Happy heart day, honey."

Gregor Vorbarra | Open

[lets_see_what_happens]

When Gregor walks into the gardens and takes in all the quick but obviously careful preparations, he can't help but be impressed. That doesn't stop him from making a beeline for the bar and collecting a--not very strong!--drink from someone who is not his foster-brother before wading back out into the gentle melee.

Then again, he's used to traditional high Vor fêtes, with their traditional minor property damage and traditional widespread alcohol-induced illness, so any party attended is going to look tame by comparison. He takes up his usual spot propping up one of the walls and watching, sipping slowly at the concoction in his hand and looking relatively content through his habitual blandness.

[commontype]

Eggsy joins the party a few minutes late, dressed up a little better than he normally does. No hat, the only button down he had on, and hair parted. Casual, but nice. Because Eggsy was here for a specific reason. He'd told himself if Gregor came to this, then he was going to ask him out, and if he didn't, well, then he'd wait until another day.

So when he sees Gregor holding up a wall, looking fit as ever, Eggsy takes a deep breath and walks over.

"Hey, Greg. How ya doin'?"

A short pause.

"Y'look nice, yeah?"