[ MINGLE ] FORGE AFTER HOURS

[nonstopnarcissist]

WHO: Tony Stark
WHERE: South Village Forge
WHEN: January 8th
OPEN TO: Smitherns (Thor, Brigitte, Annie Cresta, Siefer), Plus Ones, Passers by, and Friends! Anyone, really, come on down.
WARNINGS: Language, discussion of canon typical violence probably, drinking?

---

THE HEARTH

With the bulk of the work and chores done for the day, the heart's banked down to a tolerable level rather than steel meltingly hot, positively cozy. Tables are cleared of metal filings and shavings, the floor is swept, extra chairs and seating or overturned crates serve as places to kick back and enjoy the warmth. A large kettle of tea is kept brewing all night, another of coffee, and a jug of cool water for those thirsty with no real requirement RE flavor. There's a rack for coats and scarves when people don't need to be quite so bundled up, and space cleared enough for milling about, tossing ideas back and forth, or simply relaxing. Arguments happen at The Debate Wall, not by the fire.

THE FOOD

It's an eclectic spread- a pot of stew, some crusty bread, frittatas, a few large, simple cheese pizzas, bottles of wine, and whatever other food the Smitherns or their Plus Ones chose to bring. It's a bit of a potluck, food spread out on one table for perusal, plates waiting and a bin for dirty dishes. Tony will scrub up at the end of the night. By the fire there's a waffle iron and as many toppings as they could find for waffles- jams, zalpaca butter, dried fruit, preserved peaches. Serve yourself or sit and sample!

THE CHILL OUT CORNER

For the more introspective or anyone taking a break from The Debate Wall, there's a comfortable chair tucked in the far corner where the light isn't as bright, the sound not quite so loud- and in this chair sits a young Peacat, a smaller pot for tea, and a few books. Elton's a friendly sort and will chirrup to lean for pets or simply sit on a lap and purr, offering calming, quiet company.

THE DEBATE WALL

Scrubbed clean for the night, the wall opposite Tony's Scrawled projects, equations, rules and definitions- currently marked only with a few notes RE proper charcoal use 'It's for the wall, not your hands, not anyone's clothes', the large space cleared for marking out or drawing out- well. Games, hangman, tic-tac-toe, sketches, or debate points. The only other rule listed is 'If you're going to pick a hill to die on, cite your references'.

Comments

[whipshots]

It's evident by her laugh, too, that she doesn't think 'best behaviour' goes very far. "Even his best behaviour is utterly stupid when he doesn't have someone to watch his back," Brigitte explains, but there's a fondness to her voice that shows she's not actually bitter about this particular failing.

"And yeah. Squire, medic, mechanic and smith, I was basically whatever he needed me to be." Even down to policing the man's meals sometimes. Perennial work, in a way, but she always enjoyed her time with the man. Part of why she missed him so much now. "Can Fujin and Raijin at least take care of themselves?"

[firacrux]

Her laugh is infectious, earning a light chuckle from him as well. "Ah well, can't blame a guy for tryin'." They sound like they have a good relationship. That's sweet, he's a little envious of that as well but not so much as to be bitter about it. It's too bad she's been pulled here away from the people she loves. That's the true tragedy.

"Damn, quite the resume. You're the whole package." Please don't work circles around him and make him useless Brig, he needs the work to feel useful. If he's useless he becomes awful. "Oh yeah, better than I can. Dunno what I'd do without 'em." Well, be lost, and miss them terribly. Those two were tough, they'd figure it out. Although he'd like to think they might miss him too. Maybe. There's a frown, expression dropping some as he lets his attention drift into the forge. Are they better without him?

"...I miss 'em." Out of everyone from home they're the ones he regrets not being around the most. Sure he's made surprising friends with Nida, and he doesn't want to trade that, but no one else had stuck with him like they had.

[whipshots]

It's a wistfulness that Brigitte doesn't see on his face often, and she can't decide if it's a bad thing that she's brought this on, or if it's a good thing that they're opening up. Maybe a bit of both.

"I know the feeling," she says, tipping her chin against her palm, elbow propped against the back of that chair. "Sorry. I probably-- shouldn't have gotten us onto this subject. It's this stupid double-edged sword, I guess? We talk about the things that made us happy back home, but thinking about it too much can make us sad."

[firacrux]

Indeed, Seifer was often very carefully reserved about his emotions. Didn't like to let anything that could be construed as a weakness or a weapon against him out to be seen. She'd caught him off guard, in an unusual mood with an unusual subject. The little tiny family he did miss. He hoped they were okay without him. So, probably both.

A huff. "Heh, yeah... yeah it is. Ain't much we can do about it 'course. If they were here I think it'd be just perfect here." Then he definitely wouldn't want to go. Didn't really want to as it was, mind, but that'd seal the deal.

closed there, or yours to close?

[whipshots]

"Perfect is maybe a little bit of a stretch, at least for now," Brigitte admits, "but-- I do know what you mean." Life in the village was... okay. Or at least, getting better. She's settling in.

Then she finally unfolds her hands from the chair, straightens up and stretches until something in her back pops. She's been hunkered down here for too long; she should probably get moving, do more of the rounds, meet more people.

"I should probably go try those waffles. Thanks for the talk, though, Seifer, and I'll catch you round here tomorrow. And good luck with those designs?" She gives him a flash of a smile, an attempt at reassurance. She's leaving him a little bittersweet, but her mood isn't tanked or anything; because there's still the warmth of the forge, and that buzz of conversation, and getting closer to these new friends.

It's not home, but at least it's something like it.

Closed is good!

[firacrux]

"Almost perfect," He amends. For him, it's close enough. He has more here than he could have ever had back home. People who want him, for some reason or another, a kind of family. A second chance. And most of all an escape from Galbadia's firing squad. Granted he could see how it wouldn't be the same for her, she had things to go back to. A lot that she'd lost here.

A nod to acknowledge, better she get moving. Sorry Brig, he'd not intended to be depressing. "Later." If she wants to talk to him again she'll know where to find him. He's going to stay there and mind his business, just watching the socialization from a safe, uncertain distance. One day, maybe, he'll learn how to be involved like the rest of them.