[Mingle] The First Official Meeting of the Young Adult Club

[skyward_eyes]

WHO: Nida
WHERE: House 16
WHEN: Evening/Night Monday the 14th
OPEN TO: Mingle: Open too all young adults (22 and younger); Older may show up but expect a testy Nida.
WARNINGS: Young Adults Partying, Possible: Underaged drinking if people bring stuff. If your thread changes ratings, in subject line and DM me so I can update.

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The message goes out over the Network Sunday evening.

'Young Adult Club, First Meet-Up/Party Monday night. First house after the Jail/Barn. Bring Snacks If You've Got Them To Spare.'

Invitation sent in general, The rest, now, came down to Nida. Good thing he had someone who knew how parties worked was right there too. Rinoa turned out to be a pretty good resource. He learned there were a few important things to do for a party. Three major things were needed: music, treats and games. Unfortunately they couldn't do much about the former, so instead Nida employed his housemates in trying to make sure the latter two were covered.



The Nibbles

The easiest person to go to about food turned out to be Seifer. Of the three of them the blonde had somehow ended up as the defacto chef of their house when it came to important things like this. What this meant was a variety of easily made food, things like a plate of half-dollar sized pancakes for easy munching or dipping into other things, fried potato edges, even a quiche that Seifer had managed to whip up, not that Nida even recognized what the whole thing was. While it wasn't as impressive a spread as the New Year Eve party had (or perhaps even the forge gathering) it was clear that the three had done the best they could with the skills two mercenaries and a formerly sheltered young woman had between them. Hopefully treats from other people would help with the spread. Personally, Nida was hoping to steal some of the fritatta Seifer had made in their cast iron skillet, but guests came first of course.



The Games

Games. What even were party games? For that one the center spotlight had gone to Rinoa's planning efforts. Nida had scrounged in the inn's shared supplies, borrowing a set of playing cards and a Jenga set. Not that he really knew what the latter was. The cards went to the dining room table with some extra chairs borrowed from an unoccupied house, the Jenga onto the coffee table, and Rinoa's peakitten Julia got shuffled into her room to prevent her from knocking over the wooden blocks yet again. Nida was tired of rebuilding.




Introductions

They're all new here, they don't all know each other, so Nida and Rinoa encourage people upon arrival to start out simple. And all you have to do is say your name and three facts about yourself. Or, if you're feeling mischievous, two truths and a lie. Can people guess the truth of the matter about you? Or do they already know you well?



Quite Spaces

Frankly Nida wasn't sure how he felt about opening their house to so many people, and with the living room, dining room and kitchen all prepped for use, he realized there was one other thing people could need. A place to talk quietly or just have group games. As he was the only one of the three of them that didn't have much in the way of property and could give up the whole concept of privacy for a bit, the back bedroom ended up having a note pinned on it with a kitchen knife.

'Quiet Space for Your Use - Do not have sex in my bed please'

With his staff stored in the basement and his tiny journal and pencils stored out of sight on top of the standing wardrobe, the room was perfect for anyone who just needed to cool down. Or have a private conversation. Good thing the house has electricity because that could be used long into the night.

Comments

[spoileralert]

"And that makes three... plus some." She waves the woman in out of the doorway, with or without a nod from Nida. The requirements have been met and Aqua has earned a little relaxation.

"We haven't actually met. I'm Steph. I've been here around six months already, I just don't socialize all that much."

[aguidingkey]

Aqua's shoulders barely relax with relief as she finally steps out of the doorway. If she had known that would be a requirement, she probably wouldn't have come. Which was probably why it wasn't announced until they stepped in.

"It's nice to meet you, Steph," she says genuinely. "I haven't been here longer than a few days. A week or two at the most." After so long in the realm of darkness, she's still adjusting to the fact that time, and the day/night cycle in general, passes normally here. "I'm still trying to find a way to help out around the villages. Life here is... very different from life at home."

[spoileralert]

Steph nods sympathetically. The level of technology is far lower here than she's used to, and having to work so hard for basic necessities is an unwelcome change.

"Well, I can't say I'm much help myself. But if you check out the library in the schoolhouse there are all sorts of guides. You could always learn a new skill to put to use. Like, the soap here is pretty unpleasant." Raw soap was not meant to be used, if you ask Steph.

[aguidingkey]

Libraries are always good. Even if there isn't much to go on with this world, or much in the way of resources or research, she can start with the library. Not everyone is willing to openly admit to needing help, but the more she learns, the more she can help on the fly.

"That's a good idea. Thank you." She definitely doesn't know about making soap, so that might be a good place to start. "So I guess soap-making is one of the things people here need help with. Throwing parties and getting to know people seems to be already taken care of." She offers a small smile. Nida seems to have the party part well in hand.

[spoileralert]

Steph snorts a surprised laugh, doing her best to keep it quiet. She glances over at Nida, but he doesn’t seem to have noticed.

"Oh no, he’s totally clueless. I told him we should have a party and he said he didn’t want more ballroom dancing so soon. I’m sure he got tips from some other people too, but I told him a party where people just hang out together is totally normal." She shrugs in a pitying sort of way. Eventually she’ll probably have to teach him about rowdier parties.

[aguidingkey]

Aqua's expression turns a little puzzled. She doesn't have much experience with parties, either, so this is all new to her. "I guess it would be. I've never been to a party with this many people in it." She, Ven, and Terra always had training to focus on. Their hanging out time was just with the three of them. Aqua would have no idea what to do for something like this.

"Well, he's doing a good job with this one. You and whoever else gave him advice told him the right things."

[spoileralert]

"No?" There’s no judgement there, only friendly interest. Aqua is far from the first person she’s known with no concept of normalcy as she knows it.

"Well, I’m glad your first experience is a good one. Even if Nida did decide to trip you up. Most parties don’t have tests you have to take for entry."

[aguidingkey]

"That's good to know," Aqua says with a smile. She wouldn't want to imagine that every party has a quiz like this one did. "Thank you for helping me. I guess I should try to look around more." Especially if there will be more parties like this in the future.

[spoileralert]

"Any time." Steph smiles broadly even as she sits back lazily in the chair. She'll be staying here.

"Have fun. And don't be afraid to wander off if it gets to be too much."