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[[Revontulet > Meli and Tati]]

Only a moment had been taken to stare at the games sign up before a comment had her lifting her head, a puzzled expression upon her face.

Revontulet had not recognized any faces upon her entry, and thus had kept her head down somewhat in response. It was not that she was the reserved type or that the others hadn't seemed friendly, just that they were already in conversation and the young frei had been often, and thoroughly, instructed against interruptions.

Meli's words had hit her ears however and she'd taken them to have been directed her way. A warm smile brightened the confusion from her features, "Thank you!" she replied, moving towards the blossomed-sigel with a little flick of her wings which stilled upon the sound of her name on an unfamiliar voice.

The sigel hadn't said it, for she'd turned her attentions to Cesc and Shepard, and the other woman was talking about pineapple salad, so who had called out her name?

"That's me," Ren said, lifting her hand somewhat as she'd learned to do so often in Doucette's classes. Feeling a bit like she were on a carousel, the aurora turned once more, eyes widening at the sight of the new raevan.

((Food Tables))

Pasha was stunned for a moment, lips parting in surprise. Her…origin? How she came to be? She was a person, not a-

Even as her cheeks pinked, Shepard interrupted. Melisande lowered her eyes gratefully for a moment, obviously a little embarrassed. She turned a smile to Cesc, who was diplomatic as always. "It's good to see you." The words seemed a little weighted. She moved in to leave a kiss in the air beside the Stag's cheek, breath warm in the slightly crisp air.

The Muse pulled back in time for her introduction to Shep. "A pleasure." She murmured, taking his hand with both of hers for a moment. Her touch was gentle, but not weak. "This is Melanie." The Sigel introduced the other human gracefully, though they had just met.

"Cesc, there's room here?" She motioned to the table, sliding her strawberries to make room for his baguettes. They smelled wonderful, and instantly transported her to the bakery. Her wings were relaxing again, feathers spreading in the sun.

(( Duncan → food tables/this gigantic group, Mordekai → cafeteria/kitchen, window ))

As with many things, certain aspects of the preparation were running late. Still, the Raevan baskets were set out to collect, and people were filing in, but boiling over 100 pounds of crawfish to Durem and shucking the corn and potatoes to go along with it was hell on earth. As people began filing into the event, however, the older gentleman grabbed a few pamphlets from the cafeteria table out front and made his way toward the small group.

“Hello, everyone,” Duncan called out, while extending the pile of pamphlets out for those who were willing to grab them, “As it stands, we're still preparing the crawfish, but I see the buffet table was simple enough to find. If you could, please take these pamphlets, they're some guidelines to feed our Raevan guests. There are also name tags for anyone who'd like them, and markers are over at the end of the Raevan table over there.”

A tanned blond poked his head out of the Lab cafeteria at the scenery, and waved toward the crowd. “Hey, y'all! Someone big an' strong wanna help me wit' this second vat of crawfish?”

((Cesc --> food tables; Shep --> Mordekai))

Shepard returned the woman's eyeroll with a mild shrug, unaffected. He grinned back toward Melisande and Cesc as he did so. People who made social gaffes, he thought, were always quick to try to pin their own rudeness, accidental or not, onto whomever called them out.

"I gotcha," he called toward Mordekai as the man poked his head out, walking toward the window. It was good to leave Melanie with more genial company, and to take any lingering awkwardness with himself. He went to the cafeteria, holding out his arms. "Whatever y'need, mate."

"Nice to meet you, too," said Cesc, floating to put his baguettes on the table, where Melisande had pointed out, arranging them as best he could. To the frei, there was no call for awkwardness or discomfort. He smiled at Melanie without any tenseness, and his words rang earnest and friendly. "I see that you are new -- are you a guardian, or a visitor?"

He scanned the table for the nametags and took out three, offering them to the two ladies.

((Food Tables))

Pasha lifted one hand to Shep in parting, her smile a touch rueful. He had been kind, it was a shame he was leaving so soon. She was about to make her own attempt at breaking the ice when an unfamiliar voice called out behind her. Melisande didn't know the speaker, but she recognized the name. Trox.

The Sigel stiffened.

Her hand reached out for Cesc's arm automatically, though she did not turn. Melisande very pointedly kept her back to the pilot, color leaving her face. The tension was palpable. She tried her best to smile towards Mel, trying to let the woman know it wasn't her fault, and leaned in against the Stag as she accepted the name tag. Cesc was her dearest friend, but in that moment all she could picture was the shelter of Rivener's wing.

A few moments later, the pamphlets came their way, and Melisande accepted one with a murmur of thanks. She opened it, glad for the distraction.

"Oh Cesc, look! We're in here! Melanie, you should take one also." If the woman was interested in information, the brochure would be a gold mine.

((Melanie --> Food Tables | Meli, Cesc, Shep, Duncan, etc...))

Melanie smiled and went to grasp the pamphlet. It would also be quite useful for her in her reports. "Of course I will, thank you." she said first to Pasha, then turning her attention to the man handing them out. She then opened it. Melisande was the first one. Filled by positive interactions. That just caused her to blush further. Positive interactions did not mean questioning her origin. But the situation had been brushed off as Shepard left.

'Good riddance.' she thought to herself as the man walked away. No more attention needed on the subject.

"A guardian?" the woman questioned aloud, "Oh no, I'm merely a visitor at this point. However, this is a very lovely group."

The nametag was then presented to her. "Why thank you." she said, taking it and walking to the table quickly to write down the name "Melanie" in a very curly and girly font. She then placed it across her chest to display to all attending. That way she could at least make herself known.

"Oh this food looks delicious. I could really eat it right up. Would either of you like a plate?" she asked the two Raevan floating beside her. She was willing to help them get a plate or anything else if they needed it.

((Cesc--> Food tables; Shep --> toward the cafeteria))

Rhedefre noted Melisande stiffening but said nothing, unwilling to bring the matter up before a stranger. In response, he simply slid slightly closer to the sigel, and covered her hand with his own. He waited until Melanie looked down at her pamphlet and turned slightly toward Melisande, smiling encouragingly. Whatever had ruffled her, he would do his best to make her feel safe.

"Mm?" He turned back toward the human as she spoke, and then shook his head. "No, thank you kindly, but please feel free to tuck in." He grinned. "Best to be the first and not miss out on anything."

He paused, just then noticing the man who had dropped off the jalapeno mac and cheese. He lifted his chin in a silent hello, a quiet way of telling the other newcomer he'd been spotted. Two new people! Perhaps they could speak? "And there's something that deserves a first try. What did you make?" He addressed the man directly.

--

Shepard, as he approached the cafeteria, caught sight of Anita. His face relaxed further, and he pointed at her as though accusing her of something, saying only: "YOU" in lieu of a hello.