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((Food Tables - Luka, Cesc))

Pasha's smile faded a bit at Luka's question, but she didn't take it personally. "I'm…Melisande. Perhaps…we weren't formally introduced." They had been, but she tried to provide the Frei a graceful out. Raife and Aki had been such close friends…even if they'd only met a few times, did he truly not remember her? Pasha shook her head with a smile, making it clear that it didn't matter if he couldn't recall, and drifted back to give the group space. It was obvious Luka remembered Ren, at least.

Feeling a little out of place, the Muse raised a hand in silent parting before she turned with Cesc. She was more than grateful for the opportunity. Melisande leaned forward to peer with him into the basket, they shared a smile over the fruit. What a kind gesture! The bead was more puzzling.

"A keepsake?" She ventured, until Cesc put it to his eye.

Almost instantly, his posture changed. It was like seeing the dawn herself, watching him draw breath and illuminate as he took in whatever vision he saw. When he removed it, a speck of light held in his gaze, and her smile dazzled back at him.

She loved seeing him like this. Pasha's tension began to melt away as well, whether from the sight or from his Aura, she didn't care. The Sigel reached out and rubbed the edge of one of his ears between thumb and forefinger, still grinning.

"You look happy." They both did.

(( Ronan > Anita; Kris > eating ))

"Got it!" Ronan said with a grin, giving a small salute before picking the bucket back up and heading over to the buffet table, Kris already over there and setting up her biscuits and spreads, the jars showing many jewel colors inside. It took about half a second of watching for Ronan to realize he'd asked the wrong question and only his full hands kept him from facepalming.

"I need to go back to ask about the kitchen, you okay being on your own for awhile?"

Kris had to stop and swallow a biscuit she'd just sampled. "I've been surviving on college food, what do you think? Just let me know when I can add that stuff to my plate." she said, giving a nod to the bucket and the paper wrapped bundle.

"Deal," Ronan said, shifting his grip and heading back over to Anita. She had told him to come back after all. Making sure he didn't run into anyone nearby the selkie set down the bucket and gave Anita a light tap on the shoulder. "Sorry for not asking earlier, but do you know where I should take these?" He removed the lid from the bucket, revealing a large pile of live crabs climbing over each other. "I also have fish to prep if that's okay."

Biscuit now finished Kris began to sample a little bit from each item that was out so far, sure to not take too much so she'd still have room for the seafood but still more than ready to get started.

(( Duncan -> Cafeteria, Cruz; Mordekai -> Kitchen, then food tables; Camille, Henry, then everyone ))

"Don't I just," Mordekai offered as he went to the kitchen briefly to get a bottle for himself. He rest the IPA on the counter after taking a sip and offered a bemused grin.

"Ye'know th'pilot ain't gonna listen to no lessons from some burn-out like me, ah, but if y'all need some heavy liftin' done 'round the house some, I'm your guy... Alright, I'mma get that beer wit' you, jes' gimme a minute, gotta get somethin' so I can pour out 'em crawfish."

Mordekai rustled through a few of the cabinets before he actually managed to find a full pair of kitchen mittens, then laughed sheepishly over at Camille. "Se pa anyen! Was gonna handle it all myself but 'em minions y'talkin' 'bout jumped in an' made it a right proper big event, t'konné, insteada jes' a po' boil fo' four," he nodded his head toward Camille and walked out past the kitchen, "A monchè, ain't gonna keep th'crowd waitin'. Y'gonna teach 'em plain folk how t'eat a crawfish proper wit' me?"


Meanwhile, Duncan smiled at Cruz and nodded, then glanced back at Camille and Mordekai. "I understand," he said, turning back to the Frei, then shook his head. "I'm just going to call Leigh to see where she's at, and maybe call Rebecca to see if she was still interested in going. If you get too hot, Cruz, be sure to get some ice water and tell me if there's anything you need-- but Mordekai looks like he's ready to dump the crawfish out, if you'd like to go with him."

Mordekai perked at the mention of his name, and grinned and waved towards Cruz, mittened and all, "C'mon, Cruz! We haven't been outside all day!"

Once Mordekai managed to make strides toward exiting the kitchen, though, one Henry Knight showed up near the kitchen-- he startled a bit at the new voice, but offered the man a smile nonetheless. "Ah-- put it over on th'middle table, we got plenty of space," he glanced back at Camille and shrugged, "Ain't gonna sweat 'em crawfish portions 'cause ain't no one but a Cajun put in all'a there alloted mudpups, ye'know, but I'll remind 'em kids t'share, yeah?"


Once Mordekai managed to walk outside to where Troxel and Shephard had deposited the vats, he took in the scent of the crawfish and surrounding food with relief. Neither of the vats were lidded, but the crawfish were still sitting in their respective buckets. Mordekai lifted them and plopped the two vats back onto the ground, then wrung his hands around the bucket handles inside and carefully lifted them out. Savory crawfish juice from the boil sunk back into their vats, and Mordekai threw the crawfish onto the newspaper-lined table.

Once the crawfish were on display for all to see, Mordekai turned back toward the general crowd and shouted:

"Y'ALL! CRAWFISH IS READY, COME GET 'EM! For our Raevan folk, them baskets on the end tables are for you, and thanks to everyone that brought stuff for the pot luck! If anyone don't know how to eat a crawfish proper, I'll give you a l'il demo," he looked back at Cam and pat him lightly on the back, "Or Cajun number one can teach you how! That clear?"

[[ Luka >> Food Table | Tag; Ren ]]

"He had some work to finish up. Apparently they're getting ready to move to a larger building, so he's been busy helping them get all the files altogether so that nothing gets lost during the move." At the suggestion that the acupuncturist might think Ren was avoiding him, Luka chuckled. "Elai would never think that. He just thinks that he has poor timing when it comes to meeting you. Don't fret."

As she motioned to Pasha and Cesc, Luka nodded. But, the other, Tatiana was new. "Tatiana? I'll have to meet her later then," For now, he was more than content keeping the Aurora company.

The Satyr's eyes smoldered a deep umber as Ren asked whether he was hungyr. It had been a small thought just scrapping away at the back of his brain but now that she had brought it up, he found himself being quite hungry. "Well, it is pretty hard to separate us." he said with a chuckle as he reached into his own labeled basket to pull up a handful of marbles.

They glowed brightly under the light of the sun refracting it's light in many directions. Luka's eyes glowed, becoming beacons of pure light as he fed on the refracted rays. His own rune shone vibrantly; his skin warming in color to before. Although it wasn't the sun's direct light, he could still taste bursts of the star light in his mouth. Almost like biting into a ripe orange, the light's flavor burst through his mouth. "Is your meal enjoyable?" He asked, shutting his eyes as not to blind the Aurora like a deer in headlights.

[[Ren > Luka @ Food Table]]

Although the frei didn't quite understand the talk of files and larger buildings, not wholly in the know about what exactly Luka's guardian did, she managed to latch on to the last words with a reply. "I fear I shall fret until we can actually meet!" Revontulet said with mock dramatics, touching the back of her hand to her forehead and fluttering her lashes.

"Yes. She seems very nice, but I have only spoken with her a short time." The interaction with Pasha and Cesc had somewhat derailed the conversation she'd been enjoying with the Hamsa, and now she herself was pulled away in distraction with the satyr.

At Luka's comment about it being difficult to separate the two of them she let out a soft laugh and reached out with her ribbon to twine it about his, the white and turquoise melding nicely together in her opinion.

His question brought her pause however, and she looked at the bottle resting within her pale hands. It was not that it was not enjoyable, only that it was simple. Like eating a roasted chicken with only a bit of salt and pepper rather than giving it a marinade and some sides. "The water is very fresh, not the usual salt water," Ren said diplomatically, hesitating before deciding not to say anything further.

[[ Domo & Lala -- Crafts Area | Lulu ]]

Domo watched as the sigel picked up some of the scraps of flowers that he had tried to make, others were the product of Lala's creativity. "Domo make a few, not like how they look." He offered folding his arms over his chest. He absently tugged at his scarf looking at the remaining liter of paper. "Lala better at making paper flowers." He mutter, jutting his chin to the colorful girl. Just as he mentioned her name, the teen came over peeking over Domo's shoulder.

"Oh wow, you're beautiful!" She exclaimed just as a flash went off. Looking at her captured picture from her phone she showed Lulu the result. "See? Beautiful!" Looking a bit sheepish she stepped from behind Domevlo bowing lightly. "I can delete it if don't like that sort of thing. The name is LaMarie Laruen, Lala for short! Nice to meet you!" Holding out her hand she presented a paper flower she had made as an apology and greeting all in one.

[[ Thanatos -- Bonfire | Melanie ]]

Perking up at her suggetions he nodded in kind, "Yes all very good ideas. Only Domo's attention span has a lot to be desired. Lala is easily distracted by her own devices but I'm sure I can look into the fair option." Which sound promising. Taking a moment to admire his kids (so to speak), he noted the exact moment Domevlo had no more patience with his project. Even with Lala trying to help he didn't want none of it. Chuckling lightly to himself he was about to jump to his feet when the frei bumped into an older Raevan but it seemed the situation was avoided quickly. Thank goodness. With a sigh of relief he quickly turned his attention to Melanie giving her a soft smile. "Kids?" It was always a somber topic for him. "While I do love those two to death I'd like some offspring of my own some day." He just couldn't help thinking perhaps he was just too old. Didn't help that dating was always an awkward subject for him. "What about you miss Melanie? Do you have plans for a family?" It only seemed fair she asked first.

((Justin -> tables // aaron))

Justin accepted the other man's hand and shook it firmly before leaning back in his chair. Aaron had probably five years on him, already settled, wife and all. It must be nice, Justin thought idly. "Me? Have a raevan?" he laughed into his beer, sending a small spray of bubbles up his nose. Justin coughed violently.

"Nah, I just fix the computers from time to time." He fished around in his pocket for a second, withdrawing a business card. Although slightly crumpled, the writing on it was crisp and neat. "I'd be terrible at taking care of a raevan, I'm sure. I've got one of those things buried in this plate somewhere. Ohh, they've sounded the Crawfish Call." He paused and rearranged a few things on his plate.

"How;'d you hear about the Lab?"