Midnight Manor Boarding House, Friday late afternoon through evening

[hasaknightjob]

The holiday had come at such a strange time of year this year. Right on top of Christmas and straight through New Year's. To say nothing of how Christmas and New Year's were in the middle of the week, making it difficult for people to know how to plan where they would be and when.

Steven and Llewellyn did still want to do something for the residents. They didn't know for certain how many might be about, but then again if some had no other options for where to go that was all the more reason to offer something, wasn't it?

So handwavy notice was sent out that there'd be something for anyone who lived in the boarding house who was around and wanted to attend. No pressure, full understanding if they couldn't, that sort of thing.

It was still Steven though so there was an abundance of food. There were latkes with traditional toppings of sour cream and apple sauce, but also options like wasabi, honey, and marmalade. There were also tostones, and malanga fritters. Brisket sliders were again on offer and this year Marc might even admit he'd been responsible for making sure of that.

Llewellyn's baking provided soft pretzels and challah. There weren't as many who might drink wine this year as last, but they were still on offer with hand written notes suggesting pairings. There were also moddable soft drinks available.

For desserts there were sufganiyot with jelly and other fillings. There were also Cuban style buñuelos.

All the food was set up in the boarding house dining room buffet style, along with moddable party food like chips and vegetables and dips. Notes indicated what options were vegan and any other ingredients or things to be mindful of for dietary restrictions or needs. And of course the napkins had an adorable happy sufganiyah on them.

With everything in place, the only thing that remained was for any residents who happened to stop by.

And for Steven to fuss over everything. Couldn't have a gathering without Steven fussing over everything.

[for the residents]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

And where there was a Steven fussing over everything, there was a Watts by his side reminding him that it would all be fine.

[hasaknightjob]

"Is it enough food?" Steven asked, not for the first nor likely the last time.

[pocketpretzels]

"It's plenty, darling," Watts assured him. "Not too much, either," because he could also anticipate that worry. "We shall box up any leftovers and distribute them."

[hasaknightjob]

"Right, right," Steven said, because that was going to be the next worry he shared. "Hopefully they like it."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm certain they will," Watts said confidently.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Ardenplayer was in Urgent Care and so would be super-slow showed up in a silvery-gray sweater and blue jeans, with a bright smile. "Happy Hanukkah!" she called out. "Oh, this looks so good! And so much even Cal might have trouble putting a dent in it!"

Because yeah. She knew Steven. And his fussing.

[hasaknightjob]

"Arden, hello!" Steven said with a friendly wave. "Come, help yourself. Did you have a happy Christmas?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"I did," Arden said with a happy smile. "Cal and I celebrated in the morning and then I went and joined Gray and the rest of the family in California in the afternoon. How has your Hanukkah been?"

[hasaknightjob]

"That sounds lovely," Steven said. "Good so far. Strange having it so late though. We'll be doing the end of it while we're away for New Years."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh? Where are you headed this time?" she asked. "And can we help ourselves to food now? Or are we waiting for folks?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Miss Finch!" Watts greeted. "It's good to see you."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"You as well, Detective!" she said, giving him a warm smile. "How has your holiday been going?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Nicely, so far. I believe the word is 'chill'?" Watts said. Thank you, Steph.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden blinked at Watts using slang, but nodded encouragingly. "Chill holidays are pretty great," she said. "Relaxing, comfortable, the best way to celebrate, really."

[moreofaponchoguy]

Cal couldn't say no to a party, especially when he didn't have to go far. He was still learning about all the different holidays that took place at this time of year, so he hoped putting a festive gift bow on BD-1 would be fancy enough for the afternoon.

[pocketpretzels]

"Mr. Kestis," Watts greeted with a nod. "And don't you look festive," he added, addressing BD-1.

[moreofaponchoguy]

BD-1 beeped happily and wiggled his head to make the bow shake.

"And that's why I didn't put any of the jingly bells on you," Cal said, laughing before giving Watts a nod in return. "It's good to see you. Thank you for putting all this together."

[pocketpretzels]

"You're very welcome," Watts said. "It was- well, I won't say no trouble, because it took work to put together. But the pleasant sort."

[hasaknightjob]

"Cal! BD!" Steven said with a friendly wave. "Welcome. Plenty of food, help yourself."

[moreofaponchoguy]

"Thank you. Definitely no fear of starving tonight," Cal said. "How have you been? Did you enjoy all the island's festivities?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Well, thank you," Steven said. "They were nice on the whole. Little events and then the skating in the park. Were you able to try it?"

[singlenakedwhat]

As per usual with these sorts of things, Henry was just going to hang about around the edges, avoiding Watts as best she could.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven knew not to get too exuberant around Henry, even though he wanted to give her the same cheerful greeting as everyone else. He kept it together, though, giving her a more subdued wave than the others. "Henry, hello. Care for something to eat? There's plenty."

[singlenakedwhat]

"Yeah, I can see that." Steven's efforts to not be ridiculously exuberant got a genuine, if small, smile out of Henry at least. "Looks great."

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said. "A little something for everyone. We weren't certain who'd be about to be honest. But we did want to mark the holidays if we could."

Steven was tempted to ask if Henry was going to be staying on the island for the rest of the holiday break, but instinctively he felt she might not care to share that. Instead he went for, "Any ideas what you might be taking next semester?"