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

[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?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh no, please, eat," Steven said, motioning towards the food. "Help yourself to whatever you like. Leftovers as well if there are any."

It was Steven, there would be leftovers even if the entire island showed.

"We'll be heading up to Canada like last year," Steven said. "See the Northern Lights. Become a bit of a tradition for us, doing that. Rather enjoy it."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh, that sounds so great," Arden said, beaming at him. "Cal and I are going to visit his family on their ship, but I'm not sure if that's over the holiday or after it."

[hasaknightjob]

"His family?" Steven asked. "Oh that's wonderful. Have you met them before?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Well, the crew of his ship," Arden amended. "Cal was raised in the Jedi Temple, before it got destroyed. But they're his family now. And, yeah! Briefly. They showed up over Parents' Weekend, so I met them Friday afternoon..."

You know. Before the everything.

[hasaknightjob]

"Family by choice?" Steven suggested, looking to Arden to see if he was on the right track with that. "And that's exciting. Holiday in space. I suppose maybe not for Cal who's used to it, but for you, yeah?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden nodded, to both correct statements. "And a little intimidating," she confided. "They're his people, you know? So I wanna make a good impression."

[hasaknightjob]

"Understandable," Steven said. "Though I daresay if they don't care for you that says more about them than you."

Did Steven know those people? No. Did that matter to his opinion? Also no.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden couldn't help but smile at Steven's immediate ride-or-die response. "Still," she said, ducking her head a bit. "I'd really like everything to go right."

[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."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts used slang all the time. It was just normally early-twentieth-century slang! "Back in Toronto I'd usually volunteer to work the Christmas shift, so that my coworkers with families might find time to celebrate together."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Yeah, but it was weird hearing Watts using slang Arden recognized!

"That's very sweet," Arden said. "...Were Christmas shifts usually quiet?"

Silly Arden. It was like she didn't recognize holiday specials.

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, not generally, no," Watts shook his head. "There's always something, even if it's just helping reunite a puppy with the boy whose gift she was meant to be just in time for Christmas morning..."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"...That sounds like a heartwarming Hallmark movie," Arden said with a laugh. "The kind of film about the grumpy officer who doesn't believe in the meaning of Christmas and the sweet puppy and small urchin to teach him about it."

[pocketpretzels]

"There were three of them," Watts said. "Orphans, that is. And I think if anyone learned about the 'meaning of Christmas', it was our city coroner, Mrs. Hart, who also assisted in the endeavor."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"...Randomly, right?" Arden checked. "And not in her official capacity?"

It seemed important to check.

"Wait a minute--her?"

[pocketpretzels]

"As a rather resigned volunteer, not in her official capacity," Watts said. "And- yes? I know it's a bit unusual, but Toronto's had a number of women in the position over the past couple decades, as a matter of fact. It may also interest you to know that Mrs. Hart is a- Black woman." Minor stumble there as Watts almost used an out-of-date term, but thankfully he did correct himself in time.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Important catch!

"She is?" Arden asked, eyes wide with surprise and excitement. "I had no idea that Toronto was so forward thinking!" A pause, as she considered other aspects of Watts' life. "At least in that respect. It's surprising, isn't it? How far forward places can be in one area, but still need to catch up in others? Still. I bet there are a bunch of little girls and Black children who look at her and realize that they have so many more options than they thought they did."