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

[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."

[hasaknightjob]

"Do you happen to know things they like?" Steven asked. "Could bring a gift of some sort?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh! That's a brilliant idea!" Arden said. "I don't know enough about Cere, but I know Greez like spices! I can bring some Earth spices! Steven, you're a genius!"

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said with a smile. "Oh! You could bring ones that are meaningful to you. Like ones to make your barbecue, perhaps?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden grinned and nodded. "Maybe a really pretty set or something. Oh, that makes me feel a lot better. It was weird, thinking of showing up without a hospitality gift."

[hasaknightjob]

"Nice part is it's meaningful to you," Steven said. "So they'll get something valuable out of it even if they don't much care for cooking."