open potluck

[noparachute]

Who: Steve Rogers, Diarmuid, and open!
Where: The park.
When: October 17th
Summary: Steve and Diarmuid host a potluck in the park in hopes to get people together and to have fun. Anyone can join even if they don't bring any food along.
Warnings: none


With the announcement made and Diarmuid's posters out in the public, Steve could only wait and hope that people would come as they had promised. A couple of tables were set out and ready for people to put their trays on; Steve himself had already placed his dish on one. He also brought enough utensils and napkins for everyone, figuring that he could cover that at the very least as well.

Once more people started to arrive, it was a friendly atmosphere for anyone to start up a conversation, whether it be with a new friend or old. Good food and good company is enough to get anyone in a happy mood, right? Maybe

At least the day was nice and the area peaceful, a good time for something like this.

Comments

come at me bros

[hellfire_gouka]

Shinju, trying to get out of his apartment and socialize a bit more, brought a dish of macaroni and cheese to set on the table. Whether or not anyone had some wasn't a major concern--he could always send it back with Steve, since he and Stark seemed to like his cooking. Plus, that somewhat terrifying metal-armed guy lived with them, so they probably always needed food.

Instead of getting himself a dish immediately, he decided to lie in the grass nearby. He wasn't particularly hungry just yet, and it had been a while since he'd done anything to just relax and enjoy the fresh air.

[noparachute]

It was some time before Steve made his way over to Shinju, carrying a plate with some of his mac and cheese on there. Ever since Stark ate the whole thing, Steve had been waiting for an opportunity to try some of it. So, now was the perfect time for it.

An in his opinion, it was definitely tasty, Shinju really knew how to make it well.

"Glad I managed to snatch some this time." He said as he approached Shinju, smiling a bit in greeting. It was always nice to talk with his friend, especially since he didn't really see him so often anymore.

[hellfire_gouka]

Shinju sat up when he saw Steve approach, giving him a smile. It was good to see the man again, and further good to see him enjoying the food he'd made.

"That's probably only because your roommate isn't here," he replied. "Though I admit it would be pretty funny to watch you fight over it."

[noparachute]

Tony could really eat a lot when he wanted to. The mac and cheese was evidence of that. Along with the fact that the engineer was always snacking on something when he saw him. Usually something unhealthy too.

"Wouldn't hesitate to fight him over it." He said in a light tone, obviously joking about what he just said. "Then I'd make sure to eat it in front of him. Only fair."

[hellfire_gouka]

That was enough to make Shinju laugh, a bright smile appearing on his face.

"He's not the most pleasant of people," he remarked, agreeing. "I hope you and the other two are doing well, though. What have you been up to?"

[noparachute]

Steve decided not to mention the fact that Tony wasn't really happy with him right now, mad at both him and Bucky really. Of course he deserved to be angry with them, so he was still giving him his space. Although, Tony was getting a little less closed off lately, but things still weren't back to 'normal' for them.

"Nothing too unusual. Just trying to help out when I can." This place was still... quiet, mostly. Of course there were the two assassins out now, but there have been no sign of them anywhere. Difficult to chase them down without having any type of leads.

[hellfire_gouka]

The young man tilted his head, fairly certain he wasn't being told the whole story, but he knew all the secrets he was keeping. He couldn't really blame Steve.

"Any luck with that?" he asked, then lowered his voice, a modicum of concern appearing in his expression. "Helping Bucky, I mean."

[noparachute]

"He's doing better." And Steve really believed that. Now that he had a frame of reference, it was easy to see how much Bucky had improved since getting here. Of course things weren't all better, but he felt that they could only go up from here.

"He has friends here. Think it's doing some real good for him."

[hellfire_gouka]

Shinju looked a little relieved. Sure, he didn't exactly know the guy, but he wasn't about to forget him and what he meant to Steve. If he was getting better, that meant Steve would probably be happier.

"That's good to hear. I'm sure things will keep getting better."

[smallspot]

Diarmuid hasn't seen Shinju for a long time, so he is excited when he sees him at the potluck. However, he is a little confused as to why the young man is not getting any food. The boy grabs a couple of cookies and makes his why over to where Shinju is laying in the grass.

"These are for you! I haven't seen you in a long time. How are you doing? Is something wrong? You aren't eating anything..."

[hellfire_gouka]

Shinju doesn't sit up immediately when Diarmuid approaches, first distracted by the cookies in his hand. He gives the boy a smile soon afterwards and sits up, taking them from him.

"Thanks, Diarmuid. It's good to see you again." He chuckles quietly for a second at his concern. "I'm not that hungry just yet, is all. I'll definitely get some food in a minute, though."

[smallspot]

"I am glad! Everyone should share in the food! It's good and I am getting to try so many new foods. Other people should too," Diarmuid sits down next to Shinju. "What did you bring? I will make sure to try it."

"What have you been doing lately? You must be busy since I haven't see you. How is Yu doing?"

[hellfire_gouka]

"I made some macaroni and cheese. It's simple, but people have seemed to like it so far, so I thought I'd share it."

Nothing like some good old comfort food--although he's well aware that different people have different ideas about what that is...

"Just working, spending time with friends, nothing out of the ordinary," he replies with a shrug before taking a bite of one of the cookies. He allows himself a moment to chew as a less cheerful look comes to his face.

"He's been better. A lot of his friends have disappeared lately. He won't say much about it, but I can tell he's having a tough time."

[smallspot]

"Macaroni and cheese? I've never had that!" Diarmuid claps his hands excitedly, "Something else new to try. I am so happy!"

As Diarmuid listens to Shinju talk about Yu, his excitement fades. In it's place, a concerned and sad look crosses his face, "I know how that feels. There is so much emptiness inside of you when just one person leaves. When so many do, it gets really hard to bear. Even trying to focus on the good things is hard. Is he going to come? I will make sure to talk to him if he does!"

[hellfire_gouka]

He does manage to smile briefly at that, chuckling. "Well, I hope mine gives you a good impression."

Shinju pauses and lets out a breath through his nose before he continues, looking at a spot in the grass.

"Yeah. I know how it is, too--a while back I got pretty close with someone and they left, and I was pretty torn up about it for days." He looks back up to answer the boy's question, giving him a slight nod.

"I think so. Besides, he and I always end up cooking a lot and giving most of it to other people, so this kind of thing fits our usual deal."

[smallspot]

"I am sure I will like it! I haven't found much I don't like. Just a second..." The boy dashes away to get some of the macaroni and cheese and soon returns to sit next to Shinju again. He pauses in trying the food, though, when Shinju mentions the fact that Yu lost someone close to him recently.

"It seems like a lot of people have left lately. I hope it isn't a bad sign," He frowns down at the bowl, but then takes a deep breath and pushes away his worries. Today is suppose to be fun after all!

"It's great you do things like that. It helps everyone so much and it helps you guys meet new people!"

[callmewhateveryuwant]

At least Shinju was trying to socialize more; his roommate on the other hand was trying to work double at his job just for a distraction. With Naoto then Shinjiro and now Kanji, the group of friends Yu had was getting smaller by the minute. He knew that even with them gone, their bonds remain no matter what. However...it didn't mean it wasn't hurting him.

But there was a plus to cooking too much: sharing it with others. So once Yu set his stuff on the table where the rest of the food, he couldn't help but sit down beside him.

"See anything that caught your eye up there?"

[hellfire_gouka]

Shinju didn't move from his reclining position, his hands behind his head as he peered at his roommate curiously. It was impossible to miss the impact Yu's missing friends had had, and Shinju could certainly sympathize, so he tried to keep up the mood for the both of him.

"Clouds are only so interesting these days," he said with a slight smile. "Unless you meant the food--I haven't really looked yet. What about you?"

Re: come at me bros

[alley_kit]

Have a cute kitten popping into your field of vision, Shinju. "Hi, Shinju," Kit said. "Nice to finally meet you in person." Kit wasn't sure talking to someone over the network really counted as 'meeting' them, and really preferred talking face to face when she could.

She sat down on the grass next to him. Unlike Shinju, Kit already had a plate loaded with various foods, as well as a glass of soda. Because free food was not to be passed up, and she wanted to try a bit of everything. "So how've you been doing?", she asked.

[hellfire_gouka]

He had to take a moment to process the face at an odd angle that he'd only seen once before he realized who it was.

"Oh, hey!"

Sitting up, he glanced at the girl's tail briefly before smiling. "It's good to meet you too," he said. "I've been alright, nothing special going on. How about you?"

[alley_kit]

"I've been pretty good," Kit said settling herself comfortably on the grass, plate and cup beside her. "I had a birthday a little while ago, so I'm nine now. And I've been trying to keep up with that's going on with all my friends and what's going on in the city, and help out when I can."

"It's nice to just come and hang out with everybody like this sometimes, though," she said. "We don't do it often enough."

[hellfire_gouka]

"Happy Birthday, then," he replied brightly. "Do anything fun for it? There's a lot more to see these days than there was at the beginning for sure."

He looked around at all the people who managed to come to the potluck--it was a lot more than he initially thought would show up, but he was a little glad for it.

"Yeah, I guess not. I never think about planning this kind of thing myself. The times I hung out with all my friends, we just decided it all of a sudden. Not to mention they all knew each other."

It's definitely different here--he meets a lot of individuals, but not groups of people. He guesses it comes along with not being in a group setting like school.

[alley_kit]

Kit shook her head. "Thanks," she said, "but... I didn't really feel much like celebrating. That's why I didn't tell anybody beforehand. But I talked with Diarmuid for awhile, then we went and got some ice cream after. It helped me feel better."

"It's hard to just decide to do things with other people here," Kit said with a bit of a sigh. "Especially grown ups. Everybody's usually busy, and you don't want to mess up anybody's plans, so you kinda have to plan things beforehand."

[hellfire_gouka]

As much as Shinju could sympathize, seeing a little girl feeling down on her birthday was upsetting. He patted her shoulder a little, thinking she probably was missing her friends. It's hard to celebrate your birthday when you don't have people to celebrate it with.

"I understand," he said. "I'm glad to hear you eventually got to do something nice, though."

He nodded in agreement with her about having to plan things. "I know what you mean. I think it's a little different here, though--a lot of the people I know don't have jobs or anything, even if they have a routine... and it's not as important like it would be if we weren't given money for food and things."

Shrugging, he gave the girl a small smile. "So I guess I'm trying to say don't be afraid to ask if you want to do something. I think most people here will be able to make time."

[alley_kit]

Kit smiled at the pat on her shoulder, nodding a bit in thanks for the understanding.

"I know," Kit said. "It's just... it'd be easier if there were more kids around, you know? But me and Diarmuid and one or two others are the only ones. I mean, there's things I wanna do and that I've been thinking about, but then I don't wanna ask most of my friends about them 'cause they're grown ups. What if they think it's dumb, or too dangerous, or something?"