[SEMI-OPEN MINGLE] Baby dive in, the water feels fine

[agoddessonce]

WHO: Storm agoddessonce and friends
WHEN: a weekend in July
WHERE: At the Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach - Poolside
WHAT: Ororo felt like arranging a small, private pool day (semi-open mingle log)
NOTES\WARNINGS: Alcohol will be served so some underage drinking might slip through the cracks (please know that Ororo Disapproves Though). If your character has ever interacted with Ororo, even once, then please feel free to assume she'd invited you over to come and spend the afternoon at her place. Swimsuits highly encouraged!

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the pool;

The pool at the Institute is sparkling and inviting under the sun, glittering under the shade of the old mansion. It's a shame to see it go to waste day in and day out, so Ororo has invited a few people she's already met through her months in Etraya to use it. The water itself is cool and refreshing, and though there's an impromptu sign at the edge that proclaims POWERS ALLOWED - BUT NO HORSEPLAY to discourage rough play, there's also a tall diving board set up at one end. Guests are free to use it as they will. If any injuries occur - there's a reasonably well-stocked nurse's station inside the mansion!

Ororo had also spent a couple of days visiting Kwik Trip to see what kind of floats they could get for the day. Various pool floats are available (donut rings, pool noodles, and a dubious looking tank floatie) for guests to use and share. Try not to bother anyone who's just trying to relax!

the food, the drinks;

Ororo has no plans for the day to turn into anything particularly fancy or rowdy; she'd just wanted something casual and simple, an excuse to take a swim with some friends new and old, and to get to know the people of Etraya a little better. What better way to help people feel more open and relaxed than with a couple of drinks? There are a couple of coolers sitting around, open and full of ice and snow, with soda, juice, beer and a selection of fruity, ready-to-drink cocktails for guests who might want a drink to help them relax or break the ice.

She trusts people to self-police, generally, but will still personally, stringently remind folks to keep the alcohol from anyone sixteen and under. Do not test her! :)

There's a grill going as well, with typical barbecue fare: burgers (both vegan and beef), hot dogs, chicken wings and roasted vegetable skewers. Ororo has probably asked a friend or two to take turns manning the grill, but anyone is welcome to cook their own food to their liking. Plates are available to one side, with a range of salads, snacks and sauces and dips. Guests can dine at various seating areas set up around the poolside and in the shade.

the poolside;

There are plenty of loungers sitting around, to share or to drag into a corner to use for yourself! It's a day to relax as much as it is a day to mingle. People are free to bring their food and drink over to them, or use the chairs to work on a sun tan.

There's a basketball court not too far off from the pool here people are encouraged to play a game or two. Perhaps something easy that doesn't need a team - Horse, or a game of one-on-one? Ororo doesn't know the exact rules, but as long as no one's bursting any basketballs, she won't be upset.

the mansion;

Tired of waiting under the sun? Need a bathroom break? A select few of the mansion's rooms are open to use - the kitchen, the nearest bathrooms, and the rec room for anyone who wants a nap. If you wander upstairs, there are numerous rooms that don't see much use - one wing houses old classrooms and study rooms, an empty library, some faculty offices. The other wing has some locked bedroom suites - only a few of which are currently, actually in use. Be warned that if Ororo or some other X-Men sense or catch you lingering up here, they'll gently (... or not so gently, depends on who catches you and how they catch you) redirect you right back downstairs.

The elevator and the sublevels are completely off-limits and impossible to break into, kept secure by a combination of private codes and mutant biometrics. Nothing to see here! Just carry on. ♥

The party will last til the evening, at which point Ororo will invite people to come into the large kitchen of the mansion to piece together some dinner, or dry off or take a quick shower. If anyone's too tired (or too drunk) to go home, she'll personally take charge of turning the rec room into an impromptu blanket fort for people to sleep on couches. It's fine, none of the furniture is actually vintage or antique around here. Probably.

wildcard;

Feel free to come up with your own starters for poolside shenanigans! If your character has threaded with Ororo even once, assume you've got a personal invite for them and a +1. Hoping to keep this mingle light and easy to foster a bit of CR before the mission log goes up next week!

Comments

[anewhope]

[ well. what a fun thing to hear. ]

That sounds terrible.

[utinam]

It is.

[She'll look down wondering if she should tell him that half of her people were responsible for it. All things considered she was a hybrid human and nevu which are the participants of the war.

No. She'll decide not to because she doesn't want him to see her as a monster.]

But I know it'll end soon. Someday.

[And with that said, she'll extend her hand to him wanting to shake it.]

It's nice to meet you. I'm Nuvia, by the way.

[anewhope]

[ clark reaches out to shake it gently. he's careful about his strength. ]

Clark Kent.

Are you . . . settling all right here?

[utinam]

Yes! I am. It's been a lot of fun getting the chance to talk to some many new people without them getting scared or angry at me.

[anewhope]

[ nothing this child says is remotely chill. ]

That's good. I hope you're making friends.

[utinam]

[Nope. She's just enthusiastically too honest for her own good.]

I am! I was able to trade those friendship beads with more than ten different people of all ages and species. Everyone I've met have been really nice!

[anewhope]

[ he relaxes a little. ]

That's true. Everyone here is welcoming. I'm glad you're making the most of it.

[utinam]

[Nodding her head.]

I'm trying my best to! I don't want people to be afraid or suspicious of me. I just...want to have friends while I wait to go back home to find my mama.

[anewhope]

[ hm. ]

Why would people be afraid or suspicious?

[utinam]

[That is when Nuvia gets quiet because it's too difficult of a story to explain. All she can say is without getting overwhelmed or emotional.]

Isn't it obvious? It's because I look different. Back home...I'm known as an abomination by humanity and the nevu alike.

[anewhope]

I don't see how it is obvious.

[ she looks unusual, certainly, but no more unusual than many people here. and his parents taught him better than to stare. ]

And I don't think anyone here would judge a person on their looks alone.

[utinam]

[When she hears his responses, her mouth will drop because she didn't expect to ever hear those words not even in her wildest dreams. But here they are! Someone has said it -- the same words she once said before everything turned dark and lonely.

Not just that but it slightly reminded of what someone else had told her.]

It'll only change if I was a grade A jerk?

[anewhope]

[ a brief chuckle. ]

That's possible, I suppose. But I don't think that's something you want to do, is it?

[utinam]

[She'll quickly shake her head.]

No, sir! I don't! I only want my mama, nothing else.

[anewhope]

Then there's nothing to worry about, is there?

[utinam]

No, I guess not when you put it that way.

[And the thought was enough to get a warm smile on her face.]

[anewhope]

[ clark smiles, relieved. ]

You'll be fine.