The Apartment Above Luke's, Thursday Late Afternoon

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy was less manic about Thanksgiving than she was about Christmas, but that didn't mean she didn't go all out. She'd asked to host this year and had put together a big meal with the turkey and potatoes and stuffing, but also bibimbap and bulgolgi and jjajangmyeon. (And also kimchi, but that didn't even need to be said because kimchi.)

And also a couple of small, personal-sized pizzas because it wouldn't be a family meal without pizza. At least for some folks.

The outside might be bitterly cold and unpleasant, but her home was filled with warmth and food and the people she loved best.

[[Up for the slowest of slowplays if folks are around! If you wanted in invite, you got one! No OCD, it's too much work!]

Comments

[tigerundercover]

"Holy crap, that smells good." Raven hadn't bothered with homecooking in ages. Hell, she barely went out socializing for anything other than hot pockets. "I seriously don't know how you do it."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Being moderately OCD and kinda crazy helps," Kathy said, laughing and dragging Raven into a hug. "It's so good to see you."

She missed her bestie.

[tigerundercover]

Raven miiiiiight have lengthened her arms into tentacles to give a really good hug in return. "You, too. It's nice to have reminders of civilization."

[spin_kick_snap]

There was exactly one person in the world allowed to give Kathy tentacle hugs and she was right here.

"You know your room is always waiting for you when you want it, right?" Kathy said. "And a freezer full of Hot Pockets, too."

[tigerundercover]

"I know," Raven assured her. "And I love you for that. I just -- I think I like having my own space. Bigger than a room."

[spin_kick_snap]

"That's fair," Kathy said, dropping a kiss on her Raven's cheek. "That does mean you don't get to complain if you come home and find a puppy in the house, though, fair warning."

Because the more she thought of it...yeah. The more she was convinced she was going to get a dog. Especially if Raven was planning to stay outside. Even a place this size got lonely.

[tigerundercover]

"A puppy, huh?" Raven asked. "You know, having been a pet dog, I'm going to have strong feelings about how one is cared for."

[vdistinctive]

"You sure you've got everything covered, darlin'?" Eliot asked. Kathy had insisted on doing the lion's share of the cooking and set up all on her own unless her mun has any objections to that bit of modding. "You know I ain't above taking supplies from my own diner if you need 'em."

[spin_kick_snap]

"I told you, Dad, you're a guest," Kathy said, hands on her hips. " Your job is to sit, relax, talk to people, and not glower at my boyfriends in the traditional fatherly fashion."

She paused to think about it and added, "Though I may take you up on the diner later for dish-washing help."

[vdistinctive]

"Kiddo, I'd be offended if you didn't." They had an industrial dishwasher. Not using it would just be dumb. "Looks like you did a great job in here."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Thanks," Kathy said, looking a bit tired but still elated. "I've been prepping for a couple of days now. Hope you don't mind I was using the fridge downstairs for extra storage space, but I ran up against the limits of mine."

[vdistinctive]

"I'd be disappointed in ya if you didn't," Eliot said. "This was a great idea, darlin'. Thanks for setting it up."

[spin_kick_snap]

"Well, you were in charge of cooking last year," Kathy pointed out. "I figured it was my turn this year." She grinned at him. "I like trading off. Keeps us from getting all burnt out."

[that_oldsaying]

"Kathy, Kathy, Kathy!"

Hopefully Kathy did not mind that Alluka was going to bounce all in for a hug.

[spin_kick_snap]

Did Kathy look like the kind of girl who minded bounces or hugs? Perish the thought!

She wrapped her arms around Alluka and gave her a tight hug. "Happy Thanksgiving, 'Luka!"

[that_oldsaying]

"Happy Thanksgiving, Kathy!"

It was traditional and Alluka really was so, so grateful and thankful, even, for having Kathy in her life.

"Do you need any help?"

[spin_kick_snap]

"Give Nanika my love and a Happy Thanksgiving as well, would you?" Kathy asked, dropping a kiss on Alluka's head. She was grateful for Alluka, too, and Nanika as well - and not just because she wouldn't be here if they weren't. "And I would love someone to set the table for me, while I finish transferring everything into serving platters."

[that_oldsaying]

"I'll do that!" she said happily, beaming. "And, and Nanika heard you too, Kathy. She's happy."

And sleepy, but happy.

Nanika was mostly just waiting for them to go and see Papa Hannibal.

"I can't stay too long," she admitted, going to check the cupboards for the dishes she'd need. "Because my Papas are expecting me. But I wanted to be here too."

[spin_kick_snap]

"That's fine," Kathy assured her. "I'm just glad that your papas and I live close enough you can go from one to the other." She gave Alluka a mischievous grin. "Since you can't stay for all of dinner, should I let you eat dessert first?"

[not_every_mage]

"I brought wine," Anders announced as he wandered in to plonk his offering on the table. He sniffed the air appreciatively. "I figured you'd have the food of things pretty well covered. Smells like I was right."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy grinned at him, tugging him in for a kiss before even looking at the wine. "You're lucky I didn't drag the two of you here early to help me with all the chopping and prepping."

[not_every_mage]

Anders playfully pouted at her. "Would you really trust me with a knife?"

[spin_kick_snap]

"Tell me more about how elfroot potions are made?" Kathy said, raising an eyebrow right back at his adorable pouty face.

[not_every_mage]

"... magic," Anders lied. "Just magic."

And a lot of chopping, mashing, and squeezing to extract juice, of course.

[spin_kick_snap]

"I must have been hallucinating all those times I thought I saw you chopping up elfroot and grinding lyrium or whatever," Kathy deadpanned. "Hmm, maybe I should go lie down and let you finish dinner, instead."