Open Post: Hooked On A Feeling

[rememberettersberg]

What hobbies have you got? Susan had asked him, and he had to admit to not being sure. At school and for some time after, he played rugby. More recently, he only watched it on the television Peter had set up in the tech cave. Here at the mansion, he has books and research and the beginnings of mentoring, but it occurs to Nightingale that he has been building himself a facsimile of work and very little else. He's survived that way for half a century and been perfectly all right (though others may disagree with that assessment) but here, in this hinterland between realities, he is feeling a growing itch for... whimsy, perhaps.

At this moment, propping up the bar with a pint of bitter and a crochet hook, no one would dare accuse him of being whimsical. Nightingale is scowling fiercely at the hook, the yarn, his pint, and the book sitting open beside it. Company would be more than welcome.

Comments

[ravkanwitch]

"Neither knitting or crocheting, got it. I'll ignore whatever you just hid, then," she says cheekily, sitting down on the seat next to him. "I may have been telling people about the talent show here and there. What do you think? Should we have it soon?"

[rememberettersberg]

"I think we could probably do with a diversion of some kind, yes." He pats down his jacket and finds his notebook in the breast pocket. There's a rough version of the mansion's calendar scrawled down on the back pages. "I've no idea how this system came about, or if it actually corresponds to seasons here, but at least we can arrange things with some accuracy now."

[ravkanwitch]

"Oh, the calendar. That just appeared one day. When do you think would be a good day for the show?" She furrows her brows slightly. "I think there are a few more people I'd like to ask."

[rememberettersberg]

"I think a week should be enough time to pull something together," he replies, then realises he's not actually sure what that means in Nina's world. "Seven days," he amends, squinting at his notes. "So on or after the 16th day of Melanippe, according to this." He sounds vaguely pained at having to voice it.

[ravkanwitch]

"Melanippe," Nina repeats. It's a strange word. "That sounds fine to me. The most important question, however, is what you're doing for the talent show."

[rememberettersberg]

"Wearing a navy dinner jacket and introducing the acts, as previously discussed." He grins. "Everyone has seen my only other talent." He conjures a tiny orb, just to make his point.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina narrows her eyes slightly at him, jokingly suspicious. "Are you sure you can't perform anything? Not a song or dance? Or even a monologue?"

[rememberettersberg]

"I certainly could do any of those things, but I rather think the goal is for people to enjoy themselves, don't you?"

[ravkanwitch]

She laughs a little bit. "Fine. Have it your way. I think we'll just need to figure out where to set up a stage."

[rememberettersberg]

"I've heard rumours of a cafe being set up. Would that be large enough? Obviously we'd need the approval of the founders, but I think a certain charming young woman of my acquaintance could manage that."

[ravkanwitch]

“I’m not sure if I’d say that Enjolras - the one setting the cafe up - is charmed by me,” Nina says, a little wryly (he seems more annoyed than anything - but a fun annoyed; Nina can work with that). “I can ask him, though. That’s a great idea! It certainly seems like a large enough space.”

[rememberettersberg]

"He's not the easiest person to read," Nightingale agrees. "Let's hope that he's amenable then. I'd hope he'd be glad to see it getting some use."

[ravkanwitch]

"Thank you for suggesting the idea," Nina says, quite earnestly, out of the blue. "I know you immediately wanted to retract the suggestion... but I think it'll be fun for everyone. We need some light-heartedness around here."

[rememberettersberg]

"Oh, that's quite all right," Nightingale replies, surprised. "I'm happy to help, truly. If we're all to remain here together, then we should be making the best of it."

[ravkanwitch]

"It's been nice to feel a real sense of community lately," Nina agrees. "If there's one thing that's more important than flirtations or good food - even waffles - it's friendship."

She nudges him lightly with her elbow. "I never thought we'd become friends! Unexpected. But not unwelcome."

[rememberettersberg]

"Welcome indeed." He nudges her in return. "We should find you a good sticky toffee pudding if that's something you've yet to experience."

[ravkanwitch]

Her eyes light up a little at that idea. "I haven't, but that sounds wonderful."

[rememberettersberg]

"Then to the kitchen we must go. This is a matter of the utmost importance."