Open mingle

[thirtybits]

WHO: Joshua meshiakh, Judah thirtybits and you!
WHERE: JoJo and Judah's apartment (Apprassage)
WHEN: Saturday March 11th
WHAT: holiday dinner at their place
WARNINGS: none probably? There's a bit of alcohol available, tag your stuff if necessary

You don't have to know or care a lick about Purim to be invited to Joshua and Judah's apartment for a feast Saturday night. You're supposed to invite family and friends, and technically they're probably supposed to be observing it too, but it seems more inclusive and charitable (which is another important aspect of the holiday!) to have a more open invitation. In fact a post goes up on Retrospec on Friday reading:

If you could use a good meal or just want a distraction from everything that's been going on, come to our place Saturday at 6. You know how people complain about getting a thousand Christmas cakes? I have bread and cookies coming out my ears please take them away.

Selling it good. That's not all there is though, there's lots of different dishes. Beef and turkey, stuffed vine leaves, lentil stew, squash with apples and walnuts, home made hummus. Perogies for some reason. And then there's the challah and hamantaschen Judah's students and peers have been giving him since last week. It's a lot. There's wine too, although a much more moderate amount than the food.

If you're unfamiliar with the holiday it might be a little weird to see their corgi with a robe and three pronged hat on. If you are familiar it's probably still weird actually, but they thought it was cute, he's Haman! What a good boy!

Late in the evening anyone who needs or wants to stay is invited to do so whether overnight or for a movie with a pillow fort and a sleepy dog because Joshua is an adult. It's something Judah frowned at, but Joshua insisted, and possibly signaling bad things for the future. More house guests to come.

Comments

[appraiser]

[ What is this, what is going on, Ryoji heard about cookies and there's a cute corgi and that's honestly all that matters. He has bread, hummus spread, little bits of everything on his plate while he goes around looking for either of the hosts— Joshua who he'd met before, or Judah who he might have asked to be pointed to. ]

Hello. Teach me about everything.

[thirtybits]

Everything? [That sure encompasses a lot, he laughs.]

Which part of everything?

[appraiser]

Everything about everything!

[ There's a lot he doesn't know, alright? Some of the food Ryoji is familiar with, but while he liked to immerse himself in the culinary and language side of culture, he hasn't dabbled much in religion to recognize the date and celebration as Purim. ]

I guess to start, what are we celebrating? Your dog?

[ Your dog's so cute, look at that hat. Is it a birthday hat. Is it your dog's birthday. ]

[thirtybits]

Well he is a really good dog! It's a Jewish holiday called Purim. Kind of like a Thanksgiving I guess?

[appraiser]

[ Purim, Ryoji repeats in his mind to commit the term to memory. Thanksgiving he's vaguely familiar with, though not too much of the traditions aside from hosting a meal and expressing what one is thankful for. If it's something like that— he sets his plate of food down on a nearby chair or table top and claps his hands together. ]

Thank you to you and Joshua for hosting this get-together. And thank you to your dog for existing! [ such a good dog ] Like that?

[splasher]

[makoto arrives to the party, rin in tow, carrying a bento safeguarding several salmon flavoured onigiri. it's not much--and perhaps moot point to bring more food to a party that already has a lot of food, for makoto's pretty sure this is going to be a success with (at least) one of the hosts.]

[so, in they go, and makoto immediately tries to beeline for joshua, tugging rin along by his jacket]

Ah, Joshua-san! [clearly in japanese] Good evening! Thank you for the invitation. Here, these are for you. I take it you like salmon onigiri? My mother prepared them earlier. --oh, this is Matsuoka Rin, a friend of mine from high school.

[he takes a step to the side, motioning over at the redhead]

He's also Japanese.

[gnasher]

[and the stiff looking guy (in cool, casual clothes) beside Makoto nods his head. red eyes dart between his host and his friend, before he's producing (also in Japanese, picking up the cue to switch)]

Yo. Thanks for having us.

[a little awkwardly, he holds out what he brought, quickly picked up from the store after Makoto's invitation: a small bottle of shochu, likely for personal rather than party use]

I wasn't really sure what to bring...

[meshiakh]

[ Major gasping. ] Makoto-kun!! [ Of course he has to use suffixes to make himself sound a little more ~*Japanesque*~. His eyes are going all round at the bento because ONIGIRI. Gingerly, he takes the box from Makoto's hand and bows... with a little too much vigour. ] ARIGATO GOZAIMAS!! [ Obviously not super loud, nope. Plus there's no such thing as too much food!!!

And then he turns to look at Makoto's friend ー oooh what a cool-looking guy!!! ...What.

Can a weaboo contain himself around TWO Japanese people?! NO HE CAN'T!!! ]

HAJIMEMASITE!! [ Bows!!! Excitedly!!! Before speaking in fumbling Japanese: ] My name is Joshua Josephs! Call me Jojo! [ More exaggerated gasping. ] You didn't have to! ARIGATOU GOZAIMAS!! [ More bowing, before he leads them inside. ]

Please come in! What do you guys want to eat? We have plenty!

[ He skips off to the table, waving at them to follow him. ]

If you want to start with the main course, I have to say both the beef and turkey are really good! My roommate [ Points points at Judah. ] is a very good cook!

[splasher]

[the great thing about joshua, thinks makoto, is how enthusiastic and welcoming he is. even if it's a little too much sometimes as others would perceive it, makoto finds it endearing. flattering, even, that someone would take such an avid interest in his own culture.]

[he can't help but be a pushover and encourage joshua.]

[hopefully rin won't be too judgmental... maybe he should have warned both of them about the other? eh, it'll work out.]

Ohh! I see a lot of things... Would it be okay to have a bit of everything?

[he likes eating]

Eh, but didn't Joshua-san make anything himself...?

TOP-LEVEL??? thing

[meshiakh]

i: challah head challah

[ The party has started, you'll probably be eating some, drinking some, chatting some... Well, Joshua's making his rounds around the unit! And he'll make sure you'll have enough food if you're not seen eating!! ]

Hafh hyou trief dhese? [ He walks towards you with a plate of challah. ] Haf sohme! Dehy're reeeehhhhy goofh!! [ Because obviously, talking with his mouth full is the way to prove his point. (Translation: Have you tried these? Have some! They're reallllly good!!) ]

ii: is it me you're looking for

[ Are you one of those people who think Western horror flicks are nothing? Don't fret! Joshua has a good collection of some Asian horror films to choose from, it's going to be a marathon and you're free to choose which to watch! ]

So what do you think we shall watch next? Shutter? Ju-On? The Ring?

[ Look at his face brimming with excitement. His eyes are practically sparkling. Can you resist this. (Yes you can.) Do you see anything else in the horror movie stack? Suggest it!

(FEEL FREE TO THREADJACK AND STUFF!!! Or if you want to have a specific one, that works too! Just specify if you wanna c:) ]

iii: EAT OR ELSE (closed to judah behar ... maybe)

[ By now Judah's probably used to this face of Joshua. Something in between a pout and a frown, usually followed by a whining. Well this time, it's not followed by whining per se (probably sounds like whining anyway), but he's definitely unhappy about Judah sitting on the corner, not eating anything. ]

Judah. [ Sing-song voice, but in a disapproving tone. ] Why are you not eating? You're the one who prepared all these! [ He's aware that he wasn't... really much of help during the preparation. Never mind him shoving a plate of perogies to your face. Eat it. He's crouching, ready to sit beside you to make sure you eat that. ]

iv: wildcard

[ Drunk talk? Puppy cuddles? Karaoke? Anything else? Go for it!!! ]

[thirtybits]

[Aaahhh nooo, don't crowd in on him or wave food in his face?!]

It's just a little more, um, stimulating than I was expecting?

[He's anxious and introverted and there's a lot of people around.]

[meshiakh]

[ Stimulating? ]

In what way? You're not feeling well?

[ He's squatting beside Judah now, plate on his lap. He'll feed his roomie if he needs to!!! ]

[thirtybits]

Well I'm not too good with big groups, it really gets my anxiety going... So it's just a bit of a panic attack I guess, that's all! Haha!

[It's fine he's just a little shaky, a bit nauseous.]

PUPPY CUDDLES

[mercurio]

Ah, Ruffles--! Be nice!

[having been in the party for some time now, prompto has basically resigned himself to sleeping at joshua's place and leave for home the next morning. he's feeling too tired to take the bus or walk, anyway. as it were, the pet pup he's decided to bring with him has become too comfortable and is now making a mess of their hosts' dog things.]

[bad dog! ...except prompto doesn't have the heart to discipline the brown labrador, even as he rolls on his back, paws before him in a playful manner]

[sighing, he crouches and rubs the belly of the pupper. it's kinda sad, considering rufus' owner is gone, but... at least he seems happy? prompto needs help educating this guy.]

We have to behave good, okay? [grabbing at the lab's mouth, squeezing a bit as he gently ruffles him up] Or we're never getting invited again. Got it? You've been good so far anyway...! Let's not mess up!

[meshiakh]

[ And as if seeing that as the perfect timing to show up, Joshua and Judah's lovechild (???) leaps to pounce on Prompto all excited, not even minding his stuff being messed up. ]

Mochi Chunky Cookie Souffle Bun Goliath Ronald McGolding!! Stop!!

[ Joshua comes right after, too late to stop his corgi, too late to stop himself, end up stumbling over his own toe ー resulting in a pile of Joshua, Prompto, the corgi, and the labrador. PUPPERS PILE, A LITTLE TOO LITERALLY NOW.

(Also it's a wonder how Joshua always manages to remember that longass temporary name...) ]

[mercurio]

[instead of complaining or yelping in pain, prompto's immediately laughing and allowing himself to tumble under puppers and one guy who is too clumsy for his own good]

How do you remember that name?!

[between his giggling, getting his face licked by one or two puppers, who may or may not step all over him]

Just pick one, dude!

[never pick one]

ii!!!!!!

[wavyhair]

I don't want to watch any of those, Josh.

[Please... stop... Gintoki is begging you, Joshua.]

Why don't we watch something nice and fun? Like Mean Girls? I think they're pretty scary too. The horror comes in the exploitation of young girls as they're pitted against each other to see who's the prettiest and most popular. That's pretty scary, right?

[thirtybits]

Yeah, exactly! In fact that's way more scary because it's real, it's happening right now, all over the place. A really important social issue too let's educate ourselves.

[Just anything but the actual horror.]

[meshiakh]

[ Is he listening? ]

Okay, I've put in Pulse! [ When did he put it in... ] It's about the current issue too, about the Internet! [ Okay so he actually listened a little. ] Even if it's quite an old film, let's see... [ He flips over the DVD case. ] It's from 2001!

[ The movie starts playing, with the opening credit a little too loud and sudden, probably quite suprising. ] Oh, that's loud isn't it! [ So Joshua will be nice and grab the remote control to turn the volume down a little bit. The problem is now he has the remote. Good luck, folks. ]

i...walks in late with sbux

[outpunch]

[After hearing some weird (to say the least) sounds, Juzo turns to Joshua, his mouth full, apparently. And he happens to be consuming challah too. It must be destiny!!]

Hwhaht.

[(Translation: What.) Then, he notices that his plate and for a brief second his eyes shine.]

Yhu thell me, fhis fhis sho ghoood. Whahs fhis?

[Translation: You tell me, this is so good. What's this?]

so fancy mr. policeman

[meshiakh]

[ !!!!!

Somehow, Joshua gets it. It's ironical that he doesn't fathom things when spelled out clearly for him. ]

Hhahhhahh! [ He swears, he's not laughing. He said 'challah'. But who would know? ] Hnhaihh haiht??? [ (Translation: Nice, right?) ] Hafhhh hihhh hwhan hhuu!!! [ (Translation: Have this one too!!!) And crumbles will start falling of the sides of his mouth as he puts some hamantaschen on Juzo's plate... Hopefully not with the falling crumbles. ]

[outpunch]

[He better not be laughing, or else!!

Not that it matters, though, because to Juzo it sounded just like "challah" and it wouldn't occur to him even in a hundred years that it could have been a laugh.

That aside, he's never going to say no to more sweet treats. Even if he has absolutely no idea what these are.]

Lhuuks ghood...whehe dhid yhu gheth it? Thyre nhut fom yhur eass, rigt?

[(Translation: Looks good...where did you get it? They're not from your ears, right?)]

[mikodere]

[He was a bit surprised when he received the invitation from Joshua. It's been a while since he's been to a get together. Normally, he didn't have the time but maybe luck, or someone was on his side today since he actually had a day away from the flower shop.

When Mikoto arrives, he has a big bag of chips and a bowl of cheese dip that he brought to the party. He's scanning the rooms, looking for either Joshua or Judah to thank.]

H-Hello, thank you for the invitation and having me here.

[There's a super adorable corgi with a robe on, and Mikoto couldn't help but smile at that. If that couldn't make someone's heart melt, he didn't know what else could.]

I've never been to a Purim before. Actually, I don't really know much about the holiday.

[thirtybits]

No problem, I hope you have a good time. It won't really be like the usual sort of Purim since it's entirely secular here but! It's really just an excuse to eat anyway, like most holidays.

[mikodere]

[He smiles at the kind gentleman and is already feeling welcomed. Even though he just stepped foot into their apartment, it had a nice and welcoming atmosphere.

Mikoto sets down the bag of chips and dip that he brought and continues to talk to Judah.]

Well hey. That's the best part of a get together like this; eating all of the food. I probably sound ignorant when I ask but, what exactly is a Purim?