[ OPEN ] turkey-time and all that follows.

[falcony]

Who: open to all. (see note(s) below!)
What: it's the time of year and with all these new faces as well as with everything going on, sam thinks it's time for another all summoned not!thanksgiving
Where: sam's horizon
When: end of November/beginning of December
Warnings: will update as necessary.

THE SETUP

As per Sam's invitation, come dinner time, his horizon is going to be full fall aesthetic. The trees will have changed, there will be a slight chill in the air (no matter how it's usually hotter than this in Louisiana in November), and everything will be decorated in prime Fall Decorations - so many pumpkins, so many candles, so much Hallmark Card Thanksgiving, minus any weird pilgrim/puritan bs. Inside the house will be a kind of organized chaos - tables and ingredients and food everywhere. Because while Sam could magic the whole meal together, he's much more about putting in the work, so this not!thanksgiving is old school. If you show up early, you will be assigned a job, and Sam can tell if you cheat and just Horizon something together.

Outside in the front lawn area is a large, long dining room table. Come dinner, it will be a picture-perfect image of a Thanksgiving Meal. Everything you could want and then more will be set out, and there will be a setting for everyone, no matter how many people show up. There's no seating arrangement, so find a place and take a seat, chat it up with whoever is to your right, left, or sitting across from you. The only magic that Sam is going to allow at this point is the fact that the table will always be the perfect size - whether that is smaller or larger. There is plenty of booze, plenty of food, and more than enough desserts, and Sam is really just looking for a casual, nice time of it.

Afterwards, there will be plenty of opportunities for more people to help - just imagine the dishes, y'all. But even then Sam will be playing host, making sure everyone has what they need, even if what they need is an Adirondack chair by a fire pit and a blanket to pass the hell out. Either way, his entire Horizon is open, save for the one room upstairs that is always locked.

OOC INFO

- this is a totally open post! I've got a TL below for various scenarios you can find Sam, but otherwise have fun, meet some people, put up a TL of your own!

- Sam's only Rule is there will be no fighting. You want to duke it out? Take it somewhere else. There will not be warnings or second chances. Don't be an ass. This is his home, respect it, or he'll have your ass thrown out. He's not afraid of squaring up, but you will not be invited back if you chaos too many issues. :)

- this is open to any and all Summoned, no matter loyalties or factions. Sam is going to be going overboard to be welcoming, especially to new faces. Even if your character didn't see the big invitation, feel free to have them invited by word of mouth.

- any questions? message me at disarmingly

Comments

wanda · open to all

[carmesi]

A. PREPARATION

[wanda is the first to be here, after sam, having had the undeniable honor of helping with a no-shortcuts cooking and preparation of all the dishes. because it is sam, though, two hours into her being busy in the kitchen, people do start showing up to help out. (who wouldn't want to help sam out? even if the horizon makes everything seem so unnecessary when one could just conjure a picture-perfect placement of every single item.) it's not her place, nor her space, however, so wanda simply keeps to herself as familiar faces and voices start to come in.

she pretends to be busy in the kitchen, chopping at things or grabbing a hot tray from the oven to cool, or just plating things up and setting them on the counter to be taken onto the table. sam's left her alone here while he tends to his guests, and wanda really, really hopes the turkey doesn't explode in the oven.

that being said, she is stretching as far as she can reach with her hand to the top shelf of a cupboard to reach for that one glass to complete the set she's gotten down. her fingers wiggle, and she touches the glass with her fingertips. except she manages to push it back more.]

Dammit.

[—she mutters, easing off and bringing her hand down, scratching at the side of her head in annoyance.]

B. IN-BETWEEN

[wanda really didn't intend on staying here after helping out with the cooking (and after what she knows sam wanted: to talk to her one-on-one). however, she can think of three people whom she would like to blame for insisting she stay for a while. it would be fun, they said; they want you there, they claimed.

she's only slightly appeased when she sees the people in question actually show up. if she was going to be here at all, she would want them to suffer her presence for a while. wanda is reticent, falling back in conversation, lingering in the background with a drink in hand, avoiding the awkwardness of the inevitable eye contact she ends up making with people.

for the most part, she'll be fussing over billy when he does show up, introducing him to her people from home, but for the most part she will be hiding behind the congenial, easygoing social ways of matt—be it sitting beside him, or standing at his side, arm wrapped around his, as she half-listens to the conversations.

sometimes, she'll be on her own, pulling stray strands of hair behind her ears, as she peers at the collection of music CDs on a shelf—]

AQUA? Really?

[—or heads off to find a quiet corner for herself until sam calls everyone in for dinner, only to find someone already there.]

Sorry, I didn't realize someone else was trying to escape the crowd.

C. AFTERWARD

[wanda doesn't think this was all too bad, but she also is feeling her social battery being past depleted. she helps bring some plates to the kitchen, half-tempted to just use the horizon's magic to vanish them all, but she'd hate to take away the job of whichever poor soul volunteered for cleaning duty.

she will linger in the kitchen for a moment, but otherwise she will find herself a spot on the couch close to familiar faces, and she'll watch in on any board game shenanigan may have been brought up. she is somewhat interested, but she is not trying to let that show too much...

even as she stays put even as those playing move on to something else, leaving the game of 'guess who?' on the coffee table.

hmm.

otherwise, she could just step out the door and exit the horizon entirely before people start the awkward dance of saying good bye or getting too horizon-drunk. wanda isn't sure that's possible? but— if she walks straight to the backdoor now, while everyone's distracted, no one would notice her slipping out.]

B. IN-BETWEEN

[widows_kiss]

I was looking for you, actually.

[ Natasha smiles as she glances up and finds Wanda there. She's been here for a while now, having shown up early to help prepare as well, so this isn't the first time she's seen Wanda but they'd all been preoccupied with getting the meal together. Now, though, it's just waiting for the dinner to start so it gave her a few moments to seek the other woman out.

Crossing over to her, she casts her a crooked grin as she gives her arm a squeeze. ] I figured if I staked out the quiet corners I'd catch you in one of them sooner or later. Unless you'd already escaped, and then I was avoiding Sam because he definitely would have sent me after you.

[ But all teasing aside... she searches Wanda's face, her own expression warm. ] How's today been? You look like you've been having fun.

[carmesi]

[it's as if natasha knows that wanda would likely just stay because of her being here. she doesn't give anything away, but there is something in her playful tone about sam making her go look for wanda that makes the younger woman figure that there must have been some prior conversation discussing this very scenario.]

You don't actually think I would have been able to escape you, would you?

[all teasing aside—]

I wouldn't call it having fun, but...

[that's wanda language for sure, you caught me enjoying myself. she looks back to the warmth of the dining room area, where people are conversing in smaller group and laughter filters through. 'having fun' could mean so many things, particularly how she's been hanging onto one blind lawyer and seeing others she's close to.

as it were, couldn't she introduce billy to natasha while here? hm.]

Sam's pretty much kept me hostage here for most of the day. I told him we're going to be really hungry by the time we wake up again, but he said something about nurturing the soul and laughed.

[optimistic as always, sam wilson.]

[widows_kiss]

I think if you really set your mind to it, even I would have difficulty finding you. [ There's fondness in her words, because it's not like Wanda hasn't snuck out underneath her nose before. ] Besides, if you decided to poof out of the Horizon, I'd be a little out of luck. Solvunn's pretty far from Thorne, from what I understand. And I am sadly lacking in a quinjet.

[ Affectionately, she bumps her shoulder against Wanda's and then follows her gaze in to where a number of Sam's guests were mingling. Natasha's pretty sure she doesn't know any of them, although she had seen Steve wandering around earlier. ]

What would you call it, then? And am I going to get to meet 'this guy' eventually, or are you hiding him in case I decide to give him the shovel talk?

[ Which would probably not involve an actual shovel. Maybe. ]

[carmesi]

[she's not wrong; the horizon is another beast all on its own. wanda could really disappear if she wanted to, but she's promised at least three different people she would stay. she would put in the effort for them, if nothing else. natasha being here also throws a wedge into her plans for early escape, regardless.

glancing over at her after the shoulder bump, sometimes it feels incredibly surreal to have her here.

the first question, she does not answer, but—]

His name's Matt. I told you he's blind, so... the guy with the sunglasses while inside. [he's around, mingling and keeping to conversation, a beer in hand. wanda crinkles her nose a bit.] Do you want me to introduce you? Or would you prefer the surprise factor?

[widows_kiss]

That depends. Is the surprise for me or him?

[ Although Natasha's gaze is now glancing about the room in search of a guy with sunglasses. Oh, there he is.

She gives an approving hum before casting Wanda a knowing grin. ]

He's cute.

Preparation

[itookashot]

[ Jesper always arrives early for all types of parties that Sam throws, whether it's at the inn or here, to be the Good Son and help set up. He ends up eating his weight in food later so it seems like the right thing to do. A part of him came early this time too because he had some things to talk about with Sam, whether he was consciously aware of needing that or not. He's been struggling a lot since the heralds completely wrecked his mind and life, not himself at all. In a way, getting here early is giving him time to get ready to at least pretend to be himself.

Luckily for Wanda, Jesper is 6'3 and so it is not hard at all for him to stretch up and pluck the glass she wanted. He does so naturally, walking into the room, seeing the problem, and fixing it without a pause in-between. And then he smiles when he sees her, a smile that barely reaches his eyes. She knows him well enough, and understands being stretched thin, that she can probably see the weariness in gray eyes, the fraying at the edges. He is being weighed down by something unseen, seemingly too thin and sickly pale, despite looking similar enough only some people would be able to notice the difference. ]

Hi.

[ He says, having not realized until that minute how much he missed her. Jesper's torment in the real world kept him from the Horizon so he really was missing from sharing that pain with his friends in other factions. His one attempt to go into the Horizon was marred by a haunting experience with Mat and a giant building, so he simply suffered in Cadens.

He does manage a real smile for her though after a moment, playfully handing her the glass with a raised eyebrow. ]

The tall one to the rescue.

[carmesi]

[wanda is always happy to see jesper, even if it's been a while since they've last seen each other. with the tumultuous state of the horizon in recent memory, she really doesn't blame anyone who hasn't quite made their way back for social visits or otherwise.

still, it is startling to find that there is something sad and pained in his eyes as he turns to her, a hi meant to act as a buffer between what she's seeing and hearing.

she takes the glass, holding it briefly in her hand before she sets it aside, the same hand reaching up to touch his cheek, a gentle touch. the concern in her face is clear, how much she cares for him see-through in her green eyes.]

What's wrong?

[itookashot]

[ Jesper already suspected she would see right through him but that doesn't make it any easier to find a way to respond that doesn't make him want to cry. He was there for her when it was the other way around, when she curled up in the Crow Club and asked to stay, but it's difficult to let himself do the same. Especially not in Sam's house. The emotion is there, causing a lump in his throat he has to swallow past in order to say anything.

He leans his cheek into her touch and doesn't draw away, but it takes him a few seconds before he can come up with a response. ]

I made a mess of things. I know I was under divine influence and everything, but still.

[ Jesper knows people keep saying that and it's true, but it doesn't stop the way it feels. He doesn't feel like he was controlled, he feels like the god just brought out parts of who he truly is. Which means, in the end, it's still all his fault. Not everyone leaned into what was happening like he did. ]

I gambled all our money away and I hurt Kaz and I don't even feel like I'm back to square one, I feel like I've gone backwards.

[ Square one would be where he started here, newly attempting to be gambling addiction-free and over the months getting more and more confident in himself. Now he's very uncertain and strung out. ]

[carmesi]

[the gods and their intrusion with their mortal selves, causing wrecks as they stride through their lives with their influence as if they didn't matter at all. she can see the broken pieces that he's trying to keep together, holding fast unto the idea that this isn't the time and place.

and perhaps it isn't it, to let tears slip and for this conversation to be happening.

still, wanda can't help but remember the way matt had spoken to her while under the influence of one of the gods. the horrible things he said to her, how it almost destroyed them. but he had come back to find her, to apologize, to fix the cracks he had smashed himself. she remembers herself, too, of those mistakes she made back in her world, of what the darkhold made her do—of what it merely suggested and she had agreed to.

'going backwards' is something she understands.]

The world isn't so linear. People aren't so linear, either. [forward and backwards, she means—] Turn around and step forward that way.

[her thumb smooths over his cheek, but then she's bringing her hand down to grip at his hand tightly. she would hug him, but she's afraid it's not something he may want, lest it spills into something more overt while others are here.]

You can always get money back. Have you talked to your friend again since?

[itookashot]

I've struggled with gambling addiction for years, and I stopped right before I got here.

[ It isn't something Jesper talked about a lot, and he told himself it was because he was different now. It's really always about the shame underneath. This compulsion he can't get away from, this obsession that's cost him his pride and almost his father's farm. That's brought him so low and yet he still crawled back to it. ]

It was hard in the start, but it got easier, and now I feel it in my chest again. In the air I breathe.

[ He's not sure if this is how it feels like for everyone, he can only speak for himself, but that is what it is to him. The tightness in his body because he relaxes in a very specific way when he's in that high place. Jesper can't just avoid gambling halls forever, they're everywhere they go, that's not the solution. He thought he found the solution when he started using his abilities but apparently it's not that easy of a fix.

Even with her he feels ashamed, which is not about her or anyone else, just about him and how he sees this. Jesper does let her hold his hand though and he stays close to her, feeling stronger in her presence. Taking her support despite not feeling he deserves it right then. It's going to be a road for him again, getting back. ]

Yeah, he's just ... dealt with this for years too. With me. I was showing off to him that I was better now, I wanted him to be proud.

[ Kaz is many things to Jesper, too many things, all-consuming amount of things. Inej's forgiveness is there, but it is not guaranteed from the other piece of their triangle. ]

He had to come find me and drag me home. Again.

[ As in again from their time before, many, many times. ]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Enter: One such person who had decided to help Sam out. While Wanda had been busy in the kitchen Hilda had been delegated to the front of the house and decorating the outside with (ridiculous) Thanksgiving decorations with the help of a man that definitely gave her Raphael vibes.

With time to spare before dinner Hilda wanders back into the kitchen fully intending to get a sampling of what was on offer. Everyone got peckish before a big feast, right? It was hard not to with the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. Her timing is impeccable as she breezes in just in time to see Wanda struggling to get something off the top shelf. ]

Don't you hate when people put things on shelves that are way taller than you? It's so considerate. [ But with no chairs in sight - Hilda can only assume they were all pulled outside to the dining room - she offers up perhaps a more silly (read: dumb) suggestion. ] We could probably get it if you want to hoist me onto your shoulders. Or you climb onto mine.

[carmesi]

[with the sight of bubblegum pink hair, wanda expects to see someone else. instead—it's someone new altogether. it's a little bemusing, how she makes this inconvenience sound like someone else purposely made it be this way, but wanda has to stop and stare at the suggestion.

she looks at the other woman, then up the ceiling with some consideration... no, they wouldn't be that tall, but there are easier ways to go about it.]

Is that the first solution that came to mind?

[it's curious, she has to admit, and imaginative. barring her magic, there are other alternatives to get this sorted. it's not any better.]

I'll climb up the counter. Stop me if you see me falling back.

[so much trust on a relative stranger!]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda casts a glance towards the counter which was probably one of the other more sensible and obvious of the options before shrugging. Her reply is airy but otherwise serious because in a way she really did mean it. ]

It felt like the most fun solution. And from everything I've heard and seen so far, chaotic and fun seem to be the underlying themes of Thanksgiving.

[ We're proud of you, Wanda! But of course without any idea of what this sign of trust means, Hilda doesn't think twice about it. After helping to move some of the clutter on the counter away she flourishes with her hands jokingly. ] Your makeshift step stool awaits. I'll be the best spotter you've ever had.

[carmesi]

[at least this woman, whoever she is, seems to have a sense of humor that doesn't clash with her own. clutter moved aside, wanda considers the situation accordingly for a moment before nodding at the i'll be the best spotter you've ever had.

(wanda doesn't think she's ever had a spotter.)

so, climbing up she goes, pushing herself up with a knee on the counter, holding on to the wooden frame of the cupboard to ease herself up.

she sure hopes this woman actually has her back, as she fumbles a little with her precarious balancing.]

[theidlemaiden]

[ When she says she'll do something she absolutely will. She positions herself behind her keeping her hands at the ready and as Wanda teeters, Hilda let's a out a little "woah". Her arms immediately shoot up to attempt to steady her at her hips - but Hilda isn't exactly that tall and with the added height of the counter, she has to raise up on the balls of her feet slightly. ]

What are you even trying to get from up there?

In-Between - With Caitlyn

[hextechhead]

[ Jayce is one of those traitors who made her end up lingering long after she wanted to, but he is relieved to see that she did stick around when he arrives with Caitlyn and Viktor. His energy is high at the moment, almost too high, as a result of having Caitlyn back in his life. He is very excited to introduce her to more people through the Horizon, but it's no surprise to anyone who knows him that he bee-lines the two of them toward Wanda once they get there.

Luckily she's already a little out of the way looking at the CDs so they don't have to worry about anyone else having to play fourth wheel. Jayce loves parties and his extroverted self really comes out, so he's practically glowing at the moment. In the Horizon he usually dresses down in his casual lab wear, but he's added a vest and tie for events like this, closer to his academy suit. ]

Fancy meeting you here.

[ He says as if he hadn't asked her to and been looking for her. Jayce shuffles to the side to encourage Caitlyn to come in. ]

Wanda, this is Caitlyn. Caitlyn, Wanda. I promise I've tried my best not to oversell either of you.

[ Because he makes it awkward when he gushes about the people he cares about and then expects them to meet and not know everything that's been said in between. The assumption that can be made is that Jayce has said nothing but good things, a typical move from someone who can have rose-colored glasses for the people he cares for. ]

Viktor's in the kitchen, I think he brought a slug dish solely to horrify people.

[carmesi]

[wanda had expected this to happen at some point and, if she's being truthful, she was a little nervous about it. she doesn't quite do well meeting new people, even with the heads up. holding the case of a CR with a peculiar cover, wanda turns in time to see jayce and — his tall friend.

caitlyn.]

Was our conversation before a soft sell, then?

[there was no such conversation that comes to mind, but she's just teasing him about it. wanda isn't sure if she should hold out her hand to shake or what exactly the norm is.]

Jayce has told me about you. I'm sure he's ecstatic to have you here. [whatever, she'll hold out her hand—] Wanda. I was summoned into Solvunn. The Free Cities, right?

[preferscuffs]

[Parties aren't really Caitlyn's cup of tea usually. If this had been back in Piltover, she'd have gone through quite a lot of effort to avoid it, but it's not. And it's been promised that this party is going to be quite unlike the parties she's been forced to suffer through at her mother's behest.

Plus Jayce really wanted her to go and honestly that had been enough. Even if it had been like those awful, stuffy parties she would have gone to make him happy. Her clothing were selected with care with nods to the uniform that she no longer has any right to wear - Dark violet trousers, a cream button up, and a violet and gold corset vest on top. Perhaps a touch formal, but also the sort of thing Caitlyn's inclined to wearing on a daily basis regardless.]

It's nice to meet you, Wanda. Jayce was quite excited for us to meet. [A handshake that she accepts, grip politely firm as they shake.] Yes, that's right. Though I'm afraid I don't know much about Solvunn just yet.

[hextechhead]

[ Jayce is comfortable with snooty parties by default these days, having been forced to go to them for years even before he rose in rank. But they definitely weren't what he'd call fun, just necessary. He's found these meet-ups to be genuinely fun, or at least more laid-back and comfortable. Even Viktor ends up having a good time, which is the most unique sell out there.

Both he and Caitlyn have a tendency to fall back on their formal wear, more as a reflection of where they come from than anything else. The most dressed down he'd ever been was at the July "pool party." Maybe they'll have one of those again. He is trying very hard not to look between the two of them like someone watching a sports match, in the best possible sense. ]

The first time I met Wanda, she considered attacking me, she thought I was snooping around Viktor's things. It's almost as good a story as Viktor arresting me the first time we met.

[ See, Jayce doesn't mind if the stories are strange or even aggressive, they're interesting! Very different from what is awkwardly happening now, but he's trying to joke around with them. ]

Cait on the other hand obviously hero-worshipped me the moment we met.

[ That he's saying solely to give Caitlyn the chance to smack him upside the head or throw him a withering look. ]

[carmesi]

[wanda raises an eyebrow at jayce. yes, she's thought of him before as an overly friendly dog (in a good way), and right now she thinks he would be wagging his tail if he had one. the way he looks at caitlyn is quite loving—like he holds such deep care for her.

a final shake of her hand with the other woman, and wanda takes her own back. this is when she turns her gaze back to caitlyn.

she can tell a harmless hyperbole when she hears one, especially knowing jayce sees caitlyn as a sister. it reminds her of pietro, when he's tease her for her more quiet nature. it's just something brothers can't keep themselves from doing, isn't it?]

He can't help himself, can he?

[it's an amused jab at jayce meant for caitlyn.]

Not to be disrespectful, but you don't seem the science type.

[not like jayce did, with his muscles and health and sunshine demeanor.]

He mentioned you are a detective?

Prep

[actualwizard]

[ Billy had arrived earlier than Sam had said, mostly because he doesn't know anyone and he knew Wanda would be there first. He figures maybe he can hide behind her until people start arriving and then see who he knows. It feels awkward, walking up to the other Avengers and none of them knowing who he is (besides Steve and Stephen anyway), especially when he just saw his versions of them a few months ago at his wedding.

Not that he was going to let Wanda know he was basically hiding behind her skirts (not that she couldn't read it off him). So he had slipped in thorough the back of the house while people were occupied and spotted her in the kitchen trying to reach a glass. ]

You know you're a witch right? [ he teases her as he floats it down out of the cabinet for her with a flick of blue magic. ]

[carmesi]

[yes, she's fully aware—but sam also made her promise she would try to do this without magic as much as possible. wanda tends to keep to her word. billy is here, though, using his magic to bring the glass down.

well, it's done.]

I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.

[—hardly. in any case, now that billy is here, she can recruit him to help. she takes a few of the glasses, sets them on a tray, and hands said tray to him.]

Help me set them on the table.

[actualwizard]

[ Whoops. Well in his defense he made no promise. ]

Sorry.

[ Not sorry at all. But he takes the tray from her and follows her out to where the table is. ]

So how’s the cooking going?

[carmesi]

All done.

[—the answer to his question. wanda starts setting some of the glasses in their respective places, just off the side of each place. she expects him to just hold the tray while she sets the glasses.

teamwork!]

And I'm still here, so I guess you can say you've managed to convince me.