The Park, Monday late afternoon / evening

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

At the Perk last night, there'd been talk of having a barbque to celebrate Labor Day and kick off the school year. Ellie was one of the first to arrive, so she set about putting together a table with some grillable meats, vegetable skewers, and potato salad. She wasn't much of a cook, but she figured someone would know how to work a grill.

She'd brought her telescope for stargazing once it got dark and a CD player belting out 80s tunes.


[ooc: open as open can be, natch...students, teachers, townies, whomever!]

Comments

[preacher-custer.livejournal.com]

Jesse strolled up with a couple of grocery sacks in his arms. Skeeter bouncing along behind him, and looked over the food that had been laid out.

"Need some help here?"

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"Sure!" Ellie said with a smile. "Just set out what you brought, then grab a plate or man the grill."

[drjcovington.livejournal.com]

She didn't have office hours until Wednesday or class to teach until Thursday, so Janice had spent most of the day at home, setting a couple of the rooms up with secret smuggling compartments the right kind of equipment for examining, cataloguing, and storing artifacts.

Having gotten tired of being cooped up after a while, though, she decided to go out for a stroll in the park and came across Ellie's picnic table.

"What's going on out here?"

[nun-better.livejournal.com]

Rosette had heard the music while she was out on the steps bouncing her soccer ball on her knee and, tucking it under her arm, went to go investigate. Her eyes lit up when she saw the table and she dropped the ball right out of her grip as she rushed over. "A party?" She sounded very excitable, hoping it was the sort of one she would be welcome to crash into.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

The Doctor strolled up with two buckets of ice, with actual champagne bottles in them.

"I hope this is enough of a contribution," he said.

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"Barbque," Ellie said. "Since it's Labor Day and all. Grab a plate and pull up a seat!"

[preacher-custer.livejournal.com]

Jesse grinned and pulled out two twelve packs of beer and a couple of bags of chips. "I'll take over the grill, if ya want."

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"Yes, yes, join us," Ellie said, waving Rosette over.

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

Ellie peered at the buckets. "That has my approval," she said.

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"Good, because I'd probably overcook the burgers," Ellie said.

[drjcovington.livejournal.com]

It wasn't until her stomach growled disapprovingly at her that Janice realized she hadn't eaten all day, caught up as she was in her work. "Can't argue with that, thanks," she said, already helping herself to some of the food. "I think I saw you at the Perk last night, didn't I?"

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

"Fantastic," the Doctor said. "I also have a package, hold on," After setting down the buckets, he patted the pockets of his jacket and produced a packet of Penguin biscuits. "These as well."

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

Ellie nodded. "Came in for some caffeine to help me through working on my first class," she said. "I'm Ellie, Ellie Arroway." She offered her hand to Janice.

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"You've come fully prepared," Ellie said, grinning. "Jesse's manning the grill. Grab a plate."

[preacher-custer.livejournal.com]

"No such thing unless it's charcoal," Jesse said and started pouring handwavily modded charcoal into the handwavily modded grill.

[nun-better.livejournal.com]

"Gladly!" Rosette laughed, and did just that, but not until after she'd offered a gloved hand to Ellie. "I don't believe we've met yet; I'm Sister Rosette."

She flashed a grin, giggling a little. "Oh, my God, that rhymed!"

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"I like mine a bit more rare," Ellie said. "Try to leave some blood in one for me." She winked.

[drjcovington.livejournal.com]

"Janice Covington," she replied, taking Ellie's hand and shaking it firmly. "Seems like half the teachers in school were working on their first class last night. I'm beginning to think they put something special in the coffee; it's been crowded almost every time I've been there."

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

Grining, Ellie shook Rosette's hand. "I'm Ellie Arroway," she said. "Call me Ellie."

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"The caffeine is enough to addict me," Ellie said. "I spend my nights awake so sometimes I need all the help I can get."

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

The Doctor nodded and smiled. "Nice for there to be something joyous and wholesome today," he said. "Rather trying weekend."

[preacher-custer.livejournal.com]

"I'll make a bit of everythin'," Jesse said, grabbing a beer after he had the coals going.

[nine-and-ears.livejournal.com]

"Rosette, isn't it?" The Doctor nodded at her.

[stargazer-ellie.livejournal.com]

"I heard one of the students was missing," Ellie said. "But they found her? She's all right?"

[nun-better.livejournal.com]

Rosette beamed. "It's really nice to meet you, Ellie. Did you put this budding little shindig together? What's it for?"