Midnight Manor - Thursday Evening

[single_man_tear]

Dean returned to Fandom with a ton of food in his car. While on his trip he had located a small BBQ joint just over the border in North Carolina which had great reviews. They were more than happy to take Dean's money and prep everything for travel along with very detailed instructions on how to reheat or prepare all of the food provided.

So right now the dining room table was covered in good southern food, specifically East Carolina style pulled pork, ribs with a vinegar sauce and pulled chicken. A long with vegan friendly collard greens, black eyed peas, steamed cabbage, sweet potatoes and cole slaw. There was bread if you wanted to make a sandwich and for dessert there was sweet potato pie and banana pudding. For beverages there was a cooler of beer as well as a few gallons of sweet tea.

Arden, who had also been busy, prepared a BBQ version of jackfruit that Dean reluctantly allowed on the table.

Dean had also encouraged everyone to invite friends and sent out a few texts to people he knew on the island in case they might be interested.

[For the housemates or anyone who thought they got an invite. Arden and jackfruit modded with permission]

Comments

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden practically floated down the stairs on the scent, like a cartoon character, or possibly a Muppet.

"Oh goddess," she murmured when she saw the haul. "Dean, it's beautiful."

Look at all the sweet tea!

[single_man_tear]

Dean had been working on the music selection when Arden was "floating" down. Of course it was classic rock from the 70's.

"I know. The guy who made this has been running the joint for 40 years. He's 77 and tends his pit all night and took over from his father when he retired," Dean informed her. "That is the guy I want making my food. It was hard not just to pull over and start eating."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven had work and thus it was Steven who came home. He quickly stashed his things in the private residence (on the floor, much to Marc's annoyance) then went to see what was going on.

For those who hadn't yet met Steven, there were some hints that this might not be Marc. The clothes were rumpled as though they didn't fit right. The posture was lower, like someone who tried not to take up space.

Also he was smiling from ear to ear. That was usually the biggest one. At the very least tied with the British accent, which was revealed when he said, "Hello. This looks brilliant."

[single_man_tear]

It wasn't the outfit or the posture that Dean noticed but the accent did throw him for a loop. He'd only talked to Marc that one time so...

"Uh, yeah, picked it up from a roadside place in North Carolina," Dean explained. "Feel free to dig in, Marc. Arden gave me a heads up so the chicken is kosher."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Hi, Steven!" Arden said, giving him a wave. "Did you have a good day at the museum?"

And, like Dean had, she gestured to a bowl. "Pulled jackfruit! Made it myself, safe for you and the Detective!"

[unusual_sith]

"Steven, hello!" Lana smiled at him. "How have you and Marc been?"

[pun_king]

Of all the things Graham could absolutely not refuse (of which there were many!), food and friends were at the very top of the list! So when he got a text from Arden about all the delicious barbeque her neighbor had brought in, he was there woth bells on!

Err. Not literally. Although he'd thought about it!

Plus, he'd never visited where Arden lived, so that was exciting, too! And when he arrived, he gave a tentative call of "Hello?" although he was pretty sure he had an idea of where to start heading.

The nose knows, after all!

[single_man_tear]

Dean poked his head out of the dining room.

"Hey man, grab a plate and a drink," Dean said waving at Graham and gesturing towards the table. "I'm Dean. You live here?"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh hey, whoa, slow down, buddy." Arden jumped up and held out a hand to Graham meant to stop him in his tracks. "This seat here--" she waved vaguely towards the table behind her, which would miraculously be whichever one Graham ended up sitting in, funny how that worked, "--is reserved for a Knight-Hopeful. I'm afraid if you're not a Knight-Hopeful, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave, sir."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven waved when he saw Graham. "Graham, hello! If it isn't my favorite radio person! Wonderful to see you!"

Sorry, Arden. Graham had puns after all.

[wildgalegirl]

"Graham!" Charlie said cheerfully. "How goes it, my favorite Knight Hopeful?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Hello there, Mister, ah…” Watts paused, to allow Graham to fill in his name.

[pocketpretzels]

And not terribly far behind Steven there was a Watts. Notably, minus both hat and suit jacket. The first, because they were indoors. The second, because, well- this was home.

“Good evening,” he greeted, already beelining for the food. “Well, this looks impressive.”

[single_man_tear]

"Hey there Detective," Dean said raising a beer bottle in greeting. "Cop a squat and dig in."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Hi Detective," Arden said with a wave. "Umm, I hope you liked the pulled jackfruit from Japanese class that time, cause I made more."

And goddess knew she'd made enough for at least four people for...some reason.

[wildgalegirl]

Was Charlie here? Of course Charlie was here! To get to see the cool house Arden lived in and have amazing barbecue too? No brainer.

And because she was Charlie her guitar was slung across her back as usual and she was up for anything.

"Whoa..." she said as she came through the doors, hesitating for a moment. "This is one magical place!"

[single_man_tear]

"Hey Charlie," Dean said with a wave. "Food's in the dining room. Help yourself!"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave a wave to the new arrival. "Hello! Charlie, yes? I think you popped by the museum one time?"

[pocketpretzels]

“It certainly is, Miss… ?” Watts trailed off with an expectant pause.

[not_a_goddamn_princess]

Margo had been invited. She hadn't really wanted to go. And then she'd decided otherwise. Because she could.

Though she was the one person out here looking skeptical, actually. "I can't decide whether I'm too LA or too New York for this."

[single_man_tear]

Seeing Margo walk in, Dean reached into the cooler and grabbed a beer in one hand and a bottle of whiskey from the counter.

"Forget it Margo. It's Fandom town," he said holding up the bottles. "What's your poison?"

[hasaknightjob]

This was a new to him person because Marc was absolute rubbish at remembering people if he didn't see them on a regular basis. And frankly even if he did it was no guarantee he'd bother. So Steven gave a tentative wave and, "Hello. I don't think we've met? I'm Steven. With a V."

[moreofaponchoguy]

Cal had been hearing a lot about the food of this world, but this was the first time the smell of anything had gotten his attention. He followed the scent and stared at the spread in wonder. This was more good-looking food than he'd seen in one place in a while.

"Whoa. Is this for everyone?"

[single_man_tear]

"Sure is Cal," Dean said with a wave. "Come on in and strap on a feedbag. How are you settling in?"

[gospel_of_oblivion]

There was a flash of light, and the snap-hiss of a portal closing from the lobby, and a moment later Illyana entered, following the scent of the food.

"Who cooked?" she asked, taking in the sights. "--And holy shit that is a lot of food."

[single_man_tear]

"A 77 year old man in Dudley, NC," Dean replied, giving Illyana a beer.

Was she legal drinking age? Well she was at a bar the other night. She probably was.

"Arden and I were talking about barbecue earlier and I had a job nearby so I picked some up and brought it back today."

[unusual_sith]

Lana had gotten the text from Dean, and would admit she was curious. She also thought it would be rude to show up empty handed, so she came bearing a bottle of Laphroaig.

She blinked when she saw the spread. "This is quite a meal."

[single_man_tear]

“Lana! Join the party!” Dean said in greeting. “Ever have barbecue before?”