[CLOSED] Class VII Reunion

[fiddlestick]

WHO: Class VII (aka Elliot, Jusis, and Ash)
WHERE: Elliot's house
WHEN: First week of February
WHAT: DINNER
WARNINGS: Swearing it's Ash.

[Elliot had texted both Ash and Jusis an invitation to dinner, telling them the time and sending Ash the directions to his place. Friendly as his tone read, it was also pretty clear this probably wasn't an OPTIONAL dinner.

In the meantime, Elliot made sure his place was ready by cleaning the house. Ash said he liked hamburgers, something Elliot didn't really excel at, so he spent downtime over the next few days doing research on the best way of making the things, and practicing.

He was nothing if not a perfectionist, after all. And considering this was for family...it was worth it.

Now as it was getting close to the time and everything was ready, he nervously sat on the couch, flipping through the photos on his ARCUS II that had come with the device.

He really hoped tonight goes well]

Comments

[switchaxe]

[It was absolutely not an optional dinner and Ash is seriously wondering how in the hell he got bowled over by Elliot Craig of all people.

Then he remembers the whole "and now that nobody can hear you" thing with that one asshole and he stops questioning it for a little while. The ginger is terrifying. He needs to remember that.

It's not hard to find Elliot's place, at least, so eventually there comes a knock.]

[fiddlestick]

[The ginger is absolutely terrifying.

Though he won't show that side right now. When he hears the knock, he quickly pockets the ARCUS and heads to the door, opening it up. He looks up and gives him a bright smile]

Ash, you made it!

[noblerise]

[Unfortunately for Jusis, when he arrives he's still in the clothes he wears when he's presenting in court. Because of the nature of his work, he's grown very uncomfortable with being even a minute late, so here he is. Three-piece, dark green suit and tie complete with a locked briefcase that he's bringing with him as he walks up to the door behind Ash.]

I apologize for being late.

[Jusis, please...................]

[switchaxe]

[Ash turns at Jusis's voice and snorts.]

You just came from the courthouse, didn't you?

[fiddlestick]

[Oh Jusis. he gives him a sympathetic smile]

Hey Jusis! Don't worry, you're not late at all! Both of you, come on in and make yourselves comfortable.

[He'll let then both in. It's Ash's first time here so the inside of the house is what you'd expect for Elliot. A well kept and cozy house, decked out in the finest of IKEA and thrift store furniture. There's a piano and numerous other music-related items carefully set around the place. On one wall, there's mantle place with various framed photos.

Besides that, there's a few odds and ends lying around that aren't very Elliot like. For instances, there's a pile of non-fiction books and high school textbooks in the corner, sticking out of a cardboard box labeled "HUNTER" in marker. And more notably, scattered around the place are items that look distinctly Asian in style....as well as a pile of anime DVDs next to the TV.

No points for guessing who that stuff belongs to]

[noblerise]

Yes, unfortunately. It ran a little late, so I couldn't change before coming here.

[He'll step inside after Ash and take his shoes off, of course. Jusis will also set his briefcase on the floor out of the way.]

Elliot, do you mind if I hang this in your coat closet?

[Jusis says as he takes off the jacket and deftly rolls up his sleeves to at least look a little more casual. He's trying to salvage this.]

[switchaxe]

[Eh, Ash won't comment on Jusis. He is, however, going to go nosing around the DVDs. He doesn't know who Hunter is, so it's rude to look at his stuff. It is not rude, however, to go judge Rean's tastes.]

Why am I not surprised by all the sword-themed shit here?

[fiddlestick]

[Poor Jusis suffering in all this rich people social anxiety. Elliot meanwhile just doesn't get his turmoil]

Oh sure! Just put it on any hook is fine.

[The coat closet is thankfully near the entrance. Elliot meanwhile will go into the living room after Ash ]

Eheh, well you know how Rean is. He's really into that anime stuff.

[noblerise]

[He just wants to be a rich hermit throwing money at his friends and not deal with the press. Or the paparazzi.

Jusis puts his coat away in the closet before joining his fellow Class VII members.]

I can't say I've watched it myself, so I can't judge his taste necessarily. Is he also a....

[He frowns a little.]

What is the English word? Someone who dresses up like a fictional character outside of Halloween.

[switchaxe]

Cosplayer. Or weeb, and shit, was Schwarzer a weeb before we knew what weebs even were?

[fiddlestick]

[ .... 💧 .... ]

H-He...He is.

Him and his friend Jun like to dress up for conventions sometimes. I can't say I really get involved with that stuff myself, but he seems to like it..!

[So uh, yeah. Rean is definitely a full on weeb]

[noblerise]

[Goddamn, Ash, just coming right out and saying it like it is.]

Danke, Ash. I suppose I can understand it. It looks like it takes a lot of skill and dedication.

[Not to mention money. He's wondering if there's an overlap between cosplayers and suspiciously wealthy furries. That said, he'll at least give a modicum of effort to help defend Rean at least a little.]

Well, there are worse hobbies out there than cosplay. There's no shame in him enjoying himself.

[switchaxe]

....hey, Craig, does Schwarzer have a vtuber persona?

[ASH.]

[fiddlestick]

[ASH. Elliot sighs.]

He doesn't. And you really don't have to call me Craig when we're not at school...

[He has to suck it up when he's at the school, but dangit hearing himself be referred the same way as his dad is like nails on a chalkboard]

But yeah, Jusis is right. Even if it's not something I'm very into, there's nothing wrong with it.

[noblerise]

[Jusis briefly gives Elliot a sympathetic look. Still, again, he'll throw Rean another lifeline since the poor man isn't here to even put up a little bit of defense.]

Shall we take a seat in the kitchen? And is there anything we can help you to prepare dinner, Elliot?

[switchaxe]

Yeah, it's weird to call you "Elliot". You're a teacher.

[Just saying. But Jusis reminds him that oh right, manners are a thing and he picked up something on his way over. He digs in his bag and pulls out...

Three boxes of Girl Scout cookies of varying flavors.]

Gotcha somethin'.

[fiddlestick]

Oh- yeah! If you want help set the table, that'd be great!

[In other words, don't worry Jusis I won't make you attempt to cook in front of Ash because we're bros. Speaking of Ash though]

Sure, but you're not even in my music class-- [His eyes widen at the cookies though] -- Oh, cookies! Thank you! I didn't even realize they were on sale yet!

[noblerise]

I'd be happy to, if you'll direct me to where you keep your plates and silverware.

[Thank the gods. Jusis looks at the cookies with some curiosity.]

Girl Scout cookies?

[What the heck is that???]

[switchaxe]

Yeah, saw a table outside the Walmart near the campsite, and you can't get this shit in Europe.

[Thank you, Jusis, for proving his point.]

Y'know Girl Guides? America's version, and they sell really good cookies. Last time I was in the States on a mission, the guy in charge bought three big boxes of various flavors.

[fiddlestick]

[He'll gesture at the cabinet where he keeps that stuff, with a "over there".]

Hehe, oh that's right, you're from Germany. [Elliot pumps his fist a little] You only get Girl Scout cookies during a specific time of year, so they're pretty special! And people get into some pretty intense debates about which is the best flavor.

[noblerise]

[Jusis can't help a very deadpan:]

I couldn't be more German unless I was given a name along the lines of Wolfgang or Wilhelm. Jusis should still have been a dead giveaway.

[Still, it's clear that there's no offense taken. He does look more intrigued, though.]

So, it's sort of a charity or fundraiser they do? That's quite clever. Though, even if our equivalent had cookies to sell, I doubt I would have had them as a child.

[Helmut Albarea is many things, but "kind" isn't one of them. Especially when it comes to Jusis. Not that he'll voice that and bring the mood down with his baggage. Instead, he'll just head over to the cabinet to pull out plates, silverware, and paper napkins so that he can neatly set the table. Thank god his mom taught him how to do that.]

[switchaxe]

[Yeah, not asking. Ash will just set the boxes on the counter and go to help Jusis.]

The money goes back to the troop, or somethin' like that. [He chuckles.] Which flavor's the best frozen, Cra--uh.

[Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.]

[fiddlestick]

Elliot. [He says, helpfully] And that'd be the thin mints! I'll pop them in and we can have them for dessert.

[He'll grab the thin mint box and throw them into the freezer. Then he heads to the stove, where the grill pan and patties are all ready. Soon, the sizzling sound of meat will fill the room

As for Jusis's ribbing, Elliot will retort in a good natured way]

Haha, sure I guess it sounds German! But with how Americans name their kids, that's really not a surefire way to tell. Some parents get...creative.

[noblerise]

[Rest in pieces, Ash. Jusis sure as hell isn't helping you out of any trouble with Elliot. He'd rather wrestle a hippo.]

Are they really so bad? I haven't yet come across any names that are... strange. Other than what you read about from tabloids on celebrities naming their children.

[switchaxe]

[Muttered:] Yeah, yeah, it's just weird okay...

[He'll work on it. Mostly?]

Yeah, it's fuckin' weird. Poor kid in my history class? Gentry. That is her first name.