Drinking cinnamon coffee, or decaffeinated tea.

[seestheman]

WHO | Clara and OPEN
WHAT | The first meeting of Clara's breakfast club.
WHEN | Present time.
WHERE | District 10's suite
WARNINGS/NOTES | None right now, will add any if they crop up!


Clara's been meaning to do this for a couple months now, round up her collective of friends/various adopted kids/Districtmates and have breakfast. After waking up far earlier than she has in weeks and shooing a couple Avoxes out of the kitchen, she sets to work, getting the prep stuff out of the way and organizing all the various ingredients on the counter so she can knock out each dish as she goes.

Depending on when they wake up, residents of 10 will most likely smell something cooking, whether it be hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, a variety of breakfast meats, or other breakfast staples. The sight that will meet anyone who comes into the kitchen is one of organized chaos (that will most likely devolve into something much more unorganized as more people join in the food-fray).

Comments

Closed to Clem and Initiate

[seestheman]

Once upon a time, at a Crowning that feels like it was almost a lifetime ago to Clara considering how much her life has changed since then, she promised Clem to teach her how to cook. And since the food that brought up the request was technically a breakfast food, it seems like the best place to start. And, since she's found herself discussing all sorts of cultural exchange topics with the Initiate, she decides inviting him to learn about human food in a hands-on situation seems like a good idea.

Which is why, when she distributed invitations across the other floors a couple days beforehand, she made sure to leave instructions for both of them to show up earlier than anyone else for a crash course in cooking. Upon walking into D10's kitchen, they will both have custom made aprons tossed at them. "Do you want to start on homefries, pancakes, or waffles first?"

[carnagecarnival]

Crash course on cooking. Were it anyone else, he might have gone to protest. But it's Clara. Clara what's kind and giving and won't mock so much as what he probably ought motherfucking know already.

And some secret part whispers as it would make him a better Avox to know. He ignores that part. He ignores it real well, when Clara gets throwing a polkadotted apron on at him and asks as what sugar sweetness he's being down for.

He is so motherfucking down for this. "PANCAKES," He says decisively. "With the clowny faces. GOT AT TO HAVE THE FACES."

[smarterthanthem]

Clementine fumbles the catch on the apron a little but manages to avoid dropping it. She grins when she see's the bright cartoony flowers on it and hastens to put it on. It's just her size.

"Pancakes with faces, that sounds good to me." she smiles up at the Intiate when he yells that loud enough to be heard through the entire suite. She almost hardly jumps at his sudden explosions in volume anymore.

[needlebearer]

Even with the novelty of a soft, warm bed, Arya is a light sleeper. She'd jerked awake at the sound of someone moving around outside her room, though when she realised that it was just someone pottering around in the kitchen rather than a threat she lay there, listening to the noise of food being prepared - until the appetising smell wafted through, and her stomach growled. While she knows that she can just call an Avox and get as much food as she wants, she's been trying to avoid ordering them around unless absolutely necessary, and besides she wanted whatever smelled so good. She dresses hurriedly, opening the door to her room a little and peering round it before venturing into the kitchen. She's not sure if she's allowed to take whatever Clara's cooking, so she'll conceal herself round a corner, her hand sneaking round to grab a hash brown that she can wolf down before she's chased away, or at least she assumes she will be.

[seestheman]

Clara can't help but feel guilty that she hasn't made the rounds to introduce herself to her newest suitemates. She's chalked it up to a mix of some sort of anxiety and guilt over the fact that one of them is taking the spot she once held as a Tribute only a handful of months ago. Especially whenever she considers that a few of those Tributes are kids and she has no idea how to properly mentor them for the Arena.

The sight of Arya makes something in her stomach clench when she first sees her from behind. She isn't sure if it's her hair (which is a little too dark, but a close enough length) or her height (a little too tall, but again, close enough) that makes her worry for the briefest moment that the Capitol's decided to surprise her by bringing her son to serve as a Tribute and put him in her district to fuck with her. After a moment she realizes that the girl is, in fact, not David and she can start breathing again. It takes another moment for her to remember the little bit of information she was given about her new Tributes. "Arya, right? I'm Clara."

[needlebearer]

She's both annoyed with herself that she was caught so easily, and relieved that she's not in trouble. It takes her a moment to reply, swallowing down the food she'd swiped before she does so, though her expression changes as Clara introduces herself, the name vaguely familiar.

"You're the one that won before, aren't you?" The one supposed to help her win.

[biomechatronic]

Things they don't cover in medical school: how one dresses for brunch with the woman whose husband you stripped of all emotions and who, the last time you saw her, you were patching her eyesocket with beauty products.

So he hopes his usual boring suit works, and the bouquet of flowers he picked up (no roses, because, well, it just doesn't seem appropriate), are all right, as he knocks on the suite door. At least he has the flowers to hide behind.

[seestheman]

Likewise, no amount of books on how to host large, social get-togethers dictate the proper way to make sure the peace is kept at a meal with a number of people who are going to be fighting each other to the death in a matter of weeks. Or how to try to truly forgive someone who hand a personal hand in what she had once been certain were the worst months of her life, even if he was trying to fix things then and trying to truly fix things now.

When Clara answers the door to the suite, it's with certainty that her helpers had things under control (and if they didn't, Albert could jump in to fix things since he had arrived earlier than almost anyone else to give her a hand). She has to think for a moment about who would knock instead of just walking in, like the others have so far. And the fact that it's Dr. Norton isn't as much of a shock as it could be. She raises an eyebrow, the one above the eyesocket that, instead of being empty like it had been the last time he'd seen it up close, now had a bionic eye that had been forced on her. "Flowers?" There's nothing scathing or rude in her voice, something more like bemusement and a laugh in her voice. "Come in," she says, stepping to the side to let him enter.

[biomechatronic]

Dennett finds it easy to forgive, less easy to forget. It's a little...creepy to run into people who killed you or wanted to kill you, but he's trying to convince himself he's 'safe' outside the arenas.

At least Clara is safe. Or, at least, no one would mass poison a breakfast buffet and he feels like a terrible person for even thinking like that!

"I thought, well, I should bring something." As opposed to all those times he showed up at her house with nothing but bad news and deception. "You look, uh, good. All things considered."

[asmilinggod]

Kevin is from District 6.

But for his own reasons, he had been up very early (does this guy even SLEEP, anyway?), and wandering around the tower, clipboard in hand. He's spent so much time recently in his room while not actively working that his body has begun to get restless; paperwork just isn't enough to satisfy his need to be REALLY WORKING.

So now he's wandering past District 10's suite, and...ooh. Something tasty-smelling is going on, and...really, what's the harm in popping in? Could be a nice diversion one way or the other. Maybe he can even help!

Without a moment of trepidation, he strolls leisurely into the room, tone bright and grin brighter.

"Well, hi there! Gosh, this looks nice!"

[seestheman]

For all Clara's heard of Kevin, she's never actually met him until now. She remembers his crowning, of course. And hearing about how he won that first Arena she was in, but other than that he's kind of a giant question mark. A giant, creepy-by-reputation question mark.

So his appearance while she's putting out a stack of plates for the oncoming horde of friends/family/suitemates is definitely a shock, to say the very least. It's enough of one that she almost yelps and turns to stare at him with wide eyes (it's kind of weird, after months with one eye and a glass eye/empty socket and eye patch, depending on the day, to see things with proper depth perception again. And high def with the bionic right eye Justine had forced on her a few weeks before).

"Thanks," she says as she adjusts the plates a little bit. "I'm afraid we've never really met before, I'm Clara, Clara Murphy." She puts out the gleaming, metallic right hand she was fitted with in the weeks following her win in Arena 11 as she looks into his eerily-black eyes.

[asmilinggod]

The wide-eyed look is something that Kevin is very used to. It doesn't upset him, it doesn't even seem to register - instead, he just sticks out his own hand to shake Clara's. The shining metal doesn't put him off (gosh, back home there were SO MANY ANDROIDS AND CYBORGS, where would he be if he were surprised?), but the same may not be said for Clara's opinion of Kevin's own red-stained fingers.

"I'm Kevin! It's so nice to meet a fellow Victor, Clara. Congratulations on your promotion, by the way!"

[futilecycle]

Though Sigma rises early, most days he does not withdraw from his room. When Avoxes could bring food right to his door there was little reason to leave and stir up his social anxiety. But as the delicious scent of homemade fried food wafts through the District Suite, not even Sigma can resist investigating - for the first time in months, the door to Sigma's room cracks open and the quiet old man emerges.

The smell is unbelievable. It brings back with it memories over six decades old, memories of his mother waking, slow with sleep, to begin her son's morning with a nutritious home-cooked meal. He realizes suddenly that he never thought to do so for his own children, not once.

The Doctor shuffles into the kitchen and gawks awkwardly. The feast is gradually making itself from the frypan into serving dishes, and it is a sight in which Sigma has very few memories to compare. He clears his throat quietly, not to get Clara's attention, but so he might speak. There were times he went days without talking. "Ah. ...Was this meal for.. anyone in particular?"

[seestheman]

It's weird for Clara to think back on the fact that she's lived in the same space as Sigma for more than six months and yet she's certain she hasn't shared more than a few polite greetings with the man in all that time. She's never sure if it's because he's so openly pro-Capitol or just that, up until recently, they had very little in common (in her opinion, at least).

Clara's in the middle of flipping a pancake when he enters the kitchen. Some of the food is already making its way out to the table, thanks to her helpers (and one particular Avox that, despite her attempts to shoo him away, has been dutifully helping out with juicing various fruits and making sure there's plenty of coffee). She glances up from the frying pan for a moment to shake her head. "Not really. It's for the floor as a whole and a few friends who live throughout the building." She can't help but laugh slightly, "I figured food was the best way to get as many of my Tributes together as possible." Not that she sounds at all bitter when she says 'my Tributes.' Not at all.

[futilecycle]

Sigma swallows, watching her flip the pancake the way a starving child might. He is so focused on the food that he does not meet her gaze, but he does not mean to be rude: a smile smile, perhaps his first in many days, spreads on his lips. "...You figured correctly. Thank you, Ms. Murphy." His hands wring together nervously, excitedly. "...I cannot remember the last time I have seen freshly cooked food. I have lived on freeze-dried rations the past 45 years of my life. Do you have any idea what freeze-dried eggs taste like?"

He looks about the room to find an open seat, but the truth is, he does not want to leave Clara's side so quickly. The Doctor was lonely, and it was awkwardness that kept him from interacting with others, not misanthropy. "I suppose the food the Avox serve us might count. However..." The food the Avox provided at the touch of a button tasted like slavery and privilege and Sigma hated it. Not that he would admit such a thing openly, of course.

[eugoogly]

Though Derek's worried about the effect a sweet, festive and rich breakfast will have on his abs, he can't resist the smell of cooking eggs, bacon, sausage and waffles. It's really difficult, but he pulls himself out of bed, squinting as he enters the kitchen and stifling a yawn.

"Oh wow Clara," he says, "you didn't have to do this! It looks really fantastic! Thanks so much!"

Though Derek's not the brightest bulb in the breadbox, he's pretty sweet and unfailingly grateful for the nice things people do for him. Especially after the brutality of his first arena, he will absolutely suck up to the people who show him gentleness and kindness.

[seestheman]

There were two people on their floor who she was fairly certain might turn down eating from her breakfast spread for whatever reason. The first being Tom since...well, her relationship with Tom would best be summed up as completely awful. The second being Derek, since she was certain that fatty midwestern-style breakfasts wouldn't be his style. So Derek's praise is a pleasant surprise.

"It's no big deal," she says in an attempt to downplay it. "I used to do this for my husband and son before...it's nice to do something that seems normal, really." Using a pair of tongs, she lays some of the slices of pan-fried bacon that she's cooking on a paper towel. "I thought it'd be a good way for us to get to know each other." Never mind that there are a handful of people from other Districts here as well.

"So, any special requests?" There's an air to her that hasn't been there before, one of something bordering on peace, as if doing this has helped pull her mind from all the trouble that comes with being in Panem.

[eugoogly]

Derek's life has been aglow with adoration and luxury for many years, but he comes from humble stock. Greasy breakfast food isn't exactly New York City supermodel fare, but it sticks to the ribs of hardworking coal miners, and it does stir some nostalgia in the District 10 tribute. He grabs a plate eagerly, going for a piece of bacon. Just one, there's no sense going overboard and undoing all the hard workouts he's been putting himself through.

"Oh, so... like a breakfast social hour. That's a really good idea," he says supportively. "Like to boost morals or something. District 10 is lucky to have such a nice Mentor."

Assuming a few things about their CR, feel free to correct me and I'll edit

[silberfuchs]

Albert's early, as he usually is whenever he and Clara have met up since her crowning. Generally it's for coffee or a trip to the bookstore or general outings where they can at least try to let go of some worries of Panem's circus and talk about the more private things that may be bothering them. Or rather, Albert lets Clara talk and offers advice where he can.

This event is a little different though, and for this he turns up early not to wait for her but instead to help with any of the cooking she's doing. He's not exactly a culinary whiz, but he knows enough to act as sous-chef to Clara's lead and between the two of them they can keep anything of the veritable smorgasbord of breakfast foods from burning before it hits the table and is devoured by the hungry masses.

He also makes sure that Clara eats some herself. After running around for nearly an hour, he forces her into sitting at the table and plunks a plate of breakfast and a glass of orange juice before her like a trophy. "I've got this round, have a seat."

Looks good! :3

[seestheman]

Out of everyone she's met in Panem, Albert isn't at the top of her list of people who she would obviously become friends with. That being said, having him as a friend and confidante has made some things easier, especially after the Capitol's 'gift' of a bionic eye (that she's still wary about and wears an eyepatch over whenever she's going somewhere that she thinks might have the slightest possibility of seditious conversation).

While she would never go so far as to say that they're now best friends, she does know that no amount of protest that, really, she's fine and needs to finish up the latest batch of pancakes will work on him. "You could take a break too," she says, glancing towards the kitchen where the Initiate and Clem are putting the cooking lesson she gave them to work. "I think they've got enough of a handle on it that we can step away for a few minutes."

Or at least she hopes. And if not, she's confident that someone can get to their feet fast enough to put out any possible fire that may erupt.

[silberfuchs]

"Well..." He glances at Initiate and Clementine as well, then shrugs and sits with her. If anything, coming to the same conclusion that they're all close enough to avoid any major disasters. "Alright."

He smiles gently, chair turned so he can stretch his legs out a bit and be ready to jump up should anyone need anything, but more relaxed than even he would have thought considering where they are. Panem is strange like that. There's always the stressful buzz of knowledge that they'll be shoved back into the Arena or have to watch their friends suffer the same, but the time in between becomes so precious that it's difficult not to enjoy it on some level, especially something as simple as breakfast with a friend.

"How have you been since we last spoke?" Which was likely before the space Arena. He's glad Clara didn't have to participate, but being inundated with the Games coverage, watching everyone's grisly deaths, including his own at the hands of the Hulk, could not have been pleasant.

[onedirectiony]

Things have felt a little off since the last arena, but he wasn't about to tell anyone that. That would require him admitting that he disliked the idea that Thor wasn't around. Still, he walked with purpose as he moved through the halls of the different floors. He could smell something from District 10, though.

The breakfast meats were what drew him in.

Without even asking (when does he ever), he moved in and snagged a piece of bacon which had been off to the side.

"This is actually perfect bacon."

[seestheman]

There were certain things that Clara had been sure would call people to breakfast like a siren song. Much like the smell of maple syrup used to summon David or the smell of sausage links would be enough to get Alex out of bed after a late night, she had been sure that the siren song of sizzling bacon would call to Loki.

And it was a good feeling to know that she's right.

"The trick is pan-frying it," she said as she laid down a piece on a paper towel so it could soak up some of the excess bacon fat. "If you microwave it, it doesn't properly cook in the fat." She grinned at him. "So were you just meandering, or did the bacon alarm go off in your head?"

room for one more?

[cowcatcher]

Everything post-arena has been one rough adjustment. Despite her overall anger, there's some things she can't even pretend to loathe. It's been really nice to have running water again, and not waking up chilled to the bone and filthy. Still, the electricity powering the tower constantly thrumming in the background is just another of several reasons to lose sleep over. Jane doesn't rest well unless she exhausts herself training -- seriously, she can practically feel the lights of the Capitol boring through her window even when the shutters block it out. She's just too aware of the life around her.

This morning, it's the smell of breakfast cooking that rouses her. Jane lies back and breathes deeply, letting the aroma just about overwhelm her. For someone who had assumed she'd go the rest of a brutal, meager life without seeing a complete meal again, this is already bordering on surreal. She gets up and dresses, skipping over her training gear for once. It doesn't take her long to finish, but she hesitates at her bedroom door, nearly opting to wait for all the commotion outside to die down before stepping out to grab a bite for herself. Then she remembers that as far as food goes, she's been lured into socializing for much less.

That doesn't mean she has to be very socially adjusted about it, though. After standing there a moment, bleary-eyed and very much out of her element, Jane edges towards the kitchen where she spies Clara, who she's only shared glances with since her arrival.

"... Morning."

of course!

[seestheman]

Clara would be the first person to admit that she's not the ideal Mentor. She knows very little about fighting or survival. Hell, she's the lowest scored Tribute to win recently, to the best of her knowledge. As much as she wants to help, she doesn't know how other than luring in sponsors. She isn't sure if it's out of shame because of that or because it's finally hitting her that she's going to to have to keep watching all of them die in the Arena and it'll be a little bit easier if she just thinks of them as people she lives with instead of friends.

Of course, Clara's terrible at staying detached from the situation, no matter how hard she tries. It's part of the reason why she's doing this breakfast in the first place.

"Morning," she says, pouring the obviously not-fully-awake girl a cup of coffee and sliding it over to her before going back to flipping a piece of panfried bacon before putting the tongs down and walking over to her, offering her outstretched, metal right hand. "I'm Clara. I'm sorry we haven't had the chance to meet before this. I've..." Been too chickenshit. "...been busy recently."