Summer 1 - Welcome dinner

[kollomods]

[ It's the very first dinner on Norrhamn and the kitchen staff (???) has really gone all out. The counter is covered by a variety of the finest cuisine Sweden has to offer — sandwich cakes of every variety, from the classic salmon and shrimp to ham and horse radish or more modern, vegan varieties with avocado and cherry tomatoes. There's a smaller table set out with strawberry and cream cake, and the traditional spread of seven different types of shortbread cookies. Of course there's coffee and tea by the bucketload, along with other drinks such as elderberry or lingonberry squash. The community center has been decorated for the occasion with bunting and strings of lights leading out into the garden. It's still early summer so the nights are mild and surprisingly bright — the sun has yet to fully set by the time the celebrations kick off. Better get used to the light, it's not getting darker anytime soon. ]

Comments

b.

[unwieldy]

[ Sitting off to the side is one of Haein's favorite pastimes. He's no social butterfly and the food was okay, but not incentive enough for him to properly engage with anyone or anything.

He's not really approaching Kieren to approach him, more like wanting a seat for himself to get away. He catches the quiet words and pauses for a moment to briefly glance at the speaker, then drops down a couple of seats from Kieren with a huff. ]

I thought it was a joke.

[facings]

[ the slightly wry look he gives Haein is in understanding that he's likely met a fellow member of the not-here-for-socializing club — and furthermore, someone who shares his thoughts on this whole thing. ]

Me too, [ he says with a faint grimace. ] Didn't think anyone was ever actually going to read what I wrote. I'm still not sure this isn't some kind of scam.

[ in his experience, people don't just arrange a nice holiday for those who happen to ask for it. ]

[unwieldy]

[ A nice vacation revealed to be a scam would fit so well with the theme of Haein's life. ]

They'll want something from us if this is a scam. [ Keeps his gaze fixed on the other guests as he addresses Kieren. ] It's too early to tell.

[ Haein's naturally suspicious, but he's also really in need of this break... ]

[facings]

People always want something. [ it's just a fact — even if this is real, even if it's a nice vacation and all... there's no way the people arranging all this won't ask them to do something.

and sure, maybe it won't be anything bad... but Kieren's not holding his breath. ]

I guess we'll have to wait and see. [ then, after a pause, ] I'm Kieren. Kieren Walker. [ the "and you?" goes unsaid, but it's definitely there. ]

[unwieldy]

[ Oh boy, Haein knows that sentiment awfully well. Growing up as (basically) a genie will do that.

And it's okay, the unspoken question is heard. He wasn't completely raised by wolves. ]

Haein.

[ Turns to properly face Kieren. ]

You want something from this place as well, don't you? Otherwise you wouldn't be here.

[facings]

Nice to meet you. [ a touch of a smile as he says that. as for the question, it makes his smile turn somewhat wry. ]

More that I didn't want to be where I was, before. This was the only way out.

[unwieldy]

[ Too bad Kieren gets no formalities back. It's not him, it's Haein. He'd probably bite his tongue off first rather than try to be polite. ]

We have that in common.

[ But hey! That's kind of like regular people conversation. ]

It's a tempting offer for the desperate.

this is so horribly late i'm honestly ashamed

[facings]

[ there's sympathy in his eyes, though he says nothing — it's hardly like a remark like that warrants for any comment like, oh, nice. ]

... it is. Which makes it even more suspicious.

[ because if it's an offer the desperate can't refuse... offers like that don't just appear out of nowhere. not in his experience. ]

it's okay we've all been there!!

[unwieldy]

[ Look at that, they can be a couple of distrustful fools together. ]

Hm. [ Lifts one shoulder up in a shrug. ] Like you said, only time will tell.

[ Mostly because he's not proactive enough to go snooping around for the truth. ]

[facings]

And in the meantime... [ a corner of his mouth tilts up in a wry, somewhat self-deprecating smile. ]

We might as well make the most of this.

[ because the fact stands: this is still far, far better than anything he's had in the past couple of years. ]

[unwieldy]

I plan to.

[ Haein doesn't remember the last time he's just settled down into a place without the fear and anxiety of potentially vanishing without a moment's notice.

He stands up from his chair, sending a small nod Kieren's way. ]

I'll leave you to it.