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

[cursebreaker]

Oh. [ She frowns a little. ] I do not think so... The twenty-first century of what Age?

[forever_jack]

Ah. He studies her again, eyes narrowed.

Anno domini. [But he doesn't expect that to spark any recognition in her.]

I'd say it seems rather likely you're from a different world altogether. I did wonder earlier when you mentioned Delphi being a city state, but... Different dimension, or alternative universe perhaps, where things ran a little differently to my universe?

[cursebreaker]

[ She does look rather confused by what he's saying. ]

A different universe? I thought the universe was the biggest thing there was and there was nothing beyond it.

[forever_jack]

[He inclines his head with a grin.]

Well, yeah, that's true. But there are also a lot of other universes sitting alongside it. Kind of like really big bubbles, each one self-contained but occasionally allowing things to cross through.

[His grin widens, though his eyes are sympathetic.] I know, it can be rather mind-boggling when you first come across the theory!

[cursebreaker]

[ Her eyes sort of glaze over for a moment as she pictures it in her head. So there's even more beyond the endless sea of stars that spread out beyond reckoning. ]

It almost seems scary, that there can be so much out there. So much that's unknown. Is that silly?

[forever_jack]

Not silly at all. It's hard to comprehend, even for someone who's been out there amongst the stars. It's such a massive shift in scale, from our day to day lives on Earth to the whole universe, and even more universes beyond that!

[He grins.] It can make you feel rather small and insignificant in the face of all that!

[Yes, really - even him!]

[cursebreaker]

[ Evelina nods solemnly. ]

I have never considered myself very big to begin with, but now I feel even smaller. It is hard to fully understand it all. Maybe it's better if I don't try.

[ Things are easier when they're simple. ]

[forever_jack]

[He chuckles.] Yeah, I shouldn't worry too much about it, if I were you! Especially at a party. This is supposed to be a lighthearted evening! We're here to have fun!

[He cocks his head as Ingvar strikes up a cheerful tune on his accordion, and quirks an eyebrow at Evelina.]

Do you dance?

[cursebreaker]

[ She looks down and nods at what he's saying. At a party she shouldn't be getting twisted in knots about what's out there beyond what she can see. It's a bit too much. ]

I dance a little. I'm afraid I don't know any actual dances with a partner. I just move to the music.

[forever_jack]

[He takes half a second to congratulate himself on managing to distract her from thoughts that are way too deep for a party, and then grins.]

Well, I'm not sure I actually know any dances that are really appropriate for this kind of music, but I'm game if you are! This is kind of folk music, I think. But I'm strong lead and I can wing it!

[Offering her a hand to lead her towards the dancing.]

[cursebreaker]

[ She hesitates a moment before holding out her hand and briefly touching it against his like she's testing something. When nothing visibly happens, she allows him to take her hand. ]

All right.

[forever_jack]

[That's a slightly curious kind of hesitation there - not quite the normal nerves regarding touching someone new - but whatever it is, she overcomes it and he closes his fingers over hers warmly.]

Great! Come on!

((OOC: Leave it here so they can move on?))

[cursebreaker]

[ ooc: sounds good! ]