[ OPEN ] That haunted house was our tunnel of love.

[hostage]

Date & Time: After dinnertime on October 31 (forward-dated)
Location: Cafeteria
Characters: OPEN!
Summary: As mentioned here, it's half a cookie-baking party and half a Halloween celebration.
Warnings: Warnings in subject lines if necessary (???)
Notes: Party-style! Just tag in and tag around. And don't cause too much trouble or you'll be, um, escorted out.

[For anyone who's been at any of the previous baking sessions, the setup is much the same, only larger in scale now that they're in a cafeteria instead of Unit 409's kitchen. Supplies and ingredients are everywhere, including food dye, nuts, sprinkles, and frosting. Anyone who's new at this will at least have gotten five minutes of instruction from Jesse, though the recipe is written and on display for anyone who's forgotten details. It's all very simple and easy-to-understand, because your host is also very simple and easy-to-understand. How exactly you decide to flavor and decorate the cookies is left up to you.

The cafeteria itself has been livened up with Halloween decorations. Snacks have been provided so the party-goers don't end up eating all the cookies meant for newcomers. And there's music! Some of it appropriately themed, some of it the hip hop and dubstep that can typically be found on Jesse's iPod. The atmosphere is relaxed and people can be expected to make a mess.]

Comments

[ready_to_bloom]

[Caspian's not in costume, since he's still not clear on Halloween, but he's here and doing his best to bake some cookies. Which he doesn't know how to make, but he's pretty good at following instructions. So far.

Also, he's well-covered in flour, as he pulls a tray from the oven and peers at the cookies.]

Not burnt. A good start.

[controlledvariable]

[She's on her way to go harrass Ellie, but when Caspian speaks up, Steph pauses and replies without missing a beat:]

But do they taste good? That's the important part.

[And she totally just plucked one of the cookies off the tray, tossing it from hand to hand while it cools down.

Don't let her put it in her mouth yet, she'll regret it.]

[ready_to_bloom]

[Caspian can't help but smile as she juggles the cookie.]

I hope so! But they're still very hot, be careful!

[controlledvariable]

Pfft, careful.

[Careful is for suckers.

Which is why she's breaking off a piece of cookie and popping it in her mouth. At least she let it cool down enough that her tongue only gets a bit burnt.]

Ow. [She's good at things] Not too bad, though, I think they'll be nice and crunchy once they cool down.

[ready_to_bloom]

[He's relieved at her assessment. Cookie success!]

Not bad then, for my first attempt. Do you think they would be good with frosting? Maybe... orange? [Since that seems to be a theme.]

[controlledvariable]

Jesse's recipe is pretty good.

[She sounds fond; despite knowing it's probably going to get her killed one day, she really does like Jesse.]

Orange could work, or - hey, we could do spiderwebs on 'em.

[That's totally Halloween themed, considering the spiderwebs drawn in eyeliner at the corner's of her eyes.]

[ready_to_bloom]

[Caspian's noticed the spiderwebs - he thinks it's very clever done on her eyes. Although he still doesn't get Halloween.]

Is that what Halloween is? A celebration of spiders... and orange?

Oh, and I'm Caspian, by the way. [He'd offer to shake hands, but his are rather floury. So he settles for a quick bow instead.]

[controlledvariable]

Of scary things, the orange comes from pumpkins, which we carve into jack-o-lanterns.

[Which isn't really an accurate explanation, but she can give the detailed one if he really wants it.

The bow gets a smile and a soft laugh, not meanly, she just thinks it's sweet, especially because she wouldn't have minded about floury hands.]

Steph. [She curtseys in return, a playful sort of gesture.] Nice to meet you, Caspian.

[ready_to_bloom]

Ah! Scary things! [Suddenly some of the costumes and decorations make a bit more sense.] And you celebrate with scary kinds of foods? Then yes, we must decorate the cookies with spiderwebs.

[Bowing is more natural for him in any case, but he's noticed that most people here prefer to shake hands. But her curtsey delights him.]

It's a pleasure, Steph.

[beardedflannel]

Might wanna wait til they've cooled to be sure.

[Joel's just passing by when he hears Caspian speaking up, noticing all the flour the boy's covered in.

Seems like everyone's bathing in the stuff rather than using it for baking.]

[ready_to_bloom]

[Caspian's unaware of just how much flour he managed to get on him, rather than in the cookies.

He glances up and smiles - thank you for saving him from burning his mouth, Joel.]

Good point. It's my first try, so I think I'm mostly aiming for edible.

[beardedflannel]

Let 'em rest, then. They ain't gonna go anywhere on you.

[He nods when the younger man smiles. And then looks to all of the cookies Caspian's baked in his first batch. Not bad, not bad. But he's no Jesse Pinkman, aka pro at telling cookies apart.]

[ready_to_bloom]

[He puts the tray down to cool, feeling like he should watch the cookies, but that's ridiculous and he knows it.]

Have you been baking too?

[beardedflannel]

Watchin' them that way ain't gonna make 'em cool any faster.

[ Amused. ]

Not yet. Looks like there's plenty of people 'round already.

[ready_to_bloom]

[You've caught him, and now he's slightly embarrassed.] I guess I just feel like I must keep a watch.

Yes, I think lots of people need something to do, up here.

[beardedflannel]

Only thing you gotta keep a watch out for are grubby fingers.

[ready_to_bloom]

[He peers down at his hands, which are sticky if not grubby.]

I did wash before, but I should do so again.

[walkingarsenal]

[Carrying a tray over to go into the oven, Fili throws the stranger's achievement a glance.]

Are you going to taste test them?

[ready_to_bloom]

I will. Should let them cool first, I suppose.

Would you like to try one?

[walkingarsenal]

[Fili sets his tray down.]

I'd call it our duty, before we hand them out. Why don't we trade? [He nods at his still unbaked baking effort.] ... As soon as they're done.

[ready_to_bloom]

Our duty indeed! [Caspian glances at the unbaked cookies.] Although I must say, they are pretty tasty uncooked even.

[He waves a floury hand.] I'm Caspian.

[walkingarsenal]

I have a feeling that you're not the only one to think so. [After a quick look cast around, he turns back to Caspian and smiles.] Fili. Well met, Caspian.

I hope you don't mind slow tags!

[ready_to_bloom]

[Caspian takes the tray and slides it into the oven and... hey that name is kind of familiar!] Are you Kili's brother? He is a new friend, and he said his brother was here...

Always completely fine!

[walkingarsenal]

[About to thank Caspian for taking care of the waiting tray, Fili leaves it at a nod that doubles as a response to Caspian's question.]

You've guessed it, I'm that brother. If you're looking for Kili, he's over there. [He points into the direction where he last saw Kili getting various ingredients on himself.]

[ready_to_bloom]

I will say hello to him! After I taste these cookies. [He can't help a grin at that.]

Is this your first time with the cookie baking?