If it's before dinner's served, Collette can be seen helping arrange settings at the tables, moving things that fit well on her lap around, directing people for the things she can't do easily with a grin and a nudge. She avoided the kitchens, unless someone plops something down in front of her that needed chopping. There's no room for her in there, and she's fine with that.
Of course, it doesn't do much to explain how she ended up with fingerpaint on her hands, a smear of orange across her cheek and an amused quirk to her lips. "Okay," she said, "Not as planned. Hey, can you get my a napkin or a towel or something?" She didn't want to repaint her chair and wheels in the process of moving beforehand.
Then, during the feast, she stationed herself close to the top of the table, handing out pens and otherwise chatting and taking in the sight of anyone who came by. It didn't need to be all that many people. Collette was grateful for the familiar faces, and the new, all at once. With how chaotic the month had been, she hadn't even been able to keep up with the standard comings and goings of the Transport ranks.
And she was in a much better mood than she had been, though with her, it was difficult to tell how this version of cheery and upbeat was different than the previous. More spontaneity, perhaps. The stint back in her home city, no matter how different it really was from home, did a number for lifting her spirits in the best of ways.
"Did you know the turkey was going to be the States' national bird at one point?" If her history recall was flawed, then it was definitely flawed toward more interesting conversation pieces.
Later than that, she took her own space at a table, eating sparingly and sipping at water and pretending it being colder meant it tasted less stale.
By the time things wound down, Collette was barely managing to stay awake and still stubbornly trying to help with clean-up. Each time she started to fade, staring dazedly at a glass in hand, or a plate on a table, she'd shake her head and bring herself back to the present, like some wind-up toy kicking back into motion when it's almost wound completely down. "I swear to whoever there were totally not this many dishes this morning," she said by reflex, tossing a smile at anyone stopping by. "Okay, got another one coming to the kitchens! Are we clear yet out here?"
before/during/after, open
Of course, it doesn't do much to explain how she ended up with fingerpaint on her hands, a smear of orange across her cheek and an amused quirk to her lips. "Okay," she said, "Not as planned. Hey, can you get my a napkin or a towel or something?" She didn't want to repaint her chair and wheels in the process of moving beforehand.
Then, during the feast, she stationed herself close to the top of the table, handing out pens and otherwise chatting and taking in the sight of anyone who came by. It didn't need to be all that many people. Collette was grateful for the familiar faces, and the new, all at once. With how chaotic the month had been, she hadn't even been able to keep up with the standard comings and goings of the Transport ranks.
And she was in a much better mood than she had been, though with her, it was difficult to tell how this version of cheery and upbeat was different than the previous. More spontaneity, perhaps. The stint back in her home city, no matter how different it really was from home, did a number for lifting her spirits in the best of ways.
"Did you know the turkey was going to be the States' national bird at one point?" If her history recall was flawed, then it was definitely flawed toward more interesting conversation pieces.
Later than that, she took her own space at a table, eating sparingly and sipping at water and pretending it being colder meant it tasted less stale.
By the time things wound down, Collette was barely managing to stay awake and still stubbornly trying to help with clean-up. Each time she started to fade, staring dazedly at a glass in hand, or a plate on a table, she'd shake her head and bring herself back to the present, like some wind-up toy kicking back into motion when it's almost wound completely down. "I swear to whoever there were totally not this many dishes this morning," she said by reflex, tossing a smile at anyone stopping by. "Okay, got another one coming to the kitchens! Are we clear yet out here?"