Blood's thicker than mud

[radiantly]

WHO: Angelica, Pietro, Charles, Erik, Raven, Gemma, & Black Bolt
WHERE: Casa de Maximoff
WHEN: Saturday night
WARNINGS: Awkward.
SUMMARY: The most terrifying family reunion of all time. Plus a power outage.
FORMAT: Whatever you like.  I'll post different times throughout the evening, and people can tag in however! :)

The kids were out of the house for the evening and it was finally time for the long awaited extended family dinner gathering.  Angelica wasn't the best cook in the world, but she was feeling somewhat ambitious for this important occasion. The result of her ambition and a little extra effort was an extra tasty looking salmon dish and some cheesecake for dessert. Once the food was in the oven, she went about setting the table, then quickly put on her outfit.

Now it was only a matter of time before the guests arrived and their night of awkward could begin.

Comments

Arrivals

[radiantly]

[The guests of honor begin to arrive at Angelica & Pietro's Brooklyn brownstone. They will be greeted by Raffi and Leopold. Feel free to wander around the living room, make yourself at home!]

[oxfordian]

Charles arrived promptly on time to the event — never late (of course), though also quite unaccustomed to arriving early. He'd found in his life, however, that arriving right on time was often just the same as arriving early and he blinked to realise he was the only one present so far, though he did not mind it. He was polite to both the animals and glad to know that he was not entirely the only one present, before crossing the room and calling out his arrival in amusement. "Ah, hello!" he called, before finding a seat in the most comfortable looking chair he'd seen in a while and easily plopping himself down upon it in pleasure.

[superspeeds]

"Good evening, Professor." Pietro greeted, eying the young (moreso than himself even, it seemed) Xavier with no small amount of cynical curiosity. It was a wonder of the world in which they currently lived that Pietro was even able to see such a profound figure in this stage of his existence. Not that he was unfamiliar with the older Xavier, of course. Merely, it was startling to observe how time changed everyone, regardless of their supposed status as a timeless icon.

[oxfordian]

Charles stood as he was greeted, looking eager to finally meet Pietro in person. He outstretched his hand for a shake and nodded his head. It was interesting to see Pietro — he had very slight features here and there that echoed Erik's own, though his mannerisms were much different (a fact Charles assumed was due to his separate upbringing). It was fascinating in a way that Charles had not expected, and that fascination joined his eagerness in his eyes and smile.

"It is nice to finally meet you in person."

[singlemanlytear]

It was only a matter of minutes after Charles' arrival that Erik showed up at the doorstep as well. Even without Charles' sense of manners that sometimes bordered on uptight, Erik had still been raised with a certain sense of propriety. He was looking forward to seeing Angelica in person, and some part of him was still incredibly curious about his son even if Pietro did not seem to have a high opinion of him. He smiled just a bit as he made his way through the door and saw that Charles had already arrived, knowing deep down that the telepath's presence would help dissuade any discomfort that Erik may encounter.

[radiantly]

Angelica went to the door to greet Erik, smiling warmly as she tried to shoo her pets away from him. He seemed larger than life; even if he wasn't the mysterious figure of her world, he was certainly an imposing figure, especially when compared to his very petite daughter-in-law. Angelica tried not to seem intimidated. It was always easier to put on a brave face if she had a mask to hide behind, though.

"Welcome to our home," she said as she offered to take his coat. "Please, make yourself comfortable. We're still waiting on a few other guests."

[singlemanlytear]

Erik chuckled a bit at the small animals who had been hovering around the doorway. He smiled in return at Angelica as he removed his hat and coat. He could not help but feel relieved that it had been Angelica to greet him first rather than Pietro, even if his son had been slightly less cold in their more recent conversations. It made his entrance into the home seem more welcoming. "Thank you for having me," he replied. "Your home is quite lovely."

[radiantly]

"Thank you." There was a small hint of pride in her voice. She was quite proud of their home and all the work they had put into it. It was the only place in the City that truly was both hers and Pietro's. Their unusual tastes seemed to come together in rather unusual ways, with her favorite sculpted art pieces side by side with his hand carved marionettes. It could be overwhelming and sometimes claustrophobic, but Angelica was pleased with what they'd made together.

"Can I get you a drink or something?"

[singlemanlytear]

Erik moved to take a seat beside Charles and gave a small nod. "A drink would be appreciated," he replied. He took another moment to appreciate the interior of their house.

[blackagar]

[ What who invited this douchebag-- oh wait that's Black Bolt, for once not dressed like a... guy that really loves dramatic silver stripes. He's just in totally normal clothes for once, from slacks to button-up shirt. But he's still not real talkative as he makes his way into his own seat. Across from Charles, because that just seems wise. ]

[radiantly]

Hello, Your Majesty!

[Angie gives him an awkward wave oh god this is so awkward all of a sudden.]

Can I get you something to drink?

[blackagar]

[ His smile is perfectly warm and cordial in greeting, and the question gets a nod. He even tosses a glance over to whatever it is Charles has there, that will do. ]

[radiantly]

Awesome! Just a moment, I'll be right back.

[She smiles warmly before disappearing into the kitchen to get beverages.]

The Dinner

[radiantly]

[The guests are seated in the dinning room and dinner is served. Now's the time for awkward small talk, deep and meaningful family conversations, etc.]

[radiantly]

Angelica was sitting, awkwardly pushing her fish around her plate. She enjoyed a good conversation, but she had an overwhelming fear that she'd somehow messed up by inviting everyone to dine all together. Things weren't exactly going as planned.

She cleared her throat softly, paused a moment, then spoke. "So, um, everyone's pretty much settled into the City, right?"

[oxfordian]

Charles could sense the awkwardness without even the necessity of reading anyone's thoughts; something that he was sure would only exacerbate the feelings between members at the table instead of creating a common ground. He looked over to Angelica and smiled in a way that was almost apologetic, before he answered her question with ease.

"I certainly have," he said then, smiling very gently, before glancing around at the rest of the table. "It is nice to have picked up a job so quickly and for that I'm incredibly thankful."

The Power Outage

[radiantly]

[Suddenly the entire City is plunged into darkness. What do.]

[blackagar]

[ SOMEONE SLIPS OUT HIS HANDY-DANDY HEADPIECE, IS WHAT. and then oh hey, instant glowing sparks going on over here. nice, huh. For like two seconds he debates continued eating, but decides other people will probably prefer to be surprised and shocked and he had probably better wait for that to pass. ]

[psychomancy]

[After the power went out, Gemma's magic needed only a moment to react. She could feel it shift within her, and suddenly a slight glow began to emit from her body. She was a bit annoyed, but it was better than nothing. It was only then that she noticed that the strange man she didn't quite know was holding a... tuning fork? She couldn't help but stare. But she tried to lighten the mood just a bit.]

Well, this is quite the predicament, hm?

[radiantly]

[Angelica was shocked and surprised too, letting out a small squeak before letting instinct take hold. She took began to emit light, a faint amber glow that illuminated her place setting and the two on either side of her.]

Heh. I think we have some candles in the bedroom...

[blackagar]

[ There might be the tiniest of smiles going on over here, and CHARLES HEY CHARLES PINGING CHARLES, Black Bolt would like to communicate that they seem to have some candles out here as well, as a matter of fact. ]

[oxfordian]

[ Charles blinks as he gathers Black Bolt's thoughts in his vicinity — welp, it's not too difficult for him to pick up on his necessity. lol telepath and everything. ] Black Bolt would like to say that we have some candles out here.

[ Charles is laughing a little at the entire predicament, but he can't help but be disappointed that he doesn't glow in the dark in any way. ]

[psychomancy]

[Gemma turned her gaze first towards Angie and then towards Charles' general direction. She still wasn't quite sure what to make of him and... Pietro's father, but. She nodded in agreement, her head tilting slightly in Black Bolt's general direction. It was something of a mystery to her as to why he wasn't speaking himself, but she wasn't about to question it. Instead, she turned to face the other redhead, who was glowing quite nicely:]

Right, then. Where are they exactly, Angie?

[radiantly]

[It's a good thing the dark is masking Angelica's blush. If only she wasn't glowing a little bit more because of it. Oh well.]

In the living room, by the fireplace, I think. If not, there's probably some in the bathroom, too.

[superspeeds]

There are some in the bedroom. I'll go retrieve them.

[Pietro shot up, tripping over the leg of his chair in the darkness. Fortunately it wasn't enough to really slow him down. He returned a few seconds (and another crash) later with several small, decorative looking candles, placing them in front of Angie.]

Darling, if you would.

[singlemanlytear]

[Erik was only briefly surprised by the loss of light, though it did not seem to last long. He raised his eyebrows as various light sources filled the room, letting out a soft chuckle. The situation seems under control enough for the time being, though he does give a gesture in the direction of Pietro's overturned chair, causing the chair to turn itself upright and settle in place.]

Does this sort of thing happen around here often?

[psychomancy]

[Gemma was about to offer to retrieve the candles, but by the time she took a breath to speak, Pietro had already left and come back. She might have rolled her eyes just a bit. He was such a show off, but she couldn't say that she wasn't, as she held up her hand, using the magic to materialize a candle from nowhere in her waiting palm. She pinched two fingers over the wick and it was lit in a moment. She placed it on the table, angling herself towards Erik.]

Not really. At least, not that I've noticed. [Says the girl who barely uses electricity in her house anyway...]

[blackagar]

[ Well hey. With candles arriving and people glowing, there's really no need to keep the tuning fork around. The circlet disappears back where ever it'd come from, and he's perfectly happy to settle back and unconcernedly keep eating. ]

[radiantly]

We haven't had a power outage since we moved to Brooklyn.

[Angelica snapped her fingers and a small ball of fire appeared in her hand, just large enough to light the remaining candles.]

It's usually pretty quiet in this part of the City. And well lit.

[singlemanlytear]

Ah, it is good to hear that these disruptions do not occur often.

[He takes a sip of his drink, seeming content to not let the power outage cause any more of an inconvenience than it has to.]

Etc.

[radiantly]

[Any other random interactions from various points in the evening!]