halcyon_houses

Who: Wes and Cat
Where: Her room
What: A dinner promised, a dinner cooked
When: Around seven

The first time they'd met, she'd promised a home cooked meal and tonight she would make good on that. He'd mentioned that his favorite food was carne guisado and she had promised her homeland's closest equivalent, feijoada. She didn't make it often, it was most definitely an acquired taste, and one it seemed not many people were in the mood for. Plus, there was a certain spice factor not everyone appreciated. Cat like her food hot, but then she'd been raised with it that way and so she often toned down the heat a bit for those not quite as used to it as she was. While the feijoada cooked during the day, she left only a bit of the usual spice out, figuring that Wes was man enough to take a little bit of flavor. It smelled amazing, filling her room with a heated, exotic scent that reminded her of home, of cooking as a little girl or studying in school to perfect her skills.

Cat split her time between the kitchen and her own private cooking during the day, dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans and a tank top, changing into a gauzy maroon halter top as it drew closer and closer to the time when Wes would arrive. She wasn't in the mood to get all gussied up - her feet were bare, her hair pinned casually back out of her face, make-up light - but this was enough to avoid being a bit too dressed down for a date. She was comfortable with Wes, didn't feel the need to get all dolled up for him to impress. Tonight, she'd let her food do the talking.

At 6:30, she moved to set two places at the table and turned down the stove's heat so that the feijoada was merely simmering now. She checked the fridge for drink options, not sure exactly what she had to offer but there was a bottle of red wine beneath the sink she knew and plenty of beer chilling, so that was taken care of. In fact, she uncorked the wine right then and there, pouring herself a glass to taste how well it matched with dinner. The pair went quite well together actually, a satisfying surprise. Cat moved to open the curtains of the window near the table, letting natural light fill the room in place of all the overhead business she hated. They had about an our of good, soft light left and it seemed fitting. Music was already playing in the background, a sultry rumba beat from back home - she was completely in her element tonight, totally comfortable. He'd once wanted a window into her world...tonight he was definitely getting that.

She was just taking dinner off the stove when she heard the knock at the door, pulling it open to greet Wes with a warm smile. "Hey, things are just about ready, come on in," she stepped aside to let him pass, closing the door behind him. "I've got beer or wine...I didn't know what you'd feel like drinking tonight."

Who: Halcyon Staff
Where: Common room in the Staff Building
When: Saturday Afternoon
What: Staff get together

The week had been a quiet one for Dove, and she was happy to have that brief moment of calm. The student body, even though she knew there was always some social drama happening, had been in a good mood this week. There wasn't anybody clamoring at her door to get in, no one seemed to have had any vent worthy situations to talk about. Not too many in the school had any serious problems, most of the time people just needed to vent to someone that had an outside perspective on the situation. It amused her sometimes though, when people of the same social circle would knock on her door, all with related problems. She always encouraged them to talk to their friends about it, they would undoubtedly be a wonderful support system for them, when she herself wasn't always available. Of course, if they actually listened to that particular piece of advice, she might be out of a job. On the other hand, she didn't know too many psychologists who would deal with supernatural beings.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft chime sounding from an alarm on her laptop. There was a staff get together of some fashion happening today, and Dove decided she would make an appearance. Having been here for awhile, she was friendly with the staff, but between the newcomers and everyone's busy schedules, she hadn't devoted as much time to them as she should. It was healthy to have social connections, and unhealthy not to maintain them. That's what the general gist of most of her books had told her, and she just happened to agree. It was time to put a name to new faces and remind herself of others. Dove was a cheerful person and very easy to get along with, so she didn't feel that anxiety some might about a bunch of people in the same room together.

Shutting her laptop down and tidying up her desk she got ready to head down to the commons room in the staff house. Quickly, she scribbled a note on a post-it that would be taped to her front door. It explained that she would be out of her office for the afternoon and if an emergency came about to find a guard who would be able to reach her. She never knew when someone would try to unhinge her door in an existential crisis. It didn't take long to get herself together, and she was off.

Arriving in the commons room, she had hoped she dressed appropriately. It was a saturday, but it was still a staff gathering so she wanted to appear casual and professional at the same time. She wore a pair of dark jeans, black healed boots, and an emerald green wrap around sweater. He hair was left loose in long curls and her make-up wasn't much, a very light dusting of eyeshadow and clear gloss. Deciding she was presentable enough, she walked into the room.

Dove would thank Rozlyn an the other staff who helped put this together at some point, they certainly created a warm and friendly atmosphere. It wasn't overly formal or fancy, something she appreciated. There were a couple couches, some chairs and coffee tables set up - more of a room for conversation than anything else. Dove headed over to one of the tables first before she sat down. Coffee, tea, and food platters were provided, and there was some light music playing in the background. At the very least, it was going to be a much deserved afternoon of relaxation for the staff that worked at Halcyon.

Before long she had a hot mug filled with herbal tea, and a small plate filled with fruit. Sitting down in one of the chairs, she waited for more people to arrive.