Part Two: The Dinner

[lestercraft]

Who: Arthur & Helly Lester and anyone who actually goes for the invite
When: Evening of Jan 29th
Where: The Lester Household
Open/Closed: Open! Come one and all from Haven Street.
Applicable Warnings: Discussion of January events, mass conspiracy (it's us, we're the conspirators)


It's even odds, he thinks, whether people thought he was off his rocker in making a post like that, or if people would believe he's actually trying to contact people the only reasonable way he knew how. It was certainly much faster than trying to contact people individually, especially in this weather, and hopefully between himself and Helly that they've met enough people to get a decent turn-out.

The more they can learn about this place, the more they can trust each other, the better. Right now, trust is all they have.

The lower floor of the house is well lit, even if all the windows are curtained and shut, and there's a record playing in the lounge, audible from outside - something jazzy and dated by the standards of the time, but a bit of Hoagy Carmichael and Billie Holiday is settling his nerves, if nothing else - and the kitchen is... sparse, clearly underused but for the stack of mugs by the sink, but with some effort the blind leading the blind he and Helly have at least put together a salad for people. Theoretically they'll be bringing their own food too, make it at least ostensibly a potluck.

Comments

[inaxorable]

[ Raskolnikov, quite frankly, doesn’t want to introduce himself. He doesn’t even really want to be here in the first place, but it’s too late to back out now. So here he is, with what seems like everyone in the room looking at him, and he has to say something. ]

Uh. [ Very eloquent. ] I am — that is, my name is — Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov. I am from Saint Petersburg.

[ When we’re from, the army woman (a woman in the army!) had said, so with some trepidation, he adds, ] It was the year 1866 before I arrived here.

[ He decides not to share any of his skills. What would he say? I can speak some French? I killed two women? That would certainly not endear him to any of the people here! ]

[regulararmybrat]

[It's becoming more and more apparent to Margaret just how wide the range of dates people are from. Upon mentioning he's from Saint Petersburg, Margaret narrows her eyes slightly. She doesn't know if she can put up with another communist, especially with how insufferable Vasiliy is. But, luckily, the year clears it up. That was long before the Russian Revolution.

Something about the man's name seems to be familiar, but she can't quite place it. Maybe she's met someone else with a similar name.]

1866, [She echoes with a slightly awed tone.] That's--But that's almost a hundred years ago!

[Yeah, no shit.]

How have you been adjusting to the town? Are you enjoying the modern technology?

[inaxorable]

[ Uncomfortable with the attention she’s suddenly directing his way, he hunches his shoulders and looks away. ]

The electricity is nice. [ Although the snowstorm earlier in the month had proven it unreliable. ] And there’s so much food. [ He isn’t sure if that’s a feature of the time period or simply of living in a wealthy neighborhood, though. ]

The…culture and everything is strange, though. The way you talk to each other! Your holidays! He shakes his head. ] I think you Americans are a bit mad.

[regulararmybrat]

[ (telltale games popup) (?) Margaret will remember that.

She squints at Raskolnikov, pursing her lips. After a moment or two, she shrugs.]

Well, I'm sure you'll get used to it--but, um, what in particular do you mean? Didn't you enjoy Christmas and New Years? [A pause. In a sotto voice:] Besides the...strange visions....

[inaxorable]

[ He has a sneaking suspicion that Margaret is suspicious of him, a not-uncommon feeling that makes his skin crawl. ]

Well — yes, I suppose I enjoyed them, as much as I could have…it was just something of a shock. Back in Russia, we didn’t really celebrate New Years. And the Christmas celebrations lasted for weeks after the day itself! Usually we — that is, the observant Christians — would fast before Christmas Eve, which you Americans don’t do. So it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy the holidays and more that it was all very confusing.

[ He laughs without any real mirth. ]

The visions didn’t help, but you must be careful discussing them! Or else that doctor man will snatch you away and torment you.