come_sailaway | (open) it doesn't matter where we go

Who: Helena, Erin's closer CR, anyone that wants to drop by
What: Helena's arranged a gathering of friends to bolster spirits. And to show Erin she's loved.
When: Backdated to New Year's Day.
Where: Pillow pit
Warnings: N/A, will edit if things come up.

It's relatively simple to set things up when she lays it out. Snacks and warm beverages in one place - she trusts everyone will be tidy and careful, to not ruin this place of comfort. Blankets, to increase the feeling of coziness, to invite people to linger. Cassandra has even been kind enough to lend a music player, which she'll keep at a lower volume so conversation isn't overpowered. It's all to create the feeling of a space that is warm, that people might lay down some burdens at the door and come in.

The final touch will be the people who come by. She's stressed that no one has to stay longer than they'd like, that there is no obligation to be there, and that if they simply want to come and take in the atmosphere, that's fine too. Informality is the byword here, as it can't be a place to rest and recover if people feel too awkward.

And of course, Erin Peters, who was the spark for all of this. Calling it a gathering for New Year's was innocent enough, to entice her sister out of their cabin into maybe coming to spend a little while with others. Pleading eyes and sweet words really do work. Once she's relaxed enough, then Helena will kick off sharing good memories and moments, and hopefully the others will take point and follow. Until then - during then - after, come and be welcome. The door is left open to encourage this.

[ooc: this is meant to be more freeform, drop in and out. make your own headers, come chill, become your favorite therapy animal to hang with everyone. those who got specific texts will know the aim is to offer Erin support and love, but the extended goal is to give that to everyone involved as well. have fun, be lowkey and chill. no bad vibes allowed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Helena's planned to be here the whole time, after all, both to keep track of how things are going, and to sink into the relaxed atmosphere herself. After the chaos of the Village, it was even more apparent that such was needed, and now that she's gotten part of a sense of stability back, it's been managed. Sure, the decorations on the walls might be creepy to the sighted, but they surely can be offset with the atmosphere, right?

Anyway, she's fluttering around here and there. Bundled under a blanket to feel warm, checking to make sure the beverages are not running out, making sure the music stays going, flopped on a pillow as a little auburn rabbit if the mood seems like a friend needs something soft and furry to pat. Whatever's needed, and whatever works. It's as centering for her to do this as it might be for someone else to attend.

Crichton hasn't felt much like seeing people, which he knows is exactly when he should. Isolation is dangerous, and Helena is right that they should be supporting each other. Erin has been a huge support for him. Their Wednesday get-togethers to paint nails and enjoy each other's company have done so much to keep him on the path of sobriety. Now he has the chance to return the favor for her. He's only sorry he didn't think of something like this sooner, or at all.

"I brought some nail polish from the spa in case anyone wants to swap pedicures and manicures," he says. He's sporting some blue sparkly toenails right now, himself, but the paint is starting to chip. "Do it on the towels I brought, so we don't stain the cushions."

When he isn't helping people pick nail polish colors, he's lying on his back in the pit with his arms and legs spread wide, staring at the weirdly painted ceiling and letting his mind drift. This is nice. It was a good idea. He's enjoying letting himself soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

When Helena starts to share stories about Erin, he chimes in with his own. "I still remember how much Erin made me laugh at Halloween going as a Smurf. I got the rare chance to have a Smurfette ride around on my shoulder. Her voice! It was so fun. Then there was the time she built that cheese fort. I never knew cheese wheels could leave a bruise, ha. Erin always finds ways to surprise me but... we all know the real value is in what a good friend she is. When I needed advice, or a shoulder to lean on, she never let me down. I can't ask for a better friend than that. Hope she knows she can ask for the same in return any time." Hint, hint.

Cassandra's here, having helped a little in the planning stages. She's gotten herself a mug of cocoa and is curled up on one of the soft seats, with her lower half covered in a soft throw blanket. She's hoping to coax Erin to make herself small and curl up in her lap; she also wouldn't mind if Helena were to do the same in her rabbit shape.

The story she'll tell over, when it comes around to her turn, is the time she herself was shrunk to about the length of a finger and Erin proposed that they have Tiny Adventures together. "And I was so alarmed and frustrated by the entire thing -- I don't think it would ever have occurred to me to have fun with it. Until Erin suggested it, and then it turned into something to enjoy."

Max spends the first half of this get-together in his human form bustling around helping Helena keep the food and drinks replenished. He's not the host but he never could stop himself from helping out at a party, it's too entrenched in him.

He has his own stories to share too, the most important of all is how Erin has been a sister to him, and how she dedicated everything to protecting him in his memory. "Erin came into my memory when the cracks were forming. She did the one thing I thought was impossible. She freed me from my vampire master and brought me back to my family. Because of her, I got to see my dad and sister again, and we got to live together in Japan, all four of us. She gave me a gift I'll never be able to match, and I'm so proud to have a big sister like her." He's actually tearing up a little as he says it, so he's quick tp pass it off to the next person before it becomes full water-works.

Later on, he decides to take an animal break. He can be found filling the role of emotional support puppy, laying on his back with his belly exposed asking for pets, or snuggling up next to people and nuzzling them with his cold wet nose. He brought his little doggy backpack with him to keep his clothes and phone nearby just in case he needed to change back to human.

Come give the good boy some love and let him love you in return~

At some point later on, Cassandra will come sit next to Max and lean lightly against him.

It probably won't be too hard to get her to scritch his ears.

He snuffles softly against her leg, before laying his head in her lap. And now he deploys The Puppy Eyes(TM). How could she possibly resist giving his head a pat?

She could not possibly. Have some pettings, Max.

Erin has given him support when he's been in need and despite his aversion to large gatherings at the moment, there is nothing that would stop him from being here to support her in return.

He has always had the highest opinion of Helena so when she suggested this idea to him, his opinion of her could not raise higher only because it was already as high as it could be. What a dear gentle soul she is, and he is happy to help her in her mission.

So here he is, sitting in a far corner inside a nest of pillows and blankets sipping slowly at his drink while quietly soaking in the atmosphere. It's lovely to have peace after so much strife.

He has his own anecdotes to share, as well. "My conversations with Erin have always been stimulating and enlightening. Indeed, I think it may be she who convinced me to take the approach I have to living here, as a new start, a fresh garden in which to grow, as it were. My gratitude to her cannot be put into words. But, this is a time for sharing not just the serious moments, but the joyful ones. So, I would be remiss if I did not share how, to this day, I still think back fondly on running that labyrinth she made during that December in the snowed-in resort. I daresay I might have impressed her with my skill as much as she impressed me with hers. Cheers, to my good friend and one of the pillars of this crew."

(open) it doesn't matter where we go

ota.

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OTA (but mostly Erin)

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OTA