Fandom High Welcome Picnic, Front Lawn of the School, All Day: Part I

[bigdamnprincipal]

It might have been the start of the fall semester, but it was definitely still summer in Fandom. The sun was shining and the temperature was already starting to get high, even as the NPC crew set things up for the day.

Luckily, the school knew how to take care of folks on days like today. Beneath the blue and gold streamers and balloons, tables had been set up with cold drinks and food, and an entire section devoted to offering up different moddable ice cream flavors. As always, there was a stack of nametags set down next two signs: one listing the Big Sibling/Little Sibling pairings, and one listing rooms and roommates for the new students.

With everything set up and the crew out of the way, it was time for the picnic to begin!

[Please wait for OCD! The OCD is up! This is part one of the picnic, specifically for meeting siblings, roommates, and teachers. The rest of the picnic is happening here and here, in an effort to keep browsers from breaking for as long as possible. Since it's outside, the picnic is open to all students, teachers, and townies!]

Comments

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir had attached the nametag once more, now that he knew what it was. He moved it higher on his chest, making certain it wouldn't cover the crest of Gondor.

He studied the paper for a moment, recognising the signs that supposedly make up his name. Now if he only knew what this was about.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

Bruce had requested a new roommate, so he was prepared for this. As much as he appreciated his alone-time and living on his own, he knew that it would be better for him in the long run if he had the opportunity to deal with people in his personal bubble. Therefore, roommate.

"Faramir?" Bruce said when he spotted the nametag. "Bruce Wayne. I'm your new roommate."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

That piece of information caught him off guard, but Faramir merely inclined his head.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Bruce Wayne," he replied, studying the strange clothes which somehow matched the strange name. "We shall be sharing living quarters?" he verified. Roommate was a peculiar word, but he could make a guess as to what they might mean.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Apparently. You are a new student here, right?" Bruce checked. "And you can just call me Bruce."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir wasn't unfamiliar to sleeping amongst other men, but he'd never had to share the room he had in Minas Tirith. This could prove... interesting.

"I am new here," he agreed with a nod. He had the distinct feeling he was very much drawing attention. The cloak and leather armour wasn't helping. "A few days ago I'd never even heard of this place. I take it that you're familiar with it?"

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"I've been here for several months," Bruce replied. "And Fandom has a habit of being a secret until you're already on your way. But that's one of the easier things to adjust to."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir's gaze drifted for an instant towards the East and he nodded slowly in agreement.

"On my way up here, I saw many things I never beheld before," he admitted. "I have a feeling that I am further away from home than I have travelled." Not only in distance.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"What is your home called?" Bruce asked. "Because there's a chance this isn't even your world."

After a moment's pause, Bruce continued. "You get used to hearing things like that eventually."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Middle-earth," Faramir somehow managed to stifle his surprise. Mostly as the concept was hard to grasp for him at this point. "I'm from the kingdom of Gondor. What would you call this world if it isn't Middle-earth?"

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Earth," was the simple answer. "Don't worry, you're not the first to come here from another world and I doubt you'll be the last."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Earth," Faramir repeated, it sounded close enough. He had the feeling the name might be all that was similar.

"You must excuse me if for the moment those words bring little comfort," he said with a bit of a laugh.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"I didn't expect it would be right now," Bruce said. "But it should help with the adjustment over the next few days, knowing that you're not alone."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Faramir nodded, accepting Bruce's reasoning. "Is there something you could tell me of this world?" he requested. "I know that may be too general a question to ask, for I wouldn't know where to begin to describe mine."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, Bruce was good at shaving information down to the high points. "People can access this town easily from other worlds and other planets. Monsters sometimes appear, but the population is better prepared for that than you might expect. Magic exists. So does time displacement, so somebody may leave for a week and live for years in that time. These are all things you will probably witness in Fandom."

"But this town is special. The most typical version of Earth doesn't have any of that. Just electrical power, motorized vehicles, and worldwide communication systems."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Bruce had given few words to explain much. Even if he'd raised more questions, Faramir could appreciate his directness.

He filed away what his mind could grasp, though it didn't make much sense. "Magic and monsters aren't unfamiliar to me," Faramir said after an instant, "but those last things you mentioned, I haven't heard of before."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

Leathers and a cloak, magic, monsters, no modern technology. Bruce was pretty sure he could take a basic stab at what Middle-earth was like. "If your classes don't introduce you to them, you'll pick them up by spending time in the dorms."

"Just don't be too surprised when you walk into a bright room lit without candles or a fire."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"I believe your warning might be too late," Faramir admitted. "The stables were well lit, but there was no heat coming from the lights above and I'm certain it wasn't simply daylight."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"The simple version is that we learned to safely harness and generate the power of lightning and we use it for light, heat, and devices that you've never seen before," Bruce explained. "It's the first thing you'll get used to around here."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

Harness the power of lightning. Faramir wished Mithrandir would still be with him, he had a feeling the wizard might have his own theories about this.

"That sounds incredible," he said, not quite able to fully estimate what it could mean. "You said that you've been here for several months, did you have to get used to these things as well?"

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"No, it's the magic and monsters that were new to me," Bruce said. "Fortunately, I adapt quickly. It's a useful skill in Fandom."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"I suppose I shall find out if I've mastered that skill by now," Faramir agreed. He knew what his father's opinion on the matter would be. "These monsters, are they much of a threat?"

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes. Other times they're almost harmless," Bruce said.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"Harmless monsters sound like a rare breed to me," Faramir mused. He would have to learn more about this.

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[willbethenight.livejournal.com]

"Almost harmless," Bruce corrected. "Some will cause you embarrassment, but that's it."

Re: Meet Your Roommate [Fall 2010]

[thinkbetterofme.livejournal.com]

"I'd rather have my pride suffer than lose a limb," Faramir replied, but Bruce was very much speaking in riddles. "Do these creatures besiege the town often?"