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

[bigdamnprincipal]

With all the rain that had blown through earlier in the week, the school administration had been worried that welcome picnic day would be wet and gloomy. Thankfully, it was sunny, warm, and beautiful outside, and everything had been set up just in time for the shuttle of new folks to arrive. There was a buffet table of food and drinks waiting, along with the list of Big and Little Siblings, the list of roommates, and more name tags than they'd probably need for three picnics.

Also, there wasn't a single flower out on the lawn after last weekend. Just saying.

With everything in place, it looked like it was time for the first summer term to begin!


[OCD up! This is part one of the picnic, specifically for meeting siblings, roommates, and teachers. The rest of the picnic is happening here. Since it's outside, the picnic is open to all students, teachers, and townies!]

Comments

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

"Did you ... leave in a hurry?" Eleanor asked, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. It seemed the most diplomatic phrasing. "If so, you might be short on supplies. I should take you downtown to see the stores. We can get you whatever you might need."

He might not have money, but she did.

"If they ... do find their way here," she added, hesitantly, "and I doubt they will, but if they do ... you don't have to go back with them unless you choose to. We ... protect our own."

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[not_every_mage]

Anders looked flattered but confused. "That's very kind of you," he said. "All of it. But why would you protect me when you don't even know me?"

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

Eleanor bit her lip. "Because ..." It was hard to explain Fandom to a new person, somehow.

"Because we've all ... been there," she said, deciding that was the best option. "Or possibly are there, now. I'm here because I have nowhere else in the world, and no one else. So the others protect me, and I'd protect them. That extends to you. This place ... it's a safe haven, and it tends to attract people who need one."

She shook her head. "I'm explaining it badly," she said. "I don't trust altruism, and I always feel as though someone offering to help me has ulterior motives. But this island is different."

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[not_every_mage]

"I don't trust altruism either," Anders admitted. "Nothing personal. I've just known too many people who were a friend to the mages exactly as long as it was convenient. But if you say this place is different --"

He shrugged. "I certainly don't have any evidence to the contrary, do I?"

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

"No one's asking you to trust them," she reassured him. "I only wanted you to know that there's no monster lurking behind the curtains. As for the rest of it, if it's easier not to believe in altruism, don't. Say that I'm helping you because someone helped me, and I'll feel better about myself if I help to perpetuate the system. Entirely self-motivated."

It was easier to accept kindness or assistance when the other person's motives made sense. For her, at least.

"Do you have everything you need?" she asked. "I could show you around town, if you like. Simply to entertain myself. I could use a shopping companion."

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[not_every_mage]

"I could do with a shopping trip," Anders admitted. "It might need to wait a bit, though. I don't have any money just yet."

He didn't comment on what she'd said about altruism, but the way his smile reached his eyes suggested he was absorbing it.

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

"I could help with money," she offered. "Call it a loan, if you like. Or we can window-shop. There are usually stores in town that are hiring, and helpfully, they don't require much experience, either. Else I'd never have ended up in a music store playing odd circular discs."

It was a wonder she hadn't broken the CD changer by now.

Re: Meet Your Big/Little Sibling [Summer 2014]

[not_every_mage]

"I should get a job," Anders nodded. "But I might take you up on a small loan until then. And wait. Circular discs?"

He was confused. As far as he knew, music came from bards.