She makes eye contact with DEREK HOFFMAN, and it startles her. Maybe, in some way, she wanted him to hate her, to never speak to her again. For what she had said to him, for what she had insinuated.

But here he is now, his gaze searching for hers in the crowd. And he follows her, in some capacity, to lean over her shoulder and ask her a question:

"How's the pie?"

What a simple, silly thing to ask. But she is thankful, in some manner, because he does not touch her. He gives her space, and yet still reaches out.

"It's-- I.. haven't had a chance to try it yet."

Her hand trembles slightly, nerves getting the better of her. The fork clatters against the plate and she forces herself to still, awkwardly bringing a bite of the pie up to her lips and stepping aside to as to let Derek grab a plate for himself. His quiet moans of enjoyment and the black and blue stain of the blackberry pie make her smile just a little bit.

"The pie is delicious, Boruta, thank you for bringing it."

She inclines her head to the man, before nudging Raziel Beckett with the tip of her toe. Her brows raise, encouraging.

"Razz, you should try it too."

LANCE VOLLANS boruta maher DEREK HOFFMAN

☉

this time, instead of a text, he hits call. Zahra Belsky.

hearing how boruta maher and Stormy Silph have met doesn't surprise him. it seems, for better or worse, the limited amount of rangers meant they were all somewhat acquainted.

at DEREK HOFFMAN's mention of the pie, lance reaches for a piece, taking his first bite shortly after.

"pretty damn good. must be willow atkins's."

after a quick wink at boruta maher, he turns to talk to Raziel Beckett right as Stormy Silph offers the young ranger a slice of pie as well.

"you got me there. and you're right! i think we would've looked lame compared to salem."

NOTES

- mingling! open to interaction

☉

Razz makes sure to take a seat in a place where he could always look at the door and see who comes in. Even if he doesn't recognize, or who some of them. He feels less anxiety filled when his back isn't toward the door. A small part of him tenses up with the ninetails about, though not as bad as when lykaios athanasia and him first met. As the ninetails gives their dumb little grin Salem just blows a small raspberry at them. Clearly the fire-type was just jealous.[break][break]

When Amelia Livy comes by Razz gives a simple wave of hello but once more salem just squeezes his cheeks happily at the compliment. And once more replies in pokespeach something along the lines of 'i know huh?' How the cat had so much confidence while his trainer had none still surprised Razz.[break][break]

As he feels the nudge Razz looks toward Stormy Silph as she offers the pie and as usual Razz is quick to deny, "Sorry I'm not really into sweets," though as if to interrupt him Salem seems to speak up with blackberry already covering his mouth. This time actually signing to get his words across unlike before. Going along the lines of -i'll take his piece- to switch Razz just flicks the cat's hat, "You had one brat." [break][break]

There is a small heh when LANCE VOLLANS mentions how they would look lame in comparison to Salem. "Think there might be a difference between people wearing one and a pokemon"


[break][break]

+ @rangerevent
[break]+

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

”yeah, of course…” he processed Laurence Anderson's response to the pie as he was speaking. bo had only followed instructions. why did lars seem surprised?

somehow, an empty spot was found between the numerous and closely placed plates of meat and vegetables. almost as soon as it was, someone was reaching for it—namely DEREK HOFFMAN . he could appreciate the dessert-first approach to dinner, but not today. not this evening.

the pie was a hit, but the more dominating smells of the brother and cooking food stole his attention. after finding his place at the table, he began cooking. he was in fact so immersed in the process that he didn’t hear LANCE VOLLANS the first time.

it was Stormy Silph ’s voice that drew him from his ultimate weakness. ”yeah, bo and nacho. that’s us.” he looked up at her, chuckling. ”what a night.” bo rarely drank.

he was soon shoving food into his mouth, midbite when he finally heard LANCE VOLLANS again. ”mm?” willow atkins ’s name hit his ears with full clarity. small world? how did vollans know…

he chewed and swallowed.

”thanks. uh… actually, my neighbor made it.” taking a breath, he considered a moment. ”you know willow?”

@rangers

☉