[Closed] The sweetest summer gift of all

[talesuntold]

Who: After the End Times staff
Where: Floor 9, room 69.
When: 10/19
Rating: PG/PG-13
Summary: Auntie Maggie summons everybody over for dinner and movies.
The Story:

Everyone on the After the End Times staff received a message this morning.

Hello After the End Times staff,

I'm Maggie Garcia, and I've taken over as head of the Fictional department.

I still haven't met all of you, and with our crew as small as it is here in Wonderland, that hardly seems reasonable. Come by floor 9, room 69 this evening for a very informal staff meeting. Introductions, dinner, and a relaxing movie night. I'm currently taking requests for both food and films, though I reserve the right to veto the latter. I have to draw the line somewhere.

See you later, darlings!

--

True to her word, Maggie spent the afternoon cooking. (She likes cooking; why order from the closets what she could make herself?) A meal is laid out honoring any requests she got, and the public half of her room has its usual assortment of comfortable antique chairs and couches, plus a projector screen set up for movies once they're done eating and talking.

She also has a popcorn maker and plenty of ammunition for it. No movie night is complete without popcorn.

((Feel free to use this post as a mingle. Post top levels, tag around, etc! If anyone wants to respond to Maggie's initial message, you're also welcome to do that, just specify in the subject line.))

Comments

[postictal]

"I dunno if 'intangible' is the word for it. Uh. Exactly." He's not sure if there's a word that should be applied at all, considering he's not sure what his contributions even are. Assuming he's actually made any. "I mean, I know George. And Shaun. And I guess I'm gonna facilitate an interview down the line."

So, yeah. Maybe consultant.

[talesuntold]

"Consultant seems applicable, then," Maggie agrees. "And if you've managed to befriend Georgia, we'd better keep you around. She likes to make that challenging."

Her glance over at Georgia is fond, though, because Georgia is clearly making an effort. She let Maggie talk her into casual clothes, she's not on her laptop and working... it's a bigger concession than Maggie expected to get.

[postictal]

“Honestly, I’m not sure either of us meant for it to happen.” He only winces minimally when she says it. Befriend. Like that’s not a death warrant where he’s concerned. Not that anyone would - or should - know.

“Just kinda happens after you save each other’s asses, I guess.”

[talesuntold]

She isn't sure Georgia intends to become friends with anyone. It is, at the very least, a rare occurrence.

"As far as unintended consequences go," Maggie tells Tim with a smile, "friendship is among the best possibilities."

[postictal]

“I guess that’s what you’d call it. Not sure it’s what she would.” And that’s just another lie. She called him “friend” long befor he was willing to even entertain the notion, and not only that but her saying it aloud managed to trigger something deep-seated and terrified in him.

[talesuntold]

"I haven't known Georgia personally for very long, but it's been long enough to tell that she doesn't waste time on people she doesn't like. Unless she has reason to interview or argue with them, of course." Because journalism comes first, always. Georgia will swallow bad company for the sake of a story.

"Not saying it doesn't make the term inaccurate."

[postictal]

“Or unless she’s interested in information.” Not that this is honestly the case anymore, and to imply as such seems discourteous. That said, he’s not sure how it is he’s gotten George to tolerate both him and Jay in all their moronic glory for as long as she has.

“I mean, it’s kinda - yeah. Guess it just kinda feels like she didn’t really mean to waste time in the first place.”

[talesuntold]

"If anyone is tolerating you to be polite, I assure you it isn't Georgia Mason. Even when she wants information, she doesn't pretend friendship." She smiles at Tim, adding cheerfully. "And she says another part of your role on is to keep Jay from walking off a cliff. That's appreciated. I like our staff and friends in one piece."

[postictal]

...ah. A blink, a grimace, a wince, and a hand creeping up to the back of his neck as he huffs softly with something almost like amusement. He can’t even say she’s wrong.

“Yep. That’s me. Professional...Jay-wrangler, I guess. Limited success rates apply.” Especially when Jay’s penchant for terrible choices happens to be contagious where Tim is concerned.