[Citadel- Shin Akiba] New Years Party! [OPEN]

"Fair enough", replying calmly to....whatever the fuck he was. If there was one thing Snow knew, it was keeping one's edge, especially on the Citadel. But the bird? Lizard? His next statement was clear enough. Getting the short end of the stick in a intergalactic war was a bitch, even more so when everyone else around was celebrating and congratulating one another. Snow decided not to patronize the sad sack while he ate, turning his attention to the hanar with them by the wall. Whoever the hooded man was, he didn't need any more aggravation.

Sarah steadied to a stand and walked over to the food tables, gathering a leg of chicken. She'd take a look at the clawed individual but was too tipsy from earlier to make note of his unusual appearance. The woman placed a hand on the table to steady herself, taking a bite from the grilled bird's leg. A few chews, she'd tap her fist against her chest and swallow-

And then speak.

"I hope everyone's having a good time. Happy new year, everybody- You miserable lot from the forum especially." She'd raise the leg up as a sort of toast, only to make her way around the table to situate herself near the hanar. Another few bites, her blue eyes darting around the crowd.

Oh dear. Apparently he had caused some discomfort to the strange one. Had he erred somehow, or was the other ashamed of itself in some way? That would be unfortunate. Thinking about it, the unusual appearance and apparent effort to deflect attention (it was hard to tell with bipeds; they wore their coverings for so many varied reasons...), it might be that the other was disfigured. The war had harmed so many, and some people responded poorly to the changes that injury or maltreatment wrought on their bodies. He felt a flash of sympathy and alarm. Indeed, maybe the human was trying to tell him something with those comments about discussion of the war? Communicate to him that such was a topic best avoided, and his questions about physical appearance were going to cause distress? So much to learn about dealing with these people! He reaffirmed, there and then, that he'd apply himself with even greater effort to his studies.

About the strange one he longed to know more - what was this being? - but he also knew he wouldn't be asking directly, not tonight. The being clearly valued its privacy. Further study would be required, but discreetly - maybe when he returned to the ship? It might do him good to have a topic to focus on. There was so much to learn, after all. He was grateful that the human had - perhaps - tried to warn him off.

Brightening once more (literally, as well as emotionally), Laykalar addressed the human, who seemed pleasantly friendly in general. "This one would certainly wish consensus on acceptable subject matter before initiating further conversation! This one believes a customary topic for this celebration concerns resolutions? Has the other made any?"

It was something he'd picked up over the last day, though the details eluded him. As he spoke, he noticed that Vigilant was moving around towards him. Excellent! He could make a cross-comparison, get a sense of how the tradition was understood across individual boundaries.

He shimmered slightly, pleased once again.

"Resolutions, hmmm...damn good question. Normally mine would involve self-improvement, but not this year. I guess my new years resolution would be getting out of Citadel and Alliance space."

The hanar was sharp, he caught on quick when it came to human superstition. Despite himself, Snow was becoming a bit curious about this jellyfish, and his customs for a new year, or whatever they celebrated on Kahje. No harm in asking,

"What about you? Do the hanar have their own rites regarding the beginning of a new year. I'm Snow by the way, and you are?

"The other desires to leave the Citadel? That is most fascinating; this one finds it hard to believe that one could ever be tired of this place! There is so much variety here, so many beings to meet and learn from, so much opportunity for greater illumination. This one supposes it is still rather giddy..."

It was nice to admit to that, to openly explain how overwhelming the whole experience of the Citadel was, especially for one who was so enthusiastic about what it represented. The scholars on the ship understood the significance of his reactions, but had little patience for the strength of his emotion, while the aliens he feared offending. The human, though, seemed interested in a dialogue, and hadn't yet responded with irritation or awkward confusion. He didn't recognise the name from the forum, and he wondered who this human knew among the other guests.

"This one's face name is Laykalar. This one would be eager to discuss the significant aspects of the hanar calendar, though cyclic celebrations among these ones mostly relate to significant events within a year rather than promoting the significance of the year itself, or of the calendar system".

"I don't know how it got started, but it's part of the human condition I guess. A new year, fresh start, old sins and transgressions cast aside in favor of a new beginning, I can admire the idea...to some extent...", Snow started to explain to the friendly individual, but memories of his own sins started to float to the surface, causing him to lose his train of thought for a moment. Taking in a deep breath he looked back up at Laykalar, his eyes showing no emotion beyond trace regret,

"But does one of your 'special' days on the hanar calendar have the element of a 'resolution' for the future Laykalar?"

Sarah looked at Snow as he spoke- She grabbed her elbows and leaned against a table, listening to the two converse for a moment. She'd close her jacket and zip it shut, then clearing her throat and politely excusing herself- Only to bump directly into Murder of Crows. "Hey- Sorry-" She tried to straighten herself.

She'd freeze- Noting his unusual appearance. Another alien- Not a turian..

Vindi raises her glass in toast. "Well met!"

She seems quiet otherwise. Polite, but quiet. Truth be told, Vindi's always felt awkward in a crowd like this. There's another reason she came tonight--if she's going into politics she needs practice being in public, not as a child, not as a war chief, and most especially not as Louki Fidele's rifle, the Ardua County Sniper.

She's a woman, not a weapon, and she needs to learn to act the part.

Odenna spun around from her perch on the bar stool to look around. The human's singing... wasn't exactly something she'd pay to see, but he was having fun, which was the point of a party. She looked at the other guests... a few more humans... a new turian with an all too familiar set of colony markings.

Oh dear. That cape. And golden mandibles. Interesting. She'd heard that there was a Sundowner presence on the Citadel, but she didn't know where, and from what she understood, they didn't tend to make a nuisance of themselves.

Odenna raised her own glass with the rest of the party, but she wasn't exactly the seek out and talk type. But perhaps she should talk with the chieftain. With Solgerit incommunicado, it might be good to talk with someone from back home. Even if they were a Sundowner.

Michael and Dmitri turned from the bar, they were swapping childhood stories. Michael instantly recognized Vindi "Vindi! Good to see you!" The Service Chief said, greeting the Chieftan like a good friend.

"Дa. And sorry about the influx of Marines from our regiment to your establishment. Rarely you find a gun range like Sniper's Touch." Dmitiri Sokolov said.

"Told ya the food was good, Dmitri."

"Didn't expect that even the Borscht to be THAT good, Mike."

"True, true... So, how goes the Election Campaign, Vindi?"

Meanwhile, Dolf Peters, Miguel Santiago, and Henry Nishimuro looked in shock as their Alabamian squadmate demolished plate after plate of BBQ.

"She's got to have a hollow leg or something, brah..."

"You're tellin' me, Henry."

Sarah colliding with Shaart send the latter's hood right off his head, revealing the dark raloi's head.

He merely glared at the drunk woman for a moment, before putting the hood back on, and grabbed another sandwich from the buffet table.

The owner of the establishment approached the bar, resting crossed arms on the marble bartop. "Hey- You're alliance military-" She pointed- "Can you spread the word about this place? We could work out a 10% discount on military types maybe! I'm trying to get this restaurant to rival the others people frequent around here and it's hard with our small advertising budget."


Sarah stared wide-eyed at the Raloi, then reached over gingerly and took a sandwich from the plate. She'd shrug and be off on her way.

Laykalar pulsed with pleasure at the question from the human, Snow. Once again, the members of CDN were proving a valuable resource for cultural exchange. What luck that he'd found them!

"This one cannot suggest there is a direct equivalent, but in the banks where this one originates, it was customary to reaffirm one's justifications for following a particular ideological current at the conclusion to the Passage of Vulnios. That was a local custom, though, not afforded particular significance by the Primacy".

It was time to broaden the field of inquiry. He pulsed with greater intensity, trusting the translator would "raise his voice" appropriately.

"Given this one's unfamiliarity with the practice, this one would be most interested in any resolutions made. What are the others' general affirmations for the year ahead?"

While talking to Laykalar, Snow noticed the blonde staring at them, and the hoody finishing his sandwich. Just as the hanar raised his voice, asking the partygoers what their resolutions were, the woman stumbled into the hooded loner. The blonde was obviously drunk by the way she slurred an apology out, and her jacket had SATAE insigna on it, "A drunken Alliance marine, never seen that before...", the raven haired man mumbled in a soft, sarcastic voice before turning to the....birdman????? What the hell? The bird managed to pull his hood back on but shit, who, and what was he? Snow wasn't about to ask, the hoody was just there for the food it seemed. Best to let things be for now.

When Mombasa started singing Michelle knew it was time, plus she loved that song.
"Game on!"

She appeared near him and started singing too around the first refrain.

"WHATEVER UNIFORM YOU WEAR
YOU CAN FIGHT LIKE A KROGAN, RUN LIKE A LEOPARD
BUT YOU'LL NEVER BE BETTER THAN COMMANDER SHEPPARD..."

She may not have had perfect pitch, but she had enthusiasm.

After the song she said to Mombasa :

"That was fun! Buy you a drink before we set metaphorical fire to this place again?"

"Eh. I could use a drink. Tough crowd, all to busy being all dark and mysterious. Still, would've expected this from a party advertised on Cerberus Daily News. You ever heard of it?"
Alex, being the cunnning, intelligent man he was, had yet to realise this was Here to help, another forumite.
He did mean the tough crowd bit though.
"Lead on."

Michelle's jaw tightened a little.

"I'm Michelle remember? HereToHelp on the forum, we met at Shmidt's weapons?"

She turned to the bartender.

"Hi, a drink for my friend here. something tough though, he forgot he met me before... Yeah, give him a burning thermo clip. An Agent X for me, with a strawberries. There we go."

She had a mischievous smile and handed him his glass.

"There, you're punished now. Enjoying the party so far?"

"Well shit. Hello again. Knew I knew you from somewhere."
..hmm. How was the party?
"Party's all right. Not much fun, but there seem to be a human and a hanar over there both trying to chat up the baggy clothed alien, Burke's host and the most drunk, there's a bunch a marines, some quiet Turian, and You."
He took a gulp of the "thermal clip".
OH GOD! WHO PUTS RAW CHILLI IN A DRINK!
He bit make the urge to scream and cry.
"So.Ach. Do you know who I am?"

Sarah slipped behind Mombasa, tapping him on his far shoulder before moving to the other side to pass him- Hoping to use her guile to trick him momentarily. Sarah would step back into the kitchen, rub a hand down her face and slip out of her SATAE jacket. "..It is way more crowded out there than I thought it would be." She leaned down, fastening a strap to her boot. She'd wobble and rise to a stand.

A frazzled Chris shot a glance at her, her hands in a hot, soapy sink. "Thanks to bloody word of mouth-" She turned, drying her hands in a towel. "I- It's good, we'll get more business this way. How many people are donating?" She crossed her arms, turning her attention to the blonde, who had a far off look to her eye.

"I - What- Oh, s'course- Lots of donations." That slur again- The woman shook her head, putting her hands confidently on her hips.
The donation bowls on the ends of the tables were only slightly full. More half-empty than otherwise- The blonde stepped forward, removing a roll from a basket and taking a bite out of it.

"Need you remind them again?" The raven-haired woman raised an irritated brow.

"Fine.." The blonde stepped out again, making her way back to Mombasa and Michelle- "But only because I love you."

Michelle smiled brightly at red faced Mombasa and finished her drink.

"Who you are? A cop from Kenya, name's Alex I believe. Last I saw you you were on your way to Arcturus, how did that go?"

From the corner of her eyes Michelle noticed that Sarah was coming to them.
What does she want now?