Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

[noteful]

It's a pretty low-key party, all things considered, and not significantly different than the one Parker or Meg would have thrown in a dorm room for a friend at home, not-exactly-traditional menu not withstanding.

There's music, low enough to talk over (and maybe with a little more folk in the mix than one expects to find a party). Balloons and streamers in purple and blue and red. A place to leave presents. People to meet or catch up with.

And, most importantly, a chance to wish X-23 (or Laura) a very happy birthday.

Comments

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X flicks a look at Helen, then shifts position to face the other girl.

"Thank you."

Beat.

"You are--"

What is the phrase?

"--having a good time?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

Helen stalls, uncertain.

"It's not bad. My world hasn't got...these. Are you?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is not loud," X says, after a moment.

"And the lights are not flashing."

Beat.

"And the food is good. I like it."

Plus, friends. X likes those a lot.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

Helen nods, quickly, and falls into an awkward silence.




"Are these customary in your world?

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"Sometimes," X says, after careful consideration.

"I have not had one before."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"Oh. Well, I think they're very silly," Helen says, after a moment. It sounds almost reassuring. "I mean, it's nice, but you don't need a party to know you're older."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am not good with dates," X says. Carefully.

"They are not always relevant."

Which is to say, a party can only help X remember that she is getting older.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"No," Helen agrees, after a moment. "Especially with Milliways."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X flicks a look at Helen.

"Time is different? In your world."

Beat.

"Worlds."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"All the worlds run differently, so says the wisdom of Uquar," Helen tells her, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "But the differential between this place and my world is large; I didn't finish my experiment, but it seemed that very little time passed there while I was here. No one ever noticed."

Helen shrugs.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh. Time stops for some people," X offers.

Carefully.

"Usually it does not. For me."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"Does it run differently at all?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"The months are not the same."

Beat.

"It is not winter, at home."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

Helen nods, abruptly.

"We don't have seasons."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X looks a little startled. Then--

"Oh."

Beat.

"Because you are always on different worlds?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"No," Helen replies, startled slightly herself. "Because my world's climate is broken."

She shrugs, abruptly. "Travelling means there aren't coherent seasons, either."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying Helen.

"You do not know who broke it?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"They did," she snaps, before recovering slightly. This isn't Jamie, who's pushed her a thousand times with questions. "They took our god, and came back and broke our world. Years and years ago."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh," X says.

"But you are trying to kill Them. Now."

Beat.

"You could fix it. After."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

"Yes."

Helens mouth is drawn small, chin lifted at a haughty angle. "And I will. I will defeat Them and I will fix my world."

Climate issues can be solved through grumpiness, don't you know.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"I will help," X says.

"I told Jamie. Before."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

Helen holds her eye contact for a long moment, the tilts her head to the side in a brisk acceptance.

"Thank you."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"You are my friends."

It seems like--

It is just how things are.

"You are welcome."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[uquars_gadget]

That startles Helen even more.

She just nods, again.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X is okay with silence.

It is actually more comfortable for her.

Old habits generally don't die.