noteful | Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

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Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

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.

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"I had no idea you were that young," she says, surprised. "I thought you were closer to twenty. And I would love both spaghetti and garlic bread."

"Oh."

X studies Bela for a second, looking startled.

"No. I am not."

Beat.

"Okay. We can eat."

She'll hand a plate to Bela if Bela does not make a move to take her own. When they get to the buffet, of course.

Bela helps herself. She has to watch all those carbs.

"It's okay that you're eighteen. I was just surprised is all. It doesn't matter, really."

She's feeling a little more relaxed now, and it's easier to talk and to smile and mean it.

X gives Bela a quick sideways look, then twirls some spaghetti onto her fork.

"Okay."

Beat.

"I do not know how old you are, either."

It is relevant?

"I'm twenty-two. My birthday is in September."

"Oh," X says.

And then--

"I will remember."

In case it is important.

"I don't- really celebrate it anymore. It's just another reminder. It's okay, though," she lies. "Maybe we can have lunch or go shopping or something."

She helps herself to some spaghetti and meatballs and a small piece of garlic bread. She'll pass on the root beer floats, though.

"You have a lot of friends, X. That's really great."

X doesn't say anything, just puts some garlic bread on a plate and occupies herself with eating.

"You have met many of them? My friends."

"I know Elle," she says, looking around the crowd.

"And. Um. I talked to that guy one night." She points to Raguel.

"But I guess I don't know the others. I don't know the hostesses."

"Oh."

Beat.

"Meg and Parker. They are older. Than me. A little."

Closer to Bela's age. Because the gulf that separates her and X is a vast one.

Really.

It is indeed a vast amount of years.

"They seem very- friendly. Oh, wait, I think I met Parker. She was dressed as a cheerleader, though. On Halloween."

"Oh. Yes."

Beat.

"She was an operative. For Mardis Gras."

This pause is longer.

"She does not like guns."

"Poor thing. She didn't seem to be overjoyed with pom poms, either."

"No."

Beat.

"I do not think I would like them, either."

She wrinkles her nose. "Neither would I."

X tilts her head, studying Bela.

"Unless it is a useful disguise?"

"Don't remind me." She pulls a face. "I had to do that once, to let this grabby-handed idiot to let me close enough to a book I needed to lift."

"You could not hit him?"

Beat.

"After?"

"I could have. Mostly I got out of there with his prized possession. It worked."

X considers this.

"That is good, too."

She'd still rather punch him.

She would, but punching hurts her hand. Shooting, on the other hand... A straight shot through the shoulder? Fabulous for making your point.

"It is! Hey, you have to tell me if you like your present or not. If you don't, I'll get you something else."

She thinks she'll like it. It looks like X.

"I will tell you," X says, very promptly.

It's not a lie.

But since even the idea of presents is something X is still pleased and surprised by--

The chances of her not liking it enough to keep it are slim to none.

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Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

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