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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It's not really supposed to be. But it's a day that matters in American culture. You're old enough to vote, to serve in the military, and to be treated as a full citizen. It's also the age when most people go to college. So it has significance." Which he knows is also a bit of nonsense.

"Oh."

X weighs that, frowning slightly.

And then--

"I do not want to join the military. Or go to college."

She already has a lot of stuff going on.

"Then I guess being 18 isn't relevant to you." Somehow, he can't see Laura voting.

"No," she says.

"But I like the party."

It's probably the closest she's ever sounded to an actual kid. Teenager.

Both.

"As I say, parties are good. And I haven't been to one in a very long time." Do parties after made for TV poker matches count? Charlie thinks not.

X tilts her head slightly, considering this.

"You like football?"

Beat.

"SARAH has parties, sometimes. When the game is important."

X pronounces that last part very carefully. It is a relatively new concept!

"I used to watch it when I was younger. But it started to seem a bit silly. And unduly violent. There are better sports." When, he wonders, did he become a snob about such things?

X doesn't quite frown.

"The better ones are the ones you like?"

She does not think 'better' and 'like' are synonymous. But maybe they are.

Asking is useful.

"For the most part. I find track and field more intelligent and worthwhile to participate in, but a bit dull to watch. But I like golf, soccer, and baseball on occasion and when played in the National League." He finds that the designated hitter removes a lot of strategy.

"There is a lot of waiting," X says.

"In baseball."

She does not know about golf. No one tell her.

"Yes. That is part of what I like. You have time to think."

X considers this. Carefully.

"That is important? In sports."

It's never looked that way to her.

Not that she's seen much. Just the occasional football game. And sometimes pickup basketball or street hockey. While she is--walking around her neighborhood.

"Not on the field in baseball. There you have to think fast. But as a spectator, I like that there is time between pitches, and innings. It can be very calming." Some find it dull, but not Charlie.

"Oh."

Beat.

"But there are many other people. Watching."

X and crowds do not add up to a relaxing experience; she has to be alert.

She is not sure how other people make themselves comfortable that way.

"Yes. Watching the game, or each other. I don't pay attention to them." Not that's been to a game in a long time. "I just go inside."

X tilts her head, studying Charlie.

"That is not safe."

"I don't lose total focus on the things surrounding me. Don't worry."

She gives it another moment, then nods. Once.

"Okay."

Beat.

"Good."

Even if he's dead now and it probably wouldn't matter. X worries.

"I doubt you would like baseball. But golf might suit you. Are you familiar with it?"

X's blank expression is probably a clue. A small one.

"No."

Beat.

"I do not think so."

"You have to get a small ball into a hole about 300 or 400 yards away. It takes a good deal of focus, physical skill and patience. It's not a thrilling sport, but I find that can let the mind find itself, both as viewer and player." Yes, it's a dull game and mainly a rich white man's game, but it has Zen aspects that are worth the time.

X frowns, very slightly.

"It is like pool."

Beat.

"At larger distances?"

"In some small ways, yes. But what the other players are doing doesn't affect you, and the surface of play is a lot larger. And outdoors." It's really nothing like pool, is it?

"Oh."

X considers this.

"I do not know if I would like it."

"I never thought I would, either. But once I tried, I found there was more to it than I saw on TV." Not that he ever owned a set of clubs or joined a club.

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