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

[noteful]

"Well, pastels would just have been . . . wrong."

Ever so very not Laura.

[parkerlee]

"Very wrong. The purple is perfect."

Parker smiles at her co-hostess.

"How are you?"

[noteful]

"I'm good," Meg says.

"How are you?"

[parkerlee]

"I'm great."

"And I think Laura is having a good time. From what I can tell," she adds, nodding to the guest of honor who is talking to friends a little ways away."

[noteful]

"I think so, too."

For a Laura-ish definition of a good time, which is not going to involve lampshades or the like.

"Things are good in California?"

[parkerlee]

"Oh yeah. Things are fine."

"I'm really liking my classes this semester. Introduction to acting is a blast."

[noteful]

"Good," says Meg.

Speaking of classes she'll never be taking.

"I went to a play this weekend."

[parkerlee]

"Oh yeah?"

"How was it? What was the play?"

[noteful]

"It was good. Tratuffe, in French."

Meg glances over to make sure there is still plenty of spaghetti.

"Met a boy . . . "

[parkerlee]

"Oh?"

Parker grins and pokes Meg.

"Hey. Stop hostessing for a sec and spill."

"What manner of boy are we talking about here?"

[noteful]

Meg looks back at Parker, and smiles.

"The cute kind.

"The really, really cute kind.

"And nice, and funny, and . . . and he didn't knock me down a flight of steps."

[parkerlee]

Parker looks delighted.

Hey. Meg is due to meet a cute, nice, funny boy who doesn't bump her down stairs.

"And this isn't what you open with?"

"What's his name?"

[noteful]

"Alain Gagné. He's in his second year at the Université de Montréal, studying literature. He's lived in Montreal all his life.

"His brother was in the play, and he didn't have a ticket, and Carrie was supposed to go with me, or I was supposed to go with her, really, but she was sick . . . and I gave him the extra ticket."

[parkerlee]

"Nice."

"So, are you two going out?"

[noteful]

"Tomorrow, for dinner."

[parkerlee]

"Boy works fast."

And Parker does not exactly look like she disapproves.

Especially if he makes Meg smile like that.

"Where are you going? What are you going to wear?"

Parker grins.

"Details, woman!"

[noteful]

"Faster than you know.

"He's a very good kisser."

Well, he is.

"And I don't know where we're going; a place he likes and says the tourists never find, but he wouldn't tell me what. And every time I decide what I'm going to wear . . . I change my mind."

[parkerlee]

"Go, Meg! Or possibly go, Alain."

Parker laughs.

"Hey, I heartily endorse dating a local boy. They know the best places."

Parker tilts her head and looks at Meg, thinking.

"How much cleavage can you sport in Montreal in the winter without courting pneumonia?"

[noteful]

"Parker!

"It's a first date."

[parkerlee]

"That's a 'not much,' isn't it?"

Parker shakes her head, grinning.

"I'm kidding. Some mystery is a good thing."

"I definitely think you should wear your hair down."

[noteful]

"It's a not much, yes."

Meg rolls her eyes.

"I'll take the hair thing under advisement."

[parkerlee]

"It's pretty down. And it gives you something to play with."

"You'll tell me how it goes, right?"

[noteful]

"Gives me something to play with, or gives him something to play with?

"And of course."

[parkerlee]

"Either way it works out, it's a good thing."