noteful | Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

Entry tags:

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

Sorry, Alanna, it's the way you walk.

Like a fighter.

She acquires a brunette, who has tried to look smart casual and failed. Should have gone with the fishnets.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Being told she walks like a fighter would be infinitely preferable to the number of times she's been accused of walking like a man, usually by her seamstress or, albeit good-naturedly, George's mother; it makes her want to growl Yes, well, that was rather the point.

Alanna doesn't notice how Dinah walks. Nor does she notice Dinah's outfit. She does, however, notice that the brunette seems friendly enough and not at all intent on getting her to dance. Right away this conversation is worlds better than most of the ones she's had at parties in the past.

"I've been to worse parties," she replies, grinning. "You?"

"There are people my age," she answers. "That makes it better than most parties I get invited to."

"That's never been my problem," Alanna admits. "Court functions are attended by both elders and, one way or another, the young. It's the people who feel I have an obligation to dance that I've always had to avoid."

She shudders.

"But it doesn't seem as if anyone is clearing the floor for a waltz, so I think I'm safe."

"If waltzes look like happening, I'll help you escape," Dinah assures her.

"Long as you take me with you."

"It's a deal," she promises, smiling. "I'm Alanna."

Lemonade is sticky, so she wipes her hand on her pants before offering it to Dinah.

Dinah doesn't mind sticky hands anyway, much.

"Dinah," she returns. "I helped Laura out with some homeworld problems a while back."

"I work with her on security. What sort of problems?"

Alanna knows enough about X's world to be intrigued by that. She raises her eyebrows and looks almost eager.

"An alien invasion."

While not blase, Dinah does make it sound that alien invasions do tend to happen from time to time.

"You're on Security? How do you like it?"

Those eyebrows shoot up even higher.

"Goddess. That must have been an interesting fight," she remarks, a touch of empathy in her voice. While probably not on the same scale, her current Immortal problem makes her feel like she can relate. "I wouldn't have survived my early days here without the job. I hate being useless." Alanna smiles. "It's never dull, I can say that."

"It was," Dinah says. "They were shapeshifters, and it's really hard to get one of those to behave properly in a Judo throw, let me tell you."

"I wouldn't know." Beat. "I don't know Judo."

And she's never tried to throw Numair.

{Project!)

"You like to fight?"

She doesn't answer straight away, and though she's smiling, it's not with the same enthusiasm she'd have if Alanna inexplicably asked if Dinah liked flowers.

She may well have asked if Dinah likes to breathe.

"I'm good at it." That'll have to do. "I can't remember a time when I wasn't."

Alanna considers this for a moment, her own smile spreading.

"I'm very good with a sword. I, however, clearly remember a time when I wasn't." She makes a face. "It wasn't pretty."

"Oh well, I'm not so hot with a sword myself," Dinah says. "I'm all unarmed combat."

"I'm a knight," Alanna explains. "It's my primary weapon."

And its absence from her side is perhaps one reason she's been standing around looking uncomfortable.

"I do practice some Shang. Just don't ask me to wrestle."

Uh oh, Alanna just mentioned a combat style Dinah doesn't know. The pricking of her ears is almost visible.

"What's Shang?"

Alanna, meanwhile, is thrilled to have met someone who wants to discuss such things at a party. The answering smile she gives Dinah is bright and pleased.

"Raph says it's not unlike the martial arts on Earth -- karate or taekwondo, I think?" There's a faint hesitation over the names, but she and Raph have talked about it enough for her to remember them. "The emphasis is on speed, kicking ad punching."

"Oh!" Dinah says brightly. "Cool. I'm stilling hoping to find a Karate teacher here; I can box, and I'm learning Ninjitsu and Pankration, but Judo's more about grappling and throws - using my opponent's strength against him."

Alanna looks doubly excited at that.

"Really?" She laughs, holding her arms wide. "My own size is why I've never been particularly good at wrestling. Well, my friend George taught me how to cheat if I need to, but I prefer to fight honorably." Beat. "I could show you some Shang, if you like."

"Really?"

OK, best thing to happen at this party. "I'd love that. And I'll definitely teach you Judo."

She spreads her hands lightly, in a 'look at me' gesture. "I'd never make it if I had to rely on strength."

"Excellent!"

Gaining a new sparring partner is definitely cause for celebration. Especially one who can teach her New Things! Alanna is a sucker for learning new ways of fighting. Which is why she's still grinning like a fool.

"Exactly. Though sometimes it can prove an advantage, if your opponent completely underestimates your skills because of how you look."

Something in her voice suggests she likes it when that happens.

Dinah laughs out loud.

"That happens to me all the time. You would have thought people would know by now."

"You really would."

Alanna shakes her head with mock sadness.

"But we can't be held accountable for their foolishness."

"I guess not," Dinah says. "It definitely makes the job easier."

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests

Re: Mingle with the other guests