Disney-Themed Surprise Party at Harry's 1 of 2

[x-adrienne.livejournal.com]

The over-21s residing at the mansion gather for a surprise costume party for Adrienne's 40th birthday.



"Wait, we're going to Harry's?" Adrienne asked incredulously as Garrison's Crown Vic pulled up to the pub. "This is the 'special evening' you had planned for us?" She climbed out of the car and leaned on the open door to scowl at him, squinting. "This is the reason we couldn't just order in Thai food and go through more of those sex positions in that deck of 'Greek Lovers: 54 Erotic Scenes from Greek Pottery' playing cards you bought in Athens? This is weak, pal," she chided as he held open the door for her. "I mean-"

She was cut off by the chorus of 'surprise' coming from what she realized with growing horror was a lot of people from Xaviers. Wearing... costumes. Disney costumes. "What... the... fuck?" she asked with wide eyes, stunned.

"We surprised you!," Rogue called out in an almost relief. ‎It had been stressful, planning everything out and making sure not to let things slip. In a way, it was good she'd been in Vegas -- less things for Adri to Read. Plus, she was able to find the pieces she needs to make one kick-ass Tiana ballgown. Crown included.

"Welcome to the 15th anniversary of your 25th! If you love the Disney, it was mah idea. If you don't, it was Cece's."

It took Adrienne a moment to tear her eyes away from the plethora of costumes and focus on Rogue, and another to try to decide whether this was awful or really sweet. What the hell. Everyone had obviously put a lot of effort into it. “I love it,” she grinned. “Seriously this is… wow. Kudos to you and Cece. And why do I feel like you had a hand in this as well?” she asked her sister, who was approaching wearing a stunning costume Adrienne recognized as being that of Elsa from Frozen.

“Because I had a hand in it, of course. Why else would there be an unlimited bar tab?” replied Emma. She leaned forward and drew her sister in tight, kissing her gently on the cheek. “True love’s kiss,” she whispered. “Happy birthday, little sister.” She drew back again and made a gesture that encompassed the general area of “over there”. “I organised costumes for you and Garrison to choose from as well. So you don’t feel left out.”

“Well… yeah,” Adrienne nodded, still slightly muddled by what was going on, though she did a mental little ‘aww’ at Emma’s kiss comment, sending waves of warmth her sister’s way. “Wouldn’t want to feel left out of a Disney costume party. That would be bad.” She finally got her eyes to focus on something other than the plethora of brightly coloured costumes and followed Emma’s gesture to ‘over there.’ Garrison had already wandered over and was frowning at a very large dalmatian-dog print onesie. “Holy shit. We’re going to dress Kane up in a dog onesie? Okay, this just suddenly became the greatest party I’ve ever been to.”

“Merry Birthday!” Tandy jumped behind Adrienne with a snuggle, “Glad I made the age limit. Otherwise I would had been stuck at the kiddie table - again.” She was dressed as Princess Aurora but sporting the blue color, maybe she could get Amanda to make it change pink throughout the night. “But hey, we can drink legally together.” She gave Adri a wink.

“Hey!” Adrienne beamed when she saw Tandy, returning the snuggle. She still wasn’t completely over her giddiness at the fact that Tandy was back. “Yeah, and speaking of kiddie table, I wonder what the kids are doing at the mansion if…” Adrienne looked around the bar, “almost all the adults who live at Xavier’s are here.”

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Scott piped up from the entranceway, “Seriously, no-one is allowed to mention the mansion or anything serious tonight.” Scott grinned at Adrienne hefting a present in his hands, “Happy...anniversary,” he told her with a smile before muttering under his breath, “that’s genius, why didn’t I think of it.”

“Thanks,” Adrienne grinned at Scott, giving him a quick hug. “Glad you could make it. And yeah, whoever came up with the anniversary thing is my favourite person of the night.”

“Wait… I have to be the dog? Why do I have to be the dog? Why can’t I be…” Kane searched his memory for a Disney character. “... be Billy Joel?”

"Billy Joel was a dog too." Kyle said with a grin - but handed Garrison an already-opened bottle of Moosehead. "Why should I worry, blah blah, sunglasses dog." He didn't have much room to really talk, the grey ears that Dori had pinned into his hair via some kind of nerd-girl magic were clearly canine. "Could be worse, man, you could've been a snowman."

“Or the reindeer,” Jean said from her spot, leaning against the bar. Given the theme of the pub, her Merida costume didn’t look horribly out of place.“I suppose it would be appropriate, though. Aren’t there Caribou in Canada?”

“I thought that was Moose,” Laurie replied, grinning widely as she moved in to give Adrienne a one armed hug. The Kira costume had forced her to make the choice between leaving her other arm bare, or going with some kind of cap but she’d chosen to be o’naturelle. “Happy Birthday, now go choose a costume so we can start the dancing.”

“Aren’t there any real Disney people? Some kind of hard drinking, grim, manly kind of- I’m a dalmatian? I’m a fire department dog?” He turned to Adrienne. “If I’m a dalmatian than who are you?”

“Cruella De Vil, of course,” Adrienne answered with a delighted cackle as she returned Laurie’s hug and pulled away to follow her advice and pick a costume. “Fashion designer extraordinaire. Torturer of animals. It’s so me. Now, suit up, Pup.” Oh yeah. She was going to call him that all evening.


***

"Arg, bloody horns," complained Amanda as she got hooked up in a low-hanging lighting fixture. Again. She kept forgetting she was a foot taller than usual, when you took into account the sweeping arc of her Maleficent horns. Untangling herself without bringing the lights down on herself, she made it to the bar and signalled for another drink.

Captain Hook strolled up next to her, resting the hook on the top of the bar.

"This one's on me."

"Ange!" There was no mistaking the voice, or the accent. Very un-Maleficent-like, Amanda hugged the pirate. "And actually, these are all on Emma, but I appreciate the thought. How're you doing?"

He laughed and hugged her back, tightly.

"Ah, you know me... between work and holing up after - New Year's - been sorta quiet. But we've all got to get out sometime."

"Especially since we're all cooped up in Xavier's madhouse," Amanda agreed, but light-heartedly. She'd had enough to drink to make her merry, and the fact that three they'd thought dead weren't was enough to bouy up the party mood. "I like the costume. Is Jean-Phillipe the crocodile?"

"No, he's... well." He grinned lopsidedly and pointed in Jean-Phillipe's direction. "See for yourself."

Amanda peered through the crowd at the Frenchman, taking in his most un-couture outfit. "Smee?" she exclaimed, laughing out loud. "How the fuck did you manage to get him into that?"

"Believe it or not, it was his idea. But only if he got to look sexy in it."

"Jean-Phillipe could make anything look sexy," was her wry reply. "But the unbuttoned stripey shirt definitely helps." She glanced up at her ex-boyfriend. "So, how're you two going? You seem happy."

"I am", he said honestly. "I mean, you know... things. But he makes me smile."

That prompted a smile of her own. "That's all anyone can really ask for, isn't it?"

***

"Okay, so... can I ask you something?" Adrienne asked Rogue, sipping a beer as she stared out into the sea of costumes. "Why Disney? I mean... did Kane tell you I talk about Cinderella in my sleep or something?"

Rogue grinned and nudged Adrienne playfully. "Do ya? Ah wouldn't be surprised." She managed to quell the desire to stick her tongue out at her friend. "Nah, when Ah first thought of this, Ah wanted to do your 24th anniversary of your sweet sixteen and so I thought Disney princesses but Cece thought it sounded better to have a 15th anniversary of your 25th." Picking her own drink, she smiled. "Ah hope you like it, wife. More than Kane anyways...but he sure do look good in that puppy suit, huh."

"Yeah, my sister has a pretty wicked sense of humour, doesn't she?" Adrienne snickered, squinting over at Garrison across the room. "And I do like it," she assured her friend. "You and Cece and Em did really great work here. I'm really impressed. So, tell me about Vegas?" she suggested. "Especially the part where you found my thought-to-be-dead ward?"

"Ah fought an ice giant thing after entirely too many margaritas. At first, Ah was sure Ah was hallucinatin'," Rogue confessed. "An' then when I knocked it out, another one showed up.....". She shook her head. "It was all kinds of ridiculous. Ah still can't believe they were on some other plane of existence." Or however it was explained. Rogue hadn't been too clear on the details. it was weird to have three more people show up. Two who she was apparently close to. "You look happier than Ah've seen ya in a long time, by the way. Ah'm glad."

Adrienne shrugged, grinning. "There's been too much death around here lately. Some good news about people not being dead is really welcome. Particularly when one of them is Tandy. And, I guess now I kind of feel that because Tandy's back, I'm more capable of standing up on my own, y'know?" she admitted. "Kane's been doing a lot of the heavy lifting for me for the past couple months... life-wise. But now, I feel like I have a better handle on... everything. So I'm hoping I can be there for him to lean on me for a while. Especially with that bullshit with the Avengers and him getting suspended over it. Was that really as fucked up as it seems from what he's told me?"

Rogue groaned. "An' here Ah'd managed to forget all about that. Yah. It was super fucked up. Ah still don't know what the hell happened there. Ah mean, Ah remember before, y'know, when Ah was younger, " and in a different dimension, she thought to herself, "X-Men were respected. Maybe we didn't need to be there all the time, but whatever. Now, uh uh." She shook her head. "Got slapped on the wrist and told to go sit on the naughty chair. Told that the whole thing was our fault in the first place 'cause clearly, we ain't got the right trainin'." She gave a little snort. "As if. Ah should send Logan over there, they'd see how well we're trained compared to them."

Adrienne opened her mouth to mention to Rogue that the number of casualties the mansion had recently suffered- particularly from the ranks of the X-Men and the students- didn't really lend it self well to the whole 'well-trained' argument. But she held off. Then she nearly mentioned that training heroes to draw attention to themselves only put the rest of the mansion-dwellers in danger. But she didn't say that, either. This wasn't the right occasion, and it certainly wasn't the right Rogue. This Rogue was nineteen. She hadn't witnessed the additional decade of invasions, kidnappings, bombings, injury, and death that Adrienne's friend Rogue had knowledge of. So it wasn't really fair to point them out to her. "Siccing Logan on people seems to be your answer to most of the world's problems, huh?" she said instead, poking Rogue in the ribs.

Rogue gave an embarrassed laugh. "Gawd, Ah'm so obvious with all these things. Ah think Ah've talked about him in every single conversation ah've had tonight..." She sighed. "Ah'm pathetic, Ah know. It has to stop." Wrapping her arm around her waist, she tapped her other hand on her elbow. "But let's be real -- the man is terrifyin' when he wants to be. Ah don't know anyone that wouldn't be scared straight."

"I just find it funny that you've lost like ten years of your memory and you still get all goo-goo eyed over him," Adrienne smirked, sipping her beer. "You have still lost your memory, right? Nothing's, y'know, come back?" she asked curiously.

Rogue shook her head. "Nada. Zip. Nil. Still swiss cheese up there but, Ah took your advice, an' kinda talked to Emma about it. When she has some time, we're gonna see what we can do.". She paused. "And by we, Ah mean her. So there's that.". Rogue brightened up. "It'll be good. Ah think. Ah hope.". She lifted her drink. "But enough about me. Ah'm glad you're enjoyin' your party, my love! Here's to many more anniversaires to come!"

"Well, Emma's the best," Adrienne nodded, beaming over at her sister. "You'll be in good hands. And don't take her threats on your life too seriously. She's mostly all bark." She raised her drink and clinked it with Rogue's. "I'll drink to that," she grinned. "I'm having a great time. Thank you for organizing all this. It's really amazing."

"Anythin' for you," she beamed. "Now get out there and do something dirty with Kane. ‎ Let me live vicariously through you."

***

"Please tell me someone magicked your bag and now it can hold an ocean liner or something," Jean mused as she headed over to Jennie. She sighed wistfully.

"That would be so handy."

"No," said Jennie, giving her white lace umbrella a twirl. Her outfit Mary Poppins from her holiday in the chalk drawing, and the umbrella would be good for swatting any drunken party-goers. "I could test the luck barriers, but I'm constrained by physics. I could find a diamond necklace in it ...or a handgun." She smiled sweetly.

Jean laughed. "Not...quite what I pictured helping the medicine go down but I'll roll with it," she said, surveying the crowd.

"With this place I half expect something to happen and people to start singing. God, I hope not. I only sing in the shower."

"Pour enough alcohol into them and that's probably what will happen," Jennie herself would be more than happy to perform a A Spoonful of Sugar, and without her usual heckler in attendance she would be able to do it without any liquid encouragement. "As for the rest, a dare would probably do. Macaron?" Jennie offered the pastel treat.

"Merci," Jean said with a grin.

"And I knew there was a reason I came to this party. I suppose I could be persuaded into joining on the chorus for 'Cruella De Vil.' But if we start in on 'Let It Go' I may go find a bow and arrow to use to make my costume REALLY authentic. I am so over that song. "

"Oh look, I do have a gun," Jennie reached into her bag. It was a squirtgun, but Jennie was not going to go announcing that.

Jean sized her up, then beckoned her forward. "Bring it. I am not afraid to fight you, M-Pop."

"It's only if they start warbling Frozen songs, and then it's for me," she squirted vodka into her mouth. A responsible adult was she.

"Ah," Jean said, nodding with satisfaction that she was on her side. "It doesn't have to come to that, though. Worse comes to worse, they get started...I'll go start the getaway car and you set off the sprinklers. We can try to make a break for Canada."

Jennie cracked her neck in a most un-Mary Poppins-like way. "Done. Deal. Sold."

"But hopefully, they will make the wise decision to spare us from those drastic measures," Jean said, surveying the crowd. She spotted Scott in the crowd, quirking a brow at his costume, then smirked and glanced back over to Jennie.

"In the meantime I say we drink wine and dine on macarons like the classy ladies we are."

"Classy, with a K," Jennie cocked a pinky and smirked. "A spoonful of sugar and alcohol make for one happy Jennie."

"Just a spoonful? That IS classy," Jean said with a grin. "I'm more the 'dump the whole bowl in there' type."

Taking a bite of macaroon, she made an 'mmm' sound, then gave her a thumbs up as she savored to save having to talk with her mouth full. Once she swallowed, she grabbed her glass of wine and held it up.

"To Walt Disney, for coming up with dozens of characters for which we can wear costumes of and all get sloshed together."

"I'm sure it was his dream come true," Jennie replied. "Chin-chin, dearie."

***

"Happy birthday, birthday girl!" A voluminous black cloak enveloped Adrienne in a hug, before the wearer stepped back and revealed herself to be a cheerfully-beaming witch. "So, what the fuck birthday present can I get you now? There's no topping "kid back from the dead", is there?"

"There's really not," Adrienne responded, beaming as she glanced over at Tandy and Julian. "Everyone else got lucky, because I really don't need anything else this year. You having fun?"

"You'll just have to claim double the presents next year to make up for it," Amanda advised. "And yeah, not a bad little soirée. Remind me next time there's a costume party to remember I have to be able to walk around in my costume, tho'. I swear, I've nearly taken out the lights and several eyes with these things." She pointed upwards at her horns.

"Zeus, c'mon," Adrienne responded sympathetically, taking a long sip of her beer. "That's like, the first rule of costume parties. This is the real reason why women wear skimpy costumes to parties. See, everyone thinks it's to look sexy and desirable and because they have low self-esteem when it comes to dressing sexy on a normal day, but really? It's because the huge bulky costumes tend to be really hindering. Which is not fun." She gestured to the enormous box Emma had showed her when she'd arrived. "Em's got an insane number of costumes in there, though, if you wanna ditch the evil witch. Maybe there's a good witch costume in there?"

"With the Disney theme? Hardly," Amanda tried not to snort. "The best I'd get I think is the houdon from The Princess and the Frog and I'm way too white to pull that one off." She shrugged. "Besides, I'm enjoying Mal, even if she is as awkward as hell. At least untangling me from whatever makes for a good icebreaker with some of the newer people." She caught sight of Garrison and snickered. "Bonus points for getting Gar in the puppy costume, by the way. He's not going to forget that easy."

"I think Emma may have had a hand in that," Adrienne admitted. "Or else he's still just reeeeally grateful to me for some of the things we did in Europe. Or else he's making a mental tally of all the favours I'm going to have to do for him after this," she shrugged. "What's Princess and the Frog? she asked with a furrowed brow. "I don't know ninety percent of the costumes here. I would say it's because I'm getting old, what with being- gasp!- forty, but I never really knew much about Disney even when I was a child."

"See, this is where I have to admit I know more Disney than any self-respecting punk witch should," mock-sighed Amanda. "You know the fairy tale about the princess who kisses the frog and he turns into a prince, right? Disney made a movie version, set in New Orleans in the '20s. There was a crazy blind old houdon at one point."

"I wonder if the people who work at Disney have to undergo regular drug testing," Adrienne mused, gesturing for two new beers and handing one to Amanda. "Are you having a good time?"

"Probably. But I'm pretty sure those paints and markers they use can give you a good buzz, which would explain things like the ballerina hippos in Fantasia." Amanda nodded. "I'm definitely enjoying things. And you? Reconciled to the big 4-0?"

"No way," Adrienne responded immediately, shaking her head vehemently. "If anything, this party just encourages me to act more immature. So, y'know, the future is gonna be bright for Garrison in terms of having to bail me out of shit, I'll bet. But, I'm allowed, right? I mean, I get a pass I can use for Midlife Crisis or whatever, right?" she asked hopefully. "I just gotta figure out something epic to use it on. Like... buying a town."

"Somehow I don't think you'll ever be actually mature. You're too balmy for that," teased Amanda. "And go bigger - towns need looking after, so you'd just wind up a large-scale landlady if you did that. Maybe get your face carved on that mountain with all the Presidents on it?"

"Hey! No insulting the birthday girl!" Adrienne retorted, sounding hurt. "And I feel like you're... joking about the Mount Rushmore thing?" she squinted at Amanda as if she couldn't tell whether or not the witch was joking. "But it doesn't matter. I could never find a sculptor to capture my brilliance. Maybe I should buy a sports team or something."

"Teasing, mate, just affectionate, friendly teasing," Amanda replied, poking her tongue out at her friend. "Of course, with the whole 'staying under the radar' thing, you'd have to buy a team that's in a sport no-one actually watches. Like... lacrosse. Or that thing the Canadians do with the big rocks." Her wicked grin was growing wider with every suggestion. "Ooh, I know! You could sponsor professional darts! And make them use a picture of whoever you hate that week for the board!"

Adrienne's face brightened like a thousand watt lightbulb and she snapped her fingers at Amanda. "Ohmigawd. That's brilliant! Yes! I want one! I want a darts team!" She grabbed at Amanda's shoulder desperately. "How do I get a darts team?!"

Amanda started laughing, pleased at Adrienne's reaction. "Well," she said, in between giggles. "I have no bloody idea. But that's what research is for, right?"

***

This party, while completely different than most Warren attended, was actually fun. Everyone was laughing and everyone had participated in the stupid costume theme. Even he had, and how embarrassing was that when he realized his costume matched Jessica's, after he told Jean he didn't want to wear anything matching.

He'd find Jess later and see if she wanted to match anything else. If Jean didn't notice, actually.

Looking around the crowd, he saw Scott to the side. There was someone he hadn't had a talk to in a while. Grabbing a few shots, he headed that way. "I have no idea what your costume is," Warren announced, handing him a drink. "So I think I'll drink until I guess. Cheers?"

"I'm not entirely sure myself," Scott allowed glancing down at the aforementioned costume, "the lady in the costume shop kind of had a you've got to wear this one moment and threw it at me." Scott shrugged good naturedly, "I always thought I had the legs to pull off this kinda costume."

"Better you than me, my friend," Warren stated, lifting his drink. "Cheers!"

***

"So, you haven't run away screaming yet," Amanda observed as she came up to Domino, holding two glasses in her hands and walking carefully to avoid tripping over her long black skirt or entangling her horns in the light fittings. "That's a good sign. How're you enjoying things so far?" She held out one of the glasses to Dom.

"Yeah, you know..." Dom looked down at her own outfit, the long purple skirt way more colourful than anything she had voluntarily worn in a long time. At least the teased-out hair and hoop earrings were okay, though on their own they would've made her look like she had fallen out of the 80s. She glanced back up at Amanda and gave her a rueful grin. "It's all right. Everybody's really... festive." That wasn't quite the first word she would've chosen for it - crazy, weird, bugnuts - but it'd do.

"Hey, don't mock my work - I didn't sit and watch hours of Disney movies with my little sister for nothing, you know," Amanda mock-admonished. "And avoid priests. It won't end well." She glanced out over the crowded and, yes, festive room. The mood was way more positive than a simple birthday party, but given the events of the day before, it was expected. "And yeah, work hard, play hard. I think this is the first time people have really let themselves relax since M-Day, and it's showing. I can see it might be a bit overwhelming to a new face."

"Most priests are okay," Dom mumbled, taking a fortifying sip of her drink. If this had been a mission and mingling had been her objective she could've done it no problem. But since this was a party and not a mission and the people prancing around in dog ears and tiaras were her housemates, not potential targets, she really had no idea how to act. "But it's cool. Parties are cool. It's good people are having a good time. I guess there's a lot of shell-shock to get over, huh?"

"Yeah." Amanda gave Domino a sympathetic smile. "Some of us lost people, which makes it hard, and then there's the sudden influx to deal with as well... Not saying we're not glad for the extra help. How're you doing with us so far? It's been quiet job-wise, but now I've said that, we'll probably have rampaging yetis or something to deal with tomorrow."

"Yeah, you know. Yetis, whatever, just gimme a job, I'll do it." Dom took another swig and then offered Amanda a smirk. "And I'll make sure Syd does too."

"You know I'm dying to ask you what it is with you two," Amanda replied, with a smirk of her own. "But that would be pushy and such, and so we can pretend I didn't say that until you're comfy about talking about it. 'Cause that must be a Story." She looked around the room. "I see he managed to escape even Wanda's attempts to drag him here. Unless he's hiding in plain sight pretending to be bar staff or something."

Dom swept her gaze around the bar and then shook her head, though her expression was uncertain. "Nah. He's probably holed up in his suite drinking something old and disgusting and reminiscing about the good ol' days. He doesn't really do parties. So it's his loss," she added with a grin.

"Definitely. Especially wall-to-wall princess hotness," Amanda replied, matching her tone.

"Totally." Dom tossed back the last of her drink and gave Amanda an anticipatory smirk. "C'mon, let's go sweep them off their feet or something."

Amanda finished her own drink and grinned. "Now you're talking."

***

One of the benefits of having once been a mortal enemy of the X-Men was that Emma had long ago learned how to present a pleasant and civilized demeanor to someone who had been trying to kill her (or vice versa) only weeks before.

Thus she was able to smile and not stiffen as her path through the party to Harry's bathrooms intercepted that of a woman who had (and hadn't - this new Universe thing made Emma's head ache sometimes) tried desperately to kill both her and the Universe only a few weeks before.

"I like your choice of outfit," she said, nodding at Jean's green finery. "Do you do the accent as well?"

Jean turned to regard the hostess of the party, Adrienne's sister, Emma. The Elsa costume suited her rather well. She'd heard next to nothing about this woman but assumed she was rich if she had paid for the food, drink, and rental costumes of everyone.

"If I want to make a fool of myself, sure," she mused with a laugh, then stared down at her dress. "And thanks. I figured I'd go with something I wouldn't have to wear a wig for. I've done it before, never again."

She glanced back toward the rest of the party. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.

"This was really nice of you to do for Adrienne."

If her sister Sara had the money she might have done the same. That was what family was for, to be there for one another.

Emma shot a quick glance across at where her sister was laughing and (Emma frowned in thought) possibly doing something that looked vaguely obscene to one of the ice sculptures Bobby had so kindly supplied. Well, kindly, and for a reasonable sum of cash. "Adrienne's had a bit of rough time lately. Also, Birthday Of Doom." Emma shrugged. "I like to see her enjoying herself. Also," she added, quite solemnly, "men in loincloths. As an added bonus."

Jean laughed. "I'll drink to that," she said, and she did. She didn't want to disappoint her hostess. She glanced to where Emma had been looking, then cocked her head to the side, squinting to make sure she was seeing what she was seeing, then turned back to Emma with a smirk.

"I'm sure it'll be a memorable one for her. Depending on how much alcohol she has, I guess."

Emma grinned suddenly. "I don't think she'll go that far, but if she does, I'll remember it for her wholesale." She tapped her own temple lightly. "One of the joys of being what we are - being able to give people back all their embarrassing moments whenever it suits our purposes. So very useful." She gave the barest sketch of a curtsy. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I really do have to make use of the facilities. A pleasure to meet you."

Jean arched a brow...Oh. Right. Emma was a telepath too. That was definitely interesting. She'd actually forgotten about that.

"Likewise," she said with a grin. "Thank you for gracing me with your presence, Queen Elsa."

Taking a long, appreciate sip of her bourbon, Jean went back to people watching.

***

Picking at her costume as discreetly as she could, Bobbi checked to make sure her faux tail was still in place. It hadn't moved since she'd arrived but she was a little paranoid about losing it for some reason.

Satisfied that it was still in place, she readjusted her purple bow and hat for the millionth time and went in search of some punch or something to drink.

Rogue was beyond pleased that everyone had dressed up, and the creativity was‎ impressive. Seeing Bobbi, she realized she hadn't talked to her at all, nor did she has any idea who the blonde was supposed to be.

"Ya know, Ah somehow thought y'all would've come as Cinderella."

"Nah, not really my style. Plus I really thought someone else would've picked her, too." Bobbi added. "I do like this one, though, and it's appropriate enough. From The Rescuers, Miss Bianca, the detective mouse." she clarified in case Rogue didn't know who she was supposed to be."

"Oh! Of course Ah remember that one now! So few Disney cartoons are set in the south," she said, beaming. "That's why Ah picked this one, even if it's realy more cajun than anythin' else."

With the knowledge of who was who, she nodded her head. "Ah can see it now. Very nice. Ah approve!"

Smiling, Bobbi nodded and then sized up Rogue's costume. "Yours is awesome too, and this is such an awesome idea, I've gotta say." She'd never really attended anything like this but it was pretty cool to be a part of it. Pouring herself a drink, she raised a glass and wiggled it towards the other woman. "Want a drink?"

Looking around for Logan, Rogue was slightly relieved to see him occupied with Wade. "Yeah, Ah I do," she said cheerfully.‎ "Jus' don't tell Logan. He thinks Ah'm drinkin' too much, but really, Ah think he's worried Ah'll drink him under the table.one day. " She gave a sigh. "A body can dream, can't it..."

"About what, being under a table with him?" She might've had a few already, whoops. Sorry Rogue! "I mean, you can control yourself, is what I meant." Bobbi poured one and handed it to Rogue, then took a sip of her own. "And for the record I totally think you could take him. Under the table. Drinkingwise, I mean."

Rogue gave a sad laugh as she took her drink. "From your lips to his brain. Jess says Ah should jus' seduce him already. Not under a table, mind ya, but...somewhere. Ah ain't too sure Ah'd walk away from that."‎

"Not that I know much about relationships," Bobbi started, because she didn't, "but you'll know what to do, I think. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?" She thought about it for a second then immediately regretted having said it. "I'm sorry, don't listen to me, I don't know what I'm talking about."

"You an' me both, sister! Ah think that calls for a toast!". Rogue lifted her glass proudly. "To being completely clueless about the opposite sex. May we one day l‎earn the ways but until then," she paused, a cheeky grin on her face, "there's always vibrators."

Bobbi giggled so hard some of her drink sloshed out onto the floor. "Ok, sure, why the hell not? I'll drink to that." Still chuckling she finished off the rest of her drink before looking around and taking a few paper towels to wipe up the bit she'd spilled.

***

"I feel like we should be battling to the death or something," Amanda said as she realised Scott - in full Disney Prince regalia - was standing next to her. "Which one are you again?"

"Prince...Edward I think? To be honest Disney movies aren't really my forte," Scott allowed with a self deprecating laugh, "I don't know though, isn't Maleficent supposed to be one of the good guys now? Besides, you won't get me out that way, trying to fight you to the death would probably result in my very painful demise, and that's something I'd like to avoid if at all possible milady."

Amanda laughed. "She's... complicated. Which suits me down to the ground. And I'll leave off the climactic battle - I think Ice Giants are plenty enough for one week."

"You certainly are complicated," Scott agreed with a smirk before glancing over at Tandy, "you know what I think I'll join you. I'm swearing off Ice Giants for oh I don't know, the next year. I'll have to get my climactic battle fix elsewhere."

"Well, I got lucky and just had to deal with run of the mill mutant smugglers. Barely even broke a sweat," Amanda elaborated. "You lot got all the Asgard 'fun', and believe me, you can have it." She beamed. "Still, the result was well worth it for you lot - it's not every day we get people coming back from the dead."

"Around here?" Scott shot Amanda a rakish grin and lifted his glass, "Happens a lot more than you'd think."

"Yeah, I should have thought that through a bit more, shouldn't I?" Amanda raised her glass in return. "So, how're you coping with all of us under one roof? I have to admit, it's not so bad - always someone around to talk to when you want, and it's a good reminder of why we do what we do, seeing the kids around."

"The Mansion's a lot busier than it was before. And I used to think the mansion felt crowded before. Having someone around all the time is pretty nice though I can't deny that," Scott admitted, "It makes it hard to be alone though."

"Ah, see, that's where you lost out, being a student a thousand years ago," Amanda teased. "You don't know the best hiding places."

***



A week of drunken debauchery in Vegas, and now she was here, drinking again at Adrienne's party. Rogue wondered again if she drank this much as an adult...or if she would've drank this much as a teenager with free reign.

"If Ah went to rehab, would you still love me?," she asked Logan, ignoring the fact that she was drinking as she asked. A few seconds later, she realized what she'd said. "Visit me! Ah meant visit me!"

Logan arched an eyebrow. "Of course, I'd still visit ya. You'd ever doubt me?"

He hadn't been sure what to get the girl who had everything. He still wasn't sure his gift was right but it was too late now. He'd also been told in no uncertain terms he was showing up to this party whether he wanted to or not. The costume thing hadn't been his favorite but an unlimited bar tab kinda took the sting out of that.

He pulled at the collar of his Victorian costume. Damn thing was so scratchy he wasn't sure he'd last the night with it on. "Still enjoyin' the drinkin' I see."

She made a face and reached over to straighten his costume. All the fidgeting was getting out of place. "Last time, Ah swear. After this, it's water for me. Jus' cause Ah'm mad at mah brain don't mean Ah gotta kill it."

Looking at him, she smiled and impulsively leaned over, brushing her lips on his cheek. "Now relax. It's supposed to be a party, but if it'll make ya feel better..." She handed him her drink. "Ah'll stop now."

He snorted. "Yeah, that might be somethin' you should consider." He was a little surprised at the kiss. Marie seemed to be getting a little more comfortable with casual touches. He didn't remember her being this way when she was originally a teenager.

Logan took a sip of the drink then handed it back to her. "Nah, keep it. I'll just hold ya to that promise for when this is over."

Rogue shrugged, smile on her face as she took her drink. "Alright then, but don't go givin' me no frowny faces, when Ah refill this," she teased. To be honest, alcohol was starting to lose it's luster.

"Am Ah so different now like this?" Rogue chewed on the corner of her lip. "Emma said she could probably help me get mah brain back in order. Is it bad that as excited as Ah am, Ah'm still hesitant? Like....Ah know what Ah got. Sure, mah brain is full of more holes than a piece of cheese, but Ah got this. Ah don't know who Ah was...."

"Won't say a word." He looked around at everyone else dressed in costume. No rule breakers tonight.

"Nah, not so much. You're just...more sure of yourself." Logan curled a careful arm around her waist and hugged her. "Ya don't hafta if ya don't want. It's your brain and your right to do what ya want. You're doin' pretty well for yourself right now. Ya seem happy." He paused. "As for everythin' you're missin', ya get used to it, fill it in with new memories. Then at some point ya ask questions and figure out what happened."

She leaned into him, always appreciating the closeness. "If anyone knows what Ah'm goin' through it's you." Rogue took a deep breath before asking her next question. "If someone offered you your memories back, no strings, would you do it? Only consequence is rememberin' things best left forgotten."

Logan hesitated. More times than not, not having his memories had led to more complications than anything good. And he wouldn't have traded making the memories he had while searching for his past. "Yeah, I would. Too many times knowin' woulda helped more than not knowin'. And the problems that come with that, no one's got a past they don't sometimes wish they could change. Consequences are what we get for livin'."

Rogue gave him a small smile. "Yah....that's why Ah'll call Emma next week.". Snuggling in closer, she added: "At least one thing's for certain, old man. No matter what tense Ah'm living in, be it past, future or present, you'll always be there."

He tapped her lightly on the nose. "'Course. You're stuck with me. And I ain't goin' anywhere. Think that's been proven several times over." Logan took a sip of his own drink then waved at the people around them. "How 'bout we go mingle with everyone else? Since ya managed to get 'em into costume and all."

***
"So," Adrienne grinned at Garrison as she met up with him at the bar after she'd finished up a round of greeting everyone who had come out to the party, "how long have you known about this?"

"Marie and Cece texted me about it while we were in Europe. But since I don't know anything about Disney, I left all the details in their hands and those of your sister."

"I can't believe they pulled this off. I don't really get it," she admitted with a raised eyebrow. "I mean, have I ever shown a particular interest in Disney? But it's a really amazing gesture. And everyone really went all out." She tousled his Dalmatian ears. "And I promise I will make this up to you later."

"Ah, I don't really mind. Fire dog outfit for a night is a small price to pay to watch you smile. Besides, between this and Tandy's return, you haven't stopped smiling in days."

"Yeah, well, the last couple weeks have been pretty amazing." She shoved him playfully. "A trip to Europe with you, then Tandy, then this? I feel pretty damn lucky. Or I would if I had less sense of elitism and privilege," she teased. "Instead, I'm obligated to say something like 'I deserve to have other people make me happy all the time so it better keep coming.'"

"And that's my girl, back again..." Kane said wryly, taking a drink.

"I am your girl," she grinned, playing with his ears some more. "You moved in with me. Now you're stuck with me. Even though I'm forty now. Ha-ha." She did the Nelson-from-Simpsons laugh at him. "Unless you wanna trade me in for a younger model now that I'm technically 'over the hill'. There are a lot of princesses here to choose from tonight. Apparently Wade's a princess," she pointed out with a waggle of her eyebrows.

"That was the case long before tonight. But no, even considering the options, I think I'll stick with you for now." Kane said.

"Really? Even if I'm blackmailing Warren Worthington into paying for a reno to our suite to give me more closet space because I saw him having sex with a woman other than his girlfriend on my desk at XFI when my powers went off accidentally?" she asked him with a smirk.

"The winged fratboy has been boning someone else? Can't say I'm all that surprised."

"No, me neither, to be honest," Adrienne admitted. "I am just incredibly pissed he screwed someone else on my desk. And I do feel a little bad for Grey," she shrugged. "This version's just so... naive. Making her think you're dating her and then fucking someone else seems kinda like... when I accidentally step on your stupid cat's tail. And then it looks all sad and you feel all guilty. And I gotta work with this cat-tail-stepping guy." She sighed and downed the remainder of her beer.

"Should I go and threaten his life? I can do that really easily."

"Ooo!" Adrienne clapped her hands together delightedly. "Yes! You should do that! That would be an amazing birthday present! Yesss! Do it do it! Except you probably shouldn't," she added with a frown. "Cuz that would be, y'know, mean or whatever. Probably not in the spirit of a birthday party or whatever. Right?" She looked over at him as if hoping he'd dissuade her from dissuading him.

"I've got other ways of getting my point across to Mister Worthington. Now, shall we dance?"

"Yes! I want to see you shake your booty so I can watch your little puppy dog tail wag."
***

Laurie had left the dancing behind and was currently sidled up to the bar as she waited for one of Harry's staff to pour her a glass of white wine.

She spent the time watching everyone, from Adrienne laughing at something Tandy had said to Scott and Rogue seemingly comparing arm muscles.

It was good to see after the previous few months of grief and adjustment.

"And to think that I thought we'd never dance again." Emma's tone was bone-dry as she arrived at the bar next to Laurie, where her unspoken prior request to Harry meant her drink arrived at the same time as Laurie's wine.

"We're most of us not yet out of our twenties, I suppose there's something to say for being 'bright young things'" Laurie replied, picking up her glass and taking a sip of the wine. Not anything in any way expensive but a nice drop, Crystal had made sure she learnt the difference between good and bad wines while they traveled Europe. She didn't touch the small thought of whether Crystal was alive in this reality. "Although, it's not completely without historical precedent, something about dancing to convince the sun to come up in the morning."

"Have you seen some of the dancing at this party?" asked Emma, raising an eyebrow. "I'm fairly certain we're doomed to the sun crashing in a fiery ball of shame into the ocean, if that's what we're using to summon it."

Laurie made a sound somewhere between a choke and a laugh, as she'd just taken a sip of her wine, but rallied gallantly.

"You are not as I imagined you might be."

"Of course I'm not, darling," replied Emma, with a throaty chuckle. "I am, after all, utterly unimaginable." With a tilt of her head, Emma collected her glass and swanned back into the party.