xp_logs | XP Holiday: Do You Love Me

Felicia embroils Kevin into the resort dance competition at her own risk.

"So we're having our dance off!" The resort director was extremely excited. The main resort bar/disco was popular now that night had fallen and guests and off-duty staff packed in. While the area X-Force stayed in was private, they had access to the facilities in the public area of the resort, which several of them had both taking advantage of and made themself notorious in. "But while it is open to everyone, several couples volunteered!" He smiled widely and stalked around the stage. "Where is Felicia Hardy? She's was our Queen of the Dance off last night."

While this was probably the time for modesty, or maybe some kind of demure response, Felicia had none of that as she hopped off her bar stool, arms out in a regal gesture. The high slit in her sundress revealed long tan legs and sandals with a thick heel. “Am I picking my partner, or is someone already waiting with a crown?”

"Always so confident!" He'd already botched a pick-up attempt on her and was careful to make sure she didn't have a reason to report it. "But it might trip you up tonight, because tonight is our classic dance off! In honour of the Barkley's, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, they've asked for a particular genre of music for tonight's dance off." He stuck his finger in the air, and then again as his cue was missed, and the sounds of Chubby Checker started to play. "Couple number one, the Singhs, you're up!"

Turning full circle, Felicia returned to her bar friend, her pal, her buddy with big, soft green eyes. "So Kevin..."

"What?" He said, feigning ignorance while he watched a lovely thirtish Indian couple butcher the Twist in front of him.

"Let's be honest here," she said, not above leaning into him as she gestured at the bartender for another round. "As we always are. What do I need to do to convince you to dance in this with me?"

"The problem is that I'm supposed to react to that in a disgusting way. Or at least they tell me it's a disgusting way. In my day, it was Tuesday." Kevin sighed. "You owe me drinks back in the city."

Felicia made a high happy noise, kissing his cheek with a laugh. "I was just trying to respect your grumpy old man image you so expertly curate, like the beautiful, respectful lady that I am?" she chirped back. "All the drinks. I have to defend my crown with honour even if I've already paid the reject Jonas brother with no game to have the old couple win."

"You might not have needed to bribe him. I caught her glance earlier. She wants that crown and has game." Kevin sipped from his bourbon. "But are you ready? You might need to mashed potato. Some watusi?"

"You shut your mouth," Felicia sniffed in return, clearly trying hard not to grin as she bumped her shoulder into his playfully. "I'll even swim and locomotion if needed, though I draw the line at the pony."

"Oh no, the pony is on the list. In fact, I might have to dig deep for old school like the Lindy Hop." He emptied his glass and waved for another. The Singhs left with polite applause and flushed faces. The second couple, a beefy couple from West Florida were out in an instant, clumsily putting together a tango intro. "Ah, the Wattersons are on. But be warned. Dionne Jackson already nudged me and said they want the trophy. Did you know she sang backup on a bunch of Motown tracks?"

Felicia squinted at him, leaning back to get all of him in her vision. "I've... been played. You have been waiting and planning for this moment."

"The resort director turned out to be supremely easy and cheap to bribe." Kevin said with a smile. "Look, sometimes I can't help myself."

“I’m mostly just mad at myself for falling for it,” she answered back, pouting slightly as she clanged back the end of her cocktail. “Blinded by my love of dance.”

"That's part of the whole spymaster thing; knowing just what buttons to push." He waved for another round as the Wattersons closed things off and the Jacksons took the floor.

“Hearing you refer to yourself as spymaster is not assisting in reducing my self ire,” Felicia deadpanned, watching the bartender. “Ohh what tropical finery are you drinking tonight?”

"It's a bad version of a Hurricane but..." Kevin shrugged. "It seemed appropriate for the venue."

"As someone who has them making me Blue Hawaiians with a vodka float, I'll drink to that," Felicia supplied, both drinks hitting the bar in front of them, garnish at a jaunty angle. She watched the Jacksons begin to wrap up, scrutinizing. "Though I suppose I'll drink to most things."

"That's my girl. So, you ready for a dance medley?" He said, plucking off the topping and taking a deep drink. "Because our turn is starting."

Felicia stole his skewer of fruit before it hit the bar, nabbing the brandied cherry with her teeth, all grin. "Damn right. Let's fucking pulverize that tuber."

Kevin took her hand, but just before the floor, he paused, looking up. "Ah, the Contours. I invested well." He spun her on to the floor as the first words came out.

"You broke my heart, because I couldn't dance."