The X-Project

The Halloween party is in full swing. Various parts of the mansion and grounds have been decorated--the chapel housing eXcal and Avalon is half-lit and shadowy, and the Xavier family crypt (with its assortment of simple gravestones and mausoleums) is casting long shadows over the lawn from the mix of fading daylight and flickering lights. There are snacks throughout the mansion, everything from your standard candy and junk food fare to themed treats. Drinks in the common areas are mostly non-alcoholic, but if you stop by the bar there’s a few mixed punches designed for the over-21s (or the under-21s who are smart enough to not put themselves into a position where the older adults pay attention).

The second floor rec room has been playing a curated list of Halloween movies all day--mostly more lighthearted spooks like Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, and The Addams Family, with the second TV room on the floor showing animated movies and TV specials like Scooby Doo and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The third floor rec room is showing more classic horror, from The Creature from the Black Lagoon to iconic Hitchcock. A lot of the fancier snacks are in the ballroom, and there’s themed music and sounds playing in the room. Some of the classrooms with TVs are in use too, as people grab snacks and decide they want to watch a specific movie or show. The lawn is fully decorated, cobwebs and dancing skeletons with wireframe ghosts and straw-stuffed monsters.



“D’you want anything in particular from this spread,” Terry asked, reaching for one of the small plates available at the end of the table that she could load up with various foods. She started stacking tiny sandwiches and Halloween-themed snacks up, balancing the plate carefully as she went for the cheese next. “There’re loads more options in other parts o’ the mansion,” she continued. “Oh, and alcohol on the second floor, if y’want any o’ that.”

"I still wanna know what it was about a polo sweater -and- an ascot that people thought looked cool in the seventies." Kyle picked up his own plate, and stacked a few finger sandwiches on it, avoiding the ones that looked like fingers. "I mean I am totes rocking these pants, but only because let's be real, I look great in tight pants."

Artie reached around them for some cheese and crackers, nodding and turning back to the conversation he was involved in.

Wiggling her hips a little, just the slightest shimmy, Terry grinned. “I’ll admit, I’ve no’ been payin’ attention t’the ascot.” She bit into one of the little sandwiches, hummed softly, and then popped the rest of it into her mouth. She was wearing… something approximating the look Daphne from Scooby Doo had sported, but more flowy about the shoulders.

"So do you think Fred and Daphne were like, you know." Kyle made a small cheese tower on his plate, ate two pieces of cheese, and then added two more. "If the van's a rocking…" He grinned. "Because I mean Velma's a lesbian, Shaggy is totally not dating anyone, they're the only two who might actually be using the van for that."

“Why couldn’t Shaggy and Daphne be involved?” Terry asked, mostly just to see what Kyle would say.

Kyle tilted his head, considering this with far more seriousness than it probably deserved. "Iunno, Shaggy just struck me as not into, like, anyone. The man seems content with having a best dog friend and like, living his best foodie life." He took apart one of his finger sandwiches and deliberately started turning it into an oversized version with the cheese and other finger foods. "Velma's definitely a lesbian though, I am pretty sure that's in the show."

“They put that in the show?” Terry asked, eyebrows rising. “No’ that I mind, obviously, but I’d’ve thought all the parents in the United States would’ve objected. Everyone here’s a bit of a prude.” She smiled as she said it, though, obviously teasing.

"She had like, a crush on a girl. I think." Kyle answered. "Kinda been a while since I watched it though. Was background noise while I did my Master's thesis." He took an impossible bite of sandwich. "Oh, sorry I was like so far into my weird Scooby Doo thoughts I like managed to miss your question. Nothing specific about food, I'm just still in the always freaking hungry stage of healing. I do totes want alcohol though."

“Oooooh, is Scooby on?” Alex asked, poking his head. His hair was tousled in a purposely messy way, greenish paint smudged along his skin, ripped clothes hanging off his body. Yes, he was a zombie. No, he wasn’t original. “Which one?”

“No idea,” Terry offered with a smile. “But Kyle seems t’have quite a few opinions.” She stood up on her tiptoes to give Kyle a kiss. “Would y’like me t’track down that alcohol for you, boyo?”

"Yeah, just nothing with floating eyeball ice cubes… ice.. Spheres?" Kyle answered. "No eyes!" He gave Terry a sort of dopey affectionate grin as she headed for the door, and then turned to Alex. "Okay, so. Have you seen the new Scooby Doo, because Velma had a crush on that Marcie character, right? That happened, right?"

“Oh hell yeah.” Alex flopped beside Kyle. “I’m pretty sure there was some kind of like subtext about them dating after the universe reset.”

“Mystery Incorporated definitely had Velma with Marcie,” Alani supplied, pausing behind them. Yes, it was bad to listen in on conversations. No, she didn’t really care right now, booze punch in one hand. “That was the first Scooby Doo I remember watching, fuck I don’t even think I was in high school yet.”

“You just made me feel painfully old,” Darcy added. “But she didn’t start dating Marcie until the universe reset, right? I definitely remember her being on again/off again with Shaggy in the early episodes.”