An Apartment Building in Two Bridges, New York, Wednesday Evening

[suitably_heroic]

Three years ago, when Jack had first moved in here, this had been a weird, confusing thing to be dragged into - this communal gathering in a living room on the fourth floor, open to anyone who didn't have a place to land on Christmas. But by now, it was tradition.

By now, he and Dane showed up early, before dinner and before the party, to help set everything up. Trent would arrive later. Lana, hopefully, would be here soon too.

But for the moment, there was a nice, friendly quiet. Helping Dane with the sound system. Helping mrs. Zhang pull out the table and set out the plates. Watching mrs. Zhang's kid fumble with the Christmas decorations.

It was nice. And they hadn't even started yet.

As more people poured in and they sat down for dinner, Jack pulled out his phone and texted Lana the apartment number. Yeah. Yeah, this was nice.

[[ expecting one, but open for texts and calls as always ]]

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[unusual_sith]

Lana showed up bearing a large box with an assortment of Viennese pastries. She was wearing jeans and, in a nod to the holiday, a red sweater with just a little bit of sparkle to it. She waved to Jack and Dane as she headed over.

"This looks very festive. Merry...actually, do either of you actually celebrate Christmas?" She realized she had no idea what religion Dane was.

[suitably_heroic]

Dane ran his hand along his hair. "...Culturally?" he offered.

"Let's go with that," Jack said, already moving over towards the box. "Lana! Your pastries made it! ... And so did you."

[unusual_sith]

"Merry Christmas culturally, then," Lana said, laughing. "I'm not judging, only curious. And yes, the pastries and their courier made it." She passed over the box. "There's another box wrapped up in front of your door downstairs, so you won't need to stress about sharing."

[suitably_heroic]

Dane shrugged easily. "Try growing up in New York without getting at least a little indoctrinated," he said easily. "How've you been, Lana?"

"Oh sure, be the nice one," Jack groused, but he was opening that box and poking around in it within seconds.

[unusual_sith]

"But I so rarely get to be the nice one!" Lana protested. "I've been well," she answered Dane. "Just finished my last class of traveling around the world, and things are going suspiciously well at home. How is it being back in New York?"

[suitably_heroic]

"It's been a couple of months," Dane said, easily, "But it's still nice. Home is home, you know?"

Jack poached a pastry out of the box. "We've been weirdly busy," he said. "I mean, not just him, also me. Somehow."

[unusual_sith]

"Well, yes, but I haven't been back here since then," Lana said. "Music busy or other things?" Lana asked.

[suitably_heroic]

"Music busy, but not how you'd expect," Jack said. He took a big bite of a big... something? "Been helping out some of our friends, some of the venues we've played at..."

[unusual_sith]

"So, playing other things and branching out?" Lana asked.

[suitably_heroic]

Jack shot her an amused look. "Helping them record stuff, man merch booths and haul stuff around."

[unusual_sith]

"Ah, so support work." Lana nodded. "I've been doing a bit of that myself, though it's less manning merch booths and more scowling at politicians."

[suitably_heroic]

That earned a soft chuckle. "Jedi - or Sith, or Alliance - stuff doesn't count, I've been told."

"Nope," Dane agreed. "Not unless you're a weirdo who enjoys that kind of thing."

[unusual_sith]

"Depends on the politician," Lana decreed. "Some of them richly deserve it and I'm happy to supply it."

[suitably_heroic]

"You just say that because you don't have enough hobbies," Jack sighed. He nodded towards the living room. "C'mon. Everyone's finished with dinner and Trent just got here, so we're going to set up."

[unusual_sith]

"Are you saying there aren't any politicians you'd like to terrify?" Lana asked, raising an eyebrow at him. She was calling bullshit on that.

"No Jill today?"

[suitably_heroic]

"Oh, you do not want to tell that family we're stealing her for Christmas," Jack said.

Dane nodded sagely as he backed out of the hallway. "Now her family," he said, "does Christmas."

[unusual_sith]

"Oh, dear." Lana laughed. Then she grinned as she followed. "Need a drummer?"

She was absolutely not good enough. It didn't mean she wouldn't offer.

[suitably_heroic]

"Nah, we have this down to a science," Jack laughed, as he wandered after Dane. "You're welcome to tap along on the couch, though."

[unusual_sith]

"See if I don't," Lana challenged, still smiling. In an undertone to Jack, she added, "Any neighbours I need to look out for?"

[suitably_heroic]

"Mrs. Cho in the corner over there will talk your ear off about knitting if you get too close," Jack said, lowering his voice. "And the brown-haired guy sulking in the corner? Stay away from him too."

[unusual_sith]

"The one that isn't you, you mean?" Lana asked, smirking.

Look, she'd seen you lurking in corners at more than a few parties.

[suitably_heroic]

Jack pulled a face at her. "I'm trying to save you from a creep who's going to call you a cougar all night," he said. "A little appreciation here?"

[unusual_sith]

"All right," Lana agreed. "I may be amused, but I do appreciate the advice. You go do your thing, and I'll find a place for these," she hefted the box of pastries, "then mingle." She waved to Trent.

[suitably_heroic]

Trent looked up from his bass, looking... disturbed... and then gave the oddest three-fingered wave in her direction.

Jack shrugged, and continued after Dane by the instruments. Around them, more people filed in. The Yule Log was on the TV, and Mrs. Zhang and her kids were handing out drinks.

[unusual_sith]

Lana gave Trent a wave and a questioning look back before heading over to offer him a pastry. "Merry Christmas if you celebrate it," she offered. "Otherwise, happy Wednesday and have a pastry."