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 ]]

Comments

[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."

[suitably_heroic]

"You can just say 'happy holidays' if you're so worried," Trent muttered, though he sure did grab a pastry quickly. "We're all technically a part of the Christmas industrial complex, whether we like to be or not."

[unusual_sith]

Lana shrugged. "I'd never even heard of it until I was sixteen, and here I am," she agreed. "Happy holidays, then. Do you not enjoy it?"

[suitably_heroic]

"Christmas is just another excuse for capitalism to milk and bilk the working man," Trent said. And stuffed his face with pastry. "But I like this party."

[unusual_sith]

"It is rather well-advertised," Lana admitted. "You should have seen Vienna. Still, good food and company are always welcome. And good music," she added. "And if you spot any egregious capitalists, you can always send a few ghosts to haunt them; I won't tell."

[suitably_heroic]

Trent snorted. "Vienna, huh?" he said. "What took you there?"

Was that an accusation? Who knew?

[unusual_sith]

"Class," Lana explained. "I try to take my students all around the world to learn about the place. It's important to learn about the place you live in, don't you think?"